Most dental schools require a minimum of 8 credits of biology courses with accompanying laboratory courses; 8 credits of inorganic/general chemistry with labs; 8 credits of organic chemistry with labs; 8 credits of physics with accompanying labs; and 6 credits of English composition courses. In addition, a few dental schools including the University of Maryland, School of Dentistry, require completion of a biochemistry course; hence, biochemistry is included on the list of prerequisites in this section. Students should be aware that there are current trends among dental schools to also require a microbiology course, along with one or two courses in anatomy and physiology.  Moreover, an introduction to psychology course is strongly suggested in preparation for professional training. Admission requirements vary among dental schools and therefore, it is a student’s responsibility to refer to the Official Guide to Dental Schools, an annual publication of the American Dental Education Association (ADEA), to ensure they take the prerequisites required by the schools to which they plan to apply. All prerequisite courses must be completed by the end of the Spring semester that precedes a student’s expected August matriculation into dental school; although, the biology and chemistry prerequisite courses must be completed before a student takes the Dental Admission Test (DAT).

Students may purchase their own copy of ADEA’s Official Guide to Dental Schools or log onto each individual dental school’s website for detailed information about each school’s admission requirements. The UMBC equivalents of the minimum entrance requirements for most dental schools are listed below. Admission requirements vary among dental schools and therefore, it is a student’s responsibility to refer to the ADEA’s Official Guide to Dental Schools book to ensure they take the prerequisites required by the schools to which they plan to apply. Admission requirements are subject to change without prior notice. Students should be working closely with The PreMedical and PreDental Advising Office throughout their tenure at UMBC.