Pre-Dentistry at Penn State Behrend SC 201: Fall, 2013.

Pre-Dentistry at Penn State Behrend SC 201: Fall, 2013

What Is Dentistry?

• Diagnoses and treats diseases of the teeth and their supporting tissues, the tongue, lips, and jaws.

• Restores teeth damaged by decay or trauma.• Replaces missing teeth with artificial materials.• Carries out cosmetic procedures to improve a client’s

appearance.• Performs corrective surgery on the jaws and

supporting tissues.• Straightens teeth.• Performs oral hygiene procedures and provides

instructions to clients.

What Are The Areas of Specialization?

Dental public health: Dental public health is involved in the assessment of dental health needs and improving the dental health of populations rather than individuals

Recent controversies:• Fluoridation of drinking water

• Linking of commercial mouthwashes to an increased risk of oral cancer


Pediatrics: Pediatric dentists are dedicated to the oral health of children from infancy through the teen years.

Children are not just small adults. They are not always able to be patient and cooperative during a dental exam. Pediatric dentists know how to examine and treat children in ways that make them comfortable. In addition, pediatric dentists use specially designed equipment in offices that are arranged and decorated with children in mind.

http://www.aapd.org


Endodontics: concerned with the study and treatment of the dental pulp.

Endodontists perform a variety of procedures including endodontic therapy ("root canal therapy"), endodontic retreatment, surgery, treating cracked teeth, and treating dental trauma.

https://www.aae.org


Oral and maxillofacial pathology: the dental specialty that identifies and manages diseases affecting the oral and maxillofacial regions and investigates the causes, processes and effects of these diseases. Includes treatment of congenital, infectious, Inflammatory diseases or oral cancers.

http://www.aaomp.org


Oral and maxillofacial surgery: the surgical specialists of the dental profession; specialize in office anesthesia and procedures for:

• Dentoalveolar Surgery• Preprosthetic Surgery/Dental Implants• Reconstructive Surgery• Oro-Facial Deformities• Corrective Jaw Surgery - Congenital

Reconstruction• Snoring/Obstructive Sleep Apnea• Cosmetic Surgery

http://www.aaoms.org/


Orthodontics: concerned with the study and treatment of malocclusions (improper bites), which may be a result of tooth irregularity, disproportionate jaw relationships, or both. Orthodontic treatment can focus on dental displacement only, or can deal with the control and modification of facial growth (dentofacial orthopaedics).

http://www.mylifemysmile.org


• Periodontics: A periodontist is a dentist who specializes in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of periodontal disease, and in the placement of dental implants, oral inflammation and cosmetic procedures as pertaining to the supporting tissues around the teeth.

http://www.perio.org


• Prosthodontics: specialty pertaining to the diagnosis, treatment planning, rehabilitation and maintenance of the oral function, comfort, appearance and health of patients with clinical conditions associated with missing or deficient teeth and/or oral and maxillofacial tissues using biocompatible substitutes

http://www.prosthodontics.org

What Are the Job Prospects?

US News and World Report

No. 1 — Dentist• Our smile is their fortune. The profession should grow

21.1% by 2020.• Median Salary: $142,740

To see the complete list of 100 best jobs: usnews.com/100bestjobs

http://www.usnews.com/100bestjobs



What Are the Job Prospects?

Why?• Employment of dentists is not expected to keep pace

with the increased demand for dental services. • Still areas of the country where patients have little

access to dental care. • People with new or expanded dental insurance

coverage will be more likely to visit a dentist than in the past.

• Cosmetic dental services, such as teeth-whitening treatments, will become increasingly popular. This trend is expected to continue as new technologies allow for less invasive, faster procedures.

Reasons to Choose Dentistry?

Ten Great Reasons to Be a Dentist

1. Service to Others: Help people maintain and improve their oral health, quality of life and appearance

2. Balanced Lifestyle: Dentistry offers flexibility to balance professional and personal life

3. Empower Your Patients: Give patients smiles they are proud to wear

4. Technology and Research: Be involved with the scientific advancement of dentistry

Reasons to Choose Dentistry?

5. Be a Leader: Earn respect from your family, friends and community

6. Prevention/Education: Be an educator on oral health importance

7. Detect Disease: Treat oral health and detect disease – including cancer and cardiovascular

8. Be Creative: Use your artistic and scientific talents9. Success Potential: With the aging population and

increase in access to care, the demand and need for dentistry is on the rise

10. Self-Employment: Own a dental practice and be your own boss

Preparing for Dental School

Freshman/Sophomore Years • Work with your Pre-health

Professions Advisor to plan courses and experiences that will help you to prepare to apply to dental school.

