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UCLA Career Center
Dentistry
What is Dentistry?
Dentistry is an occupation devoted to maintaining the health of the teeth, gums,
and other hard and soft tissues of the oral cavity. In addition to individuals
who provide direct care, the dental profession includes those who teach, conduct
research and work in public and international health. Dentists diagnose, prevent,
and treat teeth and tissue problems. They remove decay, fill cavities, examine
x-rays, place protective plastic sealants on children's teeth, straighten teeth,
and repair fractured teeth. They also perform corrective surgery on gums and
supporting bones to treat gum diseases. Dentists extract teeth and make models
and measurements for dentures to replace missing teeth. They provide instruction
on diet, brushing, flossing, the use of fluorides, and other aspects of dental
care, as well. They also administer anesthetics and write prescriptions for
antibiotics and other medications. Dentists in private practice oversee a variety
of administrative tasks, including bookkeeping, and buying equipment and supplies.
Areas of Specialty
The
majority of dentists act as general practitioners,
performing oral diagnosis, rehabilitation, restoring damaged or missing tooth
structures, and providing preventive oral health care. In addition, there are
nine dental specialties, which typically require one to four years of additional
training beyond the dental degree and enumerate as follows.
Orthodontics
is the science of tooth and oral structure development. As such, the orthodontist
treats problems related to irregular and abnormal dental development.
Oral surgery
is concerned with diseases, injuries, and defects in the jaw and associated
structures.
Periodontics
is concerned with the diagnosis and treatment of diseases that affect the oral
mucous membranes, gum and bone that surround and support the teeth.
Pediatric
dentistry or Pedodontics is concerned exclusively with the treatment
of children, adolescents, and young adults whose dental development is not complete.
Endodontics
deals with diseases of the pulp (nerve) and other dental tissues.
Prosthodontics
is the science and art of replacing missing natural teeth with fixed or removable
substitutes.
Oral
pathology deals with the nature of diseases of the mouth, studying their
causes, processes, and effects. As a diagnostician, the oral pathologist often
provides counsel to other dentists rather than treating patients directly.
Dental
public health is a form of dental practice that treats the community
rather than the individual patient for the purpose of prevention and control
of dental diseases.
Oral
Radiology is the newest specialty recently recognized and in the development
process by the ADA. While it has been recognized it may be many years before
practitioners will announce specialist status.
DESIRED
SKILLS
Dentistry
requires diagnostic ability and manual skills. Dentists should have good visual
memory, excellent judgment of space and shape, a high degree of manual dexterity,
and scientific ability. Good business sense, self-discipline, and communication
skills are helpful for success in private practice.
DEGREES
OFFERED
There are two degrees offered by the 54 U.S. Schools of Dentistry, D.M.D.
(Doctor of Dental Medicine) degree or the more traditional D.D.S. (Doctor of
Dental Surgery) degree. Both degrees are equivalent and require the same schooling,
board exams, and licensure.
EMPLOYMENT
OUTLOOK
The
character of dentistry is in the process of changing due to new research findings
and the creation of new dental services. There is an expected increase in demand
for dental service for an aging population, as well as in rural and inner-city
areas with undeserved populations. The profession is a rewarding one with the
average income ranking in the upper five percent of family incomes in the United
States.
RELATED
OCCUPATIONS
Dentists examine, diagnose, prevent, and treat diseases and abnormalities. Other
similar careers for exploration are clinical psychologists, optometrists, physicians,
chiropractors, veterinarians, and podiatrists.
ADDITIONAL
INFORMATION AND RESOURCES
HOW CAN THE UCLA CAREER CENTER HELP?
CAREER
EXPLORATION
A combination of written information, experiential opportunities, testimonials
or exposure to others and academic experience are helpful in exploring possible
career opportunities. The Career Center affords various resources and services
to assist students in this process including the Career Center Library, Workshops,
Counseling, Assessments, and special programming. A career in dentistry requires
manual dexterity, spatial, perceptual and scientific ability, and a desire to
help and educate people, make sure this is the career you desire and the steps
to reach your goals.
