Dental School Information for Undergraduate Students
1) Make sure you have an advisor who is familiar with pre-dental requirements. You should have a major or minor in one of the sciences. Your advisor can help you with specific class requirements.
2) Prior to the actual application process, you should spend time in dental office(s) job shadowing. The North Dakota Dental Association (NDDA) has dentists available for that in every college area in N.D. You may also use your family dentist if you wish. If you cannot find a dentist to observe, ask your advisor for the name nearest you or call the NDDA office in
3) During the second semester of your junior year (a full year before you plan on entering dental school) begin the application process to the dental schools you are interested in. To obtain the national dental school application forms, through the American Association of Dental Schools Application Services (AADSAS), write to them at:
4) Before your final year of undergraduate study you should also prepare for taking the Dental Admission Test (DAT). In N.D. that test is given by the Sylvan Centers in both Fargo and Bismarck. Arrangements should be made directly with them to take the DAT.
5) If you need any more information, the American Dental Education Association (ADEA) publishes a valuable guide for students interested in a career in dentistry. You can write them at the same address as the AADSAS or check their website. You will also find valuable information in the NDDA website, or through the American Dental Association (
6) If you are a N.D. resident, you should also fill out a Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE), Professional Student Exchange Program (PSEP) application from the North Dakota University Systems (NDUS) office at the state capitol in
7) All of these applications and the DAT test must be completed by October of the year before anticipated enrollment.
If you need any more help, please contact:
NDDA office
701-223-8870.
E-mail: ndda@midconetwork.com
