Preparation for Dentistry

Biological Sciences, 503 Life Sciences, 419-372-8361
Chemistry, 209 Physical Sciences, 419-372-8293
Arts & Sciences, 205 Administration Building, 419-372-2015

Admission to dental school is selective and based upon scholarly achievement and aptitude as indicated by scores on the Dental Aptitude Test, which is generally taken in the spring semester of the student's third year of college. The predental student should select an academic program that provides for an alternate career should acceptance into dental school be denied. The bachelor of science degree program can be planned to meet all course requirements for dental school and still provide time for sufficient electives in other areas so that the student may attend graduate school or pursue new career alternatives. There are no preferred majors for entrance into dental school, although students generally choose biology or chemistry.

In the first year at BGSU, students may enroll as "pre-health professional." They may change to "pre-dental" when they have completed at least 30 hours of coursework, have declared a major, and have completed BIOL 205, CHEM 125, and CHEM 127-128. These courses must be taken for a grade. Upon completion of 30 hours of coursework and the above-mentioned science courses, students must have BOTH an overall 3.25 GPA and a 3.25 Biology/Chemistry/Physics/Math GPA. Upon meeting these criteria, students may contact their college office to replace the label of "pre-health professional" with "pre-dental." If students do not meet these criteria after 30 hours, they may keep their "pre-health professional" label for up to 60 hours. If a student has met the above criteria after 60 hours of coursework, then he or she may change to "pre-dental." Once students have changed to "pre-dental," they will be expected to meet with their advisors regularly to plan their coursework for subsequent semesters. If, after 60 hours, the above criteria still have not been met, students must drop the "pre-health professional" label and must also meet with an advisor to re-evaluate future goals. Transfer students must enroll as "pre-health professional" for the first semester at BGSU; if, after one semester at BGSU, the student's overall and Biology/Chemistry/Physics/Math GPA are a 3.25, then he/she may change to "pre-dental." Pre-dental students are encouraged to meet frequently with an adviser to ensure progress in meeting the designated prerequisites, to prepare for the Dental Aptitude Test, and to make application to dental school.

Recommended course sequence

A student should take the required courses to complete a major and a minor, as well as the degree requirements for the particular degree program selected, and electives to total 122 hours. A science minor may be desirable.