HEALTH
CARE RELATED INTERNSHIPS
Experiential educational and volunteer programs are an excellent way to expand
your knowledge of the health professions beyond the classroom. Participation
in health related internships will strengthen your application to professional
schools and provide exposure experiences that can be highlighted in the personal
statement. A select number of health care internships focusing on research,
legislation and public policy are available through the Career Center's internship
office on a local, national and international basis. A sampling of internship
opportunities include (but are not limited to) the National Institute of Health,
the Surgeon General's Office, Cedar Sinai, AIDS Action, the U.S. Dept. of Health
and Human Services and the American Heart Association. Visit the Career Center's
Internship and Study Abroad Services Office for a resource sheet handout providing
an overview of health related internships. Please visit career.ucla.edu
for more information.
MOCK
INTERVIEW
Interview policies vary widely among schools: some require personal interviews;
some give no interviews at all. Some dental schools may require chalk-carving
tests during the interview. To assist with this process, the Career Center offers
Interviewing workshops as well as an opportunity to receive a mock interview
and feedback to help you prepare for your actual interviews.
PERSONAL
STATEMENT
On the AADSAS application, a section is provided for students to write a personal
statement/essay. It is limited to one page and must fit within the space allotted.
For assistance with developing this statement, the career center has several
books, and will be coordinating workshops and content critiques with Academics
in the Commons.
LETTERS
OF RECOMMENDATION
The Career Center offers UCLA students and alumni a service which stores and
sends letters of recommendation to graduate schools. To open a PPS letter file,
visit career.ucla.edu. All letters
should be forwarded directly to the Career Center by the author, as these are
confidential documents. Career Center will forward these to AADSAS upon written
request.
ADDITIONAL
RESOURCES LIBRARY
ADMISSION
REQUIREMENTS OF UNITED STATES AND CANADIAN DENTAL SCHOOLS: 1999-2000, 36th ed.
American Association of Dental Schools
BARRON'S
GUIDE TO MEDICAL & DENTAL SCHOOLS, 8th ed. Dr. Saul Wischnitzer & Edith
Wischnitzer
OPPORTUNITIES
IN DENTAL CARE CAREERS Bonnie Kendall
REA'S
AUTHORITATIVE GUIDE TO MEDICAL & DENTAL SCHOOLS [3rd ed.] Research and Education
Association
WEB
American Dental Education Association http://www.adea.org
1625 Massachusetts Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20036-2212
Phone: (202) 667-9433
American
Dental Association, Commission on Dental Accreditation, www.ada.org
ADA
link for DAT www.ada.org/prof/ed/testing/dat.asp
211 E. Chicago Ave.
Chicago, IL 60611
Phone: 1-800-621-8099
American
Association of Dental Schools www.aads.jhu.edu
1625 Massachusetts Ave. NW.
Washington, DC 20036
Student Doctor www.studentdoctor.net
General Information: www.dental-resources.com
or www.predental.com
The UCLA
Career Center is not responsible for the content of external Web site links.
The appearance of a site on this list does not imply the endorsement of the
site.
PRE-DENTISTRY
PREPARATION
Many
dental schools accept students after three or more years of undergraduate courses.
The Council on Dental Education recommends a baccalaureate degree prior to dental
school matriculation. When selecting students, schools consider scores earned
on the DAT, the applicants' grade point average, and information gathered through
recommendations and interviews. Students are encouraged to explore their interests
and gain an understanding via exposure or experience in the field of dentistry.
TIMELINE
The application process begins one year prior to the year of desired admission.
50 of the 55 dental schools in the U.S. participate in the American Association
of Dental Schools Application Service (AADSAS). AADSAS applications can be obtained
or completed on-line at www.adea.org each spring. AADSAS simplifies the
application process for students by acting as an application clearinghouse.
