Dentistry is defined as the evaluation, diagnosis, prevention and treatment (non-surgical, surgical or related procedures) of diseases, disorders and/or conditions of the oral cavity, maxillofacial area and the adjacent and associated structures and their impact on the human body; provided by a dentist, within the scope of his/her education, training and experience, in accordance with the ethics of the profession and applicable law.
-Adopted by the 1997 ADA House of Delegates
Education
Dentistry programs require four years of study, after at least three years of college work (a bachelor€™s degree is not required for admission though it is strongly encouraged). For the academic year 2003-2004, approximately 17,800 individuals were enrolled in the 56 schools and colleges of dentistry in the United States (including Puerto Rico). In 2003, an estimated 7,987 individuals applied for admission to the first year of class, of which 4,618 were accepted and enrolled. 4,443 individuals graduated from these dental programs in 2003. On a 4.0 scale, the grade point average for the 2003 entering class ranged from a high of 4.0 to a low of 2.20 with a mean of 3.32.
Post Baccalaureate Pre-Medical Programs
Post Baccalaureate programs
are programs offered by many institutions that allow students to complete
their pre-requisites or improve their academic records. Most of these programs
are one year in length, and many have specific requirements similar to those
of entry to college.
For example: A minimum DAT score
Application Process
The Dental Admissions Test (DAT) takes a total of 4 hours and 15 minutes to complete the four tests in the DAT battery. A 15-minute break is optional after competing the second test; but if an examinee opts to take the break, the testing session will resume automatically after the 15 minutes have elapsed.
The DAT includes:
Survey of Natural Sciences: 90 Minutes
Perceptual Ability Test: 60 Minutes
Break (Optional): 15 Minutes
Reading Comprehension Test: 60 Minutes
Quantitative Reasoning Test: 45 Minutes
For more information on what the DAT, please click here.
Associated American Dental Schools Application Service (AADSAS)
The AADSAS is a service available to all students applying to the fifty-four dental schools that participate in the application service. AADSAS simplifies the application process by providing one standardized form, relieving students of the need to complete multiple applications. Dental schools benefit by receiving uniform information on all applicants. AADSAS serves only as an information clearinghouse and does not influence the dental schools€™ appraisal or selection of applicants. Each dental school has the right to request supplemental information from the applicants. To complete the application should have your personal statement, list of schools, and college transcripts to fill out the application. The application process is costly once you start applying, so appropriate preparedness is crucial at the beginning stages of applying.
Secondaries
Secondary applications are what the schools personally send to fill out and find out more about the interested student. Usually there is a deadline and an additional fee, so be adequately prepared. Secondaries should be completed as soon as they arrive, since they tend to pile up.
Interview
If the Admissions Committee thinks you have what it takes, they will invite you for an interview. The interview occupies an entire day; one full of mini sessions and a faculty interview.