Pre-Dentistry Handout

Pre-Dentistry is a career interest, rather than a major or formal program. Most people complete a full bachelor's degree, including a major, before entering dental school. Although most requirements are science courses, you can choose any major. The following courses meet requirements at the UMKC School of Dentistry and most dental schools:

• ENGL 101 Composition (3 credit hours)
• ENGL 102 Critical Reading & Writing (3)

• BIOL 150 Principles of Molecular & Cellular Biology (4, fall & spring)
• BIOL 416 Cell Structure & Function (3, on Lawrence campus in spring)
• BIOL 240 Human Anatomy and 241 Observation Lab (3 & 2), 440 Advanced Human (6), or BIOL 510 Comparative Anatomy (5)
• BIOL 646 Mammalian Physiology & 647 Lab (4 & 2, on Lawrence campus in spring)

• CHEM 184 Foundations of Chemistry I (5, must be eligible for MATH 115)
• CHEM 188 Foundations of Chemistry II (5, spring & summer)

• CHEM 624 Organic Chemistry I & 625 Lab (3 & 2, fall & spring)
• CHEM 626 Organic Chemistry II & 627 Lab (3 & 2, spring & summer)

• PHSX 114 College Physics I (4, prerequisite MATH ACT >24 or MATH 104 Pre-Calculus)
• PHSX 115 College Physics II (4)

If you're NOT a biology major, you can use 246 and 247 to meet UMKC's physiology requirements. Some dental schools require additional math, biochemistry, microbiology, and/or psychology courses. BIOL 152 Principles of Organismal Biology, BIOL 350 Introduction to Genetics, BIOL 400 Fundamentals of Microbiology, BIOL 560 Histology, BIOL 600 Introductory Biochemistry and studio art courses, such as sculpting, ceramics (CER 131) or jewelry making (METL 132) are recommended.

There are many ways of sequencing the courses required for UMKC. Here is one option:

*If you're a qualified Missouri or Kansas resident, you can apply for UMKC's Reserved Admission Program, http://dentistry.umkc.edu/bec_student/DDSProgram.htm#reserved, immediately after completing your fourth full semester!

If you're a prospective student, you can contact Admissions & Scholarships, (785) 864-3911, www.admissions.ku.edu, to schedule a tour and information meetings.

If you're currently a KU student, you can schedule a meeting with Paul Crosby by calling 864-3500. 

If you're currently a student in KU's College of Liberal ARTS & Sciences, and you add the pre-dentistry interest code, PDENA, by completing a change of interest code form in 109 Strong Hall, e-mail messages about Pre-Dentistry Club meetings and other information will be sent to your KU e-mail address.

For more information, see our pre-dentistry web site at www.medadvising.ku.edu/dentistry.

There is no dental school in Kansas, but there's an agreement for some seats for Kansas residents at the University of Missouri at Kansas City School of Dentistry, and the University of Nebraska College of Dentistry encourages Kansas residents to apply.

UMKC encourages candidates to observe for a minimum of 100 hours in at least five different dental offices. Preference is given to candidates who have worked in a dental office, have a science GPA of at least 3.40, and a DAT academic average of at least 17 at the time of application.

If you plan to enter dental school immediately after your senior year, you should begin the application process in the spring of your junior year!

1. You can register for the DAT at www.ada.org/prof/ed/testing/dat/index.asp. It's computerized, so you can schedule it for a time that suits your preparation and application needs, ideally by June 1st in the summer between your junior and senior year. For more information, see www.medadvising.ku.edu/dentistry/dentDAT.shtml.

2. In the spring of your junior year, call 864-3500, and schedule an application meeting with Paul Crosby.

3. In the early summer between your junior and senior year, submit your American Association of Dental Schools Application Service (AADSAS) application at https://portal.aadsasweb.org. In the past, AADSAS has begun accepting applications on June 1st. The Texas schools use their own application service, www.utsystem.edu/tmdsas. For application essay suggestions, see www.medadvising.ku.edu/essaytips.shtml.

4. You can have your evaluation letters sent through either AADSAS or KU’s University Career Center, www.medadvising.ku.edu/letters.shtml.

5. In the summer between your junior and senior year, complete supplemental applications, and have your recommendation letters sent to admissions offices.

6. In the late summer, fall and winter of your senior year, complete dental school interviews. See www.medadvising.ku.edu/interviews.shtml.