Dentistry

Application to dental schools can be made after satisfactory completion of a minimum of three years of undergraduate study (90-96 credits). Some dental schools will accept applications after two years of pre-professional study, although the preference is for 3-4 years of pre-dental study. The majority of students accepted for dental study have already earned a bachelor’s degree.

Any area of concentration may be chosen as a major, provided the requisite foundation in natural sciences and mathematics has been obtained.

HPU students have been accepted into dental programs at:

• Virginia Commonwealth University
• Temple University
• The University of Maryland
• University of North Carolina

Colleen Quinn, ’14

Attending dental school at The University of Maryland in Baltimore

“The entire Biology department has been so great throughout all four years at HPU. I couldn’t have done it without each of my teachers who strengthened my love for biology and really made class time an enjoyable experience. They prepared me so well for the Dental Admissions Test, wrote awesome recommendation letters, and encouraged me every step of the way! I really thrived in the small classroom setting where I was able to build relationships with the faculty and my classmates, which I attribute a lot of my success to.”

Read more about Colleen

Carli Antor, ’12

Attending The University of North Carolina’s School of Dentistry

“With Dr. Sapp’s guidance and advice, I was able to pursue the right major and shape myself professionally through internships and shadowing opportunities at local dentist offices.”

Read more about Carli

Required Courses (for admission to schools of dentistry)

• English Composition and Literature (8-16 credits)
• CHM 1010-1020. General Chemistry (8 credits)
• CHM 2510-2520. Organic Chemistry (8 credits)
• BCH 3220. Biochemistry (4 credits)
• BIO 1399. Introduction to Biological Principles & Literature (4 credits)
• BIO 2120. General Zoology (4 credits)
• PHY 1510-1520. General Physics or PHY 2010-2020. Fundamentals of Physics (8 credits)

It is essential that each student planning to seek admission to a school of dentistry be aware of the specific admission requirements for that particular dental school. Requirements vary. Full information is available in the annual publication of the American Association of Dental Schools, Admission Requirements of American Dental Schools.

Students will need to take the Dental Admission Test (DAT) to be considered for a dental education program.

View the resources available for DAT prep from the HPU Libraries

Click here to view a listing of all accredited dental education programs in the United States