UND offers excellent preparation for any dental school.  The Pre-Dentistry Program offered through the College of Arts and Sciences sets guidelines and timetables for UND students to successfully complete the prerequisite coursework and other requirements relating to dental schools.

This program is not a major and does not lead to a degree from UND!  Pre-Dentistry students planning to complete an undergraduate degree at UND must choose a major and meet the University Graduation Requirement of 125 semester credits.  These credits are to include: 

We encourage you to meet with the Health Sciences Advisor, Mrs. Kimberly Ruit, as early in your UND undergraduate education as possible.  Mrs. Ruit can help in all aspects of your undergraduate preparation for dental school:  from scheduling to study skills, to DAT preparation, to interview preparation.  Together, you can plan the undergraduate curriculum that is right for you.

Competitive Applicant Profile
No matter what dental school a student chooses to attend, there are 5 areas that will be scrutinized by any Admissions Committee when reviewing applications.  It is therefore very important that the student is well prepared in order to present his/her best possible application.  The table below summarizes these areas:
 

Academics	Degree needed?  Most schools require or prefer a degree. Major?  Any major is fine - schools just want well rounded and broadly educated applicants. GPA?  National average is 3.5 - 3.6.
DAT Scores	Must be equal to or above national average (currently 17).
Letters of  Recommendation	Required, although numbers and authors vary from school to school.
Relevant  Life Experiences	Essential!!!!!  Especially experiences that include contact with patients in a dental office or clinical setting.
State of Residency	Because North Dakota does not have a school of dentistry, the state has made arrangements with several schools to take our students either as WICHE students, or on a contractual or reciprocal agreement.  The state also has a limited amount of funds (through PSEP) with which it can support two dental students per year.  You need to apply for these when you apply to dental school.  Check with the Health Sciences Advisor about this early in your undergraduate education.
Legal Record	Keep your legal record and personal image squeaky clean!! 1. Background checks a. More and more health professional schools are now doing background checks on all matriculants and/or applicants. => If you have been convicted of any felony or misdemeanor of a violent or sexual nature, you will be prohibited from professional health care practice in many states, so health professional schools will not accept you. => All other misdemeanors (underage drinking, drug possession, etc.) will also show up on background checks (even if they happened before you were 18). Having just one of these can definitely hurt your chances of acceptance into a health professional school! b. UND's medical school will ask you to list any violations beyond a simple parking ticket on their application! You will have to disclose everything – no matter how old you were!! The legal drinking age in North Dakota is 21. Illegal drugs are just that – illegal at any age. Stay away from alcohol and illegal drugs and any activities or instances where they may be present!! Why risk it? Is it worth ruining your future?   2. MySpace, Facebook, etc. a. As more and more companies and schools use the internet to research potential employees and students, it is essential that you make sure comments posted by you and about you are wholesome, reflect good character, and show maturity. => Limit visitors to your site to friends only. => Regularly check and remove any unwanted postings by others b. Be sure pictures are in good taste and not incriminating. => Regularly check and remove any unwanted postings or tags by others. => At UND, students may be written up by their RA's for university conduct violations with evidence provided by just a picture!

Sample Pre-Dent Schedule
All dental schools have required coursework that must be completed successfully by prospective students.  The following table suggests a schedule for the most commonly required classes, as well as the best time for taking the DAT for the first time.  Classes in parentheses may be required by certain schools.
 

	Freshman	Sophomore**	Junior	Senior
Fall	Bio 150, 150L Chem 121, 121L Math 103 Engl 110	Chem 341, 341L Psych 111 Preferred electives*	Physics 211, 211L Preferred electives*	Preferred electives*    Applications due
Spring	Bio 151, 151L Chem 122, 122L Engl 120 Comm 110	Chem 342, 342L Preferred electives*	Physics 212, 212L Preferred electives*   DAT (spring/summer)	Biochem 301 Preferred electives*

*Preferred electives include:  Art (110, 130, 151, 200, 204 or 220), Cell Biology (Bio 341), Genetics (Bio 315), Anatomy 204+L, Physiology 301, Histology+L (Bio 369, 369L), Microbiology 302+L

*Additional electives include:  Accounting, Analytical Chemistry, Anthropology, Business, Econ, History, Political Science, Psych Stats, Sociology

** Please note: your second year classes will differ from those listed if you plan to be a biology or chemistry major.

Remember...admission to dental school is highly selective and competitive.
Funding for your dental schooling through WICHE and PSEP is also based on academic quality.
It is imperative that you take your studies very seriously from the first day of your freshman year!!

 

 

Bulletin Board

Welcome New and Returning Students! Don't forget to check in with Mrs. Ruit this year to make sure you are on track with your program!     Freshman Pre-Health Student Orientation Meeting Date: Monday, August 24, 2009 Time: 8:00pm Place: Reed Keller Lecture Hall, UND Medical School Come meet Mrs. Ruit, the Health Sciences Advisor, and find out what you need to know to be a successful Pre-Dent student!     Several Dental Schools send representatives to UND each fall to recruit students. Dates and times of these visits will be posted as soon as details are worked out. All Pre-Dental students are welcome! Creighton University School of Dentistry Date: Monday, October 12, 2009 Time:   9am-12pm (drop in visits) Place: Memorial Room - second floor of the Union Come visit with Dr. Neil S. Norton , Ph.D., President of the University Faculty and Associate Professor of Oral Biology & Pharmacology Creighton is located in Omaha, Nebraska.  Numerous UND students have gone on to attend the Creighton med school or dental school - Creighton is well respected and students rave about their experience there!!  Visit their website at:  http://www.creighton.edu/dentalschool/     DAT Information The DAT is offered electronically through the Sylvan Testing Centers in Fargo and Bismarck.  You may take the test on almost day of the year. Pick up a paper registration packet in Mrs. Ruit’s office or request one through the ADA website at: http://www.ada.org/prof/ed/forms/test-app.html The current fee is $190.00.  Ninety (90) days must elapse before a retesting date may be scheduled. Beginning January 1, 2007, students may not take the DAT more than three (3) times.     2008-2009 Pre-Dental Club If you are interested in joining, contact Nicole Wirth, secretary, at: nicole.wirth@und.nodak.edu

 

 

Pre-Dent Links
Check out these links to sites of interest for pre-dentistry students:

ADEA (American Dental Education Association)      This site provides links to all American dental schools. AADSAS (Associated American Dental Schools Application Service) ADA (American Dental Association)      This site provides information on dental educaton, the DAT, careers, publications, etc. Request DAT Application Materials through ADA Scholar Ware      This site provides DAT software and sample tests. Kaplan      A source for review courses and preparation for the DAT. WICHE      Information on the WICHE programs and opportunities for students.

 

 

Mrs. Ruit's Office Hours for 2009-10

	August 24, 2009 - December 18, 2009	January 11, 2010 - March 12, 2010	March 22, 2010- May 14, 2010	Summers (Out of the Office)
Tuesdays	9am - 2pm	9am - 2pm	9am - 2pm	None
Wednesdays	12 - 2pm	None	12 - 2pm	None
Thursdays	9am - 2pm	9am - 2pm	9am - 2pm	None
Mondays (During Early Registration dates)	9am - 12pm (Nov 3-20, 2009)	**	9am - 12pm (April 5-29, 2010)	**

Pre-Health Advising is by appointment only.

Appointments with Mrs. Ruit can only be made by calling 701-777-2749 during regular weekday business hours.

No e-mails for scheduling appointments please!