"Dentistry is a profession that combines science and technology with helping people to enhance and maintain their oral health. As health care practitioners, dentists diagnose, treat, and help prevent diseases, injuries and malformations of the teeth and mouth. They improve a patient’s appearance by using a variety of cosmetic dental procedures; perform surgical procedures such as implants, tissue grants and extractions; educate patients on how to take better care of their teeth and prevent oral disease; teach future dentists and dental hygienists; and perform research directed to developing new treatment methods and improving oral health.” -NAAHP Fact Sheet
Reasons to become a dentist
According to the American Dental Education Association, some of the reasons that have been advocated for people choosing to become dentists include:
Whether it is providing preventative care, delivering dental restorative procedures, eliminating pain, or correcting dento-facial esthetics, often, in a single visit, the dentist can experience the satisfaction, privilege and joy of positively transforming a patient’s life by restoring oral health.
Dentists can own their own businesses right after dental school. This gives them a lot of independence and allows them to set their own business and career goals.
In addition to clinical practice, the dentist can also contribute significantly to the future direction of oral health care by engaging in dental education and research. Dental educators can shape the dental school curriculum and the professional role of the dentist by establishing themselves as faculty members in dental education. As a dental researcher, the dentist uses the most advanced techniques and technologies and applies cutting-edge scientific findings to advance the profession forward by discovering new oral health phenomenon or seeking a resolution to a myriad of oral health issues.
Dentists are highly regarded by the communities they serve for their contributions to the general health of the public as well as their drive to improve the lives of those around them.
Dentistry is often referred to as an art. It requires mastery and technique unique to the profession. Dentistry is largely based on maintaining proper oral health but is also an aesthetically focused practice. A large part of dentistry involves restoring teeth and making a smile beautiful, one that the patient is happy to show to others.
With an annual income well above the national norm, combined with a flexible work schedule, the dentist is allowed the privilege and ability to provide oral health care to those communities and populations that desperately lack access and affordability.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND SCHOOL APPLICATION PROCESS
Why your students should choose dentistry
With population growth, changes in health care law and the upcoming retirement of a large group of dentists, the need for new dentists has never been greater.
The American Dental Association (ADA) represents more than 157,000 dentist members, and its vision is to be the recognized leader on oral health. The ADA works to advance the dental profession on the national, state, and local level.
American Dental Education Association
The American Dental Education Association (ADEA) is The Voice of Dental Education. Its mission is to lead institutions and individuals in the dental education community to address contemporary issues influencing education, research, and the delivery of oral health care for the overall health and safety of the public.
American Student Dental Association
The American Student Dental Association (ASDA) is a national student-run organization that protects and advances the rights, interests, and welfare of dental students. Predental students can find information on maximizing their shadowing experiences and pursuing a career in dentistry as a nontraditional student.
The ADEA Associated American Dental Schools Application Service (ADEA AADSAS®) is the centralized application service for U.S. dental schools. ADEA AADSAS simplifies the application process, allowing you to save time and energy by completing just one application for multiple dental schools. Download the quick guide.
Pre-Requisite Courses
Successful completion of all general education requirements
GPA Mean for admitted students: 3.54
DAT Mean for admitted students: 20
- BIOL 1100 - Principles of Biology I
- BIOL 1200 - Principles of Biology II
- CHEM 1100 - General Chemistry I
- CHEM 1110 - General Chemistry II
- CHEM 2200 - Organic Chemistry I
- CHEM 2201 - Organic Chemistry Laboratory I
- CHEM 3200 - Organic Chemistry II
- CHEM 2211 - Organic Chemistry Laboratory II
- CHEM 4310 - Biochemistry I
- PHYS 1100 - Physics or PHYS 2100 - General Physics I: Mechanics
- PHYS 1200 - Physics or PHYS 2200 - General Physics II: Electromagnetism and Circuits
- PSY 1500 - Introductory Psychology
- BIOL 3400 - Cell Biology and Genetics
- BIOL 2010 - Human Anatomy and Physiology I
- BIOL 2020 - Human Anatomy and Physiology II
- MICR 3100/BIOL 3100 - General Microbiology
- BIOL 5440 - Immunology
- MATH 2040 - Applied Calculus I or MATH 2110 - Calculus I
- SOC 2010 - Introduction to Sociology
- MATH 2740 - Introduction to Statistics or BIOL 3000 - Biostatistics