The academic requirements for dental school
are similar to those for medical school, and the chances for getting
in are also comparable. There are fewer applicants per year for
dental school, but there are also fewer dental schools.
Practical experience as a technician or
assistant with a dentist is very important, and a letter of
recommendation from at least one dentist is desirable. If
dentistry is your first choice, you should not take the MCAT, since
that will make a dental school admission committee question the
singlemindedness of your motivation.
All United States dental schools require the
Dental Admissions Test (DAT). The test has four parts: science
knowledge, biology, organic and inorganic chemistry; reading
comprehension; verbal and quantitative ability; and perceptualmotor
ability (two and three dimensional problem solving). You can
prepare for this test using many of the same methods described for
the MCAT. The test is offered in April and August every year; you
should plan to take it in April of your junior year.
Three quarters of U.S. dental schools use the
American Association of Dental Schools Application Service (AADSAS)
to handle preliminary applications. You may obtain an application
from your Pre-Health Professions advisor or by writing:
AADSAS
P.O. Box 4000
Iowa City, IA 52240
Dental school admission procedures are similar
to those of medical schools, and it is a four year program with
extra time required for specialization. For more information about
dentistry as a career write:
American Dental Association
Council of Dental Education
211 East Chicago Avenue
Chicago, ILL 60611
