Top 10: Things To Know About The Dental School Application Process

There are a few things that a lot of pre-dental students may not know out there, and we hope to help them here by outlining what savvy pre-dental students would want to know about the dental school application process.

Top 10 Dental School Application Hacks For Pre-Dental Students

1. Apply early
Try to apply the first day possible! When the AADSAS cycle opens (which is usually in May of the calendar year prior to the start date), your goal should be to submit your application that day to maximize your chances of admission. This means that you should have most of your application actually completed beforehand. Letters of reference and the essay should definitely be completed prior to this date! I've provided a list below that covers what other information you may want to collect beforehand according to AADSAS. The quicker you can submit the application, the better off you are, because dental schools employ a rolling admissions process. That means as soon as a dental school comes across an applicant they are interested in, they will offer them admission and fill up seats as quick as they can! The later you apply, the more scarce the empty seats are... and the tougher it is to get your acceptance letter.

The information you should collect beforehand:

• Awards and honors earned (related to your academic performance)
• Job shadowing and volunteer experiences (related to dentistry)
• Extracurricular activities and leadership efforts
• Volunteer and community service efforts
• Work experience
• Research experience
• Anything that you've done that requires manual dexterity (playing instruments, sculpting, etc.)
  

2. Apply to 10 dental schools
Unless you are magically guaranteed admission to a dental school somewhere, you should plan on applying to at least five dental schools. We recommend applying to ten! You may be an excellent student, but the fact of the matter is, is that numerous factors beyond your control may result in a few rejections. If you only apply to 1 or 2 schools, even with excellent scores and excellent DAT scores, you may slip up in the interviews, and your chance at a spot this year may fizzle away into history. Be smart, spend a few more dollars and apply to more schools to get that security that you deserve after all that effort you put into your undergraduate education.

3. Don't harass the staff
Don't make multiple calls to each of your designated dental schools to see if they received, processed, or have taken a look at your application. If you're unsure, call once or twice to see if everything is in order. Be polite and don't harass the staff. I know of a case where a rude and impatient pre-dental student had their application tossed aside because of an inappropriate voicemail left at the dental school demanding to know their application status. Don't be one of these people. The school is generally inundated with applications and calls during the application cycle. They try their best to organize all of the information, just be cognizant of that.

4. Write a good personal statement or essay
Don't just rewrite your resume here. You want to write a powerful statement with a theme. Something that will want to make the reader remember you! Don't talk about controversial subjects, because controversy is not something you want to bring up here. Make sure you have perfect grammar, so be sure to edit it over yourself and have others have a look at it too. Also, be specific... there are way too many personal statements that say the exact same thing - I love working with my hands, I love science, I enjoy working with people... etc. Be more specific than this!

5. Prepare for the interview
You really should prepare for the interview, instead of going in there and winging it. You need to come up with concise answers for commonly asked questions. Questions that you know that'll definitely be asked! These include: 'Why did you decide to pursue dentistry?' 'What are your strengths?' 'What are your weaknesses?' (Know at least 3 of each) 'Why did you apply to our dental school?' 'What are your goals?' etc. Also know that the way you dress is important. Men should wear a suit and tie. Ladies should dress appropriately with a pant suit, conservative skirt, or something along the lines of that (You can tell I'm a guy right?). My personal tidbit to you regarding interviews is just this, TELL THE TRUTH. Whatever comes to your mind first, you should probably say just that! Try to say it in a polite and professional manner though. Don't try to guess what the interviewer is 'looking for.' When you provide answers based on what you think the interviewer wants to hear, it's pretty obvious that you're doing that. Trust me on that one. It doesn't look good, and it doesn't seem genuine.

6. Submit ALL relevant transcripts
A lot of students forget to submit transcripts from ALL of the colleges and universities that they attended! There are a few tricky ways that this can happen... so read on! This means that each and every schools Registrar's Office needs to mail a copy of your transcripts directly from their office to AADSAS. Keep in mind that a mistake that some students make is that they assume that since coursework from one college appears on the transcript of another college, that all they have to do is send in the one transcript. Don't make this mistake! Make sure to have EACH college send in their own transcript even if your coursework appears on another transcript somewhere else.

