Want to learn more about one of the best new dentists in Richmond, VA?
At Northside Dental Co, we pride ourselves on providing a welcoming, professional dental experience. The way we make that happen is by hiring the best dentists in Richmond, VA.
When we first opened our doors, we started with one fantastic dentist, Dr. Tolbert. But as our office has grown, we’ve needed to hire another dental professional.
A few months ago, we welcomed Dr. Yang to our Northside family!
To help you get to know who Dr. Yang is as a dentist and person, we sat down with her and asked her some questions, like:
- Why did you become a dentist?
- How long does it take to become a dentist?
- What do dentists do?
- Where did you go to dental school?
- What are some of your hobbies and interests?
Keep reading to learn more about Dr. Yang, one of the best new dentists in the Richmond dental scene.
1. When and Why Did You Decide to Become a Dentist?
I’ve wanted to become a dentist since I was 11 years old.
Someone’s smile has always been one of the first things I notice about people, so making a career out of giving people a better, healthier smile was the ideal job!
My childhood hygienist was also really great and helped inspire me to become a dentist.
2. How Hard Is it to Become a Dentist?
The path to becoming a dentist is quite an extensive process.
Before even attending dental school, you need to take and pass the Dental Admission Test (DAT). Most dental schools accept students with a score of 19-20, which is roughly the 85th percentile of all test takers.
After you pass the DAT, you can apply to dental schools and accept any offers you receive. Once you start dental school, you spend a few years learning about dentistry and practicing dental procedures.
Finally, you need to pass the National Board exam. Usually, you take part one at the end of your second year and part two after your fourth year. If you pass this exam, you’re officially a dentist and can start working at a dental office!
How Much School Is Required to Be a Dentist?
A typical dental route requires:
- Four years of undergraduate study
- Four years of dental school
During undergrad, aspiring dentists often take prerequisite courses to help them prepare for the DAT. Some standard courses include:
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Anatomy and physiology
Then, the four years of dental school include classroom lectures and in-person clinical hours to practice dental procedures. As you progress through dental school, the number of classroom hours decreases, and the number of clinical hours increases.
How long does it take to become a dentist?
The length of time it takes someone to become a dentist varies on the route they take.
Some people (like me) know they want to be a dentist as soon as they start undergrad. These people often spend four years in undergrad and then go right into four years of dental school, for a total of eight years. However, some dental schools allow someone to finish in three years instead of four!
Other individuals might not know they want to be a dentist until they’re almost finished with college. In this case, they might need to take an extra year or two after undergrad to complete prerequisite courses, study for the DAT, and apply to dental school.
But in general, the process of becoming a dentist takes about 8 years between college and dental school.
3. Where Did You Attend Dental School?
I attended West Virginia University (WVU) School of Dentistry in Morgantown, WV, which ranks in the Top 100 dental schools in the U.S.
I was born and raised in West Virginia, so I went to WVU for my undergraduate degree and decided to stay for dental school!
Attending dental school at WVU was the best four years of my life. The faculty and staff were all helpful, and you’ll make lifetime friends because everyone has similar goals and mindsets.
4. What Do Dentists Do?
Most people probably think of a dentist as the person who quickly checks a patient’s teeth after a dental cleaning or fills cavities. But there’s more to dentistry than that!
Some of the most common dental procedures that I perform include:
- Fixing cracked or broken teeth
- Placing crowns and veneers on teeth
- Performing root canals and tooth extractions
- Making dental bridges, mouthguards, and dentures
- Drilling and placing implants
As a general dentist, I’m trained to perform a large number of general, cosmetic, restorative, and emergency dental procedures.
Is There a Dental Procedure You Most Enjoy Performing or Find Most Fascinating?
Well, the cool thing about being a general dentist is that you can do just about any procedure within the dentistry field without having to specialize!
As I mentioned earlier, someone’s smile is one of the first things I notice, and providing people with a great smile is what attracted me to dentistry as a profession. So, I would say that my favorite type of procedure is anything cosmetic, like fillings on front teeth or crowns/veneers!
5. What Dental Advice Should People Take to Heart?
My one piece of advice is that it’s always best to be proactive and preventive about your oral care!
You only get one set of adult teeth to last you the rest of your life, so it’s essential to take care of them from the moment they come in.
Scheduling and attending routine cleanings allow your dentist to catch problems earlier on. The earlier an issue is identified, the cheaper and easier it is to fix!
6. What Do You Think of the Richmond Area and Working as a Dentist in Richmond, VA at Northside Dental Co.?
I love the Richmond, VA area!
Before moving here a few years ago, I’d been living in West Virginia my whole life. So, it’s nice to have more of a bigger-city feel!
Finding a job at Northside Dental Co. has been a blessing. The people I get to work with day in and day out are so amazing, positive, and supportive. Not to mention, the office itself is beautiful!
7. Do You Have Any Hobbies or Activities You Enjoy?
I’m an avid pickleball enthusiast! If you haven’t heard of it, it’s like tennis mixed with ping pong.
I also longboard on occasion, and I’ll be playing football in a rec league this fall!
I love to travel and explore new places, as well as try all kinds of different foods.
8. What’s an Interesting Fact About Yourself?
Two interesting facts about me are:
- I’ve never been stung by a bee
- I’ve never broken a bone
Schedule an Appointment with the Best New Dentist in Richmond, VA
Here at Northside Dental Co, we really are thankful and blessed to have Dr. Yang join our dental team. She’s a fun, hard-working, experienced dentist who’s already brought so much value to our staff and patients.
If you want to meet her and receive quality dental care, come on in to our office today. Whether you need a routine cleaning or more advanced dental work, Dr. Yang and the rest of our team at Northside have you covered.
New patients are always welcome, and we look forward to helping you keep your smile bright and healthy!
