The Top 15 Best Pre-dental Schools In The US

Dentists play a vital role in our oral health starting from how they carry out research on our mouths to how they give us treatments when needed. To become a dentist, there are certain steps one must take, and applying to a pre-dental school is one of those steps. So we have made available a comprehensive list of the Top 15 Best Pre-dental Schools In The US to help you make the right choice.

When people hear the word dentist, the first thing that comes to mind is the teeth but, dentistry is not only about the tooth they take care of our general oral health including giving food restrictions that might damage the teeth.

Attending a Pre-dental school is not necessarily needed before one can become a dentist or enter the school of dentistry. However, pre-dental schools make. It is easier for people who want to major in dentistry as getting admission into a dentistry school is competitive. Pre-dental schools help prepare you for the dental-school. Furthermore, in this article, we will be talking about the best majors in dental schools and careers in dentistry. We advise you to read carefully to get the full context of this article

Also Read: Top 15 Best Dental Schools In the US

The Top 15 Best Pre-dental Schools In The US

What Is Pre-Dental School?

Pre-Dental refers to a course of study aimed at preparing students for a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) program or a Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) program. A DDS and DMD have the same curriculum and therefore are almost the same degrees, but have distinct names depending on the university. However, a student can pick any major and still be pre-dental but will be most successful in a major he/she is enthusiastic about. However, there are recommended science courses required by dental schools.

Best Majors for Pre-Dental School

There are commonly recommended or required courses you have to take to be admitted to dental school, and various majors that will enable you to take these prerequisite courses within the major. These majors are academically strict, preparing you for the requirements of dental school. Some examples of pre-dentistry majors are sociology, Biology, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Physics, or Biomedical engineering.

Biology

According to the American College Dental Association (ACDA), the plurality of students considering a dental career major in chemistry or biology. The topics covered in the biology major give a solid foundation in medicine and health and also educate students for the biology section of the DAT. Additionally, students in the biology major take classes in genetics and anatomy, furthering their knowledge of human health.

Chemistry

This is another common major for pre-dental students. Chemistry can be a wonderful major since many lessons are lab-based, which will ready you for classes in dental school. Additionally, this major is often involved in research at their universities which can look incredible on school applications.

Biomedical Engineering

This can be another good option for pre-dental students. Students in biomedical engineering majors have the best of both worlds. They comprehend the biological processes and systems as well as the engineering notions. Biomedical engineers can make incredible dentists because they realize how inventions in dental technology, such as implants or dentures, impact patients from an engineering and biological viewpoint.

Physics

As a STEM-heavy field, physics can ready you for dental school by offering you quantitative skills that can assist you on the DAT. Additionally, many of the concepts that you learn as a physics major can be applied to dental school.

Sociology

You shouldn’t think you have to major in a STEM field if you have another attraction. Majoring in sociology, for example, can educate you on how factors such as gender, race, and social class impact health and personal outcomes. 

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Careers in Dentistry

#1. Dental Assistants

Dental assistants provide help for the dental practitioner. The dental assistant’s work is preparing and developing X-rays, sterilizing equipment, and taking impressions of patients’ teeth. Additionally, they show the patients the procedures and instruct them on oral care. More duties may include sealant applications, a topical anesthetic, and fluoride applications. 

#2. Dental Hygienists

Taking on additional responsibilities than a dental assistant, a dental hygienist’s work duties include examining patients for signs of oral diseases, performing dental cleanings, and providing preventive dental care under the administration of a dentist. 

#3. Dental Laboratory Technicians

Dental laboratory technicians or dental technicians produce dental prosthetics. These projects include crowns, bridges, and dentures. There are areas in this field, namely ceramics and orthodontic appliances.

#4. General Dentist (DDS)

They offer a wide array of services for the continuous oral health of patients, focusing on stopping and preventing diseases through periodic examinations. Also, General dentists treat and diagnose patients, potentially giving more advanced treatments, such as fitting for dentures, bridgework, cavity fillings, and root canals.

