School of Dentistry

Office of admissions

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*Admission requirements

Dentistry (DDS)
In preparation for dental school, a baccalaureate degree is highly recommended but not mandatory. A minimum equivalent to 96 semester or 144 quarter units of coursework from an accredited college must be completed prior to entrance. A four-year undergraduate curriculum leading to a bachelor's degree is highly recommended. A student having completed such a degree is given preference for admission to the dental program. You will be required to take the Dental Admission Test (DAT).

Upon acceptance into the School of Dentistry you will be required to buy a specific laptop. You will receive information on the computer and be directed to a web site where you must purchase the laptop. Any laptop not purchased at the web site will not be allowed onto the School of Dentistry network. For more information you may contact dental computing services at (909) 558-4674.

Educational requirements:
In order for a student to enter a professional dentistry program, the following college requirements must be completed (Please note: C- grades, or lower, are not acceptable):

Biology/Zoology*
General Physics*
Organic Chemistry*
English composition and literature**
General / Chemistry*
Biochemistry***
* One academic year with laboratory experience.
**One academic year including courses required for a baccalaureate degree.
***One semester or two quarters.

Science coursework must have been completed within five years prior to application.

coursework recommended:

Microbiology
Histology
Human Biology/Physiology/Anatomy
Biochemistry
College Algebra/Calculus
Cellular and Molecular Biology
Principles of Management/Accounting
Psychology/Sociology
Ceramics/Sculpture

Dental hygiene (BS)
To be eligible for admission into the dental hygiene program, an applicant must complete a minimum of 96 quarter units (64 semester units) at an accredited college or university. The minimum admission subject requirements in quarter units are:

* Required courses

SCIENTIFIC INQUIRY AND ANALYSIS

Natural Sciences - 20q/15s units (All courses must include the laboratory component)

*Human anatomy
*Human physiology
*Introduction to chemistry, including inorganic, organic, and biochemistry. (One academic year)
*Microbiology
*Mathematics (must be college level)

Science coursework must have been completed within five years prior to application.

Social Sciences - 12q/8s units (Must include two areas)

*Introduction to sociology
Political science
Psychology
Economics
Anthropology
Geography
*Cultural diversity (cultural anthropology recommended)


SPIRITUAL AND CULTURAL HERITAGE- 20q/14s units (Must include three areas)

Religion (required 4q/3s units per year of attendance at a Seventh-day Adventist college)
Cultural - 20q/14s units (Must include two areas of study)
History of civilization or western civilization
Literature
Fine arts (theory coursework)
Performing arts (Not to exceed 4 qtr. units)
Foreign languages
Philosophy


COMMUNICATION SKILLS- 13q/9s units

*English composition and literature (One academic year)
*Speech, or interpersonal communication


HEALTH AND WELLNESS

Personal health or nutrition, 3q/2s units
Physical education - 2 activity courses (units may vary)


ELECTIVES

To complete requirements of 96 quarter/64 semester units


Please note: C- grades, or lower, are not transferable for credit.

Dental Hygiene Degree Completion (BSDH)
Formal application for admission to this program must be submitted by March 1 for the class beginning in September of each year. This deadline will have to be adjusted for the first accepted class. The program may be completed on a full- or part-time basis. Basic requirements and credentials for admission include:

All Applicants must submit the following:
All students graduating from LLUSD with a BS in dental hygiene MUST have completed all of the prerequisites including the five domains for general education. Should students be lacking in any of the above prerequisites, they will be encouraged to complete them at a four-year college/university either before or during their degree completion training at LLUSD.

Upon acceptance into the School of Dentistry, you will be required to buy a specific laptop. You will receive information on the computer and be directed to a website where you must purchase the laptop. Any laptop not purchased at the website, will not be allowed onto the School of Dentistry network. For more information you may contact dental computing services at 909-558-4674.

*Combined programs (DDS/MS and DDS/PhD)

DDS/MS. A combined program leading to the Doctor of Dental Surgery and the Master of Science degrees is open to qualified students of dentistry. The student who is interested in establishing a broader professional base in science or who is looking toward a career in teaching or research may take an interim leave after the first professional year, register in the Faculty of Graduate Studies, and fulfill professional degree requirements subsequent to or concurrent with completing coursework and research for the Master of Science degree.

DDS/PhD. The Biomedical Science Program provides opportunity for well-qualified and motivated students to make a joint approach to professional and graduate education and prepare for careers in clinical specialization, teaching, or investigation in health and disease in man. The student may enter a program cooperatively offered by the School of Dentistry and the Faculty of Graduate Studies and work toward the Doctor of Dental Surgery and the Doctor of Philosophy degrees concurrently. A minimum of six years is required to complete this joint-degree program. The student must have a baccalaureate degree and must have the approval of the Biomedical Advisory Committee.

*Careers in Dentistry Workshop

The goal of the Careers in Dentistry Workshop is to give a positive view of the professional roles in oral health care, with emphasis in dentistry and dental hygiene. Participants enroll to learn about these roles and to have an opportunity to shadow a student as they practice as student dentists and dental hygienists. Please use the links below for more information.

2008 workshop dates: July 13 - 16

*How to apply

Dentistry

Your application must be processed through the American Association of Dental Schools Application Service (AADSAS) prior to December 1. The AADSAS application is now on-line at www.adea.org or you contact:

For entrance into dental school, you are required to take the Dental Admission Test (DAT). Preference will be given to applicants who have taken the test no later than October of the academic year preceding that for which admission is desired. The DAT must be completed before consideration of your application can be finalized. For additional DAT information, contact: Based on your qualifications, as revealed by the AADSAS application, a supplementary application packet will be sent to you from the School of Dentistry. After review of your supplementary application, transcripts, and recommendations, you may be invited to the School for an interview.

AADSAS applications are accepted from June 1 to December 1. Early application is highly recommended; the first letters of acceptance are mailed beginning December 1.

Dental hygiene Apply online

Your initial application is made directly to the School of Dentistry Admissions Office. Applications should be filed between July 1 and February 1. One class is admitted each year in the fall term. Early application is advised. For an application, write or call:

Office of admissions: admissions.sd@llu.edu

School of Dentistry
Office of Admissions
Loma Linda University
Loma Linda, California 92350
(800) 422-4558 or (909) 558-4621

Prospective patients, please see our patient information page.

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