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Eastern University Biology

PRE-DENTAL INFORMATION

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Coursework
As Pre-Dental students, you must start planning early by setting out the right course of action geared toward your career goals.  As with medical schools, dental schools do not require that you choose a specific college major.  Therefore, no matter which major you choose, you need to take the following courses (preferably by the end of the junior year) to prepare yourself for admission:

  • English (composition and literature):  1 year (one semester of each)
  • Chemistry (including labs; majors Chemistry, General and Organic): 2 years
  • Physics (including labs): 1 year; note one semester of Calculus is a prerequisite 
  • Biology (including labs): 1 year

Note also that some schools have unique requirements. (For example, Boston University School of Dentistry requires one year of math and more courses in the social sciences.)  Be sure to investigate those schools you are interested in to ensure that you will satisfy their prerequisites. 

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WEB SITES TO HELP PLAN A DENTAL EDUCATION

  • The American Dental Association (ADA) is a good place to start for information on careers in dentistry  http://www.ada.org/ or call 312-440-2500.
  • Most dental schools use the Associated American Dental School Application Service (AADSAS)    https://portal.aadsasweb.org/   Available to all students applying to 54 dental schools that participate in the application service.  
  • The American Dental Education Association - information on careers, conferences, journals, etc.  http://www.adea.org/, 202-667-0642
  • The American Student Dental Association (ASDA) - represents students with a unified voice and provides information, education, advocacy, and services. The association introduces lifelong involvement in organized dentistry, and promotes change for the betterment of the profession.   http://www.asdanet.org/, 312-440-2795
  • DENTAL ADMISSIONS TEST (DAT): http://www.ada.org/prof/ed/testing/dat  The Dental Admission Test is administered on computer on almost any day of the year. A candidate may choose to submit either a paper application form or an online application for the Dental Admission Test (DAT). 
  • The prerequisites for the DAT are: Biology, General Chemistry and Organic Chemistry, first year college Math or Algebra and Trigonometry (no Calculus).  No physics or advanced biology course material is tested on the DAT (but these courses may be required for admission to dental school). 
  • Ideally, the DAT should be taken during the spring of junior year since AADSAS open the application service mid-May and these scores are necessary to finalize your application.
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OTHER EXCELLENT WEB SITES

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VOLUNTEERING AND PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE

Besides grades and standardized tests, community service projects, research opportunities and pre-dental experience with patients add dimension to your application.  You may wish to do this during the summers in your home town/state.  During the school year, try contacting University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine. The School of Dental Medicine Clinics is located at 240 South 40th Street, Philadelphia, PA (at the corner of 40th and Locust Streets).  Call to ask about volunteer opportunities at 215-898-8965.

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OTHER IMPORTANT CONTACTS FOR PRE-DENTAL STUDENTS

Health Professions Scholarship Program with US ARMY
http://www.goarmy.com/amedd/medical/corps_benefits.jsp#hpsp
Currently, the United States Army is offering two, three, and four year scholarships for students in medical, dental, or optometry schools and two and three year scholarships for students in veterinary, and clinical psychology schools. This scholarship covers tuition, books, and other expenses related to their education and approved by their dean. Additionally, students selected to receive the Health Professional Scholarship will receive a stipend of $1,900.00 per month while enrolled. Selected students will be commissioned as 2LT in the US Army reserve while enrolled and will be commissioned captains in the active army upon graduation. The service obligation is one year active duty for each scholarship year with a minimum obligation of three years in active duty.

Christian Medical & Dental Associations (Headquarters)
PO Box 7500
Bristol, TN 37621
Phone: 423-844-1000
Toll Free: 888-231-2637
Fax: 423-844-1005
http://www.cmdahome.org/

The Christian Medical & Dental Associations exist to motivate, educate, and equip Christian physicians and dentists to glorify God by through living out the character of Christ in their homes, practices, communities and around the world; pursuing professional competence and Christ-like compassion in their daily work; influencing their families, colleagues, and patients toward a right relationship with Jesus Christ; advancing Biblical principles in bioethics and health to the Church and society.

Project MedSend
Project MedSend offers grants to repay student loans owed by healthcare professionals while they serve as medical missionaries in medically underserved areas of the world. Grant Applicants must (1) be under the authority of a collaborating sending agency (an "Associate"); (2) be within 18 months of leaving for career medical missions service; (3) show fiscal responsibility and stewardship maturity; (4) be in the process of paying off their student loans as soon as earning begins (internship, residency, practice). For additional requirements, contact http://www.medsend.org/.

MMI (Medical Missionary International)
www.mmint.org

InterServe (medical missionary opportunities)
http://www.interserveusa.org

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