Careers in Dentistry - Guide to Pre-DDS/DDM With Janina Daep

Author: Janina Daep

Janina is currently a student at Western Washington University majoring in behavioral neuroscience and on the dentistry pathway. She has been contributing to the HEARO Community College Mentorship Program Resource Acquisition Team since April 2025.

HEARO's resource articles are thoroughly researched and vetted but we are only human - there might be errors! If you believe there is an error, please notify our team at hearo.infoapp@gmail.com.

Applying to dental school may seem like a daunting and challenging task, especially if you don’t know where to begin. With many requirements and deadlines to follow, it’s easy to feel lost and get off track. In this guide, I will outline each critical component of the application process from completing the prerequisite coursework, preparing for the Dental Admission Test (DAT), obtaining clinical experience, and more. Regardless of where you are in your academic journey, this guide will assist you in navigating every step to becoming a successful and competitive applicant.

INTRODUCTION

Dentistry is a field of medicine that consists of the study, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases affecting the teeth, mouth, and gums. Dentists in the field strive to provide a wide range of oral health care, including preventative and restorative care to contribute to the general well-being of patients’ lives. While there are general dentists who handle basic, routine care such as cleanings, fillings, and check-ups, there are also specialists who receive additional training in a specific area of oral care. There are a variety of dental specialties that are responsible for different forms of treatments, such as orthodontics, pediatric dentistry, and oral surgery.

Additionally, there are also different career and practice options in dentistry that practitioners can choose from based on the type of environment and lifestyle they prefer. In addition to clinical practice, dentists can transition to become dental educators by teaching clinical skills in a dental institution. There are also dental researchers who engage in improving the field of dentistry by investigating new resolutions for oral health diseases and advancing knowledge of dental practices.

UNDERGRADUATE EDUCATION FOR PRE-MEDICAL STUDENTS: OPTIONS AND REQUIRED PREREQUISITES

What prerequisite courses are required for dental school?

Traditionally, most dental schools require applicants to have completed the following prerequisite courses:

• Two semesters (three quarters) of general biology with lab

• Two semesters (three quarters) of general chemistry with lab

• Two semesters (three quarters) of organic chemistry with lab

• Two semesters (three quarters) of physics with lab

• Two semesters (three quarters) of English

Some dental schools will require additional upper-level courses such as anatomy and physiology, microbiology, biochemistry, and math. Other schools also highly recommend courses such as genetics, psychology, and cell biology.

What does a typical undergrad education look like for pre-dental students?

Because dental schools don’t require a specific major to pursue a career in dentistry, as an undergrad student, you typically take your pre-dental coursework alongside your regular major classes. Most pre-dental students often pursue a STEM major such as Biology or Chemistry because the major requirements will overlap well with pre-dental prerequisites. However, it is important to remember that it is best to choose a major that most interests you, even if it's not in the STEM field. Academic advisors in your institution will be a helpful resource in figuring out your academic schedule and how to fulfill all your pre-dental requirements.

Do dental schools accept community college credits?

Many students transition from community college (CC) to a four-year university due to preferences and factors such as costs and location. This is completely fine because most dental schools will accept CC coursework from an accredited school as part of your undergrad record. As long as the applicant provides an official transcript from every school they have attended, dental schools will be able to accept their classes. However, each school has its own set of policies and limitations, such as how many CC credits they will take, so it is best to check with the individual dental schools ahead of time before you apply.

CLINICAL EXPERIENCES (PAID JOBS)

Although not required, clinical experience beyond shadowing can be an enhancing component of your dental school application because it will give you prior exposure to dental settings. One way a student can get hands-on experience in the dental field while also getting paid is through becoming a dental assistant (DA). As a DA, you will gain an understanding of how a dental office operates, and it will provide you with dental experiences that you can talk about in your application. Furthermore, you will gain valuable knowledge about different dental procedures and terminology, which will be helpful during dental school. To become a DA, you typically need to receive training through local vocational schools to receive certification. However, there are also dental clinics that may not require any certification at all and may be willing to train you in practice.

Additionally, you can also gain relevant experience by working as a dental receptionist for a dental office. This position offers valuable insight into the day-to-day operations of running a practice, which includes tasks such as patient scheduling, maintaining records, and insurance coordination. Furthermore, being a receptionist will strengthen your communication and interpersonal skills while also helping you become more familiar with dental office terminology. There are no significant requirements for this role other than good customer service skills and prior experience in a dental setting.

