Doctor of Dental Surgery, D.D.S.
Treating diseases and other conditions that affect the teeth and gums.
For descriptions of this profession, see: GoDental or Explore Health Careers
LENGTH OF PROGRAM
Dental School: 4 years
Specialties (i.e. orthodontics) require additional education after dental school is complete.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
Schools may require English, cell biology, genetics, math, social sciences, humanities and/or other courses. Check directly with those schools and the AEDA Official Guide to Dental School.
| SUGGESTED COURSES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Year of General Biology | Biology 101 Molecules, Genes and Cells |
Biology 102 Evolution, Organisms & Ecology |
|
| 1 Year of General Chemistry | Chemistry 130 Structure & Properties of Inorganic Compounds w/ Lab |
Chemistry 170 Stoichiometric Calculations |
Chemistry 260 Thermodynamics, Equilibrium & Kinetics w/ Lab |
| 1 Year Organic Chemistry | Chemistry 120 Structure & Properties of Organic Molecules w/ Lab |
Chemistry 310 Enzyme Mechanics |
|
| 1 Year Physics | Physics 120 Principles of Physics I w/ Lab |
Physics 130 Principles of Physics II w/ Lab |
|
APPLICATION TIMELINE
For admittance directly after DePauw: Prerequisite courses completed by the end of junior year; apply the summer before senior year.
For Gap Year: Prerequisite courses completed by the end of senior year; apply summer after senior year.
APPLICATION SERVICE
American Association of Dental Schools Application Service (AADSAS)
- Available in June
- Each school selects an application deadline, so confirm the deadline with the school.
- Apply early! Do not wait until the application deadline.
STANDARDIZED TEST
Dental Admission Test (DAT): Take after biology, all chemistry and physics courses are completed.
The DAT has four sections: Survey of the Natural Sciences (Biology, General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry), Perceptual Ability, Reading Comprehension and Quantitative Reasoning. The test takes approximately 5 hours to complete and is given virtually daily at Prometric Testing centers. Register for the online. You receive your scores immediately upon completion of the test.
Free and low-cost preparation materials:
- American Dental Association
- Check with the Hubbard Center
ADMISSIONS CRITERIA
- Overall and science GPA, check AEDA Official Guide for details
- DAT scores, check AEDA Official Guide for details
- Extracurricular activities
- Dentistry-related experience
- Research experience
- Community service
- Leadership experiences
- Letters of recommendation- Often including one from a dentist
- Interview
- Personal statement
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
General:
- American Student Dental Association
- Summer Medical and Dental Education Program
- Student Doctor Network
TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT, CALL 765-658-4622, OR EMAIL HUBBARD@DEPAUW.EDU
