Dentist or Dental Hygienist• A branch of medicine • The study, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of

diseases, disorders and conditions of the oral cavity, the maxillofacial area and the adjacent and associated structures, and their impact on the human body

Types of Careers in Dentistry: 1. Dental public health specialists promote good dental health

and the prevention of dental diseases in specific communities.2. Endodontists  perform root-canal therapy, by which they

remove the nerves and blood supply from injured or infected teeth.

3. Oral and maxillofacial radiologists diagnose diseases in the head and neck through the use of imaging technologies.

4. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons operate on the mouth, jaws, teeth, gums, neck, and head, including procedures such as surgically repairing a cleft lip and palate or removing impacted teeth.

5. Oral pathologists diagnose conditions in the mouth, such as bumps or ulcers, and oral diseases, such as cancer.

6. Orthodontists straighten teeth by applying pressure to the teeth with braces or other appliances.

7. Pediatric dentists focus on dentistry for children and special-needs patients.

8. Periodontists treat the gums and bone supporting the teeth.9. Prosthodontists replace missing teeth with permanent fixtures,

such as crowns and bridges, or with removable fixtures such as dentures.

Introduction

1. At least a Bachelor's degree with Pre-health Pre-requisites courses (specific course requirements vary between dental schools)

• 8 hours Biology with lab• 8 hours Physics with lab• 8 hours English• 8 hours General Chemistry with lab• 8 hours Organic Chemistry with lab• Biochemistry• Microbiology• Sociology and psychology (highly

recommended)• Business courses (highly recommended)

2. DAT (Dental Admissions Test)3. Applying to Dental School though the Associated

American Dental Schools Application Service (AADSAS)

• Academic qualifications• Dental Admissions Test (DAT)• Grade point average (GPA)• Letters of recommendation• Dental office shadowing experiences

4. Supplemental Application (unique to each dental school)

5. Interview

• studentdoctor.net• predents.com• http://www.ada.org/3219.aspx (American Dental

Association, How to Apply to Dental School)• http://www.asdanet.org/predental/ (American Student

Dental Association) • http://dent.umich.edu/ (University of Michigan School

of Dentistry Home Web site)• http://dental.udmercy.edu/ (University of Detroit

Mercy School of Dentistry Home Web site)• https://portal.aadsasweb.org/ (ADEA Associated

American Dental Schools Application Service (ADEA AADSAS)

• http://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/dentists.htm#tab-1 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)

Process

Helpful Web Sites

Job Market OutlookDental Schools in Michigan

• University of Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry• Admission questions to dental@udmercy.edu

• University of Michigan School of Dentistry• Admission questions to   

ddsadmissions@umich.edu

Courses at Dental School• Gross Anatomy• Physiology • Biochemistry • Microbiology • General and Oral Histology• Immunology • Dental Anatomy and

Occlusion• Restorative and

Prosthodontics • Periodontics • Endodontics• Orthodontics

• Pediatrics • Oral Surgery• Radiology• Pharmacology • General and Oral Pathology• Oral Medicine • Essentials of Clinical

Practice• Practice Management • Evidence Based Dentistry • Professionalism and Ethics• Psychological Aspects of

Dentistry• Clinic!

Dentistry Sabah Gagnon

Dental Student, Class of 2015

University of Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry

Quick Facts: Dentists

2012 Median Pay $149,310 per year $71.79 per hour

Entry-Level Education Doctoral or professional degree

Work Experience in a Related Occupation None

Number of Jobs, 2012 146,800

Job Outlook, 2012-22 16% (Faster than average)

Ten Great Reasons to Be a Dentist According to ADA1. Service to Others2. Balanced Lifestyle3. Empower Your Patients4. Technology and Research5. Be a Leader6. Prevention/Education7. Detect Disease8. Be Creative9. Success Potential10. Self-Employment