Best Bachelor Degrees for Dental School: My Step-by-Step Guide to Becoming a Dentist

Table of Contents

2.1. Biology: A Solid Pathway

2.2. Chemistry and Biochemistry: Diving Deep in Science

2.3. Biomedical Sciences and Other Science Majors

2.4. Engineering or Public Health: Alternative Yet Strong Choices

3.1. Why a Holistic Path Pays Off

3.2. Succeeding as a Non-Science Student

4.1. The Core Science Checklist

4.2. Additional Valuable Courses

4.3. Planning Ahead for Success

5.1. GPA, DAT, and the Academic Profile

5.2. Clinical Exposure: Shadowing and Volunteering

5.3. Research, Leadership, and Recommendation Letters

5.4. Skills Every Dentist Needs

1. Introduction: My Journey Choosing a Degree for Dental School

When I decided I wanted to be a dentist, I had lots of questions and not many answers. I wanted someone to just spell things out: What bachelor’s degree do you need for dental school? Turns out, there isn’t a “one-size-fits-all” plan. But there are some good ways to get ready and make things easier for yourself. So here’s what I wish I’d known, and what I learned along the way. This isn’t just a basic guide. I’ll share what worked for me, what I’d change, and what experts like Dr. Joe Dental, who checked over this guide, have said.

If you’re starting college, thinking about a new major, or just looking at your options, I’ll explain the best degrees, needed classes, and the extra stuff that makes your dental school application stronger. I want you to feel good about your own path—not just doing what everyone else does.

2. The Preferred Undergraduate Degrees for Aspiring Dentists

2.1. Biology: A Solid Pathway

When I first talked to my pre-dental advisor, they said biology is the most common route, and that made sense. Biology majors usually check off most of the classes dental schools ask for. Classes like cell biology, genetics, and microbiology helped me understand people and diseases better. It gave me a good start for dental school.

Pros:

• Most needed courses are part of the major.
• Dental schools know it well (most applicants—about 50–60%—have biology degrees, based on ADEA info).

Cons:

• It’s a big crowd—if you want to stand out, you’ll need good grades, a high DAT score, or do something different.

2.2. Chemistry and Biochemistry: Diving Deep in Science

Some of my friends did chemistry or biochemistry. It helped them really get how dental materials work and how medicines act in the body. Biochemistry was extra useful since lots of dental schools now ask for at least one class in it.

Pros:

• Good for problem solving and figuring things out.
• Great background if you want to focus on things like oral biology or medicine later.

Cons:

• You might have to take extra biology classes, so plan for it.

2.3. Biomedical Sciences and Other Science Majors

If you want something focused on health, biomedical sciences usually mix in chemistry, biology, body systems, and some stats. Some schools even have special tracks for students wanting to be doctors or dentists.

Pros:

• Made for students going into healthcare.
• Helpful classes like anatomy, body systems, and microbiology are often included.

Cons:

• How good the program is depends on the school.

2.4. Engineering or Public Health: Alternative Yet Strong Choices

I’ve met applicants with degrees in physics, engineering, and public health. If you like solving problems, engineering can really sharpen your thinking—which is nice for handling tricky cases in dental clinics.

Story time:

One applicant I knew, Lisa, majored in engineering. In her dental school essay, she talked about building a model jaw for a class project. That made her different in interviews. She needed to take some extra science classes, but the admissions teams loved her new point of view.

Bottom line? Most science degrees help a lot, especially if they cover most of the classes dental schools expect.

3. Standing Out With a Non-Science Major

3.1. Why a Holistic Path Pays Off

I used to wonder—could I major in psychology or English and still get into dental school? It turns out about 10–15% of applicants who get in have degrees in the arts, social sciences, or business. Dr. Joe Dental, who helped with this article, really likes this path—if you make sure to take all the science classes.

Non-science majors bring when you apply:

• Better talking and writing skills—important for telling nervous patients what’s happening.
• Lots of thinking and debating from essays and class talks.
• A story that’s different. Let’s face it, admissions folks see thousands of “I love teeth” essays. Yours will be remembered if it’s different.

Real example:

Someone I knew majored in philosophy. They could really talk about ethics in healthcare during interviews, and schools liked that.

3.2. Succeeding as a Non-Science Student

If you do a non-science major, you’ll need to:

• Sign up for all the science classes (chemistry, biology, physics, etc.) on your own.
• Show you can handle upper-level science classes (“Can this person deal with tough dental school classes?” is what schools want to know).
• Do well on the DAT, especially the science sections.

