Pre-Dental Medicine
Introduction
Students interested in a career in dental medicine may pursue any major along with completing specific prerequisites. Students must gain a thorough understanding of the profession through a range of shadowing experiences, demonstrate a commitment to service, and earn a competitive score on the Dental Admission Test (DAT). Students should work with the Pre-Health advisor beginning in the first college year to select appropriate coursework based on their schools of interest and to plan for appropriate co-curricular experiences to build a high quality application. It is recommended that students begin a hobby or activity that will demonstrate strong manual dexterity and fine motor skills.
Students applying to dental schools complete an in-house application process to receive a letter of evaluation from the Health Science Advisory and Recommendation Committee in support of their application to dental school. In addition to the information in this section, please check the general information at the pre-medical and pre-health section of the catalog.
Joint and Early Assurance Programs
Canisius maintains a relationship with the LECOM School of Dental Medicine (Bradenton, FL) which allows highly qualified students to gain early acceptance into dental school. Students may apply into this 4+4 program at the same time they apply to Canisius while in high school. Students may also apply to this program during the first year or sophomore year of college. Competitive SAT or ACT scores are required for acceptance to this program.
Recommended Pre-Dental Courses
Academic admission requirements vary by dental school as some schools require additional biology courses such as microbiology, anatomy and physiology. Students should build a strong foundation in the early sciences and plan to take any additional required courses during the second half of college. Requirements usually include the following courses:
English
One year of English composition or the Honors Program equivalent:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select one of the following: | ||
| Option 1: | ||
| ENG 111 | Academic Writing | 3 |
| ENG 112 | Writing about Literature | 3 |
| Option 2: | ||
| HON 101 | Honors English | 3 |
| and an Honors Literature course | 3 | |
Biology
Please note that many schools require additional courses in biology with laboratories such as microbiology (BIO 307) and anatomy & physiology (BIO 114/BIO 115 or BIO 324/BIO 340). Students work with the Pre-Health advisor to plan for any additional courses.
At least one year of general biology with laboratory:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BIO 111 & 111L | Introductory Biology I and Introductory Biology Laboratory I | 4 |
| BIO 112 & 112L | Introductory Biology II and Introductory Biology Laboratory II | 4 |
Chemistry
One year of general chemistry and one year of organic chemistry with laboratories:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CHM 111 & 111L | General Chemistry I and General Chemistry I Laboratory | 4 |
| CHM 112 & 112L | General Chemistry II and General Chemistry II Laboratory | 4 |
| CHM 227 & 227L | Organic Chemistry I and Organic Chemistry I Laboratory | 4 |
| CHM 228 & 228L | Organic Chemistry II and Organic Chemistry II Laboratory | 4 |
Biochemistry
At least one semester of biochemistry. A student's major may dictate the option they should select:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select one of the following: | ||
| Option 1: | ||
| BIO 211 | Biochemistry and Cell Biology I | 3 |
| BIO 212 | Biochemistry and Cell Biology II | 3 |
| Students should take both BIO 211 / BIO 212 | ||
| Option 2: | ||
| BCH 301 | Introduction to Biochemistry | 3 |
| BCH 302 | Cellular Biochemistry | 3 |
| Students may take one or both courses of BCH 301/ BCH 302 | ||
Physics
One year of introductory physics with laboratory. A student's major may dictate the option they should select:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select one of the following: | ||
| Option 1: | ||
| PHY 201 & 201L | College Physics I and College Physics I Laboratory | 4 |
| PHY 202 & 202L | College Physics II and College Physics II Laboratory | 4 |
| Option 2: | ||
| PHY 223 & 223L | General Physics for Physical Science Majors I and General Physics for Physical Science Majors I Laboratory | 4 |
| PHY 224 & 224L | General Physics for Physical Science Majors II and General Physics for Physical Science Majors I Laboratory | 4 |
Additional Pre-Dental Recommended Courses
Additional Pre-Dental courses such as Microbiology and Anatomy & Physiology may be needed depending on which schools students intend to apply to. Students should work with the Pre-Health advisor for assistance in identifying additional courses.
Mathematics: Math requirements vary at the different dental schools. We recommend students take a minimum of either statistics (MAT 141, PSY 201, or KIN 398) or calculus ( MAT 111). One semester of calculus is recommended as a prerequisite for physics.
Behavioral/Social Science: The behavioral science and humanities requirements vary at dental schools. We recommend one semester each of psychology (PSY 101 or PSY 102) and sociology (SOC 110 or SOC 111).
Additional Science Courses: Students not majoring in the sciences should complete additional upper-level coursework in the sciences as electives. Students majoring in a science are encouraged to take additional coursework in the humanities, social sciences and business. Please work with the Pre-Health Advisor to select courses.
Elective Courses
HRP 101 allows students to explore different health professions.
HRP 111 introduces students to medical terminology.
HRP 201 and HRP 202 allow students to explore areas of medicine in more depth.
HRP 498 is an internship in medical informatics. A medical scribe internship is also available.
HRP 498A is a medical and dental service learning trip.
