Dental school typically takes four years to complete, although some programs may take longer. The first two years of dental school typically focus on classroom and laboratory instruction, while the final two years involve clinical training in a hospital or dental clinic setting. During this time, students learn a variety of topics, including anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, pathology, and dental materials science. They also gain hands-on experience treating patients under the supervision of licensed dentists. Upon completing dental school, students must pass a licensing examination in order to practice as a dentist.