Program Requirements

Dentists are professionals who maintain the health of oral structures such as teeth, gums, palates, tongue and other tissues. They prevent, diagnose and treat oral diseases as well as oral-facial anomalies. Dentists provide direct patient care but they may also teach, conduct research and serve in multiple facets of public and international health and are important advocates of public health care policy reform in government. For general dentistry, a four-year graduate program is required although there are one-year residencies and other advanced education that can increase the knowledge and breadth of the dentists. Specialties ranging from dental public health to maxillofacial specialties that require one to three years of additional training. (American Dental Education Association Official Guide to Dental Schools 2010)

REQUIRED COURSES FOR ADMISSION BY MOST DENTAL SCHOOLS
Course Name Credits MSJ Course(s) Pre-requisites
General Chemistry I & II 8 CHE 111 & 111A
CHE 112 & 112A		 Math placement 4 or higher
Principles of Biology I 4 BIO 111 & 111A  
Additional Biology Course 4 See Recommended  
Organic Chemistdy I & II 8 CHE 211 & 211A
CHE 212 & 212A		 CHE 112
General Physics I & II 8 PHY 201 & 201A
PHY 202 & 202A		 MTH 185
Written Word 3 ENG 101  
Recommended COURSES
Course Name Credits MSJ Course(s) Pre-requisites
Biochemistry or Biochem: Nucleic Acid Stduct 4 CHE 325 & 325A or
CHE 326 & 326A		 CHE 212
Anatomy & Physiology I & II 8 BIO 201 & 201A
BIO 202 & 202A		 BIO 111 & CHE 112
Microbiology 4 BIO 305 & 305A BIO 112 & CHE 112
Cell Biology 4 BIO 310 & 310A BIO 111, CHE 112
Genetics 4 BIO 320 & 320A BIO 111, CHE 112
CHE 211
Ceramics 3 ART 140  

 

The courses that are listed above are commonly required or recommended by graduate schools.  In addition to the specific courses that are listed above, students are expected to take core courses in the humanities, social sciences, and mathematics.  Students who are interested in a particular school should refer to that school’s website for specific requirements.

HPAC Advisor:  Tracy Reed-Kessler, PhD
Office:  SC 205A,  513-244-4324
Email:  tracy_reed@mail.msj.edu

Admission Requirements

Dental School Admission Requirements

Most students who are admitted to dental school participate in a wide range of extracurricular activities, including: volunteer work, dentist shadowing, and biomedical research.  Students apply to dental school through the Associated American Dental School Application Service (AADSAS). The application process opens to students in December of each year prior to entering school with deadlines around May 15. Students are encouraged to apply as early as possible. Additional information is available at www.adea.org. The American Student Dental Association, www.asdanet.org, offers additional resources and information for students including a handbook for predental students.

Dental Admission Test (DAT)

In order to apply to dental school, students are required to take the Dental Admission Test (DAT). The DAT is a five-hour computerized exam. It includes multiple-choice questions on the topics of biology, general and organic chemistry, perceptual ability, reading comprehension and quantitative reasoning. The test is given most days of the year at any Prometric Testing Center but you must register with the American Dental Association (ADA) first and be given authorization to register for the test. There is a substantial test fee. The test should be taken at least one year prior to the planned date of dental school enrollment. More information including the application and preparation materials for the test may be found at http://www.ada.org/dat.aspx. You MUST read these materials before applying to take the exam.

Tri-state Schools

These summaries and course listings are intended to serve as guidelines. Please refer to the College Catalog at www.msj.edu/catalogs for the latest information on course listings.                                             

College of Mount St. Joseph, September, 2012