Pre-Dentistry Program
Develop the skills necessary to enter the field of dentistry
Preprofessional Program – Dentistry
Dentistry Preprofessional Program
If you are considering dentistry as a career, please read through this information, and contact Dr. LaBonty very soon. We want to know about your interests and help answer any questions you may have.
Dr. Melissa LaBonty
Office: SC 363
Phone: 541.552.6788
E-Mail: labontym@sou.edu
Requirements for Admission to Dental School
The following information is based principally on the Oregon Health Sciences University Doctor of Dentistry Program but applies to most of the dental schools in the United States:
- Completion of 3 years minimum in any academic major (4-year bachelor’s degree in practice)
- Completion of required courses in the sciences
- Dental Admissions Test
- Letters of recommendation from professors and dentists
- Health-care experience in dentistry
- Extra-curricular activities/accomplishments
Choice of Major
No particular major is preferred. Pre-dentistry is not a major, but a collection of courses that fulfill admission requirements to most dental schools. Students must complete a minimum of 3 years of undergraduate work to be admitted to OHSU, but in practice, most have completed a 4-year bachelor’s degree before starting dental school.
Biology and chemistry are the most common majors; others include anthropology, education, math, philosophy, psychology. In terms of acceptance, no major has a selective advantage over another.
We recommend that students select a major that they enjoy, can do well in and would want for a career as an alternative to dentistry. Selection of a major should be discussed with a pre-dental advisor and chosen by the sophomore year.
Average GPA of entering dental students was 3.61 at OHSU for the 2014 entering class. Only 76 out of 1,328 applicants were accepted. Clearly, this is a very competitive field, and it is crucial to make your credentials as strong as possible.
Required Pre-Dentistry Courses
Chemistry
- General Chemistry, the one-year sequence with labs (CH 201-206)
- Biochemistry (Ch 350)
- Organic Chemistry, 8 quarter hours minimum
- Ch 334, 335, 336 + labs Ch 337, 340, 341 OR
- Ch 331, 332 + labs Ch 337, 338
Biology
- Principles of Biology, one-year sequence (Bi 211-213)
- Topics in Human Anatomy and Physiology (Bi 361, 362)
- Comparative Animal Physiology (Bi 314)
Physics
- General physics, one-year sequence (Ph 201, 202, 203 OR Ph 221, 222, 223 both with labs Ph 224, 225, 226)
Recommended Additional Courses
- Microbiology (Bi 351)
- Genetics (Bi 341)
- Cell biology (Bi 342)
- Immunology (Bi 456)
- Molecular biology (Bi 425)
- Courses in behavioral and social sciences, and in arts and humanities will enhance the student’s ability to practice dentistry
Note:
- All required pre-dent courses must be taken for a letter grade; pass/no pass options are not acceptable. A perfect 4.0 GPA is not necessary for admission, but consistently high grades in both science and non-science classes are important.
- Though OHSU dental school prefers the 300 level Human Anatomy course (Bi 361, 362), they also want to see those classes with a lab which we do not currently offer. Comparative Animal Physiology is used to complete the third term of “HAP” and it does have a lab. See Dr. Richard May for details on these courses.
What you Need to Apply
Dental Admission Test (DAT)
- The DAT is required by all dental schools. Find more information on the American Dental Association website
- It consists of 4 parts: Science survey (biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry); Perceptual ability; Reading comprehension; Quantitative reasoning
- The test scores are preferred by Sep 1 in the year preceding the applicant’s intended start date at dental school.
- The test fee is $430 (as of 2016), with some additional fees for sending the scores to more than 5 schools.
- Applications to take the exam must be submitted before a student is eligible to take the exam.
- Tests are scheduled through Prometric test centers and need to be arranged in advance with the center.
- Tests are strictly computerized; there are NO paper exams given.
- Exams may be re-taken, but no sooner than 90 days after the last time.
Health Care Experience
The dental admissions committee is particularly interested in an applicant’s knowledge of the profession of dentistry, in its many forms: orthodontics, endodontics, oral surgery, public health, research, etc. The wise student will make it a point to educate him/herself on dentistry through practical experience, talking with professionals, and reading. In the past, students have worked with dentists, either as volunteers or as employees, at private offices, clinics, dental schools, and/or research facilities. Students make these arrangements themselves. The more experience the better.
Extra-Curricular Activities
Participation in other activities, particularly public-service, will strengthen your application. Diverse interests such as foreign languages, music, athletics, and other pursuits helps to demonstrate your discipline and uniqueness as an individual. Admissions committees want to know that an applicant is capable of relating to people from a variety of backgrounds.
Letters of Recommendation
- Letters from science professors and dentists with whom the applicant worked are mandatory.
- These letters must address personal qualities such as reliability, integrity, and temperament, as well as knowledge of and dedication to the profession of dentistry.
- Students should begin early in their academic careers to cultivate relationships with individuals who will be able to provide detailed and positive evaluations of the student. Participation in class, research projects, volunteering or working in a dental office or clinic, etc. are critical.
- Many dental schools accept a single letter of recommendation composed by the Pre-dental Committee on campus. A student who uses this option must still have individual faculty and dentists who can speak to her/his abilities so the Committee can compose the letter. The student will also participate in an interview with the pre-dental Committee to help them in the evaluation process. This should occur in the spring term of the junior year for a student who intends to apply in the fall of senior year.
How to Apply
- The American Association of Dental Schools Application Service (AADSAS) is used by nearly all of the US dental schools.
- Students submit one application to AADSAS and it distributes the materials to the schools of the applicant’s choice.
- Applications should be submitted to OHSU between June 2 and Nov 1 of the year preceding the year you hope to begin dental school. Submittal before Sep 1 is highly recommended. Allow at least 3 weeks for AADSAS processing.
- The fee is $245 for the first school and $93 for each additional school (as of 2016).
- If a dental school requests a secondary application, they usually charge an additional fee ($75 for OHSU).
- The admissions committee at most dental schools (OHSU included) will invite a select group for a personal interview, and choose from among these students.
Students are encouraged to apply to their home-state university dental school and several other schools of their choice.
Curriculum Planning
- Consult with an advisor early in your program to monitor requirements, watch for timelines in course sequences and obtain application information.
- To major in biology, consult with Dr. Michael Parker.
- Other majors should see an advisor in their own department and Dr. LaBonty.
Section Contents: Biology Programs
Contact Biology
SOU Biology Program
1250 Siskiyou Blvd.
Ashland, OR 97520
541.552.6796
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