Applicants to participating dental schools complete only one application and
AADSAS provides the individual schools with uniform, standardized information
about the student. For dental schools that do not participate in AADSAS (Louisiana
State University, Medical College of Georgia, Northwestern University, University
of Mississippi, University of Tennessee), obtain the application material directly
from the individual schools. There are five dental schools located in California:
Loma Linda School of Dentistry, UCLA School of Dentistry, University of the
Pacific School of Dentistry (UOP), UCSF School of Dentistry, and USC School
of Dentistry, all of which are AADSAS participants.
April May
June July August
Sept./Oct./Nov./Dec.
Jan/Feb./March/April
«----------Take
DAT -----------»
«------Draft
Personal Statement-------»
«--------Request LOR's --------------»
«----Submit AADSAS application (After June 1st) --»
«----Receive Supplementary Applications----------------»
«-----------------Interviews-----------------»
«----------Admissions decisions ------------»
STANDARDIZED
TEST
Dental schools use the Dental Admissions Test (DAT) as an instrument in the
evaluation and comparison of dental school candidates. The test is designed
to be taken after having taken most prerequisites, and is recommended to be
taken well before the time for application and interviewing - preferably the
spring before the year your are expecting to matriculate. Although dental schools
prefer that DAT scores be available when students apply for admission, you should
not delay submission of your application simply because the DAT scores are not
yet in. Students should strive to take the DAT no later then June of the year
they apply.
This
computerized test is designed to assess a student's (1) knowledge of the natural
sciences (biology, general chemistry, and organic chemistry); (2) reading comprehension
skills in dental and the basic sciences; (3) quantitative reasoning; and (4)
perceptual ability (angle-discrimination, form development, block counting,
orthographic projections, and object visualization). The DAT is offered year-round
at specific testing sites and results are available right away. The DAT is scored
on a 1-30 scale. A DAT application is available in the UCLA Career Center or
contact the American Dental Association, Telephone: 1-800-621-8099 or email:
www.ada.org/prof/ed/testing/dat.asp. Application deadlines are approximately
one month prior to the test. If you repeat the DAT, both scores will be reported
to the dental schools.
APPLICATION
PROCESS
AADSAS
makes downloadable application packets available in March and may be submitted
beginning June 1; it is recommended that applications be submitted as early
as possible. The application can be completed online and then mailed in with
the requested information. AADSAS provides the service of verifying and forwarding
transcripts and letters of recommendation to your chosen institutions. Most
schools require that the applicant either utilize this service or to immediately
send official transcripts and letters of recommendation (LORs) directly to the
school. In these cases, students should not wait until they receive a secondary
application from the institution to mail the supplemental information. Refer
to the AADSAS packet to determine when to send supplemental information to the
schools. The Career Center will forward you letters of recommendation to AADSAS
upon request.
CO-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
It is recommended that you engage in extracurricular activities. Pre-dental
students should be able to demonstrate their potential for independent critical
thought, leadership, concern for others, and an understanding of the dental
profession.
MAJOR
& REQUIRED COURSES
Dental schools seek to admit students from diverse educational backgrounds.
All dental schools recognize the importance of a broad education which includes
a strong foundation in Life and Physical Sciences (biology, chemistry, physics,
mathematics) and a solid background in Social Sciences (political science, psychology,
sociology, anthropology) and humanities (literature, history, philosophy). Although
there is no preferred or required major for students who wish to attend dental
school, there are specific courses necessary to meet the dental admission requirements.
These required courses vary by school but typically include general chemistry,
organic chemistry, biology and physics. They may also include biochemistry,
anatomy, and physiology. Requirements for each of the schools may be found in
Admission Requirements United States and Canadian Dental Schools (available
for viewing at the UCLA Career Center Library or for purchase at any major bookstore)
or via the individual school's admission material.
The following
is a guideline of requirements and UCLA equivalents.
