Dentistry continues to be one of the most popular health professions among undergraduate students, and with good reason. Dentists (depending on specialization and type of practice) have a great deal of control over their schedule and office hours. There are fewer emergencies to contend with, and dentists are rarely faced with the death of a patient. In addition, dentists usually contend with insurance issues less frequently than medical doctors do. Because of its popularity, admission to dental school is extremely competitive.
The admissions standards and requirements for dental school are very similar to medical school. Students are strongly encouraged (there are a few rare exceptions) to complete an undergraduate degree before matriculation. Regardless of degree, students are required to take the following courses:
12 hours of Biology (BSC 114:115* and 116:117*, and 4hrs of Biology electives)
2 years Chemistry (CH 101*, 102*, 231, 232, and 237 )
1 year Physics (PH 101 and 102 or 105 and 106)
1 year Mathematics (Math 125 recommended)
* or honors equivalent
There is not a dental school at the University of Alabama; the University of Alabama Birmingham is the closest dental school, and it is a very popular first choice for UA students because of its proximity and its outstanding reputation.
State supported dental schools generally give preference to applicants from the same state (or region) of residence. Check with the dental schools before applying if you plan to study out of state.
Students are also required to take the Dental Admission Test, and most schools use AADSAS as a centralized application service.
