1. Dentistry …
a rewarding &
fulfilling career choice!
Barbara Miller, D.D.S., M.S.
Executive Director of Recruitment & Admissions
Texas A&M University
Baylor College of Dentistry
2. What does DENTISTRY
offer as a profession?
Job security – great demand for
dentists
Impact – opportunity to help
Prestige –respect from the
community
Compensation – financial rewards
Creativity – art & science
3. Specialties of Dentistry
General Practice (all aspects of dentistry)
Pediatric (children)
Oral Surgeon (removing teeth & other surgery)
Periodontist (gums and supporting tissue)
Orthodontist (braces)
Endodontist (root canals)
Prosthodontist (restorative; esthetic)
Oral Pathologist (diseases)
Oral Radiologist (radiographs [x-rays])
Public Health Dentist (community)
Research & Academics
4. And more!!!!!!!
Allows for a balance between
personal and professional life
5.
6. Texas A&M
University
Health Science
Center
Baylor College of Dentistry
Dallas
College of Medicine – College Station/Temple/Roundrock
Institute of Biosciences and Technology - Houston
School of Rural Public Health – College Station
College of Pharmacy -Kingsville
Coastal Bend Health Education Center –Corpus Christi
South Texas Center - McAllen
11. What can you do to prepare?....
Good grades A/B (esp. science courses)
Talk to college pre-health advisors
Shadow a dentist
Community service
Get involved - school
- community
- church/mosque/synagogue/temple
Develop leadership skills
Apply early !!!!
18. D1 Fall Semester
Gross Anatomy w/ lab
Biochemistry/Cell and Molecular Biology
General Histology w/ lab
Immunology
Growth & Development
Cariology & Prevention
Dental Anatomy w/ lab
Introduction to Clinical Practice
Introductory Ethics & Academic Integrity
Cultural Competence in Dental Health Care
Introduction to Evidence-based Dentistry
& Clinical Research
19. D1 Spring Semester
Physiology
Neuroscience
Microbiology
Oral Histology w/ lab
Occlusion w/ lab
Introduction to Clinical Practice
Cariology & Prevention
Operative Dentistry w/ lab
Dental Materials w/ lab
Human Behavior in Dentistry
Introduction to Evidence-based Dentistry
& Clinical Research
23. • Seeking innovations in science, education
and health care delivery
Student Research Program
Enriches the educational
experience
Helps in admittance to
specialty programs
Adds knowledge to the
dental & scientific
community
Many opportunities
are available
30. Over 14,000 patients
treated yearly at
external locations
• Texas Scottish Rite
Hospital
• Children’s Medical Center
• Baylor Hospital Emergency
Room
• Juvenile Detention Center
• DeHaro-Saldivar Clinic
• Community Dental Clinics
• Dallas Public Schools
• Children’s Oral Health
Center
34. Average debt: $130,000
Financial Aid
Scholarships
Note: Baylor College of Dentistry
graduates pay off their student loans
in an average of 5 years
*Excellent return on educational investment*
35. Application Procedure
Texas Medical & Dental
Schools Application Service
(TMDSAS)
Complete your file early
Timing (Sept 30 deadline)
36. What do we evaluate?
Cognitive Factors :
Academic History (GPA & Coursework)
Standardized Test Scores (Dental Admissions Test)
Non-Cognitive Factors : knowledge of the
profession, community service, communication
skills, leadership, extracurricular activities,
awards and honors, employment history,
experiences in overcoming adversity, etc.
Whole File Review
37. Requirements*
90 semester hours minimum *
6 semester hours of English
8 semester hours of General Chemistry
8 semester hours of Organic Chemistry
8 semester hours of Physics
3 semester hours of Biochemistry *
14 semester hours of Biology * (12 hrs lecture;
2 hrs formal lab)
3 semester hours of Statistics
Grade of “C” or better in all required courses *
*NOTE: When the applicant pool is highly competitive,
candidates who receive offers have much more than the
minimum requirements.
38. To be more competitive:
Select courses that will help prepare
you for dental school
Take full course loads
Shadow a general dentist & specialists
Participate in on-going community
service activities; interacting w/people
Prepare for DAT
Participate in extracurricular activities