#5. Orthodontist

Orthodontists specialize in teeth positioning and jaw alignment. By using oral equipment and strategic methods, their practices typically realign and straighten teeth. Orthodontists generally practice and consult on younger patients as their teeth are simpler to move. But adults do meet with orthodontists, too.

#6. Periodontist

A periodontist is a dentist who specializes in diagnosing, preventing, and treats periodontal disease.

#7. Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon

An oral and maxillofacial surgeon carries out surgical treatments on the jaw and mouth. Their procedures correct a patient’s jaw problem or repair structural abnormalities. Also, some of them specialize in reconstructive surgeries for patients that have suffered a significant facial injury.

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The Top 15 Best Pre-dental Schools In The US

#1. Michigan State University (East Lansing, MI)

The first on our list Of best pre-dental schools in the US is Michigan State University. The school boasts that its pre-dental alumni have succeeded to gain employment at private practices, dental schools, epidemiology research labs, and major healthcare employers. 

Also, Pre-dental students work together with Michigan State Pre-Health advisers, who also connect students to vital resources. 

The Michigan State Pre-Dental Club notifies students of the dental school application procedure and strives to connect them with local dental practitioners and fellow students.

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#2. University of Texas at Arlington (Arlington, TX)

UTA provides two special programs for pre-dental students. 1st, the six-week Texas A&M Collegiate Program for Dentistry, which gives students opportunities to boost their skills before applying to dental schools. 

The 2nd is the Summer Health Professions Education Program, a six-week program for the first year and more students to know more about careers in the professions. 

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#3. UCLA (Los Angeles, CA)

The 2nd on our list of best pre-dental schools in the US is UCLA. The school program offers two disadvantaged and underrepresented students a 1-year experience that gives them clinical experience, volunteer opportunities, mentorship, and research activities. 

The program is specially designed to make them competitive applicants to the UCLA Dental School. According to the school, about 74% of students who have participated in the program finally attended dental school. 

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#4. Oregon State University (Corvallis, OR)

Oregon State is a good option for students who want to know more about dentistry but aren’t yet willing to focus on the pre-dental track. 

Pre-Dental Orientation is a one-credit Pass/Fail course that orients students on the dental school application process and dentistry field. Participants also get to meet guest speakers.

Students can join the Oregon State Pre-Dental Club to know about opportunities to volunteer at local practices and community events, hear guest speakers, and go to pertinent dental school application meetings. 

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#5. Marquette University (Milwaukee, WI)

Marquette is the 5th on our list of best pre-dental schools in the US. The school gives an accelerated Pre-dental Scholars Program with acceptance to their School of Dentistry. Students can obtain their bachelor’s dental degrees in seven years. 

Marquette admits a maximum of 10 students in the Pre-dental Scholars Program every year, making it very competitive. Also, by the end of their junior year, students find out if they are accepted into the Marquette dental school, which gives over $10 million in financial aid to each class of the School of Dentistry. 

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#6. Johns Hopkins University (Baltimore, MD)

Johns Hopkins is the 6th on our list of best pre-dental schools in the US. Also one of the pickiest schools on this list, with a current acceptance rate of only 9%. The school is ranked 9th overall in US universities, according to US News.

Additionally, the Dentistry program offered through the closeby University of Maryland’s Baltimore College of Dental Surgery offers interactive experiences for students. 

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#7. University of Wisconsin-La Crosse (La Crosse, WI)

With an acceptance rate of 81%, and a #1 ranking out Of the total 34 schools in Wisconsin, the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse is a good choice for pre-dental students. 

Dr. Michael Abler is an associate professor of biology he collaborates with students who can join the Pre-Dentistry Club, whose purpose is to help students with resources that prepare them for competitive dental school applications.

