Also known as the Universidad de Puerto Rico, this is the nation's largest university, with more than 20,000 students on its main campus alone. It's also the least expensive, costing less than $50 per credit. This publicly funded school is prestigious for its demanding medical program. The dental program is located on the Recinto de Ciencias Medicas (RCM) campus in Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico, a downtown urban area.
Admission requirements include successful completion of 90 semester hours or 135 quarter-hours in an accredited college or university and a minimum GPA of 2.5 to enter the four-year undergraduate dental program. This is a medical program and offers degrees as a dentist or orthodontist.
UPR-Medial Sciences Campus
School of Dental Medicine
Central Admissions Office
P.O. Box 365067
San Juan, Puerto Rico 00936-5067
787-758-2525, e1113, 5212, 5216, 2251 or 1008
rcm.upr.edu/rcm
The University of Puerto Rico-Carolina campus has a transfer program with the RCM campus for people interested in studying "Asistente Dental con Funciones Expandidas" or becoming an expanded-function dental assistant. You may need to speak and understand Spanish to participate in this program.
Universidad de Puerto Rico en Carolina
PO Box 4800
Carolina, Puerto Rico, 00984-4800
787-257-0000, ext. 3237 or 3347
uprc.edu
Located very near to the University of Puerto Rico in the heart of Hato Rey, this technical school specializes in short courses including practical nursing and emergency technician. It offers a year-long 54-credit program for people interested in becoming dental assistants. Topics of study include bone anatomy, pathogenic and non-pathogenic organisms and taking dental x-rays.
Instituto de Banca y Comercio
Recinto de San Juan
Avenida Ponce de León 61
Hato Rey, Puerto Rico 00919
787.754.7120
Fax: 787-754-7143
ibanca.net/