Pre-Dental Track
GENERAL
What is the difference between a Dentist and a Dental Hygienist?
A Dentist requires a doctoral or professional degree which means longer schooling. The median salary as of 2016 was $153,900. Some supervisory roles they have are patient exams, procedures (decay removal, fillings, etc.), diagnoses, and mechanical problems. Some specialties are periodontics, orthodontics, oral and maxillofacial surgery, pediatric, endodontic, prosthodontics which require extra schooling.
A Dental Hygienist requires an associated degree or bachelor's degree. The median salary as of 2016 was $72,910. Some preventative roles are teeth cleaning, scraping tartar/plague off, polish, application of sealant (for prevention of cavities), xrays, impressions, etc. If they spot a problem then they proceed to the Dentist.
SIMMONS REQUIREMENTS FOR PRE-DENT
What are Simmons requirements for Pre-Dent?
Biology
Chemistry
Biochemistry
Molecular Biology
Is it possible to be Pre-Dent and Pre-Med (or Pre-Vet/Pre-PA) at the same time?
Yes! The prerequisites are very similar. The only difference is some classes require semester less. Ex. Pre-Dent only requires on semester of some classes while Pre-Med requires two semesters.
EXAMINATIONS
What exam needs to be taken for Dental School?
The DAT (Dental Admission Test). Every dental school in the US requires the DAT and some would consider the Canadian DAT.
How long does the test take?
The test takes about 5 hours:
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Optional Tutorial: 15 minutes
Survey of Natural Sciences: 90 minutes
Perceptual Ability Test: 60 minutes
Schedules Break (optional): 30 minutes
Reading Comprehension: 60 minutes
Quantitative Reasoning: 45 minutes
Optional Post Test Survey: 15 minutes
When is the exam offered?
The exam is offered any weekday of the year as long as the local prometric center has enough spots open.
How many times can you take the exam?
The DAT can only be taken 3 times and you can only take the test every 90 days.
What is the 50th Percentile?
The DAT is scored on a 1 to 30 scale. The 50th percentile is a 17-18.
How much does it cost to take the DATs?
The DAT fee is a nonrefundable $475. This fee includes official score reporting to your selected dental schools.
When will you receive your scores?
Immediately after completing the DAT an unofficial score report will be given from the Prometric Test Center. Official scores are given approximately 3-4 weeks after test appointment.
Dental School Profiles
GREATER BOSTON AREA
Tufts University
Acceptance Rate: 4% GPA: 3.33 DAT Score: 19.5 Application Deadline: Feb. 1 Alum Relation: Yes
Boston University
Acceptance Rate: 8% GPA: 3.41 DAT Score: 19.8 Application Deadline: Dec. 1 Alum Relation: Yes
Harvard University of Dental Medicine
GPA: 3.85 DAT Score: 23.5 Application Deadline: Dec. 15 Alum Relation: No
ACROSS THE US
New York University College of Dentistry
Location: NY GPA: 3.43 DAT Score: 21.1 Application Deadline: Feb. 1 Alum Relation: Yes
Midwestern University College of Dental Medicine
Location: IL GPA: 3.0 DAT Score: 18 Application Deadline: Jan. 1 Alum Relation: No
University of Michigan School of Dentistry
Location: MI GPA: 3.63 DAT Score: 21 Application Deadline: Oct. 15 Alum Relation: No
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Location: AL GPA: 3.71 DAT Score: 21.2 Application Deadline: Oct. 31 Alum Relation: No
University of Washington School of Dentistry
Location: WA GPA: 3.60 DAT Score: 20.9 Application Deadline: Oct.1 Alum Relation: No
UCLA School of Dentistry
Location: CA GPA: 3.56 DAT Score: 20.3 Application Deadline: Dec.15 Alum Relation: No
UCSF School of Dentistry
Location: CA DAT Score: 22 Application Deadline: Oct.15 Alum Relation: No
TOP 5 DENTAL SCHOOLS AS OF 2019
1. Harvard University
2. New York University
3. University of Alabama at Birmingham
4. UCLA
5. UCSF
(Requirements are all similar in courses needed to apply)
