Pre-Dental Program

The admission requirements at dental schools are determined by each dental school, but there are five, two-semester courses that are required at almost all dental schools. Since a dental school can add additional courses to its requirements, it is essential that a student investigates the specific requirements at the dental schools where he or she plans to apply.

Courses Required At Most Dental Schools: (two semesters each)

• General biology with lab (Bio 240 & 260 or 150 & 240)
• General chemistry with lab Chem 111/113 & 121/114)
• Organic chemistry with lab (Chem 221/255 & 231/256)
• Physics with lab (Phys 121/141 & 122/142 or 105/107 & 106/108)
• English (Eng 113 and either 231 or 232)

These courses should be completed during the first three years so the student is appropriately prepared for the Dental Admission Test (DAT), which is typically taken in the summer after the junior year. The DAT covers basic material in biology, general chemistry, and organic chemistry. The DAT also includes sections testing perceptual ability, reading comprehension, and quantitative reasoning.

Recommended Courses or Courses Required At Some Schools:

• Biochemistry (Chem 311* & 314)
• Psychology (Psy 100* & 230)
• Mathematics (Calculus or Statistics)
• Microbiology (Bio 231 or 395)*
• Anatomy (Kin 200 or Bio 332)
• Sociology (Soc 101)*
• Physiology (Bio 221 or 442)

  *Required at the University of Michigan School of Dentistry

Students should select a major area of study that is of interest and that will provide a foundation of knowledge necessary for the pursuit of several career alternatives. Dental schools are most concerned with the overall quality and scope of undergraduate work and not with the specific academic major. While many students who are pursuing a career in dentistry are interested in the sciences and major in one of the sciences, others with interests in the social sciences, humanities, or the arts, may major in one of those areas. Dental schools seek students with diverse and broad academic backgrounds.

Specific admissions requirement for each dental school can be found in the book "Official Guide to Dental Schools". This book can be ordered on-line from the American Dental Education Association. It is also available on closed reserve in VanWylen Library at the reserves desk under Health Professions.

Students should also be aware that dental school admission committees want to see that a student has learned about the dental profession through first-hand experience. This experience could include a job or volunteer work in a dental clinic or dentist office. It should also include job shadowing one or more dentists. Dental school admission committees also look at a student's experiences for evidence that the student is committed to serving others and that the student is able to work effectively with people from diverse backgrounds.

Useful Web Links to Dental School Information

Dentistry (D.D.S.)

• American Dental Association
• American Dental Education Association gives links to all accredited dental schools in the United States and Canada
• University of Michigan Dental School
• University of Detroit-Mercy Dental School

Links to General Information

• Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook for all types of careers.
• The Student Doctor Network is a rich source of information on all phases of preparing for dental and medical school and surviving graduate professional programs, especially interview feedback for medical and dental interviews. Maintained by dental and  medical students.
• Explore Health Careers-a large data base of links to other resources including information on many different careers, internships, and interviews.

For academic advising related to the Pre-Dental Program at Hope College, please contact Professor William Mungall (mungall@hope.edu)