Special Admission
Requirements
Experience in the Field
As a minimum, you are
required to at least spend 20 hours observing a dentist at work (University
of Detroit Mercy Dental School). A family dentist might be willing to serve
as your mentor in this capacity. You had best spend a considerable amount of
time investigating what a dentist does in their daily routine. Dental
schools want to accept a candidate who is
highly motivated; one who is most likely to succeed and
not suffer burnout. It would be a good thing to get some work experience in
the oral health field if possible. Volunteer work is acceptable if you
cannot get a paying position.
Special Examinations & Required License
Courses required prior to being accepted
to a dental school are a year of inorganic chemistry, a year of organic
chemistry, a year of biology, a year of physics, and college algebra. All of
the science courses must include a laboratory. Prior to taking the Dental
Admissions Test it would be most helpful to be at least close to finishing
the chemistry, biology and algebra. A test section on spatial perception is
also on the DAT. In addition to the minimal requirements the student will
find that a knowledge of biochemistry, vertebrate anatomy, microbiology,
cell biology, genetics and mammalian physiology would be good fields of
knowledge for the examination. Finally if you also could manage to earn a
minor in psychology or sociology this too would help your application in
being accepted at a dental school.
Successful applicants to dental schools must
pass the Dental Admission Test, which includes general biology, general
zoology, comparative anatomy, human physiology, microbiology, inorganic
chemistry, organic chemistry, science reading comprehension, spatial
perception, and quantitative reasoning (mathematics). Also, a license to
practice dentistry is required in all states. Dentists must have graduated
from an accredited dental school and pass the two-part written National
Board Dental Exam and regional dental exams.