• Begin to complete Chemistry, Biology, Physics and Organic Chemistry requirements

• Join a dental-related student organization to get exposure to the dental profession

• Consider job shadowing and/or volunteer experience

• Consider alternative career plans • Attend health-related career fairs


Mentoring Program• Would you like to talk with a dentist in

your community, ask questions and possibly observe first-hand (job shadow) a dental professional at work? Mentors can help you understand dentistry from the other side of the chair and provide guidance about pursuing dentistry as a career.

Ask your local dental society for help.

Join American Student Dental Association (ASDA)!!!

http://www.ada.org/localorganizations.aspx


Junior Year • Complete requirements by end of 2nd

semester • Prepare and take the DAT (ADA.org/DAT) • Apply for admission at least a year in

advance • Review dental school catalogs and/or

websites such as:• Official Guide to Dental Schools at adea.org• ASDA Handbook: A Resource for Predental Students at ASDAnet.org • Dental School Listing link at ADA.org/students

• Gather letters of evaluation from faculty and others


Senior Year • Take advantage of “mock” interview

practice with advisory staff before dental school admission interviews

• Complete forms for financial aid

• Send thank you notes to evaluators and mentors

Statistics of Success

American Dental Association• Use the resources for prospective dentists!!!


Coursework: • Prerequisites

• Students should contact the programs they are applying to! • 8 hours Biology with lab• 8 hours Physics• 8 hours English• 8 hours General Chemistry with lab• 8 hours Organic Chemistry with lab

• Majoring in science is not a must, but completion of predental science requirements is necessary.

• A college undergraduate degree is recommended in preparation for dental school. Most dental students have completed four years of college.


Dental Admissions Test (DAT)• Take the DAT at least a year prior

to seeking admission to dental school.

• This computerized test measures general academic ability, comprehension of scientific information and perceptual ability.

• Completion of at least one year of college level courses in biology and general and organic chemistry is recommended before taking the DAT.


Dental Admissions Test (DAT)• Make sure you get the guide from

the ADA

• http://www.ada.org/sections/educationAndCareers/pdfs/dat_examinee_guide.pdf

• Take sample exams!

http://www.ada.org/sections/educationAndCareers/pdfs/dat_examinee_guide.pdf




Benchmarks: • Competitive GPA: 3.3 or better• Minimum 17 on DAT• 100 hours of observation or work experience in dental

settings• Demonstrated capacity for manual dexterity• Strong recommendation(s)• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent coursework

College of Medicine School of Pharmacy School of Dental Medicine

LECOM School of Dental Medicine


BRADENTON c/o 2016

TOTAL APPLICATIONS 2590

SUPPLEMENTAL APPLICATIONS 2236

INTERVIEWS 583

SEATS AVAILABLE 100

Dental Admissions Facts


Dental SchoolStudent Profile - Class of 2016

• Average Total GPA 3.42• Average Science GPA 3.27• Average Non-Science GPA 3.66• Average Total DAT 19• Average Age 24• Male/Female 43/57• In/Out of State 49/51


Dental SchoolTuition- Class of 2016

First Year $ 48,000Fees $ 850

Dental School

Choosing!There are over 50 dental schools in the United States accredited by the ADA's Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA). Each program is rigorously evaluated for its content and quality. Typically, DDS/DMD programs take four years to complete with an additional years for dental specialties like Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Pediatric Dentistry.

Admission to dental school is highly competitive, but the application process has never been easier. Most U.S. dental schools accept a single online application through the American Association of Dental Schools Application Service (AADSAS).

Application Process

Associated American Dental Schools Application Service (AADSAS)• https://portal.aadsasweb.org/aadsas20xx/

• Opens ~ May 15

• http://www.adea.org/AADSAS/ for thorough instructions

• Deadline depends on the school. Varies from Sept. 15-Feb. 1.. Information is also on http://www.adea.org/AADSAS/

• OR you can purchase “ADEA Official Guide to Dental Schools, for

students entering fall 20xx” $35.00..

https://portal.aadsasweb.org/aadsas20xx/

https://portal.aadsasweb.org/aadsas20xx/

http://www.adea.org/AADSAS/



Application Process

AADSAS

• Before you begin, think about what makes you a unique candidate, why you are interested and passionate about dentistry, what experiences and lessons you have learned that have helped you grow as an individual.

