The University of Southern California Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry in Los Angeles offers a four-year bachelor's degree program in dental hygiene as well as doctoral dental programs. In addition, students can complete a master's or doctoral degree program in craniofacial biology. In the private university's dental program, students begin to focus on patient treatment during the first trimester. To get into the dental program, students must have completed prerequisite courses such as organic and inorganic chemistry, physics, biology and English composition. Students must also submit two letters of recommendation and complete the dental admission test. The dental school additionally offers advanced dental education program options, such as a general practice residency or a focus on pediatric dentistry, which lead to certificates in clinical specialties. The school of dentistry at the University of Southern California was founded in 1897 and was the first dental school in the southern part of the state.
University of Southern California
Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry
925 W. 34th St.
Los Angeles, CA 90089
213-740-2800
dentistry.usc.edu/education
Students at the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) School of Dentistry can complete a traditional four-year Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) program that prepares them to become general dentists. Dental students at the Los Angeles school can even choose to combine their dental doctoral degree with a master's or doctoral degree in oral biology or a master's in business administration. Dentists can also complete a residency program in Los Angeles in areas such as oral and maxillofacial surgery or advanced dental anesthesiology. Dental assistants and technicians who wish to supplement their experiences with continuing education in areas such as expanded duties or coronal polishing can attend UCLA as well. The UCLA School of Dentistry was founded in 1964.
University of California Los Angeles
School of Dentistry
10833 Le Conte Ave.
CHS - Box 951668
Los Angeles, CA 90095
310-206-6063
dent.ucla.edu
The Loma Linda University School of Dentistry in Loma Linda offers a dental hygiene bachelor's degree completion program for dental hygienists who only have a certificate or associate degree in the field. In addition, the DDS program at Loma Linda University allows students to learn skills such as treating cavities, with the opportunity to practice on patients in clinics. Advanced dental education programs are also available in dental specialty areas such as endodontics, implant dentistry, orthodontics, periodontics and prosthodontics. Fellowships, internships and externships are available in some of these areas as well. The private Loma Linda University is operated by the Seventh-day Adventist Church and was established in 1953, according to StateUniversity.com.
Loma Linda University
11092 Anderson St.
Loma Linda, CA 92354
909-558-1200
llu.edu/dentistry