Who should you consult about a career in dentistry?
You should speak to the predental advisor on your university campus, Admission Offices of Dental Schools, the family dentist, other dentists in general practice and those involved in the various fields of dentistry such as public health, dental research, etc. Observation in the office of a general dentist is required. Information is also available from the American Dental Association (ADA) and the American Dental Education Association (ADEA) at the following links:
DDS Required Prerequisite & Core Courses Can high school students begin to prepare for a career in dentistry?
Yes. These students should take courses that will prepare them for admission to the predental college of their choice. In general, high school courses should include Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, English and courses that involve the development of hand skills.
DDS Required Prerequisite & Core Courses What specific college courses must an applicant take?
Texas A&M College of Dentistry requires a minimum of ninety semester hours; however, most students complete a degree before beginning the program. All prerequisite courses must be completed at the undergraduate level. The Admissions Committee encourages applicants to plan to complete most if not all science coursework in-person in a regular classroom setting. A grade of "C" or better is required for all required courses. An applicant must include the required hours:
Biology Majors - Requirements:
Anatomy with Lab - 4 semester hours
Physiology - 3 semester hours
Microbiology - 3 semester hours
*Note: The Anatomy and Physiology requirements can be satisfied by either individual courses or the combined A&P 1 and A&P 2 (with both labs) for science majors. Predental students who take the individual courses of Anatomy and Physiology (3000 level or higher) will be better prepared and therefore more competitive as an applicant; however, the approved, combined Anatomy & Physiology 1 & 2 courses will meet the requirement.
To help verify that you are taking approved science major's courses, please refer to the Texas Medical and Dental Schools Application Service (TMDSAS) website. They have a Prescribed Course Listing by University of approved courses https://www.tmdsas.com/course-listings/index.html.
No course should be planned for Summer Session 2 of the year of entry as it conflicts with our start date.
Histology, Neuroscience, Cellular and Molecular Biology, Immunology and Biochemistry II are suggested to strengthen the student's science background.
Although we do not require a specific major, the majority of successful applicants have majored in the Biological or Biomedical Sciences. Taking more than the minimum number of biology courses and performing well in them will make the applicant better prepared and therefore, more successful in gaining admission.
- Six semester hours of English
- Three semester hours of Statistics (from Math or Statistics Department)
- Eight semester hours of General Chemistry
- Eight semester hours of Organic Chemistry
- Eight semester hours of Physics
- Three semester hours of Biochemistry
- Eighteen semester hours of Biology -- (minimum) 15 hours of lecture and 3 hours of formal laboratory.
The Biology hours must include these courses for science majors (this refers to the course designation, not the applicant's major):
Biology Majors - Requirements:
Anatomy with Lab - 4 semester hours
Physiology - 3 semester hours
Microbiology - 3 semester hours
*Note: The Anatomy and Physiology requirements can be satisfied by either individual courses or the combined A&P 1 and A&P 2 (with both labs) for science majors. Predental students who take the individual courses of Anatomy and Physiology (3000 level or higher) will be better prepared and therefore more competitive as an applicant; however, the approved, combined Anatomy & Physiology 1 & 2 courses will meet the requirement.
To help verify that you are taking approved science major's courses, please refer to the Texas Medical and Dental Schools Application Service (TMDSAS) website. They have a Prescribed Course Listing by University of approved courses https://www.tmdsas.com/course-listings/index.html.
No course should be planned for Summer Session 2 of the year of entry as it conflicts with our start date.
Histology, Neuroscience, Cellular and Molecular Biology, Immunology and Biochemistry II are suggested to strengthen the student's science background.
Although we do not require a specific major, the majority of successful applicants have majored in the Biological or Biomedical Sciences. Taking more than the minimum number of biology courses and performing well in them will make the applicant better prepared and therefore, more successful in gaining admission.
DDS Required Prerequisite & Core Courses When should the Dental Admission Test be taken?
The applicant should take the Dental Admission Test (DAT) in the spring or summer prior to applying. The DAT is offered at Prometric Testing Centers with locations throughout the country. An applicant with below average scores on the test may wish to retake the test in order to become more competitive. A 60-day waiting period is required before re-testing. Access the ADA Testing Area Here
DDS Required Prerequisite & Core Courses How much does it cost to attend Texas A&M College of Dentistry?
The tuition and fees for the student in the College of Dentistry can be found here: https://tuition.tamu.edu/hsc (Choose College of Dentistry - Dental Professional Programs)
Students are discouraged from holding any outside employment which may be detrimental to the pursuit of their education. In no case may a student accept a position which conflicts with regularly scheduled school hours. When scholastic progress is questionable, students may be asked to discontinue outside work.
DDS Required Prerequisite & Core Courses Are there summer programs to help prepare for dental education?
Texas A&M College of Dentistry conducts Summer Predental Enrichment Program (SPEP) to strengthen academic background, introduce the profession of dentistry, improve study skills and increase preparedness for admission.
Apply for summer programs through the Office of Student Development
Apply for summer programs through the Office of Student Development
DDS Required Prerequisite & Core Courses Re-application recommendations
- All re-applicants must be enrolled in coursework to be considered as a well-prepared candidate. We recommend taking post bac coursework in the biological sciences or a one-year master's degree in biomedical sciences to further prepare for the dental school curriculum, keep current with study skills and prove to the Admissions Committee the applicant's motivation and preparedness. (for example: anatomy, physiology, biochemistry II, microbiology, histology, neuroscience, cell & molecular biology, immunology)
- Re-applicants need to critically review their applications for areas that may need further work: biological science coursework, DAT scores, GPA, community service and volunteer work, general dental office shadowing experience.
- Re-applicants should continue to participate in shadowing and on-going volunteer activities during the application cycle.
- Re-applicants who follow this advice to improve their academic background and general application will be more successful than those with little change from year to year.
- Working in a dental office alone will not improve the applicant's preparedness.