Idaho State University (ISU) is the only college in the state to offer a dental program that's fully accredited by the American Dental Association. The Department of Dental Sciences has two programs, the Idaho Dental Education Program (IDEP), which offers a DDS degree in conjunction with Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska, and the Idaho Advanced General Dentistry (IAGD), which is a residency program for dental students. Students in the IDEP complete their first year of education at Idaho State University and their second through fourth years at Creighton. First-year courses are primarily introductory science and dental science courses, while the second through fourth year courses are more specialized. ISU also offers bachelor of science and master of science degrees in dental hygiene.
The University of Idaho doesn't offer a pre-dental program, but the school does offer pre-dental studies within the Department of Biological Studies. Students hoping to pursue MD, DDS or DMD degrees are encouraged to complete the fulfilling prerequisite coursework that most dental schools require; a professor is available to advise students on the specific classes should take. Assistance is also available with the dental school application process and securing materials to study for the Dental Admission Test (DAT).
Boise State University offers a pre-dental studies program that prepares students for admission to dental school by encouraging them to combine an academic major with the specific prerequisite coursework required of professional dental schools. Students intending to apply to a gradual dental program are encouraged to major in biology or chemistry and take certain courses and labs within the chemistry, physics and biology departments. Pre-dental students are also encouraged to consult the Admission Requirements of U.S. and Canadian Dental Schools handbook if they already have a specific program in mind.
The College of Southern Idaho offers licensure programs for dental assistants and dental hygienists. Both programs are offered within the College of Health Sciences and Human Services. The College of Southern Idaho does not offer a pre-dental studies program, but does offer bachelor of science degrees with the option to major in biology, chemistry or a related health science in preparation for application to a graduate dental program.