Explore Dentistry

Post-baccalaureate degree: DDS or DMD

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young dental patient smiling and examining teeth

Dentists 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.

See also: Academic and Career Information for Dentistry (PDF)

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Minimum Prerequisites for Admission

The following prerequisites must be completed prior to matriculation in a dentistry program:

  • baccalaureate degree strongly preferred
  • each program has its own prerequisites: check specific school for prerequisites details
  • general course prerequisites:
    • general biology with lab, one year
    • general chemistry with lab, one year
    • organic chemistry with lab, one year
    • general physics with lab, one year
    • English, one year
    • psychology, one course or more
    • biochemistry, one course or more
    • calculus, one semester/one year
    • statistics, one course

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California Dental Schools