Dentistry is the branch of the healing
arts and sciences devoted to maintaining the health
of the teeth, the gums, and other hard and soft tissues
of the oral cavity. The diagnosis, treatment and prevention
of tooth decay, periodontal diseases, malocclusion,
oral-facial anomalies, and other disorders contribute
to proper mastication and to normal speech and facial
appearances. Early detection of cancer and systemic
conditions that manifest themselves through the mouth
are necessary for the maintenance of general good
health.
Career Opportunities
The dental profession offers a variety
of career options. The dentist may elect general dentistry
or one of the eight recognized dental specialties.
He or she may establish their own private practice
or work as an employed dentist for another dentist,
or a public or private agency or institution. The
dentist may choose solo or group practice; group practice
may involve working with other dentists or physicians
and other health professionals in the provision of
total health care. Career opportunities are also available
in the armed forces. Some dentists serve as administrators
or public health practitioners. Dental research and
education offer further career opportunities to dentists.
General Information
There are 56 dental schools in the United States and
Puerto Rice and ten in Canada. The traditional dental
school curriculum requires four academic years of
study for completion. The basic sciences are taught
primarily in the first two years and formal clinical
practice the final two years.
Although most schools specify two years of preprofessional
education as a minimum requirement for admission,
dental schools generally prefer students who have
completed an undergraduate degree. Of all U.S. students
entering dental school in 2001, 90 percent had completed
four years of college. Only about 1.1 percent had
completed only the minimally required two years of
preprofessional education.
A very useful publication is Admission
Requirements of U.S. and Canadian Dental Schools.
Not only does it contain valuable information, it
will help in applying to schools where your application
will have the greatest chance of success. You may
obtain a copy by writing:
Publications Assistant
American Association of Dental School
1625 Massachusetts Ave., N.W.
Washington, DC 20036
AADASAS
The American Association
of Dental Schools Application Service (AADSAS) allows
applicants to apply simultaneously to a number of
dental schools by submitting one application to a
single agency. The LSU School
of Dentistry does not participate in AADSAS.
Applicants must request an application from the Office
at Admissions at the LSU Dental School after September
1 for admission in July of the following year. If
any other dental school to which students are applying
does not participate, applicants must write directly
to the school for an application and to obtain deadline
dates for application. Applications for AADSAS are
available online at the address below:
AADSAS
1625 Massachusetts Ave., N.W.
Washington, DC 20036-2212
e-mail: aadsas.appl@aads.jhu.edu
http://www.aads.jhu.edu
|
