Where does my path start?
You will complete an Associate of Science-Transfer (AS-T) Track 1 at Shoreline.
A typical next step would be to complete a Bachelor’s degree at a four-year school, then apply for Doctor of Dental Surgery (D.D.S.) programs during your senior year or after completing the Bachelor’s degree. Although a Bachelor’s degree is not required for all dental schools, very few students without a Bachelor’s degree are selected for admission.
What courses should I take?
This unofficial guide is intended to support you as you prepare for your pathway. Please consult with an advisor and your chosen four-year school(s), as program and admissions requirements vary and may change without notice.
General Education - 18-20 Credits
Quantitative/Symbolic Reasoning (5 Credits)
Humanities and Social Sciences - 15 Credits
Select one course from the Humanities course list, one course from the Social Sciences course list, and a third course from either list.
Pre-Major Requirements - 29.5 Credits
Pre-Major Requirements - 15-21 Credits
Select any two biology, chemistry, or physics sequences from the list below to complete the AS degree; DDS programs require all three sequences.
Biology: BIOL& 211 , BIOL& 212 , BIOL& 213
Algebra-based Physics: PHYS& 114 , PHYS& 115 , PHYS& 116 , -OR-
Calculus-based Physics: PHYS& 221 , PHYS& 222 , PHYS& 223
Chemistry: CHEM& 241 /CHEM 271 , CHEM& 242 /CHEM 272 , CHEM& 243 /CHEM 273
Electives - Microbiology and Biochemistry
These courses are not required for the AS-T degree. They are prerequisites for the Dentistry School, and are often taken after transfer to a university. Dental schools may have additional required courses, such as Human Anatomy & Physiology, Microbiology, and Biochemistry. This varies by school. The University of Washington requires two microbiology courses (e.g. BIOL& 260 and BIOL 277 ) and biochemistry (at SCC this is CHEM 255 and CHEM 256 .).
Biology: BIOL& 260 , BIOL 277
Chemistry: CHEM 255 , CHEM 256
Where can I transfer for a Bachelor’s degree?
The AS-T makes it possible for students to transfer to public and private colleges and universities in the U.S. with junior standing (please see the AS-T Track 1 Degree Planning Guide for a list of schools) The courses recommended to prepare for a Dentistry program align well with majors in chemistry, biochemistry, and biology; however, a science-related major is not required to apply to most Dentistry programs.
Where can I study Dentistry?
The only school in Washington state that offers a Dentistry program is the University of Washington, Seattle campus.
More information about programs in Dentistry
Dental School Application information:
For details, see the American Dental Education Association web site: www.adea.org Annual deadline is Nov. 1 for the American Association of Dental Schools Application Service (AADSAS). It is better to apply much sooner, such as June or July, as interviews begin in October. The Dental Admission Test is required and must be taken by October 31: www.ada.org/prof/ed/testing/dat/index.asp. Preparation for dental school must also include development of personal skills and characteristics, such as interpersonal communication, multicultural understanding, leadership, and ethics. In addition it is vital that students gain experience in the dental field by volunteering and job shadowing.
University of Washington-D.D.S. Doctor of Dental Surgery
The State of Washington has one dentistry program at the University of Washington. The UW admits 55 students each year from a large and competitive group of applicants. The average overall GPA of admitted students is 3.6 with an average science GPA of 3.55 While the program does not require completion of a bachelor’s degree, most applicants do have one. The Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) is a four year program.
Contact information:
Memory Brock, Office of Admissions, Dental School
Phone: 206-543-5840
E-mail: askuwsod@u.washington.edu
Website: www.dental.washington.edu;
The Delta Delta Sigma UW student pre-dental club is open to all prospective students. Contact dental@u.washington.edu
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