Dentistry at John Carroll University

Dentistry is the branch of the healing arts & sciences devoted to maintaining the health of the teeth, gums and other hard and soft tissues of the oral cavity. A dentist is a scientist dedicated to the highest standards of health through prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of oral diseases and conditions. Approximately 153,000 dentists are professionally active in the U.S. Most dentists in private practice (about 81%) remain general practitioners.

There are 54 dental schools in the continental U.S. (including 1 in Puerto Rico). For the 1996 entering class of first year dental students there were 8,872 applicants and 4, 255 accepted. The applicants for dental school as been rising the last few years, making the application process more competitive. Students applying to dental school are required to take the Dental Admission Test (DAT) which is now offered by computer testing. Like many of the other health professions predental students apply to dental school through a central application service, typically at the end of their junior year in college for admission at the end of their senior year.

There is no specific college major that is required for dental school admission. However, all applicants are expected to demonstrate strong competency in the biological and physical sciences. Specific course requirements include:

– two semesters of Biology (for majors) with labs

– two semesters of General Chemistry (for majors) with labs

– two semesters of Organic Chemistry (for majors) with labs

– two semester of Physics with labs (questions specific to physics are not on the DAT)
 

In addition, Ohio State requires one semester each of anatomy, microbiology, and biochemistry, preferably with labs.

While exceptional students who have finished all requirements and have satisfactory GPA and DAT scores may be accepted after their third year of college, the majority of first year dental students finish four years of undergraduate education before beginning dental school. In fact, completion of the bachelors degree is preferred by most schools.

Besides academic standards and test scores, dental schools also require that applicants demonstrate an understanding of the profession. This usually requires contact and "shadowing" experiences with dentists. Some dental schools require documentation of this contact with practicing dentists. In addition dental schools look for the degree of perceptual ability and the extent of fine motor skills that applicants possess. Considering the nature of the work, this is a fundamental requirements. Predental students should engage in hobbies and activities that enhance and reinforce these skills.

Ohio has two dental schools at: Ohio State University (public, giving preference to Ohio residents) and Case Western Reserve University (private, with no state residency given preference).

Follow this link for more informatin about Dentistry.

For further information or questions contact , Dr. Gwendolyn Kinebrew, Chair  of Pre-Health Professions Studies, 216-397-1971 (e-mail: gkinebrew@jcu.edu), or Miss Nichole Carter, Department Assistant, Pre-Health Professions Studies, 216-397-4249 (e-mail: ncarter@jcu.edu).