As a prerequisite to dental college admission, applicants are required to have a high school diploma or a GED certificate. Students hoping to attend dental school should take classes in English, mathematics, biology, chemistry, physics and health. Students may also want to take classes in a foreign language, as being bilingual may expand their potential client base.
Students preparing to enter dental college must have completed at least two years of college-level coursework; most students have a bachelor's degree from an accredited or state approved college or university. Most dental colleges don't require students to earn a degree in a particular major, although applicants typically earn a degree in either biology or chemistry. The website detailing the requirements for admission to the dental college at the University of California, San Francisco states that although applicants typically major in biology or biochemistry, the school looks favorably upon applicants with degrees in non-science related subjects because it shows their ability to be well rounded. No matter the applicant's major, dental colleges have specific prerequisite coursework requirements, generally including English, biochemistry, organic and inorganic chemistry, physics, biology, psychology and social sciences. Candidates are advised to maintain a "B" or better GPA.
All dental colleges require applicants to submit scores from the Dental Admissions Test (DAT), administered by the Council on Dental Education of the American Dental Association. Examinees are given specific time frames to answer questions on the following topics: survey of natural sciences (90 minutes), perceptual ability (60 minutes), reading comprehension (60 minutes) and quantitative reasoning (45 minutes).
Most dental colleges require applicants to submit letters of recommendation from advisers, mentors and professors. For example, dentistry applicants to the University of California at San Francisco must submit three letters of recommendation: one from an undergraduate science professor; one from a dentist an applicant has volunteered with, or an adviser, researcher or mentor; and one from a person of the applicant's choosing.
As candidates progress through the application process, they may be required to sit for a face-to face interview with the dental college admissions review board. This provides an opportunity for applicants to demonstrate their intelligence, personality, life experience, expertise and dedication to the field of dentistry.