Pre-dental Course Requirements

Dentistry is the branch of the healing arts and sciences devoted to maintaining the health of the teeth, gums, and other hard and soft tissues of the oral cavity. In addition to general dentistry, there are eight recognized specialties. Dentists must have good manual dexterity while working in a very limited space. They also must be very meticulous in their attention to detail.

Students interested in becoming dentists must complete a specific set of prerequisite courses before moving on to complete four years of dental school. Many dental schools require that students complete prerequisite coursework and a minimum of three years of college prior to matriculation. However, 90% of students entering dental school have completed four years of college and many of them have earned baccalaureate degrees. In fact, the American Dental Education Association (ADEA) recommends that dental schools encourage students to earn a baccalaureate degree before beginning dental school.

Students can complete required prerequisite coursework and earn a baccalaureate degree at PSU before beginning their dental education at a professional school such as Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU). The prerequisite coursework requires good science and mathematics skills as well as sensitivity to the needs of others. Prerequisite course requirements for admission vary by dental school. Portland State offers a strong pre-dental program whereby students complete their prerequisite coursework, earn a baccalaureate degree, and obtain extensive assistance with the dental school preparation, selection, and application process.

BEGIN THE INITIAL PHASE OF THE APPLICATION PROCESS MORE THAN A YEAR IN ADVANCE OF WHEN YOU WISH TO BEGIN DENTAL SCHOOL.

Ask your instructors throughout your college program to complete academic evaluation forms. Do not wait until you are applying to request letters. Do not ask every single instructor you have had to write an evaluation letter for you. Be strategic about whom you are asking to write letters for you. You should select instructors in whose classes you have performed well and who know you well enough to comment on more than just your grade and rank. You will also need to request letters from non-academic evaluators and provide them with the non-academic evaluation form.

Personally read the Web site, admission brochure, and ADEA Official Guide to Dental Schools chapter for each of the dental schools to which you plan to apply to obtain information on requirements, deadlines, mission, and curriculum.

Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) is the only dental school in Oregon. For more information about their degree in Dental Medicine please contact OSHU at:

OHSU School of Dentistry

611 SW Campus Drive

Portland, OR 97239-3097

(503) 494-5274

Fax: (503) 494-6244

E-mail: sodadmit@ohsu.edu

Homepage: http://www.ohsu.edu/sod

For specific course requirements please contact health sciences advising at:

(503) 725-3822

or

Email: askclas@pdx.edu