How Hard Is It to Get Into Dental School Compared to 1990s

For the right fit, pursuing a vocation in dentistry can be extremely rewarding. It can also be one of the most persistently challenging career paths that a person can choose.

Pursuing dentistry involves enduring challenges the whole way through. It brings hard work, commitment and a relentless motivation to do your best from day one. Getting into dental school is just the beginning. Even upon a successful graduation from dental school dentists need to compete for job opportunities, become impeccable leaders, and most of the time – learn to run and manage their own business.

In the U.S. there are more dentists currently than ever before. The over-head costs of running a dental office are higher than they have ever been (especially in Seattle!). Yet still, people require dental professionals to maintain their oral health and to doctor the beautiful smiles that they want to share with the world. Witnessing patients walk out of the office with a greater sense of self-love, pride and a gleaming smile is a feeling that can't be substituted by much anything else. If you choose dentistry for the right reasons – it is worth the work!

So how do you get here? This uphill journey of perseverance begins with acceptance into dental school. The first step is getting accepted. Following enrollment comes phase 2: successfully graduating from dental school.

Is dental school competitive?

Yes. Dental school is very competitive.

Whether you want to be a clinical dentist, research dentist or dental specialist: all "dentists to-be" will first require a Doctor of Dental Science (DDS) or a Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) degree. Both of these 4-year graduate programs require a 4-year undergraduate degree at a college or university to apply.

Eligible applicants into dental school must have performed well and taken the right prerequisites in their undergraduate program.

Most U.S. dental schools require the following courses to be completed in an undergraduate degree:

• Biology with lab
• Inorganic chemistry with lab
• Organic chemistry with lab
• Physics with lab

Additionally – many dental schools will also require pre-requisites in:

• English
• Math
• Writing
• Communication

Follow this link for the American Dental Education Association's (ADEA) 2020 – 2021 Official Guide to Dental Schools

Many people select their undergraduate major specifically to poise them towards dental school. This isn't the required or even "smartest" approach. Dental schools want to see good grades and high performers. They also admire well-rounded candidates with a broad diversity of undergraduate backgrounds. Better grades within your major are more important than the specific major. Though do consider, that if your undergraduate major isn't within the sciences you will have fewer courses on which schools can evaluate your science ability. This means that your grades in the core science courses will take on greater importance.

Additionally, volunteering in the field of dentistry adds strength to your application portfolio. How do you know what being a dentist entails when your only experience in a dental office has been as a patient? All dental schools hold higher weight for individuals that have shadowed or volunteered in dental settings for many hours.

Applicants to dental schools are at an all-time high. Roughly over 12,000 people apply to dental school every year, with only around 5000 seats available in the U.S. in 2016 there were roughly 12,058 applicants and 6,100 student enrollments. This is an overall acceptance rate of ~50%. Many schools have acceptance rates as low as 5% of their applicant pool.

Did you know that there are only 65 dental schools in the U.S.?

Dental schools look for high grades. The ideal applicant has a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher. Most of the time any score below a "C" is equivalent to failing.

Dental Admission Test (DAT):

Just as important as your high-performing grades is your score on the DAT. This score is one of the most objective ways admissions committees will compare you with other applicants. They are used to assess whether or not you have the academic foundation that is required to build a successful career in dentistry.

The DAT is a multiple-choice exam that covers topics in the basic sciences, mathematics, perceptual ability and reading comprehension.

Generally a score of 19 or higher is considered safe. This is the average among dental school applicants, however – a score of 20 or higher will put an applicant in a much more competitive position.

You are allowed to re-take the DAT 3 times. After each attempt, students are required to wait 90 days before taking it again. Approval to take a 4th attempt is required from the American Dental Association (ADA).

Great test scores can set you apart from other applicants.

Finally, dental schools are also looking for candidates who have experience in dentistry and/or in other medical fields. They are looking for applicants who carried out research in their undergrad. Greater weight goes to those who presented at conferences or published in peer-reviewed journals. Interest and commitment in other areas such as music, sports and community services adds to a matriculates competitive advantage.

All in all dental school is very competitive, but if you are dedicated to becoming a dentist, you can do it. It takes focus and commitment if you want to stand out, gain acceptance and see dental school through to completion. Many people are considered "multiple year applicants," and this is only the beginning. Once you get in – dental school itself is competitive and can feel "cutthroat" (no pun intended!). Balancing heavy didactic learning with intense requirements of laboratory and clinical work is a huge challenge that every dental student will face.

Ask yourself why you want to be a dentist. Are you ready to take on this serious time and financial commitment? At the end of the day, do you love it?

If so – anything is possible. This competitive nature of dental school will only make you more of the disciplined person that you need to be in the face of adversity and all of the challenges involved within the vocation of dentistry.

If you have questions please contact us through our website or call our office at 206-625-9358. Dr. Pawlowski, our in-house periodontist has over 40 years of experience practicing dentistry and often accepts dental-student mentees for job shadowing and extra-curricular experience in the field.

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Bell Harbour Dental is a family owned, patient-first dental practice in the heart of Downtown, Seattle. Check us on out Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, or contact us today to assist you in taking initiative towards vibrant dental health!

How Hard Is It to Get Into Dental School Compared to 1990s

Source: https://bellharbourdental.com/dentistry/how-competitive-is-dental-school/

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