Undergraduate prerequisite courses for Texas dental schools:

• 4 hours General Biology w/ Lab
• 4 hours General Microbiology w/ Lab
• 3 hours Genetics
• 3 hours Animal Nutrition
• 8 hours general chemistry
• 8 hours organic chemistry
• 3 hours biochemistry
• 8 hours physics
• 4 hours statistics
• 6 hours of English
• 3 hours Speech Communication
• Additional advanced courses in STEM and social/behavioral science are recommended
  
  Note:
• Prerequisite courses are courses that will count toward a science degree.
• Out-of-state dental schools may have different prerequisite requirements.

Within the College of Science and Mathematics, a degree in Biomedical Science, Chemistry, or Math is the most direct path for completing prerequisite coursework in the context of a 120-hour degree. Other degrees outside of these are perfectly acceptable, however, be aware that you will likely need to complete some prerequisite coursework in addition to all other requirements for your major.

Students applying to dental school will take the Dental Admissions Exam (DAT). On a typical track, students take this exam in the spring of their 3rd undergraduate year.

In addition to a strong academic record, the successful applicant to dental school will demonstrate a passion for dentistry as evidenced by experience and skills. This experience should include shadowing a practicing dentist. Also, a student should begin early developing core competencies of the entering medical student as identified by the American Association of Medical Colleges (AAMC). Although these core competencies state “medical student”, they are fully applicable to any health pre-professional student including pre-dental.

Dental school applicants in Texas will apply using the Texas Medical and Dental School Application Service (TMDSAS). The link to TMDSAS contains valuable information you need to become very familiar with long before ever applying to veterinary school.