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#8. James Madison University (Harrisonburg, VA)

The 8th on our list of best ore-dental schools in the US is JMU. The school compels pre-dentistry students to undergo twice-annual performance reviews. They are required to maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 or higher; otherwise, they may be dropped from the pre-dental program.

Also, Students can enter the Pre-Dental Society at JMU, which is dedicated to assisting students to prepare and become professional dentists. Membership in the society needs students to attend local community service events, monthly meetings, and other local professional opportunities. 

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#9. Eastern University (St. Davids, PA)

Students who seek to pursue a pre-dental track, as well as attend a school in a faith-based community, should choose Eastern University. 

Also, Eastern University proposes that pre-dental students should get involved in research opportunities, partake in community service projects, maintain excellent grades, shadow practicing dentists, and take required standardized tests. 

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#10. Auburn University (Auburn, AL)

Recently ranked as one of the best places to live in the US, Auburn offers an ideal setting for students to enjoy a nice college experience. 

While Auburn’s overall acceptance rate is 84%, enthusiastic students should know that admission to the university is very competitive.

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#11. Texas A&M University

Texas A&M is a public university in College Station, Texas. Founded in the year 1876. As of Fall 2020, The school’s student body is the largest in the United States. Also, the school is the only university in Texas to hold simultaneous designations as a sea, space, and land grant institution.

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#12. Lehigh University

Lehigh University is located in the small town of Bethlehem Pennsylvania. The university has over 4,000 undergraduate students and is placed in the top 50 US universities overall. The school has a strong engineering program and education.

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#13. Boston University

The University is located in Boston, Massachusetts. And the university’s campus is positioned along the Charles River, near Fenway Park. Established in the year 1839 and has over 15,000 undergraduate students.

Boston University has top-ranked programs for business, engineering, law, and education. Over 600 of its classes have lower than 20 students.

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#14. Clemson University

Clemson University is the 14th on our list of best pre-dental schools in the US. Located in Clemson, South Carolina. The university has an undergraduate enrollment of over 17,000 students and is ranked 21st among all public universities nationally.

Also, The students are known for the school spirit in cheering on the famous Clemson Tigers sports teams. In addition, the school offers over 350 different student clubs and over 105 different academic programs.

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#15. Creighton University

Creighton University is a Catholic university located in Omaha, Nebraska. Founded in the year 1878, and has over 3,000 undergraduate students. The school has a large open campus, outside the downtown area of Omaha.

The university has over 210 student clubs, including very famous student-run media outlets. The school also provides ministry activities, such as community service and retreats. Also, Creighton provides a study abroad program for students eager to study in the Dominican Republic.

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Also Read: Top 15 Best Dental Schools In the US

Conclusion

Dentistry is known to be a challenging major to study but being in the right school will make it worth it. After reading this article, I’m sure you must have a school of your choice out of the 15 best pre-dental schools in the US listed here. In addition, students are advised to always prepare and have in mind that there are different careers in dentistry and it’s quite lucrative.

FAQs On Best Pre-dental Schools In The US

What do most pre-dental students major in?

Dental schools typically require two semesters each of biology, chemistry, organic chemistry, physics and English composition. Though some of our pre-dental students pursue non-science majors, most choose to major in: Biochemistry and molecular biology.

What must you be good at in high school in order to be successful in a dental career?

These include chemistry, biology, and physics. Also, consider taking AP (Advanced Placement) science courses, as they can help you become more prepared for the DAT (Dental Admissions Test) and strengthen your application.

Is studying dentistry hard?

Dentistry is known to be a challenging qualification requiring the development and demonstration of expert knowledge, from terminology to procedures.

How hard is it to get into dental school?

All dental schools are really competitive, and generally considered quite hard to get into. But if you have the right qualities, and do well in the interview it is achievable.

What do dental schools look for in letters of recommendation?

A dental school letter of recommendation should include the recommending person’s opinion about your skills, character, and suitability for dental school.

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