Pre-Dental
Prepare for Dental School
Build a foundation for success in a career in dentistry.
The pre-dental program at Davis & Elkins College prepares students for admission to dental school by combining rigorous science coursework with the broad liberal arts education that dental school admissions committees value. Most professional schools do not require a specific undergraduate major, although many students elect a biology or chemistry major because of dental school entrance requirements.
The pre-dental program at D&E is housed within the Biology, Environmental Science, and Sustainability Program and the Chemistry Program, both of which are in the Eshleman Science Center. The center features five teaching laboratories, a prep room, balance rooms, and an instrument room equipped with professional-grade analytical tools, including spectrophotometers, gas chromatographs, and polarimeters. These resources give pre-dental students hands-on experience with the same types of instruments used in dental and research laboratories.
Faculty advisors will help you plan a course sequence, prepare for the Dental Admission Test (DAT), and build the academic record and personal profile that dental schools are looking for.
Pre-Dental Preparation
Pre-Professional Track
Pre-dental students typically major in biology or chemistry, both of which fulfill the science prerequisites required by most dental schools. The pre-dental track is not a standalone major, but a sequence of courses completed alongside a bachelor’s degree program.
Courses
What We Offer
Required Science Prerequisites (typical dental school requirements)
English Composition I & II
Biological Sciences with Lab
Inorganic Chemistry with Lab
Organic Chemistry with Lab
Physics with Lab
Social and Behavioral Sciences
Calculus (recommended)
Recommended Biology Courses
Principles of Biology I & II
Genetics
Microbiology
Human Anatomy
Human Physiology
Cell and Molecular Biology
Biochemistry (through Chemistry Department)
Recommended Chemistry Courses
General Chemistry I & II
Organic Chemistry I & II
Analytical Chemistry
Biochemistry
Physical Chemistry
Recommended Supporting Courses
Calculus I
Statistics
Physics I & II
Psychology (for Behavioral Sciences requirement)
Sociology (for Behavioral Sciences requirement)
Program Requirements & Benchmarks
Dental School Admission
Admission to most dental schools is based on academic achievement as indicated by grade point average, placement on the Dental Admission Test (DAT), recommendations, and personal interviews. Since dental schools have more qualified applicants than they can accept, a strong and consistent academic record is essential.
The minimum requirements for admission vary by institution, but typically include English composition, biological sciences with lab, inorganic chemistry with lab, organic chemistry with lab, physics with lab, and social and behavioral sciences. A quantitative background, including calculus, is strongly recommended.
The Dental Admission Test (DAT) should be taken in the spring of the junior year, but only after completing the required courses in Biology, Chemistry, and Physics. D&E faculty advisors will help you plan your timeline and prepare for the exam.
Careers in Dentistry
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects continued strong demand for dentists, with employment growth driven by an aging population, expanded dental insurance coverage, and increasing awareness of the connection between oral health and overall health. Pre-dental graduates from D&E are well-positioned to compete for spots in top dental programs and launch fulfilling careers in this high-impact field.
Career options for dental graduates include:
Clinical Practice
- General Dentist
- Pediatric Dentist (Pedodontist)
- Orthodontist
- Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon
- Periodontist
- Endodontist
- Prosthodontist
- Oral Pathologist
- Public Health Dentist
Research, Education & Public Service
- Dental School Faculty/Researcher
- Clinical Researcher in Oral Health
- Public Health Dentist/Community Health Advocate
- Military Dentist
- International/Humanitarian Dental Work
Why Pre-Dentistry at D&E
The supportive community of the Biology and Chemistry programs and a rigorous science curriculum will give you the academic foundation, laboratory skills, and critical thinking ability that dental school admissions committees are looking for. Dedicated faculty members who know you by name create an environment where you can get the personalized academic advising, research opportunities, and letters of recommendation that make a competitive dental school application.
D&E’s state-of-the-art Eshleman Science Center gives you access to professional-grade analytical instruments and three fully equipped teaching laboratories, providing hands-on experience that distinguishes D&E graduates in the application process. Small class sizes mean you’re never just a number. Faculty advisors in the Biology and Chemistry programs will work closely with you from your first semester to map out your course sequence, plan for the DAT, and prepare your application materials.
D&E’s broad liberal arts curriculum ensures that you graduate not only as a strong science student, but as a well-rounded communicator and critical thinker — exactly the kind of candidate dental school admissions committees are looking for.