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Resources

Have any questions? Email us at asda.uh@gmail.com

FRESHMAN YEAR

· Plan courses and experiences that will help you to prepare to apply to dental school. Note that your major does not have to be a science major to attend dental school!
· Meet with a Pre-Health Professions Advisor or talk with a mentor ( like our family program! ) if you need guidance.
· Start to complete the pre-requisite courses required for dental school, such as Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Organic Chemistry.
· Join a dental-related organization (like UH ASDA Pre-Dental Chapter) to get exposure to the dental profession.
· Shadow or intern at a dental office.
· Work as a dental assistant.
· Apply for a Summer Program (like SHPEP).
· Consider other career paths if you have other interests.

SOPHomoRE YEAR

· Look for summer programs, research, or workshops.
· Get more involved in your pre-dental organization through leadership and service.
· Work, volunteer, or attend a dental-related summer program.
· Start planning financially for the dental school application process (like the DAT, the ADEA, supplemental application fees)

Junior YEAR

· Complete dental school pre-requisites by the end of your 2nd semester.
· Prepare for and take the DAT. Retake the DAT if necessary with a solid study plan!
· Apply for admission at least a year in advance.
· Request for recommendation letters from faculty and others.
· Continue shadowing and extracurricular involvement.
· Visit dental schools and attend admissions events.
· Submit your ADEA AADSAS application early.

SENIOR YEAR

· Take advantage of “mock interview” practice with University Career Center Staff before dental school admission interviews (See our Facebook for updates!)
· Finish degree and science requirements for dental school.
· Prepare for dental school interviews.
· Send thank you notes to evaluators and mentors.
· Apply for financial aid.
· Graduate from college.

Credit to:

ADEA.org: Predental Timeline

Taking the Dental Admission Test (DAT)

What is the DAT?

  • The DAT is a dental education admission test designed to provide dental education programs with a means to assess program applicants’ potential for success. It is administered year round by Prometric test centers in the United States, its territories (including Guam, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands), and Canada.
  • The DAT is comprised of multiple-choice questions presented in the English language, with measurements provided using both the U.S. customary and metric systems. The test is developed according to established test specifications. To assess applicants across multiple areas, the DAT consists of a battery of four tests on the following:
    • Survey of the Natural Sciences
    • Perceptual Ability
    • Reading Comprehension
    • Quantitative Reasoning

STUDY RESOURCES

DAT Bootcamp

  • 90 day subscription
  • Highly Recommended
  • Use code “UHasdapdc27” for $70 off

DAT Booster

  • Highly Recommended
  • Use code “uhasdapredental” for 10% off!

DAT Destroyer

  • Lifetime
  • Highly Recommended

Erudition PAT:

  • For those struggling with the PAT
  • Free ADA sample item explanations

Youtube Recommendations:

Look at DAT Breakdowns on Student Doctor Network or the DAT Bootcamp Study Group Page
to find a study method that best suits you!

< Know the Requirements >

  • General Pre-Reqs
  • Texas Specific

General Requirements

  • Must complete minimum of 90 semester hours at a U.S./Canadian university.
  • Must take DAT (Dental Admissions Test)

Must have earned a “C” or better in the following courses:

  • English (6 semester hours)
  • General Chemistry (8 semester hours)
  • Organic Chemistry (8 semester hours)
  • Physics (8 semester hours)
  • Biochemistry (3 semester hours)
  • Biology (14 semester hours: 12 lecture + 2 laboratory)
  • Statistics (3 semester hours)

Quick Links: Texas Dental School Admissions

Statistics for other schools:

Texas Dental School Specific

UT School of Dentistry at Houston requires:

  • Microbiology (3 semester hours)

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED for Texas A&M College of Dentistry DDS Admission:

  • – Anatomy with Lab (4 semester hours)
  • – Physiology (3 semester hours)
  • – Microbiology (3 semester hours)
  • – Biology ( 18 semester hours: 15 lecture + 3 laboratory)

For out of state dental schools, please check the websites of respective schools for details about admission requirements.

