Dentistry
It is recommended that students interested in pursuing Medicine, Dentistry or Veterinary careers complete their Bachelor’s degrees. Although there is no specific specialty required, many students at the College of Natural Sciences complete their degrees in Biology or the Natural Sciences General Program. In addition to the academic requirements, students should also consider participating in various extracurricular activities.
Curriculum
| Course | Credits |
| English 1 | 12 |
| 12 | |
| Biology 3 | 8 |
| General Chemistry 4 | 8 |
| Organic Chemistry | 8 |
| College Physics with Lab. | 8 |
| 6 | |
| Electives 6 | 28 |
Students that obtain an A or B grade in the Spanish Honor course (SPAN 3111-3112) and/or English Honor course (ENGL 3111-3112) don’t have to take a second year of these courses. However, they must add these 6 or 12 credits to their elective courses.
- We recommend Biology courses such as General Biology (BIOL 3101-3102), Genetics (BIOL 3349), Microbiology (BIOL 3705), Biochemistry (BIOL 4055), Cellular Molecular Biology (BIOL 4031-4032), Human Biology (BIOL 3711-3712; 3781-3782), Immunology (BIOL 4056) or Immunobiology (BIOL 4475). Approval of these courses can help students obtain a better DAT score.
- Chemistry has a Pre-calculus pre-requisite and advanced Social Sciences require an introductory Social Sciences course (SOCI 3121-3122).
- These should be introductory courses in Psychology, Sociology, Anthropology, Economics or Political Sciences.
- To complete these electives courses we recommend:
- Registration in Science courses additional to those required. These additional courses allow for extra points in the Medical Sciences Campus Admission Formula if they are approved with an A or B. A maximum of 6 credits per discipline (CHEM, BIOL, PHYS, MATH) are accepted.
- Free elective courses that do not considerably repeat subjects from other approved courses, some examples include credits in Ethics, Art, Music, History, etc.
- Students should further develop manual skills with courses such as those obtained by playing musical instruments, ceramics, painting, etc.
- Perception abilities are part of the DAT test. Students are tested on their ability to see and compare 3D objects. The College of Natural Sciences library has some books that the students can use to practice this skill. Some courses in the Almeida Institute (787-795-1813) or Kaplan (787-725-5050) provide practice exercises for this part of the test.
- Registration in Science courses additional to those required. These additional courses allow for extra points in the Medical Sciences Campus Admission Formula if they are approved with an A or B. A maximum of 6 credits per discipline (CHEM, BIOL, PHYS, MATH) are accepted.
II. Other admission requirements
A. Dental Admissions Test (DAT)
The Dental Admission Test (DAT) has several parts: biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry, English reading comprehension and visual perception. Admission test spaces are limited so students are advised to apply for the tests by the month of September.
Applications are available at the American Dental Association website. Students must make an appointment at Prometrics (787-703-3626), the center where tests are offered. Prometrics is located at the Metro Office Park 11th Building, Metro Square, Suite num.114, Guaynabo City. 703-3626). Scores are valid for three years
Students must study very hard to obtain a high score in the exam and increase their competitiveness as Dentistry School applicants. Practice Exams are offered by companies such as Kaplan (787-725-5050), Almeida Institute (787-795-1813) and The Princeton Review (787-999-9459).
B. Application
Applicants must apply through the American Dental Education Association (ADEA). This association has a list of all Dentistry School participants.
ADEA
1400 K Street NW, Suite 1100
Washington, DC 20005
Phone: (202) 289-7201, (202) 289-7385, (202) 289-7390
Fax: (202) 289-7204
Web: www.adea.org
C. Additional Application Requirements
The School of Dentistry at the Medical Sciences Campus has secondary application forms that students must submit. These include specific formats for the three required recommendation letters. An official credit transcript from the college attended by the student is also requested. Some schools also include a personal interview as part of the candidate’s evaluation process.
Application are usually due before December 1st at the Medical Sciences Campus. Additional information can be obtained at:
School of Dentistry, Medical Sciences Campus
PO Box 365065
San Juan, PR 00936-5067
(787) 758-2525 ext.1113, 5212, 5228, 1008
Web: http://dental.rcm.upr.edu/