Pre-Dental Education

The Dental Profession
Dentistry is devoted to maintaining the health of teeth, gums, and other hard and soft tissues of the mouth.  Early detection of oral cancer and systemic conditions that manifest themselves through the mouth are necessary for the maintenance of general health.  The dentist is a person dedicated to the highest standards of health through the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of all oral diseases and conditions.

Dental Education
There are only 56 dental schools in the country.  Virtually all programs prepare students to be general dental practitioners and to render comprehensive patient care.  Educational emphasis is generally placed on scientific development; diagnostic skills and treatment planning; clinical treatment and technical performance; practice administration; and personal, professional and community responsibility.  Curriculum and outcomes vary from school to school, so students should contact programs of interest directly to determine specific curriculum content.

Undergraduate Preparation
Most dental schools require a minimum of two or three years of undergraduate education.  However, many programs recommend the completion of the bachelor's degree.  For consideration for admission to the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) College of Dentistry, students must complete a minimum of 90 undergraduate semester hours.  For admission to Creighton University School of Dentistry, students must complete a minimum of 64 undergraduate semester hours.   

Required and Recommended Courses
The following are entrance requirements for UNMC College of Dentistry and Creighton University School of Dentistry.  Students who are considering dental schools outside of Nebraska are encouraged to contact those schools directly for a list of entrance requirements. 

1.Required Coursework

Biological Sciences with lab - 8 hours 

General Chemistry with lab - 8 hours 

Organic Chemistry with lab - 8 hours 

Physics with Lab - 8 - 10

English Composition - 6 hours

2.  Recommended Elective Courses

Science Based		Humanities	Other
Anatomy Biochemistry Cell Biology Pathology Comparative Anatomy Cytology Embryology Genetics Hematology	Immunology Mathematics Parasitology Microbiology Psychology Pharmacology Physiology Zoology	Anthropology English Literature Political Science Scientific Greek or Latin Sociology	Business Law Business Organization Economics

Extracurricular Experiences
Pre-Dental students are encouraged to participate in extracurricular experiences, such as leadership roles, volunteer work, research, and shadowing, which will help prepare them for dental school and the dental profession.  Extracurricular experiences play a significant role in a student’s application to a professional school program.  Such experiences demonstrate a commitment to and knowledge of the profession.  In particular, shadowing dental professionals, as well as participating in the Pre-Dental Club, will help students learn more about the profession of dentistry.

Application and Admission
1. Dental Admissions Test (DAT)
The DAT is composed of 4 parts:  Survey of Natural Sciences, Perceptual Ability Test, Reading Comprehension Test, and a Quantitative Reasoning Test.  It is recommended that you complete 2 semesters of general biology, 2 semesters of general chemistry, and 2 semesters of organic chemistry before taking the DAT.  It is also recommended that you take the DAT 13-15 months before your intended enrollment.  It is each applicant's responsibility to provide official Dental Admissions Test score reports to each school to which they apply.  DAT examinations are computer based and are coordinated by the Dental Admission Testing Program and administered at Prometric Test Centers.  Information on the DAT is available at http://www.ada.org/prof/ed/testing/dat/index.asp.

2. American Association of Dental Schools Application Service (AADSAS)
Fifty-two of the nation’s dental schools, including UNMC College of Dentistry and Creighton School of Dentistry, participate in a centralized application service, the AADSAS.  To initiate your application to any of the schools participating in AADSAS, go to http://aadsas.adea.org/.  Application materials will be available in May.  It is recommended that you apply as soon as possible.  Some dental schools may also require the completion of a secondary application, following the submission of your initial application through AADSAS.  If the school you are applying to does not participate in AADSAS, contact the school directly for application materials. 

Additional Resources
American Dental Education Association
http://www.adea.org/

UNMC College of Dentistry
40th & Holdrege
Lincoln, NE 68583-0740
(402) 472-1328 or (402) 472-1363
ckuster@unmc.edu or gmcanfie@unmc.edu
http://www.unmc.edu/dentistry/

Creighton University School of Dentistry
2500 California Plaza
Omaha, NE 68178-0055
(402) 280-2695 or 1-800-544-5027
denschadm@creighton.edu
http://cudental.creighton.edu