Stay busy with

Summer Programs

Below are some recommended programs. Click on their links to learn more!
*Be aware of program eligibility, requirements, and deadlines.*

SHPEP:

Summer Health Education Program

The Summer Health Professions Education Program (SHPEP) is a free summer program for students to explore their interests in medicine, dentistry, nursing, optometry, pharmacy, physical therapy, public health, and more. 
Open to Freshmen & Sophomores, as well as Juniors at certain sites.

BIBS:

Biomedical Informatics Research

During this 9-week, dental-focused program, you will become proficient in biostatistics, biomedical informatics, and behavioral sciences. You will gain skills via a structured introduction to data analytics, which will become increasingly critical to understanding oral healthcare in the decades ahead.
Open to freshmen and above.

SOD
SURP:

SOD Summer Research Program

Students will have the opportunity to work with researchers and clinicians focusing on research topics with direct relevance to oral health and patient care. Students will also have the opportunity to participate in seminars designed to provide exposure to a wide range of oral health research topics and to educate students on how to apply to dental school.
Must be at least 18 to apply.

SPEP:

Collegiate II Program

The curriculum for the Summer Pre-Dental Enrichment Program for College Students (SPEP Collegiate II) consists of five core courses designed to augment the students’ knowledge base for taking the DAT and to help them prepare for dental school.
Open to those who have completed organic chemistry I & II

LEAD:

Learning Enhancement for Achievement in Dentistry

The objective of LEAD 1-3 is to provide opportunities for college students to strengthen their academic science background, prepare for and successfully take the DAT, improve leadership qualities, and increase the knowledge of a career in dentistry. Program participants who engage, acquire knowledge, and actively participate in the program activities will be more competitive applicants for admission to dental school.
Open to Freshmen and above.
Must be a member of an underrepresented minority in the health professions

PFS:

Profile for Success

The purpose of Profile for Success (PFS) is to assist junior and senior level college students and recent graduates through the admissions process for dental school. Program participants will also have an opportunity to increase their knowledge of career opportunities within dentistry. Preparation for the DAT is the main focus of this program, alongside clinical simulations/lab experiences. Travel to and from the University of Michigan, as well as on campus housing, is provided by the program for all participants. Participants will also receive a stipend to cover living expenses.
Open to college juniors, seniors, and recent college graduates

SHPEP:

Summer Health Education Program

The Summer Health Professions Education Program (SHPEP) is a free summer program for students to explore their interests in medicine, dentistry, nursing, optometry, pharmacy, physical therapy, public health, and more. 
Open to Freshmen & Sophomores, as well as Juniors at certain sites.

BIBS:

Biomedical Informatics Research

During this 9-week, dental-focused program, you will become proficient in biostatistics, biomedical informatics, and behavioral sciences. You will gain skills via a structured introduction to data analytics, which will become increasingly critical to understanding oral healthcare in the decades ahead.
Open to freshmen and above.

SOD
SURP:

SOD Summer Research Program

Students will have the opportunity to work with researchers and clinicians focusing on research topics with direct relevance to oral health and patient care. Students will also have the opportunity to participate in seminars designed to provide exposure to a wide range of oral health research topics and to educate students on how to apply to dental school.
Must be at least 18 to apply.

SPEP:

Collegiate II Program

The curriculum for the Summer Pre-Dental Enrichment Program for College Students (SPEP Collegiate II) consists of five core courses designed to augment the students’ knowledge base for taking the DAT and to help them prepare for dental school.
Open to those who have completed organic chemistry I & II

LEAD:

Learning Enhancement for Achievement in Dentistry

The objective of LEAD 1-3 is to provide opportunities for college students to strengthen their academic science background, prepare for and successfully take the DAT, improve leadership qualities, and increase the knowledge of a career in dentistry. Program participants who engage, acquire knowledge, and actively participate in the program activities will be more competitive applicants for admission to dental school.
Open to Freshmen and above.
Must be a member of an underrepresented minority in the health professions

PFS:

Profile for Success

The purpose of Profile for Success (PFS) is to assist junior and senior level college students and recent graduates through the admissions process for dental school. Program participants will also have an opportunity to increase their knowledge of career opportunities within dentistry. Preparation for the DAT is the main focus of this program, alongside clinical simulations/lab experiences. Travel to and from the University of Michigan, as well as on campus housing, is provided by the program for all participants. Participants will also receive a stipend to cover living expenses.
Open to college juniors, seniors, and recent college graduates