While you don’t need to take advanced dental education to practice as a dentist, it is something to consider. Why? Because it gives you options. Through advanced training such as General Practice Residencies (GPR) and Advanced Education in General Dentistry (AEGD), you can expand your career options and scope of practice. It may also be a good way to sharpen or increase your skills or knowledge in specialties that could help you in your general practice.

The length of these general dentistry advanced dental programs varies, but most are 12 months. There are currently 177 GPR programs and 93 AEGD programs in the United States.