Dentistry offers the ability to make a difference in the lives of others, often in just one dental visit. The dental career also provides flexibility and independence for the practitioner, depending on the area of dental practice you choose. One of the more unique aspects of dentistry is that it allows for artistic expression and is often referred to as both a science and an art. The ability to help restore an aesthetically pleasing smile requires both skill and creativity from the dentist.

Dental schools do not have a standard list of competencies that they expect from their applicants. However, the American Dental Education Association has a list that they consider necessary and relevant for individuals entering the dental profession after graduating from dental school. Therefore, these are skills that you should develop as you continue your undergraduate and graduate education:

• Critical Thinking
• Professionalism
• Communication and Interpersonal Skills
• Health Promotion
• Practice Management and Informatics
• Patient Care
• Assessment, Diagnosis, and Treatment Planning
• Establishment and Maintenance of Oral Health

The most commonly required prerequisites for dental school are:

• Two semesters of biology with lab
• Two semesters of general chemistry with lab
• Two semesters of organic chemistry with lab
• Two semesters of physics with lab

Individual schools may have additional requirements, especially in English, mathematics, biology, and biochemistry. It is your responsibility to review the requirements for the schools to which you plan to apply to ensure you are fulfilling their course requirements.

More information about prerequisites

Almost all dental schools require the Dental Admission Test (DAT) which is a multiple choice exam covering four topics: Natural Sciences, Perceptual Ability, Reading Comprehension, and Quantitative Reasoning.

Our DAT Website

Dental schools are looking for more than just test scores and grades. They want to see that you have engaged in experiences that have prepared you not only for dental school but also for the profession. This includes activities such as community service, leadership, clinical experience,  and research. For more general information about these types of experiences, check out the  Experiential Learning and  ADEA Preparing for Dental School site. For specific opportunities, check out our Events and Opportunities. 

One of the more unique requirements of dental schools is manual dexterity. Many dental procedures require you to be able to work with precision on a small scale and, therefore, strong hand-eye coordination is critical. There is a perceptual ability section on the DAT to test this skill, but you should also participate in activities that strengthen or highlight your manual dexterity. These can include (but are not limited to) drawing, sculpture, knitting, sewing, embroidery, carving, jewelry-making, playing some musical instruments, mechanical work, and crocheting.

You should spend the first few years of your undergraduate education taking the prerequisite courses for dental school, becoming involved in experiences to prepare you for the profession, and studying for the DAT. If you plan to attend dental school directly after graduation, you will need to apply to dental school at the end of your junior year. To apply, you will work with HCA to help prepare your application materials and then apply through the Associated American Dental Schools Application Service (AADSAS), which is the centralized application for most dental schools. A more detailed timeline can be found on this ADEA site and more detail on working with HCA can be found on our Apply pages.