Dentistry presents a rewarding career in the dynamic field of oral health care. Opportunities in oral health care delivery systems are plentiful and varied, including prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and research of oral diseases. In the 21st century, dentistry will offer a broader array of options to students interested in oral health care. Innovative advances in technology, cutting edge research, and dynamic changes in the oral health care are underway and promise a satisfying career.
Web sites exploring the field of Dentistry:
¨ American Dental Association: Dental Careers
¨ University of North Carolina School of Dentistry: Careers in Dentistry
Preparing For Dental School
Students preparing for dental school are encouraged to successfully complete a regular four-year curriculum leading to either a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science degree. It is not necessary to pursue a major in one of the Sciences. There are a series of core courses required by each dental school. Generally it is necessary to complete the following
| One year of English |
Eng 11, Eng 12 |
8 semester credits |
| One year of General Biology |
Bio 11: Foundations of Biology or have AP Biology Credit Bio 21: Genetics |
8 semester credits |
| One year of General Physics |
Phy 11: General Physics I Phy 12: General Physics II |
8 semester credits |
| One year of General Chemistry |
Chm 11: Foundations of Chemistry I Chm 12: Foundations of Chemistry II |
8 semester credits |
| One year of Organic Chemistry |
Chm 21: Foundations of Chemistry III Chm 22: Molecular Structure |
8 semester credits |
Students should check with each dental school individually to determine what its own set of admission requirements may be.
Students should also be aware of the characteristics that each Dental school looks for in all of its applicants. Dental schools accept individuals with the following criteria:
- Students with excellent academic abilities as shown by their undergraduate grade point average (GPA), difficulty of course load, completion of the required pre-dental courses, and scores on the Dental Admission Test (DAT).
- Students who demonstrate a desire and commitment to service and helping others as demonstrated by participation in extracurricular and volunteer activities that involve interaction with others.
- Students who have psychomotor skills sufficient to perform the necessary tasks required in dentistry. These skills are shown by their performance on the perceptual ability portion of the DAT and by participation in hobbies and other experiences outside of the normal college curriculum that require the use of one’s psychomotor abilities.
Applying to Dental School
A Doctor Of Dentistry (D.D.S.) is the same as a Doctor of Medical Dentistry (D.M.D). The degree is awarded after 4 years of dental school. Prerequisites are usually the same as for medical school (see above). It is suggested that applicants have a GPA of at least 3.5 and a DAT score of 19-19-19 or better. For the entering class of 2004 there were 4,618 enrollees from an applicant pool of 8,123 for an acceptance rate of 56.8%. For the entering class of 2001 the average science and math GPA was 3.32 and the overall GPA was 3.42. Average scores on the DAT were Academic Average = 19.7, Perceptual Ability = 18.1, and Total Science = 18.3.
Since each accredited dental education program has its own application process and set of admission requirements you should contact each program directly. The American Dental Education Association (ADEA) in Washington, DC sponsors the American Association of Dental Schools Application Service (AADSAS). This is a central application service for most but not all of the dental schools. AADSAS simplifies the application process by providing one standardized form.
All
- Survey of Natural Sciences (biology, general chemistry, and organic chemistry)
- Perceptual Ability (two- and three-dimensional problem-solving)
- Reading Comprehension (dental and basic sciences)
· Quantitative Reasoning
Associated American Dental Schools Application Service (AADSAS)
Associated American Dental Schools Application Service (AADSAS) is a centralized application service sponsored by the American Dental Education Association (ADEA). AADSAS simplifies the application process for both applicants and schools by allowing applicants to complete only one application form. After completion of the application and submittal to AADSAS, the information is sent in standardized format to the dental schools listed on the application. It is important to note that AADSAS serves as an information clearing house only. It does not influence any school’s evaluation or selection of applicants, nor does ADEA recommend applicants to dental schools or vice versa. Applications can be complete electronically via the Web, or downloaded and printed at www.adea.org. The initial processing fee is $195 for the first dental school; $60 for each additional school up to 10; $50 for each additional school from 11-20; and $25 for each additional school over 20.
Key web sites for Dental Medicine:
- American Dental Education Association (ADEA)
- American Dental Association (ADA)
- Dental Admission Test (DAT)
- Associated American Dental Schools Application Service (AADSAS)
United States Schools of Dental Medicine:
Organizations Related to Dental Medicine
· American Dental Association (ADA) - access to news, publications, and products and services related to dental health.
· American Association of Dental Editors (AADE) - composed of those specifically interested in improving communication within the dental profession and in elevating the standards of dental journalism.
· American Student Dental Association - The American Student Dental Association is a national student-run organization which protects and advances the rights, interests, and welfare of students pursuing careers in dentistry. It represents students with a unified voice and provides information, education, advocacy, and services. The association introduces lifelong involvement in organized dentistry, and promotes change for the betterment of the profession.
· Academy of General Dentistry (AGD)
· American Academy of Esthetic Dentistry
· American Academy of Gnathologic Orthopedics - national dental organization that advocates non-extraction orthopedic techniques and holistic dentistry concepts.
· American Academy of Implant Dentistry
· American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry
· American Academy of Periodontology - offers information on gum disease and treatment and a periodontist referral service.
· American Academy of Restorative Dentistry - promotes the improvement of public health and the quality of restorative dentistry.
· American Association of Endodontists - national organization representing the specialty of endodontics or root canal treatment.
· American Association of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons - find information about oral and maxillofacial surgery including cancer, dental implants, sports safety, jaw surgery, and more.
· American Association of Women Dentists - dedicated to enhancing and promoting participation and leadership for women in organized dentistry.
· American College of Dentists
· American College of Prosthodontics
· American Endodontic Society - endorses and teaches the Sargenti or N2 technique of root canal therapy.
· American Independent Dentist's Association - dedicated to the survival of the concept of optimal care in dentistry. working to re-engineer organized dentistry and bring new tools to the education of patients.
· Association of Managed Care Dentists - a nonprofit organization dedicated to the education of dentists and related professionals about the emerging managed care delivery systems.
· Australian Dental Industry Association - represents industry companies in
· Canadian Dental Association - national, authoritative voice of dentistry in
· Delta Sigma Delta - international dental fraternity.
· International and American Associations for Dental Research
· International College of Dentists - worldwide association of dentists.
· National Dental Association - promotes the public's health through the commitment of member dentists to provide quality oral health care, accessible to everyone.