--- title: Pre-Dentistry Program date: 2022-04-06T12:20:00-05:00 author: Click Rain Inc canonical_url: "https://www.dordt.edu/academics/programs/pre-dentistry" section: Pages --- [ Back to Programs](/academics/programs)# Pre-Dentistry Program A career in dentistry involves more than filling cavities and pulling teeth. Dentists detect diseases. They diagnose problems affecting teeth and mouth tissue. They improve a patient's appearance. They surgically restore tooth and gum health. And they help prevent future problems. If that sounds like an exciting and fulfilling career, then it’s time to consider Dordt’s Pre-Dentistry program. [Request Info ](#request) ![Female speaking in front of the classroom](https://d3evso2dxyohou.cloudfront.net/generalUploads/2022-09-19_001079.jpg?mode=crop&pos=center-center&w=50&h=43&f=webp&c=7a01d71a&v=b467f27bbc6f0bb85b73d810e3ec5101e5388939f02a6876ed0e69dd961f5ae5) ![]() ![]()## On This Page - [Program Overview](#toc132927) - [Pre-Dentistry Program](#toc132935) - [Faculty](#toc711088) - [Science and Technology Center](#toc520382) - [Student Stories](#toc132943) ## Program Overview As a Pre-Dental student, you won’t just spend time learning about the practice of dental care. To ensure you present yourself as a good candidate for dental school upon graduation, you’ll also want a strong background in science and mathematics. A key emphasis of the Pre-Dentistry program at Dordt University is to encourage students to consider how their work may serve both God and his creation. That happens by learning and understanding health and the human body, as well as the role of your faith in helping and serving others. It’s all part of learning academically while being challenged spiritually. ![Female student looking at a piece of paper](https://d3evso2dxyohou.cloudfront.net/generalUploads/2022-09-19_001074_2024-07-01-172848_xkhb.jpg?mode=fit&pos=center-center&w=64&h=37&c=0d71c642&v=49414d648faa30f704c99fd983de695e1ec6aeb783a73490ce31d1d61e713b2f) ### What can I do with pre-dentistry from Dordt University? By pursuing Pre-Dentistry, you’ll leave Dordt prepared to transition from undergrad work to dental school. Whether you pursue a job as a doctor of dental medicine, an orthodontist, a lab director, or a clinical researcher, Dordt’s Pre-Dentistry program will prepare you for the next steps. ##### Dentist Dentists diagnose and treat problems with patients' teeth, gums, and related parts of the mouth. They provide advice and instruction on taking care of the teeth and gums and on diet choices that affect oral health. ##### Dental Hygiene Aspiring dental hygienists need to earn an associate or bachelor's degree in the field after completing their prerequisite requirements at Dordt University. ##### Dental Assistant Dental Assistants perform a variety of different tasks that help to prepare patients for dental work. ## Career Preparation Dordt University's 2025 Career Outcome Rate was 99.7%! “I believe it is also, in part, indicative of the type of graduates we are encouraging our students to become—that is, graduates who don’t just learn for the sake of learning, but graduates who continue to learn for the sake of serving," said Dr. Ethan Brue, dean for technology and applied sciences. "Dordt is not just about training students for competence, but it is more about inviting students to embrace the goodness of work out of a deep care for the world.” ![](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==) ![](https://d3evso2dxyohou.cloudfront.net/generalUploads/Career-Outcome-Rate-2025_2026-03-27-162722_rnim.png?mode=fit&pos=center-center&w=50&h=50&c=34612c21&v=12a6de4bbeb0d287215dcff9b1c1d85f99eddadaef33078da0d2dc67c4d280c6) ## Pre-Dentistry Program ### What you'll learn You will take a variety of foundational courses in areas such as chemistry, that will be critical as you move forward into dental school. You will also gain insight from your adviser as you look toward graduate school. You’ll learn the foundational aspects of a career in dentistry. You’ll expand your understanding of human biology and how God created us to function. And you’ll prepare for the rigorous tests and academic demands required to get into dental school after you finish at Dordt. ### What can you do with a pre-dentistry program? A pre-dentistry program helps prepare students are planning to apply to dental school following graduation. ### Degree requirements Every professional school has their own entrance requirements, so at Dordt, students work with the