Dentistry (DDS)

The opportunities in dentistry have increased with a variety of career variations. Students now complete the following courses for the University of Minnesota:

  • Chemistry 125 (or 121/123), 126, 247/253, 248/254, 379
  • Physics 124, 125
  • Math 120
  • Biology 125, 126
  • English, 2 courses
  • Psychology 125
  • Preferred electives include Biology 231, 233, 243, 341, and 382, and courses in Art.
  • Students are encouraged to take a histology course. An online course is offered through Colorado State University (Histology VS 331; contact Sherry.stewart@colostate.edu for information).

Job shadowing or an internship in a dental office may be an important factor in choosing dentistry as a career or getting in. Set up an internship through your advisor. The American Dental Association can facilitate contact with a local practicing dentist.

In 2004 there were 9433 applicants and 761 attended (14% increase). Students must take the Dental Admissions Test which is scheduled at the student's convenience at testing centers. Most students take the test in the summer or fall after their junior year. The application to take the Dental Admissions Test (DAT) which costs $165 can be completed by contacting the American Dental Association. The DAT consists of four computerized tests: Natural Science, Perceptual Ability, Reading Comprehension and Quantitative Reasoning. The average GPA for enrollees was 3.44 (3.64 for the University of Minnesota ) with DAT Academic Average 18.7 (UMN 19), DAT Perceptual Ability 17.3 (UMN 18.1) and Total Science 18.5 (UMN 20).

Two good sources of practice tests can be accessed here and here. The DAT can only be taken three times. Dental schools also use a standardized application service. Applications can be paper or electronic (no Mac version is available) and costs $195 for the first school and $60 for each additional school. Applicants may also obtain their application from the American Dental Education Association.

The University of Minnesota dental web site can be accessed here. More information may be obtained from the Health Professions Committee. Dental schools prefer having the HPC letter as part of the application.

 

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