Things I Wish I Knew:

Introduction to being
Pre-Dental at Penn

Penn Pre-Dental ASDA

October 4, 2007
 What is Dentistry?
 Definition:
“Dentistry is defined as the evaluation, diagnosis, prevention

and/or treatment (nonsurgical, surgical or related

procedures) of diseases, disorders and/or conditions of the

oral cavity, maxillofacial area and/or the adjacent and

associated structures and their impact on the human body;

provided by a dentist, within the scope of his/her education, training

and experience, in accordance with the ethics of the profession and

applicable law. “ (www.ada.org)

What is Dentistry?

http://www.drbaradaranperio.com/media/trea/3DI.gif
 What is Dentistry
 Also involves systemic health!
– Individuals with diabetes are at greater risk for
periodontal diseases
– Correlation between quality of life and healthy smile
– A dentist can make a preliminary diagnosis of systemic
disease because many systemic diseases and conditions
have oral manifestations (ex. bulimia, drug use, cancer)

US Department of Health and Human Services. Oral Health in America: A Report of the
Surgeon General-- Executive Summary. Rockville, MD: US Department of Health and
Human Services, National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, National
Institutes of Health, 2000.
 What career options are available
to a DDS/DMD?
 Private Practice (Majority of Graduates)
 Specialties (ex: Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery,
Endodontics, more!; ~20% Graduates)
 Academic Dentistry/Research
 Public Health Dentistry
 Get Dental Experience!
 Most important in helping you decide on your career!
 Important to see a range of general dentists and
specialists to get a broad view of the profession
 Contact your dentist, local dentists, county dental
societies to find a dentist to shadow
 Penn Smiles Van 
 Try to assist if you can!
 Finally, some schools require shadowing hours or a
letter of recommendation from a dentist (eg. Tufts)
 Required Undergraduate Courses
 You can major in whatever you want, but you must
complete pre-req’s:
– One Year of Biology, Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Physics (all
with lab)
– One Year of English
– One Year of Math (must be at least one semester of Calculus)
– Humanities Classes
 These may be completed in any order, but it is most
helpful to have taken the Organic Chemistry lecture
before or during your junior year—I’ll explain
 You may take Orgo Lab (Chem 245) and Physics your
senior year, although it is “safer” to finish your prereq’s
before senior year—I’ll explain
 More on Courses
 Many Dental schools have additional pre-req’s
that are not listed
 If you decide you want to apply, check with
schools as early as possible for specific pre-req’s
 Biochemistry is becoming an “unofficial” pre-req
 Business classes now will help you with practice
management later—but are not required
 Study what you’re interested in!!!
 The Dental Admissions Test
(DAT)
 Multiple choice, computer based
 4 hour 15 mins, plus optional 15 min break
 Sections:
– Survey of the Natural Sciences (SNS)
 Biology (40 q), General Chemistry (30 q), Organic Chemistry (30 q)
– Perceptual Ability Test (PAT) (90 q)
– Reading Comprehension (50 q)
– Quantative Reasoning (40 q)
– Academic Average
 Each section and sub-section is put on a 1-30 curve
 Some schools care about some sections more/less than other
schools (ex: Penn and the PAT)
 No penalty for guessing (not like the SAT or MCAT)
 Only allowed to take 3x (new ADA rule!)
 The “Numbers” Question
 GPA National Mean GPA’s of 2005 Entering Class
First Year Enrollees
– Overall: 3.49
– Science: 3.41
 National Mean DAT Scores of 2005 Entering
Class First Year Enrollees
– Academic Average: 18.9
– Total Science: 18.4
– PAT: 17.4

(http://www.adea.org/webdocs/AADSAS/DentistryUpdate.pdf)
 More on “Numbers”

 There is about a ½ chance of getting into dental school,

nationally (fluctuates with number of applicants per
year)
 However, for individual schools, the number of
applicants/seat varies from about 3 to 40 (Penn ~16)

www.adea.org
 The Application Process
 55 US ADA Accredited Schools
 One ADA Accredited School in Puerto Rico—Hard to get
into
 Each school has its strengths and weaknesses, and each
person has individual preferences… (ex: cost of tuition)
Do your research!
 Application Services
– American Association of Dental Schools Application Service—
AADSAS
– Texas Medical & Dental Schools Application Service—TMDSAS
– Handful of schools do not use either of these central services
 More on Applying
 Career Services:
– Mandatory workshop
– “Health Profession Advisory Board (HPAB) Packet”
 Committee Letter
 At least 3 letters of recommendation: 2 should be science
– Personal Statement Help
– Strict guidelines to help you get everything in on time

 Timing is everything when applying to

Dental School! (May 15th)
 The Interview

 Show yourself off!

 Talk about your
extracurriculars
and dental experience
 Show off your people skills
 You’re interviewing the
school as well!
 You’re Finally In!
 First round of acceptances go out Dec. 1, rolling
after
 Basic Dental School Curriculum:
– First two years are didactic and not so much clinical
– Last two years are mostly clinical
– University of the Pacific3 year program
 National Boards:
Part I after 2nd Year and Part II after 3rd Year
 Residency only required to practice in some
states
 Any Questions??
 Feel free to e-mail the board any
additional questions:
preasda@dolphin.upenn.edu
 Check the links on the web site:
http://dolphin.upenn.edu/~preasda
 Stay tuned for the Dental Sibling Mixer
event and for updates on the Penn Smiles
Van!!!
Thanks
for
Coming!