• Awards/ Honors/ Scholarship• Dentistry Experience

• Name of Supervisor, Position Title, Brief Description, Total number of hours, Position Type, Start Date, End Date

• Extracurricular/Volunteer/Community Service• Research Experience• Work Experience

Remember to estimate your hours honestly and make sure you are able to talk thoroughly about anything you have written on your application

AADSAS

• Biographic Information (DOB, address, etc.)

• Parent and Family Information (Parents’ education, address, etc.)

• Background Information (600 characters per question, including spaces, as well as some yes/ no questions). This is your opportunity to describe other aspects of yourself and your interests, as well as report any legal or academic discipline on your record.

AADSAS

There are a variety of questions but these are some:• Describe any activities requiring manual dexterity (e.g. activities

requiring hand-eye coordination such as cross-stitching, sewing, art, crafts, playing musical instruments, auto repair, etc.) at which you are proficient.

• List any supplemental academic enrichment programs and/or post-baccalaureate programs in which you have participated to enhance your preparation for dental school. : summer academic enrichment programs; DAT preparation courses and post-baccalaureate programs. Provide the name of the program, a brief description, and total hours of participation, and dates of experience(s).

• Has your education ever been interrupted or affected adversely for reasons other than deficiencies in conduct or academic performance?

• Have you previously, or are you currently applying to a health profession school other than dental school?

AADSAS

• Secondary (High) School Information

• DAT Scores

• Colleges Attended (Transcript Matching Form)

• Coursework/Transcripts: Tedious and time consuming!

• Enter in every course taken or plan to take EXACTLY as they appear on your transcripts:

• AADSAS will verify your transcripts. You can send your transcript online or by yourself.

• Make sure you are check to see if AADSAS has received your transcripts.

AADSAS

• Extracurricular

• Dentistry Experience

• Work Experience (Including Military Experience)

• Awards, Honors, Scholarships

• Research Experience

Limited to 175 characters, including spaces, detailing your duties/ experiences. PI, supervisors names requires, and hours spent.

AADSAS

Personal Statement• Very important part of the application.• • Follow the prompt!

• Your Personal Statement should address why you desire to pursue a dental education and how a dental degree contributes to your personal and professional goals.

• You are limited to approximately 1 page (4500 characters, including spaces).

• Write it in a word processor such as Word or Notepad and copy and paste the final version into the text box in AADSAS.

• Have your personal statement edited!!!

AADSAS

Letters of Recommendation• Most schools want 3• You may want to collect 4 (AADSAS currently says this is their max):

• Science Professor: Someone who can evaluate your academic and intellectual qualifications. Unless specified by the school, the type of science professor should not matter, as long as they can write you a STRONG letter.

• Dentist: Someone who can evaluate your knowledge and motivation toward the dental profession.

• Character: Someone who can indicate your contribution to humanity and community.

***Check individual schools to be sure your LORs meet their requirements. If sending additional letters (i.e. 4 instead of 3) call to

make sure additional letters are accepted***

AADSAS

• Examine the AADSAS site for yourself thoroughly

• Do not underestimate how long AADSAS will take in processing your information

• Once you have SUBMITTED, you can not change your application EXCEPT for the LOR and DAT section

• Continually check back with your application to see if letters and transcripts have been received

• You can submit your application before you take your DAT

• Remember, you’ll have a lot of secondary applications to fill out once you’re done with AADSAS!

Dental School

Choosing!There are over 50 dental schools in the United States accredited by the ADA's Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA). Each program is rigorously evaluated for its content and quality. Typically, DDS/DMD programs take four years to complete with an additional years for dental specialties like Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Pediatric Dentistry.

Admission to dental school is highly competitive, but the application process has never been easier. Most U.S. dental schools accept a single online application through the American Association of Dental Schools Application Service (AADSAS).

Dental School Curriculum

Earning a doctoral degree in dentistry usually requires four academic years of study. Dental schools award the degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD).

Years One and Two• Classroom and laboratory instruction in basic health sciences

(including anatomy, biochemistry, histology, microbiology, pharmacology and physiology), with an emphasis on dental aspects

• Basic principles of oral diagnosis and treatment, may practice on manikins and models, and may begin treating patients later in the second year


A Day in the Life (First Year Student)• 7:15 a.m. I use two alarms to wake up—the alarm on my phone and a machine

that shakes my pillow until I turn it off! I shower, swallow my daily vitamins and eat a breakfast bar. I can walk to class in seven minutes—I’ve timed it!

