Prospective Dental Majors

College Majors Science Majors
1

Ever since I was in the sixth grade, I’ve wanted to become a dentist. I’ve shadowed dentists in the past and have loved every second of it. I’ve taken dental assisting courses and passed my radiology certification. I’ve even placed 2nd in the country in a Dental Science competition (and 6th the year before that). I’ve grown to love this profession and will do whatever it takes to become a dentist one day.

My main problem right now is my my choice of major for my undergrad. As of now, I’ve been accepted to quite a few schools to major in biology (and I want to have a pre-dental focus). At the same time, I’m afraid that I won’t enjoy majoring in biology as much as I would enjoy other science majors. I’m very fascinated by the human body, but at the same time biology is a common major of dental students and it is very useful for dental school and prerequisites for dental school.

I’m just feel like I’m stuck in a rut. I’ve looked at some majors and have become interested for a brief moment, but then have gravitated back towards biology because I know it could be really beneficial for me to take it. One major I’ve recently come across is Health Sciences. I’ve seen it as a major for a number of the schools I’ve gotten accepted to but I’m not 100% sure what it is. What is this major and what does coursework consist of? If I’m still a pre-dental focus, will I be prepared for dental school if I major in something other than biology (like Health Sciences)? What do graduates do with a degree in Health Sciences (is it worth getting)?

While I want to do whatever it takes to become a dentist, I don’t want the next four years of my life to be long and painful. I want to enjoy whatever I major in because when I enjoy what I’m learning about, I’m much more driven to succeed. Who knows? I may love being a biology major, but I still want to explore my other options.

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You can major in whatever you want to go to dental school as long as you take the required prerequisite courses for dental school.

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http://www.ada.org/en/education-careers/careers-in-dentistry/be-a-dentist/applying-for-dental-school

Although S is MD, it looks like being predent is pretty much same as premed. From above being predent does not require you to major in any science. I suspect that most predents choose bio as major only because it kills two birds with one stone (it satisfies both reqs of major and predent reqs at same time) whereas if you’re say a psych major, you’ll have find time to fit in predent reqs. Also keep in mind that college profs don’t teach bio, chem, etc for predent (or premed) students, they just teach bio, chem, etc. Little, if any, material from predent reqs, or for that matter, most of college will either prep you for DAT or actually carry over into dental school.

I suspect dental schools will first decide if you can cut it academically by looking at your GPAs and DAT score. So pick a college that you will fit in and thrive as you’re more likely to do well academically in such an environment. Similarly pick a major that interests you as you’re more likely to do well if you actually like material. Keep in mind that if you don’t get into dental school, have a plan B and bio majors are not in high demand. Good luck.

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@Jugulator20‌ Thank you so much for your detailed response! As of now, I’m staying as a Biology major, but whenever I choose which school I want to attend, I’ll try to talk to a pre-professional counselor about it. Thanks again for your help.