|
Home > Programs and Student Admissions > D.D.S. Program > Program Overview > General Fact Sheet
General Fact Sheet
| THE DENTAL PROFESSION |
Dentistry is a rapidly changing, expanding profession, involving: detection of disease, diagnosis, aesthetic improvement, surgical restoration, and public education. The dentist's typical day is diverse and interesting. Dentists are creative individuals who are artists as well as scientists. They interact with people of all ages, cultures and personalities. They are highly respected within the community and are skilled, conscientious, civic-minded individuals who work with community leaders, educators, other health professionals and government officials. They often volunteer their services to school health programs and to elderly, disabled, or poor citizens, thereby demonstrating a selflessness that is a hallmark of professionalism. In addition, because dentistry allows you to be your own boss, dentists can balance their personal and professional lives to meet their individual needs and desires. Professional options are widely varied and include private practice, teaching, research, public health and administration. The need for dentists from minority groups is very strong. Career opportunities for women in dentistry are also particularly good at this time. The demand for dental care will continue to grow. For example, geriatric dental care and the greatly increased demand for newer services, such as cosmetic dentistry, also will contribute to this growth. The average income of a dentist is in the highest 5% of U.S. family income. (source: American Dental Association: http://www.ada.org/public/careers/team/dentistry_fact.pdf)
|
| |
| THE PROGRAM |
|
The University of Minnesota School of Dentistry established in 1888, is the only dental school in the state of Minnesota and one of 56 programs in the country. The School of Dentistry has gained a national and international reputation for the quality of its educational, clinical, research, and service programs and has earned long-standing recognition for the excellence of its patient care educational programs.
The School of Dentistry offers the Doctor of Dental Surgery (D.D.S.) degree, which is a 4-year degree program. Upon successful completion of the program, as well as completion of written and clinical exams, graduates become licensed general practitioners.
The School of Dentistry also offers a Dentist-Scientist Training Program DDS / Ph.D. This program provides for integrated DDS and Ph.D. experiences for exceptional baccalaureate students. Refer to the Minnesota Craniofacial Research Training (MinnCResT) program website: www.mncrest.umn.edu.
|
| |
| ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS |
|
Admission to the School of Dentistry is based on academic and non-academic factors. At least three years of undergraduate education are required for admission to most U.S. dental schools, including the University of Minnesota. A minimum of 87 semester credits or 130 quarter credits of liberal arts courses from an officially accredited U.S. or Canadian college or university is required. A maximum of 64 semester credits from community or junior colleges can be applied to the 87 semester credits. While acceptance is based primarily on performance quality, applicants are encouraged to have a broad liberal education. An overall GPA of 2.70 is the minimum required for admission consideration. However, acceptance is on a competitive basis and an average well above this is usually necessary to be admitted.
Courses and minimum credits required for admission include general biology (8 credits), general chemistry (8 credits), organic chemistry (8 credits), biochemistry (3 credits), physics (8 credits), college algebra (3 credits), English (8 credits), and psychology (3 credits). Applicants must complete required courses by the end of the regular academic year (spring semester) for enrollment the following fall. Acceptable scores on the Dental Admissions Test (DAT) and, if applicable, the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), are also required.
|
| |
| MORE INFORMATION |
| The School of Dentistry hosts a Careers Day open house every other spring. In addition, "DDS Group Advising Sessions" are offered a monthly basis. For more information and to sign-up, please go to www.healthcareers.umn.edu. |
| |
| CONTACT INFORMATION |
|
For more information, please see our website: www.dentistry.umn.edu. For answers to specific questions, contact the School of Dentistry's Office of Admissions and Diversity:
University of Minnesota School of Dentistry
15-163 Moos Tower
515 Delaware St. SE
Minneapolis, MN 55455
Main office telephone: 612-625-7477
Email: ddsapply@umn.edu
The University of Minnesota is an equal opportunity educator and employer.
5/08
|
|
|
Site Map | Notice of Privacy Practices
|
|
|