Dentists improves the lives of patients by providing oral care, relieving pain and correcting cosmetic issues. A career in dentistry can provide you with satisfaction and joy of positively transforming a patient’s life. The Warner Pacific program prepares students for entrance into dental school by completing their prerequisite coursework, earning a baccalaureate degree, and obtaining assistance with the dental school preparation and application process.

Dental Medicine is the study of dentistry and students who select this track would like to become a dentist, a licensed health care provider who specializes in oral health. Dentists are doctors; therefore, this track is like other pre-medical tracks offered at Warner Pacific. Given the emphasis on biomedical sciences and requirement of a pre-entrance test, the Dental Admission Test (DAT), this track is ideal for students who are declared as Biological Sciences: Human Biology Emphasis majors.

The requirements in this pre-professional track meet prerequisite requirements of local dentistry programs including Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU) in Portland, Oregon, which offers a four-year professional training program. Students are responsible for researching requirements at the schools in which they are interested and adding any necessary extra coursework.

If you want to become a dentist, start on the right path by selecting a major in Biological Science with an Emphasis in Human Biology at Warner Pacific University. In addition to this major, you will take courses in Biochemistry, precalculus, Physics and others chosen specifically with your advisor to meet the prerequisites for your D.D.S. or D.M.D. school of choice.

Curriculum

 (In addition to Warner Pacific Core Studies Requirements Students Complete the Bachelors in Biological Science: Emphasis in Human Biology).
BIO 211 | General Biology I | 4 credits
BIO 212 | General Biology II | 4 credits
BIO 221 | Human Anatomy & Physiology I | 4 credits
BIO 222 | Human Anatomy & Physiology II | 4 credits
BIO 245 |Evolution | 3 credits
BIO 250 | Genetics | 4 credits
BIO 370 |Microbiology | 4 credits
BIO 420 | Mammalian Physiology | 4 credits
An organismal biology course BIO 380, 360, 301, or 315
CHEM 211 | General Chemistry I | 4 credits
CHEM 212 | General Chemistry II | 4 credits
CHEM 301 | Organic Chemistry I | 4 credits

Plus, these Courses required for entry in to most Medical School Programs

MA 115 | Precalculus | 4 credits
CHEM 302 | Organic Chemistry II | 4 credits
CHEM 412 | Biochemistry | 4 credits
MA 243 | Introduction to Statistics | 3 credits
PHY 221 | General Physics | 4 credits
PHY 222 | General Physics II | 4 credits

Setting and Opportunities

WPU provides students a rigorous undergraduate educational experience with hands-on laboratory experiences and the possibility for research.  Several WPU students have entered the Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) at Oregon Health and Sciences University.

Additional Items to Consider 

For competitive doctoral programs. Students will often need a GPA minimum of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for admission, successful completion of the Dental Admission Test (DAT), and at least 50 hours of professional observation within the dental field

Pre-Dentistry Advising Track