pre-professional advisers to determine which courses they need to prepare them for their professional school. Most dentistry schools: - Require four years of college before they admit you to their program. - Require you to take the Dental Admission Test. ### Courses ### TYPICAL PRE-DENTISTRY PREREQUISITES - General chemistry (two semesters) - Organic chemistry (two semesters) - Biochemistry (one semester) - Physics (two semesters) - English (two semesters) - Biology (two to three semesters in zoology, embryology, or comparative anatomy) - Psychology (one semester) [See the course catalog for more information](https://www.dordt.edu/academics/course-catalog). ### Pre-Health Professions Club (PHPC) Preparing for dental school simply demands too much. You might find yourself immersed in books and get completely cut off from social interaction. The biggest perk of joining the Pre-Health Professions Club (PHPC) is that you will get to meet and interact with other pre-dental hopefuls. This also facilitates knowledge-sharing and can help alleviate your fears regarding dental schools’ application process. Deciding which dental schools to apply to can feel overwhelming. If you decide you need a helping hand, the Chief Health Professions Advisor, Dr. Joseph Keryakos, can help you create a strategic and balanced school list to boost your chances of acceptance. ### Ready to take the next step? [Request Info](#request) [Visit](https://www.dordt.edu/admissions-and-aid/visit-dordt) [Apply](https://www.dordt.edu/admissions-and-aid/apply-now) ## Faculty With experience in a variety of fields, our faculty members are equipped and ready to help you succeed. ## Science and Technology Center As a Pre-Dental student, you'll have the opportunity to spend time in Dordt's Science and Technology Center. Informally known as the "Science Building," the Science and Technology Center is home to Dordt's 180-seat lecture hall. [Learn more](https://www.dordt.edu/about-dordt/campus-map/rooms/science-and-technology-center) ![](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==) ![A front exterior view of the Science and Technology Center](https://d3evso2dxyohou.cloudfront.net/generalUploads/science-building750x750.jpg?mode=fit&pos=center-center&w=50&h=50&c=78cefd20&v=f8595c6df40523f5cbfb75230bdcb6ed7108aef884a1aa13ab1d343ac2b742ed) ![]() ![]() ![](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==) ![A Dordt student posing for a picture](https://d3evso2dxyohou.cloudfront.net/generalUploads/domore-3.jpg?mode=crop&pos=center-center&w=20&h=32&f=webp&c=9d86f586&v=c0881dfa36eb33a4001538b3b57c837eb4794c439932dfbd2716bd6c6ab4d06a) ### When Worlds Collide Becca Groninga Merging rap music and an engineering degree Engineering and rap seem like two worlds — but Becca Groninga found they collide at Dordt. Her story: doing all God created you to do. Becca Groninga Merging rap music and an engineering degree [Read More About Becca Groninga](https://www.dordt.edu/stories/when-worlds-collide) ## Connect with us Submit your information to request more information about Dordt and this program. We'll also use this information to connect you with your admissions counselor! Loading... ## Related Program Options Still looking for the right fit? Here are some additional program options that we think might interest you or are often paired with this program. You can also view the [programs page](https://www.dordt.edu/academics/programs) to keep exploring your options. [ Bachelor's ![Female student dissecting an egg](https://d3evso2dxyohou.cloudfront.net/generalUploads/2022-10-21_002378.jpg?mode=crop&pos=center-center&w=59&h=39&c=b255885e&v=87b99e51e860115d4f9e51eb6b02af2a4bf5bcb59c15f7c4278ebf948418a4d1) ### Biology Major ](https://www.dordt.edu/academics/programs/biology-ba) [ Bachelor's ![male student writing on paper](https://d3evso2dxyohou.cloudfront.net/generalUploads/2023-02-21_000275_2024-07-01-174529_lust.jpg?mode=crop&pos=center-center&w=59&h=39&c=868cac21&v=8931cc94f931506d7df19fcd8ea5d47b3f94df73dae33d7524bfdaf88ade72af) ### BiologyPublic Health Concentration, Major ](https://www.dordt.edu/academics/programs/biology-ba/public-health) [ Bachelor's ![Male professor points to board](https://d3evso2dxyohou.cloudfront.net/generalUploads/2022-03-03_000800.jpg?mode=crop&pos=center-center&w=59&h=39&c=1990c15d&v=2e3d87170f91bea556f469cabc78856bd4cff4fce5fc001582d79cbbbd1f7503) ### BiologyBiomedical Sciences Minor Minor ](https://www.dordt.edu/academics/programs/biology-ba/biomedical-sciences-minor)