Your Path to a Dental Career: Course Requirements & Tips

Dentistry is a rewarding career to pursue but getting into a dental course can be challenging. There is a long list of requirements and helpful hints that can allow you to get into a dental course that suits you.

Instructions

• 1

  Get some work experience in your local dental office to become familiar with the profession.

• 2

  Keep your GPA as high as possible, especially math and science. Enroll in college prep classes and focus on chemistry, biology and algebra.

• 3

  Get an undergraduate degree. The American Dental Association (ADA) states it is not necessary to major in science but you need to complete the pre-dental science requirements. Required courses generally include; eight hours Biology with lab, eight hours Physics, eight hours English, eight hours General Chemistry with lab and eight hours Organic Chemistry with lab.

• 4

  Research different dental schools and the admission requirements. Contact them if you have any questions.

• 5

  Do things with your hands that require fine motor skill, such as playing an instrument, sewing or sculpting, suggests the College of Dentistry, University of Florida.

• 6

  Look for information about applying to dental school. Study the American Dental Education Association website. Read the "Official Guide to US and Canadian Dental Schools."

• 7

  Take the Dental Admissions Test (DAT) in late spring or early summer between your Junior and Senior year of college, according to the College of Dentistry, University of Florida. "If you are not currently a student, take the DAT during late spring or early summer a year before you plan to enroll as a dental student." Apply to dental school through the Associated American Dental Schools Application Service (AADSAS).