Dentists diagnose and treat problems with a patient’s teeth, gums, and related parts of the mouth. They provide advice and instruction on taking care of teeth/gums and on diet choices that affect oral health.
-
Typical Responsibilities• Remove decay from teeth and fill cavities and repair cracked or fractured teeth, remove teeth, straighten teeth
• Place sealants or whitening agents on teeth and give anesthetics to keep patients from feeling pain during procedures
• Write prescriptions for antibiotics or other medications
• Examine x-rays of teeth, gums, the jaw, and nearby areas for problems
• Make models and measurements for dental appliances, such as dentures, to fit patients -
Preparing for Admission
- Resources for researching schools: A complete list of all Dental schools can be found on the American Dental Education Association
- Prerequisite coursework: Pre-requisite courses can vary by school but a general idea of the necessary courses can be found on the ADEA website.
- Standardized Tests: All U.S Dental programs require The Dental Admissions Test (DAT) for admission.
- Letters of Recommendation: Dental schools generally prefer a committee or composite letter.
- The College has a 3+4 program with Case Western Dental School. Students must apply and be accepted before starting at Wooster. Additional information about the program can be found the Case Western website.
- Experience/Exposure: Dental schools like to see applicants with shadowing experience, as it shows that the student has a solid grasp of what is involved in the practice of dentistry. Helpful resources for gaining the necessary hands-on experience can be found on the ADEA Shadowing webpage
-
The Admission Cycle
- There is a Centralized Application Process (AADSAS) that the 66 U.S. dental schools participate in.
- Application Cycle: June 1 – February 1.
- Fees: The ADEA AADSAS application fee for your first dental school is $259. Each additional school you apply to is $112. Additional information can be found on the ADEA website.
- Fee waivers: There is a fee assistance program to help cover application deadlines available to eligible students to apply.
- ADEA has created an Applicant Help Center to assist in the application process as well as a Dental School Applicant Quick Guide.