• 8:00 a.m. The lectures start at 8:00 a.m. and we have another class from 10:00 until noon. We get a five or 10 minute break every hour, but it’s a lot of sitting. This morning’s class is Radiology. Today we’re covering the radiographic presentations of various bone lesions. I love this class because reading radiographs is a practical skill and it feels like I am really developing my diagnostic ability.

• 10:00 a.m. At 10:00 a.m. today we have an EME (End Module Exam) for our Integrated Medical Sciences (IMS) course. This class is system-based, which really meshes well with my style of learning. For example, the module we’re completing today is on the nervous system. Rather than studying the histology of many systems at once (e.g. nervous, cardiac etc…) in IMS we’ll cover the anatomy, histology, physiology and pathology of the nervous system all at once, so you can see how everything is integrated. There’s a ton of material on this exam and I’ve been preparing for weeks- I’ll be so relieved when it’s over!


A Day in the Life (First Year Student)• 12:00 Noon We have an hour for lunch each day. Sometimes we’ll gather at

somebody’s house near campus and order pizza, but other times I just buy my lunch and squeeze in some extra studying if I have an exam coming up. Today I’m just sitting around with some of my friends and relaxing after our tough exam earlier this morning!

• 1:00 p.m. Pre-clinic is my favorite part of the day! Even putting on the mask and gloves makes me feel like I’m becoming a dentist. We have a lot of skills to master before we do even simple procedures on patients. For the past week we have been waxing up #21. You really have to master the tooth’s anatomy and be able to translate those details artistically as you sculpt the wax. I loved building model planes as a kid, so I think that really helped develop my manual dexterity; but these assignments can be challenging if you haven’t worked on tedious projects with your hands.

• 5:00 p.m. I’m in a bowling league with other grad students—some of us are in medicine but we’ve also got law and social work students—it’s one of the highlights of my week!


A Day in the Life (First Year Student)• 8:00 p.m. to Midnight If I have pre-clinic the following day, I’ll go back to the

lab and continue work on waxing up so that I can present a final product for my instructor tomorrow. Otherwise I’ll go home and study for three or four hours. My first semester I tried to reserve weekends for fun, but the workload is too heavy for that this semester.

• “I think it’s important for students to know what they’re getting into when they enroll in dental school—that’s why I’m a student mentor for someone who’s still in college, but is considering dental school. My undergraduate mentee has come a few times this year to shadow me and hang out, and I’m sure she’ll be back once or twice in the fall. I shadowed dentists myself—it’s how I knew I wanted to become a dentist!”


A Day in the Life (Second Year Student)• 7:00 a.m. I wake up in time for my 8:00 a.m. class. Unless I know there is a quiz

or an exam and I want a last-minute review of my notes—then I’ve been known to get up as early as 6:00 a.m. (ugh!)

• 8:00 a.m. Every day of the week is different. On Friday mornings we study local anesthesia—the different options, and how to choose what works best for a particular situation.

• 9:00 a.m. My second class of the day is perio (periodontology) which is basically teeth and everything around them, like gums. We go over periodontal disease, and also prevention. When most folks think about visiting the dentist, they are thinking about the topics we cover in perio class!


A Day in the Life (Second Year Student)• 11:00 a.m. My third class on Fridays is systemic pathology. We’ll focus on a

single system in the body, like the digestive system or respiratory, and the ways that oral health is connected to those systems. I chose dentistry because I’m interested in health care, and this class is a reminder that dentists care about patients, not just mouths!

• Noon Lunch hour! Alton is a small town so it’s easy to run home for lunch, but it’s more likely that I’ll go to the lab to continue whatever project I’m working on. The lab work is all so new— the first day they gave each of us a huge box with all these tools and it was a little intimidating. I’m more comfortable now.

• The great thing about lab work is that it takes all the material that we’ve been reading about and puts it into action—I like being able to see results. The rough thing about lab work is the learning curve. It might take me five times to try something that someone else gets right away. Then the next project could be the opposite.


A Day in the Life (Second Year Student)• 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. On Friday afternoons, we have local anesthesia lab. Basically

it means that when someone needs to get numbed up, we do the injections. I won’t be doing any procedures until the summer between my second and third year, but I’m getting pretty good at giving the shots!

