Pre-Dentistry

Midwestern State University (MSU Texas) offers a pre-professional programs that are designed for students interested in dentistry, medicine, pharmacy, physical therapy and veterinary school and who wish to use their undergraduate program to get the prerequisites before applying to their program and choice.

Pre-professional is not a major—it is a focus. This focus will help students pick out the courses and activities to increase their ability to be admitted to a professional program. Competition for limited spots in professional programs is high, and students will need to find ways to academically prepare and differentiate yourself for admission.

Dentistry emphasizes helping others to maintain their oral health, which is strongly linked to overall health. A degree in dentistry can be applied toward private practice either as a general dentist or a specialist, dental research, dental public policy, federal government, or academic dentistry.

Dentists hold a DDS or DMD degree. Approximately 80% of all dentists practice general dentistry, and may work on adults and children. Specializations in dentistry include endodontics, orthodontics, periodontics, prosthodontics, oral and maxillofacial surgery and many other sub-fields.

The academic requirements for admission to dental school include courses in biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry, biochemistry, physics, English and statistics. The American Dental Education Association has a list of prerequisites for most dental schools, and dental education requirements for the dental schools in Texas are found at the Texas Medical and Dental Schools Application Services website.

MSU Texas students who are interested in going to dental school typically will pursue Biology, Chemistry, or Biochemistry as their undergraduate program.