CLINICAL EXPERIENCES (UNPAID VOLUNTEER POSITIONS)

Many dental clinics offer volunteer opportunities for students interested in pursuing dentistry as a career. For example, one great way to build your clinical experience is by getting in touch with your dentist or any dental clinics near you to ask to shadow and observe them. Possessing shadowing hours as an applicant will display that the student has a clear understanding of what is involved in dentistry. Furthermore, it will not only be a good opportunity to observe dental procedures and techniques, but also allow for asking the dentist questions about their application experience and journey to dentistry. Most dental schools require or recommend around 100-150 hours of shadowing to be a competitive applicant, and these can be split between multiple dentists if you are interested in different specialties. Additionally, a significant advantage of this experience is the chance to gain a letter of recommendation from your dentist, which most schools want to see.

Additionally, there are international volunteer opportunities where you can observe and participate in dental care at clinics that work in underserved communities. For example, Global Dental Brigades is a student-led international movement to provide health care in remote, rural, and under-resourced communities in Honduras, Panama, Guatemala, and more. To get involved, you can join your local Brigades Chapter at your university or other universities near you. The opportunity usually consists of participating in a 7-9 day volunteer trip in which volunteers work alongside and shadow staff to provide dental care to patients.

LEARN THE WHY AND HOW OF EXTRACURRICULAR EXPERIENCES

Most students applying to dental school will strive for strong grades and high DAT scores. To stand out among thousands of applicants, you must showcase unique and meaningful experiences that define your interests and goals. One way to do this is through volunteering where you can develop and demonstrate strong leadership skills while also supporting the local community. Your volunteer experience does not need to be related to dentistry, and there are many accessible opportunities for college students to help the underserved. For example, you can involve yourself locally by helping at animal shelters or serving at your community’s food bank. Volunteering for mobile dental clinics that provide free dental care is also a great way to show your commitment to serving underserved areas.

Extracurriculars, such as being involved in clubs at your institution, are another way to bolster your application. Universities have a wide array of student-run organizations that you can be a part of depending on your interests and passions. By joining a club and consistently supporting its events, you can showcase your interests outside of dentistry. Furthermore, taking on club officer positions can further show your commitment and strengthen your leadership abilities. If your university does not offer a club of your interest, you can start your own organization. Although this can be time-consuming, it will be a fulfilling experience seeing your club flourish and garner membership with individuals who share your interests.

Research is another strong extracurricular experience because it proves to the application committee that you have analytical skills, critical thinking, and a deep intellectual curiosity for scientific topics. Additionally, if your involvement results in publications, research can demonstrate your scientific knowledge and writing capabilities. All of these skills are essential in being a successful student in dental school and show that you are equipped to take on academic challenges. A common way you can become an undergraduate researcher is by reaching out to professors to express your interest in their lab, or emailing nearby universities conducting research within your field.

WHAT ARE GAP YEARS AND SHOULD I TAKE ONE (OR SEVERAL)?

Gap years are the period of time post-undergraduate education where you are not in school and are preparing to apply to medical school. These years can look different to each individual. Some people volunteer, work in paid part-time or full-time clinical and/or research positions, and/or travel, etc. Some people take one year, two years, or several years. The amount of time that you want to spend volunteering, working, and/or traveling between undergraduate and medical school is entirely up to you.

Gap years are typical and highly encouraged, as you will further develop as a professional. If you choose not to take a gap year, this is fine. However, if you are on the fence and worried about how gap years will look on applications, don’t worry! Gap years are an excellent opportunity to further strengthen your applications.

During your gap years, you can gain valuable work experience in the field and possibly even take the Dental Admission Test or DAT.

THE DENTAL ADMISSION TEST (DAT)

The Dental Admission Test (DAT) is a multiple-choice standardized exam that dental schools utilize to measure an applicant’s potential for success. Most students take the DAT during the spring of the junior year, the summer between junior and senior year, or during a gap year. An advantage of taking the exam while in undergrad is that you can apply and go straight to dental school right after graduation. However, it might be challenging to invest time in studying while taking coursework during the school year. In contrast, taking the DAT during a gap year can give you more time to prepare and study without having to worry about schoolwork. Gap years can also give you time to solidify your application through additional shadowing, volunteering, or retaking the DAT if needed. 

Before taking the exam, prospective dental students should have basic knowledge and completion of courses such as biology, general chemistry, and organic chemistry. The DAT is approximately a five-hour and 15-minute exam and consists of multiple-choice questions with four sections. It is offered year-round by Prometric test centers and is accepted by all dental schools in the U.S. and some schools in Canada.

The four DAT sections are:

• Survey of the Natural Sciences: This 90-minute section consists of 100 questions related to biology, general chemistry, and organic chemistry.  Questions cover topics such as genetics, aromatics and bonding, and naming and identifying molecules.

