Dentistry
Please note: Cal Poly Pomona does not offer any dental program. The program is listed here merely for the purpose of providing general information about this program to interested CPP students.
Dentists (DDS) play a significant role in our oral health care throughout our lives. Whether it's maintenance in our early years, braces in our adolescent years, or treatment for gum disease or teeth extractions in our senior years, successful dentists are capable and compassionate practitioners.
Minimum Pre-requisites for Admission in General
- Each program has its own prerequisites. Check specific school for detail prerequisites. To plan for your class schedule, please visit our " Class Schedule and Action Timeline" page for details.
- For more information, download the list of Required and Recommended Courses by American Dental Education Association (ADEA) Associated American Dental Schools Application Service (AADSAS) Participating Dental Schools (PDF).
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General Course requirements include the following - All science courses must include labs
- Chemistry (General Chemistry and Organic Chemistry)
- Biological Science
- Physics
- English
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Highly recommended classes include: upper division biology courses (Human Anatomy, Human Physiology, Microbiology, Histology, Cell Biology, Immunology, calculus, Embryology, public speaking, humanities/social sciences, psychology, sociology, painting and sculpture, mechanical drawing, and business courses such as personnel management, accounting and marketing.
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Applicants must complete > 90 semester hours of undergraduate credits. A Baccalaureate Degree is strongly preferred.
Tests Needed: Dental Admission Test (DAT)
The American Dental Admission Test (DAT)
DAT Prep Courses
(Disclaimer: this website does not endorse any non-CPP service providers listed on this site - students should use these services at their own discretion and risk)
Suggested Time Table
Freshman Year
- Decide the major(s) (Make an appointment to see a Career Counselor in Career Center at Cal Poly)
- Consider joining the Pre-Dental Society student club in the Dept of Biological Sciences
- Stay focused to achieve excellent academic performance (Most Dental schools will accept only students with a minimum 3.5 GPA)
- Participate health-related volunteer opportunities
Sophomore Year
- Take the time to develop relationships with faculty members for future letter of recommendations
- Continue to participate in health-related volunteer opportunities
Junior Year
- Study for the DAT (Dental Admission Test)
- Consider enrolling in commercial DAT prep courses
- Start getting the necessary application information ready
- Take the DAT in Spring
Summer between Junior and Senior Year
- Complete collecting and preparing all the necessary materials for your application: personal statement, letter of recommendations, DAT scores, etc.
- Take the DAT exam in the summer if you have not taken it in Spring or you want to get a better DAT score. A 90-day waiting period between tests is required
- Submit the Associated American Dental Schools Application Service (AADSAS) after June 1st (earliest time) for AADSAS dental schools. For the non-AADSAS dental schools, contact them directly for their applications
Senior Year
- If you were granted an interview, prepare for the upcoming interview
- Complete your undergraduate studies and have a nice vacation before dental school starts.
Association
American Dental Education Association (ADEA)
American Student Dental Association (ASDA)
Application Service
American Dental Education Association Application Service
California Dental Schools
For more information, please download the list of California dental schools (PDF).
All Dental Schools in the US
Please visit the ASDA Chapter Map to search for 66 dental schools in the U.S. and Puerto Rico.