• 5:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. The labs at my school stay open until 10 p.m., so I might go back there if I’m still in the middle of a project. Otherwise, I go back home to study.

“There’s no class on the weekends, but I still have so much to do. It seems like my friends who aren’t in dental school have a lot more free time than I do. I miss out on a lot right now—like I couldn’t go to a friend’s bachelorette party because it was on a bad weekend and I couldn’t take that much time away.”

“Everyone says that the second year is the hardest, and so far I agree! I got into dentistry because I want a career in healthcare with a work life balance. And I think that will be true—after I’m done with dental school!”


Earning a doctoral degree in dentistry usually requires four academic years of study. Dental schools award the degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD).

Years Three and Four• Students treat patients under the supervision of licensed dental

faculty. Procedures cover the broad scope of general dentistry and include opportunities to work in a variety of settings, e.g., community clinics, hospitals and outpatient clinics.

• Practice management courses include instruction in effective communication skills, the use of allied dental personnel and business management.


A Day in the Life (Third Year Student)• 6:30 a.m. The alarm goes off and I start the day with cold cereal in front of

Saved by the Bell. My best friend catches the bus a few stops before my apartment, so she calls to let me know it’s time to run downstairs. Lots of students walk or take the bus in Philly—parking is a hassle!

• 8:00 a.m. We rotate through different classes. Today I have geriatrics—caring for the oral health of older patients. This week we are working on a group project—analyzing a hypothetical patient, looking at pictures, reading the medical history. We’ll propose three different treatment plans, detail the pros and cons of each approach, and then present the case for the rest of the class.

• 9:30 a.m. I race to clinic to get ready for my 10 a.m. patient. I’ve ordered all my supplies the night before, so those are waiting for me in my locker, but if something is missing, I have to track it down. We have a morning huddle—eight other students and our instructor—to discuss our patients for the day.


A Day in the Life (Third Year Student)• 10:00 a.m. Instructors are in the clinic the whole time, but they aren’t by my

side every moment—they check in at each phase of the treatment. So for example, I’ll drill a prep, then have it checked, fill the prep, then have it checked again, polish, then have it checked. It could take three hours to complete a filling!

• 1:00 p.m. Officially lunch is between 1 and 2, but realistically I eat a salad for thirty minutes, then set up for my afternoon patient. While I’m eating I look over my schedule. Even though I have a Blackberry, I still use a paper planner—I like crossing things off.

• 2:00 p.m. Time for afternoon clinic. After taking an impression of my patient’s prepared tooth, and fabricating an acrylic shell, I’m carving the temporary crown chairside. It’s almost like making a sculpture on-the-spot, shaping the acrylic so that it looks and functions just like a natural tooth. Dentistry isn’t just science, it’s also an art.


A Day in the Life (Third Year Student)• 5:00 p.m. Once I’m home I definitely need half-an-hour in front of the TV. Then

I either go for a run or hit the gym. I’m not one of those people who loves exercising, but it helps me stay in balance.

• 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. I’m lucky—friends of mine from undergrad live in my building, so we take turns going to each other’s apartment to fix dinner. We’re all in some kind of grad school, so we live on a budget.

“If I have clinic the next day, I call my patients the night before to remind them of their appointments. If I’m proposing a complex treatment plan, I write up all the options—it’s easier for patients to decide when they see choices on paper. There are fewer tests in third year, so I don’t study as much, but I’m applying to a residency in Orthodontics, and that takes up a lot of my free time.”


A Day in the Life (Fourth Year Student)• 6:30 a.m. Alarm goes off and I’m ready for another day of dentistry. I try to eat

healthy, so I usually eat a bowl of Cheerios for breakfast. If there’s anything unusual about the procedures I have scheduled today, I may look over my notes one last time or get to school extra early to ask for additional guidance from faculty. It took me awhile to learn the time management skills required for dental school—but now I’ve got a system that works! It’s really important to stay organized.


A Day in the Life (Fourth Year Student)• 8:30 a.m. I live close by, so I walk to school which takes only about 10 minutes.

Most days, I try to get to school a little early, so that I can review my day using the patient scheduling software at school and also check my ADA Appointment Book for any meetings that I might have that day. Each Tuesday morning I run by the Starbucks® in the hospital and head to class. The 4th years at my school attend class instead of clinic on Tuesday mornings. One class in particular is more of a discussion than a lecture. We talk about treatment plans or participate in a peer-learning activity, like listening to a presentation from a classmate. During the second semester, that Tuesday morning is open time… I spent many Tuesdays preparing for licensure boards. The rest of the week,during second semester, I see patients and attend an 8:00 am lecture on esthetics once a week.