• Perceptual Ability: This 60-minute section consists of 90 questions and is divided into 6 categories with 15 questions each. The categories include apertures, view recognition, angle ranking, paper folding, cube counting, and pattern folding. 

• Reading Comprehension: This 60-minute section consists of 50 total questions across three passages. The questions associated with each passage are designed to test your reading comprehension and ability to analyze information in a scientific context.

• Quantitative Reasoning: This 45-minute section consists of 40 multiple-choice questions on mathematical problems and problem-solving. Questions cover topics such as algebraic concepts, numeric calculations, and conversions.

Starting March 1, 2025, the DAT will undergo a new scoring system that replaces the current 2-digit scale (1-30) with a 3-digit scale (200-600). This score reporting scale aims to yield a more precise and accurate representation of candidates’ skills. Learn more about the new scoring process via the American Dental Association (ADA) at this link.

Paid and Free DAT Prep Sources

Similar to the MCAT, you can invest money in buying DAT prep courses, review guides, and practice exams. Additionally, there are also free study resources out there that can be helpful. 

• The most popular and highly recommended paid online prep courses are DAT Booster, DAT Bootcamp, Kaplan DAT Prep, and The Princeton Review DAT Prep.

• Free DAT resources include Organic Chemistry Tutor DAT Review Lessons, Bootcamp Biology Feralis Notes, and Khan Academy Organic Chemistry Videos on YouTube. 

Don’t be nervous about taking the DAT. Remember that you can always take it again if needed. It’s important to avoid putting too much pressure on yourself- you don’t want to risk burning out before you’ve even begun.

APPLYING TO DENTAL SCHOOLS: COMPONENTS AND TIMELINES

Knowing the timeline for completing your applications to dental schools is essential in staying prepared and ensuring you are early in the submission process. If you already know early in undergrad that you want to go to dental school straight after graduation, you can start supplementing your application beginning freshman year.

Here is a general timeline that you can use as a guideline for navigating the process during your four years of undergrad:

Freshman Year:

• Review the required prerequisite courses for most dental schools. If you already have specific dental schools in mind, you can check their individual websites for a complete list. Otherwise, the ADEA website outlines the general requirements. 

• Meet with your pre-health advisor to plan your classes.

• Join clubs and community service activities at your school. If you have a pre-dental or pre-health organization, this would be a great time to get involved with them and meet other pre-dental students.  

• Apply for summer academic internships and programs such as the Summer Health Professions Education Program (SHPEP). SHPEP is a free summer program that offers accepted students dental school preparation and clinical exposure in health care settings. 

• Start connecting with dental offices and clinics for shadowing opportunities.

Sophomore Year:

• Start deciding on your major. Keep in mind that dental schools only require you to complete their prerequisite courses – choosing a science major is optional. 

• Continue being involved in student clubs and other extracurriculars. If you do not have a pre-dental club at your institution, consider talking with your advisor to start your own. 

• Start building your volunteer experiences by being involved in your community, such as helping at the food bank or animal shelter. 

Junior Year

• Continue completing your dental prerequisite courses, especially biology and chemistry courses to prepare for the DAT. 

• Begin making yourself familiar with the dental school application components and requirements. Additionally, start identifying a list of dental schools you would like to apply to and review the statistics of admitted students to guide your preparation. 

• Start identifying professors whom you would like to write your letters of recommendation and communicate your submission deadlines to them.

• Continue building your volunteering and shadowing experience and remember to document your hours and observations.

• Identify how you want to prepare for the DAT and when to take it. The ideal time would be during the summer between your junior and senior year, or immediately after you have completed the biology and organic chemistry courses. It is important to take your DAT early because you will have to wait 60 days if you choose to retake your test. 

• Register for a DENTPIN and the DAT through the American Dental Association (ADA) website. After registering for the exam, you will receive instructions on how to schedule your test date in the Prometric Test Center website. 

• The ADEA AADSAS is the centralized application service for most US and Canadian dental schools. Begin completing the application components starting the second week of May, when it opens. 

• Begin writing your personal statement early. Consider recruiting friends and relatives to read your essay and provide constructive criticism.

• The first date you can submit your ADEA AADSAS application is on or around June 1st. Plan to submit your application close to this time because an early application significantly enhances your chances of being reviewed early by admissions. 

Senior Year

• Complete upper-level science courses along with your major requirements.

• Prepare yourself for interviews. Participate in mock interviews offered by your institution's career center or student organizations. 

• Look out for offers of admission during the fall and winter. Depending on the date of an offer of admission, you will have a specific timeframe to respond. 

• Prepare for enrollment in dental school

For more information about the field of dentistry, you can email our program at hearo.infoapp@gmail.com or listen to Elissa Elmor's video interview about pre-dentistry!