As long as you plan your classes and don’t slack off, a non-science degree won’t make things harder. It might even help you stand out.

4. Essential Prerequisite Courses for Dental School

4.1. The Core Science Checklist

No matter your major, every dental school wants certain science classes, usually with labs. In my experience (and from ADEA and pre-health advisors), you must have:

• General Chemistry: 1 year
• Organic Chemistry: 1 year
• Biology (General or Cell/Molecular): 1 year
• Physics: 1 year
• Biochemistry: At least 1 semester (many schools now want this)

Taking these proves you’re ready for lots of science in dental school.

4.2. Additional Valuable Courses

Don’t forget about:

• English or Writing: 1 year
• Math: 1 semester or year (stats or calculus often count)
• Extra Sciences: Anatomy, body systems, germs/microbiology, psychology, and sociology—they’re either required, recommended, or just plain helpful once school starts.

Classes like anatomy and body systems helped me understand dental school classes way faster than some of my classmates.

4.3. Planning Ahead for Success

It’s super important to check each dental school because their required classes can be a bit different. I made a simple spreadsheet in my second year so I could stay on top of it. It really helped when application time came.

5. More Than Majors: The Holistic Approach to Dental School Admissions

5.1. GPA, DAT, and the Academic Profile

Dental schools won’t just look at your major—they look at your whole school record. Based on ADEA averages, most people who get in had:

• Overall GPA: Around 3.65
• Science GPA (bio, chem, physics): About 3.56
• DAT Academic Average: About 20.9
• Perceptual Ability Test (PAT): About 20.7

Good grades, especially in science, are a must. I tried for the best grades I could, since dental school is tough to get into (acceptance rates are about 45–50%). Stay solid, and don’t slack in your non-science classes, either.

5.2. Clinical Exposure: Shadowing and Volunteering

Watching a dentist at work changed things for me. It let me see what real work was like and made me sure I wanted to do this. Most dental schools want at least 100–200 hours of shadowing, with dentists and maybe a specialist or two.

One summer, I helped out in a general dental office in the mornings and watched an orthodontist in the afternoons. Seeing both helped me figure out what I liked and made my application better.

Helping out in clinics or joining outreach programs shows you care. Don’t just count hours—focus on what you learn.

5.3. Research, Leadership, and Recommendation Letters

Doing research isn’t a must, but it will help with your thinking skills, and you can talk about it in interviews. Taking the lead (in clubs, at work, in study groups) also matters, since it shows you’re a team player and can step up.

Get your recommendation letters early. The best come from teachers who know what you can do in class, and dentists who can say you’re really into this career. I asked early so folks had time and could write something specific.

5.4. Skills Every Dentist Needs

Dental schools look for more than good grades—they want people who can work with their hands, talk to people, and solve problems.

• I got better at working with my hands by playing guitar and doing crafts.
• Talking to patients—especially nervous ones—really matters.
• Pushing through hard classes and doing research helped me figure out tough problems and keep going when things got tricky.

6. The Dentist Journey: Mapping Your Road to Practice

Here’s the steps I took (and wish I’d done even better):

As I went through dental school, I learned a lot about dental labs. Their work makes caring for patients possible. If you’re interested in what happens behind the scenes, check out a china dental lab—these guys help provide top-notch crowns, bridges, and more. My teachers always said working with a good lab is key, especially when tough cases come up or you use new materials like at a digital dental lab.

7. Conclusion: Pick Your Path, Commit to Excellence

After all this, one thing is clear: there isn’t one “right” degree for dental school. What matters most is picking something you like and will do well in, getting all the science courses you need, and making your whole story strong.

If you love biology—go for it. But if something else excites you, don’t be afraid to choose it. What really matters is your grades, your experiences outside class, and how much you care about becoming a caring dentist.

Plan ahead, ask for help from teachers and pre-dental advisors, and remember to take care of yourself. Your story, hard work, and drive will be what get you in—and make you a great dentist.

This guide was checked and approved by Dr. Joe Dental and other dental professionals to make sure it’s real and helpful.

If you want more of a close-up look at dental materials and teeth-making, think about learning from a dental ceramics lab. You’ll find that becoming a dentist is really about curiosity and growing as a person, not just grades and classes.

Now it’s up to you—plan well, work hard, and enjoy the trip!