Pre-Dental

Prepare for Dental School

91快播 a foundation for success in a career in dentistry.

The pre-dental program at Davis & Elkins 91快播 prepares students for admission to dental school by combining rigorous science coursework with the broad liberal arts education that dental school admissions committees value. Most professional schools do not require a specific undergraduate major, although many students elect a biology or chemistry major because of dental school entrance requirements.

The pre-dental program at D&E is housed within the Biology, Environmental Science, and Sustainability Program and the Chemistry Program, both of which are in the Eshleman Science Center. The center features five teaching laboratories, a prep room, balance rooms, and an instrument room equipped with professional-grade analytical tools, including spectrophotometers, gas chromatographs, and polarimeters. These resources give pre-dental students hands-on experience with the same types of instruments used in dental and research laboratories.

Faculty advisors will help you plan a course sequence, prepare for the Dental Admission Test (DAT), and build the academic record and personal profile that dental schools are looking for.

Pre-Dental Preparation

Pre-Professional Track

Pre-dental students typically major in biology or chemistry, both of which fulfill the science prerequisites required by most dental schools. The pre-dental track is not a standalone major, but a sequence of courses completed alongside a bachelor鈥檚 degree program.

View the Course Catalog

Courses

What We Offer

Required Science Prerequisites (typical dental school requirements)

English Composition I & II
Biological Sciences with Lab
Inorganic Chemistry with Lab
Organic Chemistry with Lab
Physics with Lab
Social and Behavioral Sciences
Calculus (recommended)

Recommended Biology Courses

Principles of Biology I & II
Genetics
Microbiology
Human Anatomy
Human Physiology
Cell and Molecular Biology
Biochemistry (through Chemistry Department)

Recommended Chemistry Courses

General Chemistry I & II
Organic Chemistry I & II
Analytical Chemistry
Biochemistry
Physical Chemistry

Recommended Supporting Courses

Calculus I
Statistics
Physics I & II
Psychology (for Behavioral Sciences requirement)
Sociology (for Behavioral Sciences requirement)

View the Course Catalog

Program Requirements & Benchmarks

Dental School Admission

Admission to most dental schools is based on academic achievement as indicated by grade point average, placement on the , recommendations, and personal interviews. Since dental schools have more qualified applicants than they can accept, a strong and consistent academic record is essential.

The minimum requirements for admission vary by institution, but typically include English composition, biological sciences with lab, inorganic chemistry with lab, organic chemistry with lab, physics with lab, and social and behavioral sciences. A quantitative background, including calculus, is strongly recommended.

The Dental Admission Test (DAT) should be taken in the spring of the junior year, but only after completing the required courses in Biology, Chemistry, and Physics. D&E faculty advisors will help you plan your timeline and prepare for the exam.

Careers in Dentistry

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects continued strong demand for dentists, with employment growth driven by an aging population, expanded dental insurance coverage, and increasing awareness of the connection between oral health and overall health. Pre-dental graduates from D&E are well-positioned to compete for spots in top dental programs and launch fulfilling careers in this high-impact field.

Career options for dental graduates include:

Clinical Practice

General Dentist
Pediatric Dentist (Pedodontist)
Orthodontist
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon
Periodontist
Endodontist
Prosthodontist
Oral Pathologist
Public Health Dentist

Research, Education & Public Service

Dental School Faculty/Researcher
Clinical Researcher in Oral Health
Public Health Dentist/Community Health Advocate
Military Dentist
International/Humanitarian Dental Work

Get Your Career Path Started

Why Pre-Dentistry at D&E

The supportive community of the Biology and Chemistry programs and a rigorous science curriculum will give you the academic foundation, laboratory skills, and critical thinking ability that dental school admissions committees are looking for. Dedicated faculty members who know you by name create an environment where you can get the personalized academic advising, research opportunities, and letters of recommendation that make a competitive dental school application.

D&E鈥檚 state-of-the-art Eshleman Science Center gives you access to professional-grade analytical instruments and three fully equipped teaching laboratories, providing hands-on experience that distinguishes D&E graduates in the application process. Small class sizes mean you鈥檙e never just a number. Faculty advisors in the Biology and Chemistry programs will work closely with you from your first semester to map out your course sequence, plan for the DAT, and prepare your application materials.

D&E鈥檚 broad liberal arts curriculum ensures that you graduate not only as a strong science student, but as a well-rounded communicator and critical thinker 鈥� exactly the kind of candidate dental school admissions committees are looking for.

Connect with Admission Today!

91快播

Pre-Dental

91快播 a foundation for success in a career in dentistry.

Pre-Dental Preparation

Pre-Professional Track

Courses

What We Offer

Program Requirements & Benchmarks

Dental School Admission

Careers in Dentistry

Department Directory

Roshani Asuramana

Assistant Professor, Chemistry

Kenneth Beezley

Instructor, Sustainable Resource Management

Jerod Caligiuri

Assistant Professor, Mathematics

Susan Guillembet

Adjunct Faculty, Mathematics

Emma Johnson

Assistant Professor, Chemistry

Crystal Krause

Associate Professor, Biology and Environmental Science

Michelle Mabry

Chair, Department of Biology and Environmental Science; Professor of Biology

Brian W. Moudry

Chair, Division of Mathematics & Natural Science; Professor, Mathematics and Physics

Rajitha Perera

Assistant Professor, Biology & Chemistry

Jennifer D. Pippin

Assistant Professor, Mathematics

Melissa Shockey

Assistant Professor, Sustainable Resource Management

Shawn Stover

Professor, Biology

Why Pre-Dentistry at D&E

Upcoming Events

Explore D&E