Watch a video of the frequently asked questions and resources available on the website for students on the pre-dental path.
According to the American Dental Association, dentists “diagnose and treat diseases, injuries and malformations of the teeth and mouth, improve a patient’s appearance, perform surgical procedures such as implants, tissue grafts and extractions, educate patients on how to better care for their teeth and prevent oral disease, teach future dentists and dental hygienists, and perform research directed to improving oral health and developing new treatment methods.”
CAREERS IN DENTISTRY
Information about careers in dentistry may be found at ADEA.
EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK AND EARNINGS
The current Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook for Dentists can be found online.
APPLYING TO DENTAL SCHOOL
Admission to dental school is competitive. Students should plan to:
• Apply early (late spring) of the year before the expected year of matriculation.
• Submit application to schools that best match your strengths.
• Obtain shadowing and/or practical clinical experience in a general dentistry setting. Some schools require 100 – 150+ hours of pre-application shadowing.
• Volunteer to work with underserved populations.
Most dental schools participate in the American Association of Dental Schools Application Services (AADSAS) which is a centralized application service. AADSAS provides uniform information about applicants in a standardized format. As a rule, students should initiate the application process approximately one year and two months prior to the expected date of entry into dental school.
STANDARDIZED TEST: DENTAL ADMISSIONS TEST (DAT)
Dental school applicants must take the Dental Admissions Test (DAT) which helps evaluate an applicant’s aptitude for dentistry. The DAT is designed to assess a student’s knowledge of natural sciences, reading comprehension, quantitative reasoning, and perceptual ability. The DAT is given at Thomson Prometric Test Centers on a computer and is administered almost every day of the year. Students are encouraged to take the test at least one year prior to their anticipated entry into dental school. The DAT is a four hour and fifteen minute test.
For information and statistics regarding applicants, admitted students, and matriculants to dental school, explore the ADEA Data pages.