Find out the differences between medical and dental school to gauge which one is right for you.
Many young adults know from an early age that they would like to be a doctor or a dentist. While prestigious and rewarding careers, there are differences between medical and dental schools. Dental and medical schools offer different types of classes, different types of practical learning experiences and have different requirements for admission.
Undergraduate College Requirements
Both dental and medical schools will require multiple science and math courses. Classes like General Biology, General and Organic Chemistry, Physics and Calculus will be required for both dental and medical school entries. One big difference in medical and dental school requirements is that dentistry schools do not require a bachelor's degree. It is encouraged by most top dental schools, but not required. Dental schools also encourage their students to take General Anatomy, Nutrition and classes in Latin or Spanish. All medical schools will require a four year degree to even apply to the school, though it does not have to be pre-medicine degree. Also encouraged are courses in the humanities and liberal arts, as medical schools are looking for well-rounded students.
Applying to Dental School
Dental schools will likely require a GPA of 3.0 in the basic science courses taken in undergraduate classes and high Dental Aptitude Test scores. The DAT is an entrance exam for dental school that will assess an applicant in the following areas: general sciences, quantitative study and analysis, scientific reading comprehension, perceptual ability and math. Dental school applicants are often interviewed before acceptance to is granted, and is weighed with DAT scores and undergraduate performance.
Applying to Medical School
Most applicants to medical schools are juniors in college and start medical school immediately after graduation from their undergraduate college. Students must take the Medical College Admission Test, which will test the applicants on knowledge of sciences, reading and writing ability, problem solving skills and scientific analysis skills. Medical schools like to see applicants with a strong GPA (over 3.0), a high MCAT score, extracurricular activities, letters of recommendation and successful interviews with medical school staff.
Dental School
Dental school is quite rigorous, with about nine lecture hours a week and a skills lab scheduled four or five days of the week as well. Students take about 100 credit hours a year, and only have a couple of short two week breaks during the year. The program is a four year program, with students taking didactic courses in dental anatomy, biochemistry, histology, physiology, oral biology, preventive dentistry and oral pathology. Dental skill labs train students to work on the teeth by drilling, performing surgical procedures, cleaning teeth and making dentures. Students also must take their national board examination and state's clinical licensure test.
Medical School
Medical school is a four year degree program, with students taking courses in anatomy, biochemistry, physiology, pathology, pharmacology and other sciences during the first two years. The second two years are a combination of more classes and taking clinical in different medical settings. After graduation from medical school, the student will then spend three to five years in residency. During residency (in a chosen speciality) the student will need to take national boards and license tests.
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