Pre-Dental (DDS / DMD)
What future students usually study in college, how to get ready in high school, and what the career looks like today. Every fact below names its source.
You become: a Dentist (DDS or DMD). Dentists diagnose and treat problems with patients' teeth, gums and related parts of the mouth. [1]
Last checked:
What it is
Dentists typically need a DDS or DMD degree from an accredited dental program. [1]
Most programs require that applicants have at least a bachelor's degree and have completed certain science courses, such as biology or chemistry. [1]
Although no specific undergraduate major is required, programs may prefer applicants who have a bachelor's degree in a science, such as biology. [1]
Applicants to dental schools usually take an entrance exam. [1]
Courses to take before applying
Dental schools traditionally expect applicants to have completed two semesters (three quarters) of biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry and physics, all with lab. [2]
| Course | Status | More about this course |
|---|---|---|
| Biology, two semesters, with lab | Traditionally expected | Described on the Pre-Med page |
Get ready with these topics: The molecules of life · Cell structure: prokaryotes and eukaryotes · The cell membrane and transport · Cellular respiration · From DNA to protein · Meiosis, mutations and genetic variation | ||
| General chemistry, two semesters, with lab | Traditionally expected | Described on the Pre-Med page |
Get ready with these topics: Atoms and electron arrangement · Periodic table patterns · Ionic and covalent bonding · The mole and molar mass · Stoichiometry and conservation of mass · Acids and bases · Quantities, units and rates · Literal equations and formulas | ||
| Organic chemistry, two semesters, with lab | Traditionally expected | Described on the Pre-Med page |
Get ready with these topics: Ionic and covalent bonding · Lewis structures and molecular shape · Forces between particles and bulk properties · Organic chemistry basics · Acids and bases · Reaction rates and collision theory | ||
| Physics, two semesters, with lab | Traditionally expected | Described on the Pre-Med page |
Get ready with these topics: Physics skills: units, vectors and graphs · Describing motion: position, velocity and acceleration · Newton's second law: net force, mass and acceleration · Conservation of energy: modeling energy in a system · Electric current, voltage and resistance · Waves: frequency, wavelength and speed · Radians and the unit circle | ||
Dental schools differ in what additional classes they require, so students should research each school they are interested in for any additional prerequisites. [2]
Typical high school preparation
- As early as high school, students interested in becoming dentists can take courses in subjects such as biology, chemistry and math. [1]
- Many medical and dental schools do not accept AP credit for prerequisite requirements. [3]
Only what a cited source states is listed here.
Pre-Health Foundations: coming soon
The career today
National figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Pay varies by state, setting and experience. This is not a promise of pay or a job.
The median annual wage for dentists was $176,110 in May 2025. [1]
Employment of dentists is projected to grow 6 percent from 2025 to 2035, faster than the average for all occupations. [1]
The typical entry-level education is a doctoral or professional degree. [1]
Getting licensed
Dentists must be licensed in the state in which they work, and most states require a DDS or DMD degree from an accredited dental program, passing the written exam, and passing a state or regional clinical examination. [1]
Exams on this path
Overview only. For dates, registration, rules and scoring, see each test maker's own site.
Dental school entrance exam
Applicants to dental schools usually take an entrance exam. [1]
INBDE® (licensure)
The Integrated National Board Dental Examination (INBDE) is a high-stakes licensure examination requiring candidates to use their clinical skills to complete dental problem-solving tasks. [4]
This two-day examination is designed to provide information to U.S. dental boards seeking to determine whether licensure candidates have the necessary level of clinical skills to safely practice entry-level dentistry. [4]
Exam names are trademarks of their owners. None of these organizations is affiliated with or endorses UpOnly Learning.
Questions people search
Chosen from our search-question research. Every answer is cited.
What are the prerequisites for dental school?
Dental schools traditionally expect applicants to have completed two semesters (three quarters) of biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry and physics, all with lab. [2]
Most programs require that applicants have at least a bachelor's degree and have completed certain science courses, such as biology or chemistry. [1]
Dental schools differ in what additional classes they require, so students should research each school they are interested in for any additional prerequisites. [2]
Your next step
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Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Occupational Outlook Handbook: Dentists. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/dentists.htm. OOH page last modified August 27, 2026 (pay data May 2025; projections 2025–35). Checked .
- American Dental Education Association (ADEA), GoDental. Academic Preparations. https://www.adea.org/GoDental/health-professions-advisors/supporting-students/academic-preparations. no edition stated (footer © 2026). Checked .
- Cornell University, Health Professions Advising Center. Academic Preparation. https://prehealthadvising.cornell.edu/academic-preparation. no edition stated (footer © 2026; refers to course changes effective Fall 2026). Checked .
- Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations (JCNDE). Integrated National Board Dental Examination (INBDE). https://jcnde.ada.org/inbde. no edition stated (footer © 2026). Checked .
Format: Publisher. Page title. URL. Edition or catalog year. Checked date.