• 9 a.m. I see my first patient of the day. Each appointment is scheduled for three hours, but as you become more comfortable and skilled, you can finish one procedure in a shorter amount of time and move onto something else, such as lab work.


A Day in the Life (Fourth Year Student)• 10 a.m. I’m still working on my first patient. One of things that I love about

dentistry is that it’s a different type of work every day—every day is challenge, every day is new, everyday is exciting. For example, let’s say I am scheduled to do a crown prep on a tooth, but when I greet the patient he is complaining about intense pain on biting. I then try to diagnose this new problem and make sure the crown is the correct treatment. I may take a radiograph and discover that the tooth is fractured at the root, which means that I will now have to extract the tooth and rework the treatment plan.

• 11 a.m. If I have an appointment that doesn’t go as planned, I may signal a faculty to give me some additional guidance. Generally the faculty is around for certain check points during the procedure. It’s really helpful to have the faculty available whenever you need them. They will stay late or come in early to walk you through any procedures you’re not comfortable with yet. I’m very lucky—the faculty at MUSC is amazing! If I finish a procedure before lunch, I usually do lab work or review my charts for the next day.


A Day in the Life (Fourth Year Student)• Noon I usually eat lunch with my friends in the “4th floor lounge” at my school.

There are several big tables and a pretty wide mix of people from my class. We talk about what procedures we have scheduled that day and what happened that morning—tell stories, share experiences. Talking things out with my dental school peers really helps me stay sane and manage stress. It’s comforting to be surrounded by people who understand and can listen … and you can do the same for them. As the year went on, I would cut lunch short, so I could go practice for boards on the mannequins.

• 1 p.m. Back to clinic for my second patient of the day. This appointment should go smoothly and I hope to finish early.

• 3 p.m. In 4th year, you spend a lot of time “jumping hurdles.” You go from working on a patient to practicing prepping crowns or other procedures and preparing for your next block rotation and boards. At our school, we rotate to certain areas for a week at a time, like pediatrics or oral surgery. Also, I may talk with a faculty member about a specific procedure, for instance, especially if I have a patient scheduled for something challenging like a perio surgery


A Day in the Life (Fourth Year Student)• 4 p.m. In January and February, I spend time searching for patients and

practicing for my licensing exam coming up in March. At our school, we take our NBDE Part II first semester and the licensing boards in the spring. The licensing exam has both a written computerized portion and a patient portion, and it’s really challenging to find the patients with the exact lesions you need. The 4th year students in my class at MUSC decided to alternate screening patients from the local community who were in need of dental care. We all sign up to staff the clinic with a faculty member present for a couple hours in the evening during the months of January, February, and March, while we are looking for board patients. When we screen a patient who fits a requirement, we enter the case into a pool (with the patient’s consent)and then we have a lottery to determine which student gets matched up with which patient. The path to licensure is a seriously intense experience. It’s really expensive to take the boards, so there’s a lot of pressure to pass—it’s a lot of pressure in general.


A Day in the Life (Fourth Year Student)• 6 p.m. I decide to skip the gym and just head home. It’s difficult to have a

regular exercise routine in dental school, so you just go when you can and be happy with that! I heat up some leftovers and spend about an hour sending ASDA e-mails. I am the ASDA chair for the legislative grassroots network, which means I lead student efforts to monitor and affect change in legislation related to dentistry. We inform students of important legislation and coordinate legislative events for students from all over the country.

• 7 p.m. - 11 p.m. I need some quiet time to clear my head and let go of the day’s stress—I may decid to watch some TV or just relax. You can’t let everything that happened during the day prevent you from unwinding. And even though your life is dental school, there are ways to keep a balance. Our school holds a lot of charity events, sporting or social activities. I went to a silent auction and wine tasting put on by the American Association of Women Dentists—it was fun and helps to take your mind off of everything.


Getting a LicenseAll states require dentists to be licensed to practice. In most states, a candidate must graduate from a U. S. dental school accredited by the ADA Commission on Dental Accreditation and pass written and practical examinations to qualify for licensure.

Pre-Dentistry at Penn State Behrend SC 201: Fall, 2013.

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