Pre-Professional
Dentistry Preparation and Required Courses
Biology
Life Sciences 1, 2, 3, 4. One year of coursework with lab.
Notes: LS 1-4 will prepare you for the Natural Sciences section of the DAT.
If you took LS 2 and 3 before Fall 98, then take two additional life science
lab courses (in departments such as OBEE, MCD Bio, neuroscience, psychobiology,
or physiological science). Many schools recommend extra upper division life
science courses in addition to this basic requirement.
Chemistry
Life science or non-science majors: Chemistry 14A, 14B/BL, 14C/CL, 14D; plus
153A/L (biochemistry).
Physical, life or non-science majors: Chemistry 20A, 20B/L, 30A/AL, 30B/BL,
30C; plus 153A/L (biochemistry).
General and organic chemistry courses are required. Many schools
include a separate requirement for or a strong recommendation to take biochemistry.
The general and organic chemistry coursework prepares you for the Natural Sciences
section of the DAT.
Physics
Physics 6A, 6B, 6C or 6AH, 6BH, 6CH or 1A, 1B, 1C, 4AL, 4BL
One year with labs is generally required. Trigonometry-based physics can also
satisfy this requirement, but UCLA only offers calculus-based courses and these
are required for the various science majors.
English
One year of college level literature and composition. Writing I and Writing
II courses, select general education literature courses, and any upper division
English literature or English Composition courses will satisfy this requirement.
Please see the “English requirement for health professions schools”
sheet for a complete list of suggested courses. These courses will prepare you
for the Reading Comprehension section of the DAT.
Psychology
Psychology 10 (or the equivalent). One course in this area is sufficient, but
more coursework is helpful.
Other strongly
recommended courses:
Other Biology
Physiology, anatomy, embryology, histology, or cellular biology are all recommended.
Check with each individual department counselor for availability of upper
division courses.
| Physiology |
OBEE
M166, Phy Sci 3, 5, 111A-C |
| Anatomy |
Phy Sci 13,
107, NeuroSci M102 |
| Embryology |
MCD Bio 138 |
| Histology |
OBEE 157 |
| Cellular Biology |
Any upper division
Microbiology or MCD Bio class, OBEE M158 |
| Microbiology |
MIMG 101/101L |
Math
Math 3A, 3B, 3C or 31A, 31B, 32A One year of math can include statistics (see
below) and computer programming classes (PIC 10A, 10B, 10C). This is your preparation
for calculus-based physics. These courses will prepare you for the Quantitative
Reasoning section of the DAT.
Statistics
Statistics 10, M11, M12, 13, Biostatistics or Biomath, Psychology 100A*
*Check with individual schools for acceptability of classes offered outside
of the Statistics department. These courses will prepare you for the Quantitative
Reasoning section of the DAT.
Foreign Language
Knowledge and cultural competency
in any language other than English is a valuable asset to working in a health
care field. If your future plans include working in California or the southwestern
states, Spanish is highly valued and somewhat expected. Ask yourself: Can I
walk into a hospital room and get a patient history in another language? If
the answer is no, then consider taking college level foreign language classes
to brush up on your skills.
Other Humanities and Social Science
courses are strongly recommended. The non-science GPA is an important component
to your overall academic record, and liberal arts education. Courses in the
following can enhance your communication skills and overall understanding of
the world: Anthropology, Communication Studies, Economics, any ethnic studies
area (e.g. Women’s Studies, LGBT Studies, Afro-American Studies, Chicana/Chicano
Studies, Near Eastern Studies), Philosophy, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology,
and Speech to name a few.
Computer skills are strongly
recommended. Many programs have incorporated computers and electronic media
into their curriculum. Several programs are strongly recommending that a student
owns a computer. Check with individual schools about a computer purchase requirement.
UCLA is not
responsible for coursework being accepted by recipient schools. Students should
contact the individual schools directly.
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