University of Nevada, Reno
Professional School Advising
COLLEGE OF SCIENCE
411 Davidson Math & Science Center
775.784.4591
www.unr.edu/science
DENTAL SCHOOL PREPARATION
Dentists diagnose and treat problems with teeth and tissues in the mouth, along with
giving advice and administering care to help prevent further problems. In addition to
providing direct care, dentists can also teach, conduct research and work in public and
international health. Dentists can also perform corrective surgery on gums and supporting
bones to treat gum disease, as well as extract teeth and make models and measurements
for dentures. They also administer anesthetics, write prescriptions for certain
medications, and oversee the operation of their business if they are in private practice.
For more information on a dental career, read the US Department of Labor Occupational
Outlook Handbook’s website: www.bls.gov/oco/ocoos072.htm
MAJOR: You can major in any undergraduate degree program provided you include
the required pre-dental prerequisite courses in your curriculum. Students must prepare
themselves with a basic background in chemistry, physics, mathematics and biology as
well as the social and behavioral sciences, and the humanities.
Professional School Advising offers personal assistance with the professional school
application process, including academic guidance, seminars, the personal statement,
mock interviews, advise on getting letters of recommendation, admissions testing,
program selection, and application timelines and strategies for students in the College of
Science.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS: Course requirements may vary by school but the
following courses are generally required. For specific requirements see the ADEA Official
Guide to Dental Schools which can be found on their website at www.adea.org. It is the
applicant’s responsibility to determine the specific requirements of each program to
which they are applying. All required courses should be taken for a letter grade. The
general requirements are:
General Chemistry:
1 year with lab (Chem 121, 122)
Organic Chemistry:
1 year with lab (Chem 241/242/345 or 341/342/345)
Physics:
1 year with lab (Physics 151, 152)
Biology:
One year of biology with lab
English:
1 year (English 101,102)
Psychology:
1 semester (Psychology 101)
Additional recommended courses: Mircobiology, Anatomy & Physiology, Genetics,
Immunology, Introduction to BioChemistry, Statistics, Speech, Calculus, Art and
Sculpture.
DENTAL ADMISSION TEST (DAT): The DAT is a comprehensive examination
administered on computers at the Sylvan Learning Center/Prometric Testing Services
throughout the US. Candidates may schedule a test date on almost any day, and your test
scores are available immediately. You should plan to take the DAT before you apply, but
you should not delay submission of your application simply because DAT scores are not
in. The DAT consists of sections in biology, inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry,
reading comprehension, perceptual ability and quantitative reasoning. In addition to
these sections you are given an overall science score and an academic average. The
actual test time is approximately 4 hours and the application for the test is available at
www.ada.org/prof/ed/testing/dat/. You should take the examination at least a year before
you plan to enter dental school.
EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES: Clinical experience is required for admission
to just about all dental schools, be it paid or volunteer or observational or actual work for
a dentist. Admission committees want to be certain that you have knowledge of the field.
It is also important for a competitive applicant to have participated in extracurricular
activities. Often students must support themselves financially and work becomes their
primary extracurricular activity. However, it is important that students also become
involved in community and campus service, organized sports, research, pursue personal
interests – all can be important in the admission process.
APPLICATION PROCESS: Most dental schools belong to a centralized application
service: the American Association of Dental School Application Service (AADSAS),
which allows you to apply through one initial application. Applications are available on
the AADSAS website, http://www.adea.org usually at the beginning of May. You can
obtain applications from non-AADSAS schools by contacting them directly. Applications
can be submitted beginning June 1st and it is recommended that applications be submitted
as early as possible.
Secondary/Supplemental Applications are requests by AADSAS schools for additional
information and fees. Some schools require that you submit the “secondary” shortly after
you send in the AADSAS application; other schools do not want you to send the
secondary until they notify you to do so. You will find complete instructions in the
AADSAS application materials. For non-AADSAS schools there is just a single
application.
Interviews are the final stage of the application process. If a school offers you an
interview it means they are seriously considering you. All schools interview potential
matriculates.
LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION: All dental schools require letters of
recommendation, usually 1-2 from science faculty and one from a dentist. The time to
submit the letters will vary, so it is best to check the instructions of each school to which
you are applying. AADSAS offers a Letters of Recommendation Service; for more
information go to https://portal.aadsasweb.org/
You may also consider storing your letters with a document collection and delivery
service such as Interfolio, where your letters can be kept on file for up to 5 years and
delivered to the programs you are applying to at your convenience. For more information
go to www.Interfolio.com
Selection for admission is based on many factors including GPA, DAT scores, letters of
recommendation, the interview, extracurricular activities, personal statement, research
experience, and awareness of and experience in health related and dental fields.
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