Dentistry

Responsibilities: Dentists diagnose dental conditions concerning issues like cavities or gum disease, perform procedures like fillings and extractions, and provide preventative care through educating patients on dental hygiene and diets helpful for oral health. Dentists work with dental hygienists, dental assistants, and other specialists to provide complete care for issues related the oral cavity, teeth, and gums.

Salary: According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average salary for a dentist in the United States is $179,210 in 2024. However, salaries can vary depending on specialization and location.

Education: Dentists will complete a bachelor’s degree before completing four years of dental school. Students will graduate with either a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD). Then, dentists can choose to specialize in orthodontics, oral surgery, periodontics, etc., which requires 2-6 years of extra training.

Bachelor’s Degree: All dental schools require a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university before entering dental school. There is no specific major required, but the most popular pre-dental majors are Biochemistry, Biological Sciences, Microbiology, Biomedical Engineering, and Chemistry. However, Business Administration, Psychology, or Finance are also majors some students have chosen.

GPA: Dental admissions committees evaluate GPAs in several ways: overall GPA, science GPA, and the trend of your GPA from the first to last semester. Minimum GPA requirements differ by school, but a 3.6+ overall GPA, 3.5+ science GPA (BIO, BCH, CH, PH), and an upward trend in your GPA will allow you to be competitive.  

Prerequisites: Prerequisites will vary depending on the dental school, so it is critical to meet with Dr. Reese for a specific list of what classes your desired school requires. However, the general coursework required by most dental schools includes:

• 2 semesters of General Chemistry with labs
  
  • CH 1213/1211 & CH 1223/1221
• 2 semesters of Organic Chemistry with labs
  
  • CH 4513/4511 & CH 4523/4521
• 2 semesters of Biology with labs (Bio I and II)
  
  • BIO 1134 & BIO 1144
• 2 semesters of General Physics (Trig-Based) or Physics (Cal-Based) with labs
  
  • PH 1113/2213 & PH 1123/2223
  • For dental schools that require 8 hours of physics, students must take PH 1133/2233
• 1 semester of Biochemistry
  
  • BCH 4013 or 4603
• 2 semesters of English
  
  • Can include English Comp I and II or Literature
• 2 semesters of Math

Many dental schools will not accept online classes or AP credits, so it is important to confirm with each program you plan to apply to.

Testing Requirements: The Dental Admission Test (DAT) is required by all U.S. dental schools. The DAT is a computer based, multiple choice, standardized exam given by the American Dental Association (ADA) to test the applicant’s readiness for the rigor of dental school. The exam is comprised of four sections:

• Section 1: Survey of Natural Sciences 
  
  • 100 MC questions covering biology, general chemistry, and organic chemistry
• Section 2: Perceptual Ability
  
  • 90 questions testing spatial reasoning and pattern recognition
• Section 3: Reading Comprehension
  
  • 50 questions based on three passages
• Section 4: Quantitative Reasoning
  
  • 40 questions focused on math concepts like algebra, trigonometry, and data analysis

As of March 1, 2025, the DAT transitioned to a new three-digit scoring system, ranging from 200 to 600 in 10-point increments. Previously, a score of 20 was considered competitive for schools like UMMC; under the new system, a score of approximately 420 is likely comparable. Most students take the DAT in the spring or summer of their junior year. Be sure to dedicate about three months to study and take practice exams to become familiar with the test format.

Observations/Shadowing: Most dental schools require or strongly recommend shadowing experience with various dentists and specialists to ensure the applicant understands and is committed to dentistry. This also gives you a chance to get advice from someone who has been in your shoes before. Don’t be afraid to ask questions about the good and bad of their field, their work-life balance, what they would have done differently, etc. UMMC’s School of Dentistry requires a minimum of 70 shadowing hours with four different dentists. Remember to keep a shadowing log with dates, hours, locations, and takeaways because you will need these for your application.

Clinical Experience: Clinical experience is not required for admission to dental school, but having firsthand experience in dental settings can strengthen your application. It can be tough to get extensive clinical experience during undergraduate, but some students have pursued opportunities like:

• Dental assistant work
• Volunteering in community clinics
• Working in private dental practices
• Going on mission trips offering dental care

Involvement/Extracurriculars: Dental admission committees desire well-rounded applicants who have skills like leadership, teamwork, and time management. These are demonstrated through involvement with:

• Student organizations (ex. Pre Dental Society)
• Undergraduate research
• Leadership roles
• Jobs, sports, or arts

During your time at MSU, Cowbell Connect is a useful tool for finding clubs and leadership opportunities.

Community Service: Community service is a vital component on your dental school application. It demonstrates your commitment to serving others and your dedication to improving the well-being of your community. Meaningful involvement can be through student organizations, churches, civic organizations, mentoring, etc. Some schools may not require a specific minimum, but other schools like UMMC will require 100 hours of community service at a minimum. If you plan to apply to UMMC, also note that at least 30 of those hours should be with an underserved population. Also, remember that one or two long-term service opportunities often shows more genuine commitment than having multiple short-term volunteer efforts.

Strong Letters of Recommendation: Most dental schools require 3-4 letters of recommendation that should give insight into your academic capability, character, and suitability for a dental career. You should have two letters from science faculty, one letter from a dentist you have shadowed or worked with, and one letter from a community service supervisor. Remember to pick individuals who can write specifically about your strengths because they know you well.

The AADSAS: The Associated American Dental Schools Application Service is the centralized application service for most dental schools. Here you will enter your academic history, undergraduate experiences, letters of recommendation, and personal statement. Remember to review each school’s specific requirements since some have different prerequisites.

The Application Cycle:

• Before your application year, it is important to meet with Dr. Reese to make a timeline and game plan for DAT, essays, etc.
• The DAT should be taken in the spring or summer of your junior year if you are planning to not take a gap year after undergrad.
• The primary application opens in May, but you can’t submit your application until early June.
• BEFORE submitting, print out your entire application and have someone check for errors.
• Deadlines vary by school, but normally you should submit in the fall.
• Interviews may begin as early as August, and acceptances will roll out starting in December.
• Apply early! Since medical school admissions are rolling, an earlier application could give you a better chance of matriculation.

University of Mississippi Medical Center School of Dentistry:

• Location: Jackson, MS
• Tuition: $31,167 (in-state)
• Average GPA/DAT: 3.74/20.1
• Acceptance Rate: 20.7%

University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Dentistry:

• Location: Memphis, TN
• Tuition: $27,900 (in-state), $66,070 (out-of-state)
• Average GPA/DAT: 3.6/20.0
• Acceptance Rate: 11.22%

University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Dentistry:

• Location: Birmingham, AL
• Tuition: $40,000 (in-state), $60,000 (out-of-state)
• Average GPA/DAT: 3.78/21.0
• Acceptance Rate: about 7%

Louisiana State University School of Dentistry:

• Location: New Orleans, LA
• Tuition: $30,000 (in-state), $60,000 (out-of-state)
• Average GPA/DAT: 3.69/21.1
• Acceptance Rate: 11.22%

Most schools show a strong preference for in-state students, so if you plan to apply as a non-resident you should aim for a GPA and DAT much higher than the average.

For a Full Directory of Dental Programs: Commission on Dental Accreditation