Dentists diagnose and treat problems with a patient’s teeth, gums, and related parts of the mouth. They provide advice and instruction on taking care of teeth/gums and on diet choices that affect oral health.

Typical Duties

• Remove decay from teeth and fill cavities and repair cracked or fractured teeth, remove teeth, straighten teeth
• Place sealants or whitening agents on teeth and give anesthetics to keep patients from feeling pain during procedures
• Write prescriptions for antibiotics or other medications
• Examine x-rays of teeth, gums, the jaw, and nearby areas for problems
• Make models and measurements for dental appliances, such as dentures, to fit patients

Preparing for Admission

• Resources for researching schools: A complete list of all Dental schools can be found on the American Dental Education Association
• Prerequisite coursework: Pre-requisite courses can vary by school but a general idea of the necessary courses can be found on the ADEA website.
• Standardized Tests: All U.S Dental programs require The Dental Admissions Test (DAT) for admission. 
• Letters of Recommendation: Dental schools generally prefer a committee or composite letter.  The College of Wooster’s process for requesting a committee letter can be found on the Pre-Health website
• The College has a 3+4 program with Case Western Dental School.  Students must apply and be accepted before starting at Wooster.  Additional information about the program can be found the Case Western website.
• Experience/Exposure: Dental schools like to see applicants with shadowing experience, as it shows that the student has a solid grasp of what is involved in the practice of dentistry. Helpful resources for gaining the necessary hands-on experience can be found on the ADEA website (Experience Resource Guide)

The Application Cycle

• There is a Centralized Application Process (AADSAS) that the 66 U.S. dental schools participate in.
• Application Cycle: June 1 - February 1.
• Fees: The ADEA AADSAS application fee for your first dental school is $245. Each additional school you apply to is $98. Additional information can be found on the ADEA website.
• Fee waivers: There is a fee assistance program to help cover application deadlines available to eligible students to apply.
• ADEA has created a thorough instruction manual and FAQ which is helpful for students in the application process.