Dentistry is the branch of the healing arts and sciences devoted to maintaining oral health.  It is a dynamic health profession, offering opportunities to become a successful, highly respected member of the community. 

Dentists enjoy excellent compensation and the high demand for dental care is likely to continue in the future.  The realization that oral health can have a serious impact on systemic health drives the expansion of new professional opportunities each year.

Today's dentists are highly sophisticated health professionals who provide a wide range of oral health care that contributes to the general health and quality of their patients' lives.

Requirements for admission to dental school vary among the different programs.  It is critical for the prospective applicant to check the specific requirements for each program he/she intends to apply to.  The pre-requisite coursework will take three years to complete.

Pre-requisites for applying to a typical dental program:

  • BIOL 211/211L & BIOL 213/213L for Biology majors entering Fall 2010 and later, or all non-Biology majors (non-BIOL majors will need special permission to enroll in these courses; Procedure for non-BIOL majors to register for BIOL courses)
  • Biology majors entering prior to Fall 2010 must take BIOL 151/151L & BIOL 201/201L
  • CHEM 121/121L - 122/122L (these courses should be completed as soon as possible)
  • CHEM 321/321L -  322/322L
  • PHYS 151/151L - 152/152L
  • BIOL 414

The following courses are strongly recommended:

  • BIOL 301/301L
  • BIOL 307
  • BIOL 313
  • BIOL 314/314L - 315/315L

The following courses are highly recommended:

  • BIOL 309
  • BIOL 411

Applicants are expected to have had some experience in dental settings, and should be able to provide strong letters of recommendation from teachers, dentist(s), and others who can attest to the applicant’s character and attributes.  Evidence of good manual dexterity is an asset.

You will have to take the DAT - Dental Admissions Test *

* Your target score should be around 19-20.

Most students apply in the summer between their junior & senior years - one year before you intend to matriculate.

Most Dental Schools use the centralized application service (CAS) - AADSAS.

Virginia Commonwealth University School of Dentistry

For a listing of accredited dental schools in the United States, see the American Dental Education Association.