7. Fly in a day early for your interviews
Be refreshed, be prepared, and be on time. The best way to do this is to arrive the day before your interview in the correct city and stay the night. Usually dental schools give advice to their applicants invited as to which hotels to stay in and what discount they can receive. Some people make the mistake of flying in an hour or 2 before their interview starts. Things happen, flights can be delayed, there can be traffic issues, etc. Fly in the night before, and maximize your chances!

8. Enter your courses properly
Take the time to double-check everything before you submit. AADSAS staff actually go over everything that you've submitted in terms of coursework to calculate your GPA's. If any discrepancies are noted, your application will definitely be delayed, and this is something that you don't want! Remember, early applications = better chances of admission, and as such, delays are bad! Be sure to include EVERY single course you have ever taken in college or university!

9. Keep in mind that it takes a while... and a few dates to know
AADSAS takes 1-2 months to process applications, so you may start getting antsy early on. If you've applied early, sit back and relax. Now you don't want to harass AADSAS staff either, but you should certainly call in and make sure everything is in order if you feel something isn't going the way you want it to. This is where the problems can occur, as AADSAS can take a while before notifying you that your application has been delayed. Make sure to read the instructions and submit everything accurately to prevent delays. AADSAS usually forwards the first batch of applications to dental schools in June. Be sure to be in this first batch by applying the first day! Also note that dental schools SEND OUT ACCEPTANCES as early as December 1st! Some even send them out earlier! This is why it's crucial to apply early :)

10. Letters of reference...
As of 2008, AADSAS only accepts 4 letters of reference from your evaluators. We suggest getting 3 from pure science professors, and 1 from a practicing dentist to meet requirements of application at most dental schools. Make sure they will be written by people who somewhat know you and like you! There's a lot of people out there who don't know what their evaluators wrote, and get screwed over because they actually weren't positive letters!

Last but not least... submit!
While we're all excited about finishing the application, some of us may forget to click that submit button. It happens. CLICK SUBMIT as soon as you're ready!

Good luck, everyone here at Top10Nation are here to help with any of your questions! Email us at toptennation@hotmail.com.

Top 10: Ways to Save Money As A Dental Student

Dental school is a pricey proposition, and not many dental students are independently rich by any means. How can dental students save money throughout their four year journey? Go on and have a read, you might find something that can help you pinch those pennies! Most of everyone knows the basic ways of saving money, so here we're not going to give you the common ways of saving money, we're going to focus on ways that specifically dental students can use!

Top 10 Ways To Be Frugal As A Dental Student

1. Find roommates
Especially in larger and more expensive cities, finding roommates can save you a lot of cash over time. Not only do you split the rent, but you would also split the utilities, Internet, and other items that can all add up. In an ideal situation, fellow classmates should be roommates! The benefits are enormous. Not only do you save money, but fellow classmates can help you get up on time, help provide social support throughout those exam weeks, and much more. Since your schedules would correlate, they would be quiet during study crunch times, and they would be available to party when there isn't an exam in sight for some time to come! So how much money can this save you? A lot! I live in Boston, where rents can exceed $1000/month for studios, and I only pay $400/month, with 2 other roommates!

2. Scholarships, grants, free money
Find those websites, contact your Financial Aid office at your dental school, sign up, and apply as much as you can, to as many scholarships as you can! There is a lot of free money for dental students out there, and the more you apply, the more money you can get. It may be daunting to have to write essays for applications, but you have to have the tenacity to do it! Money for dental school is critical, especially since the tuition is so pricey, so don't let an essay or two get in your way. You should have enough training under your belt (from that year of English you took in college) to whip through these!

3. eBooks vs. paper textbooks
Although eBooks or digital textbooks are a popular option for dental students, we recommend buying paper textbooks, especially if your dental school forces you to buy textbooks. Most students never end up using textbooks, so paper textbooks can be re-sold at your will! eBooks like VitalSource, which a lot of dental schools are starting to offer are comparatively much more pricey because they can't be sold off to other students who want to get their hands on a textbook or two that you have! If your school doesn't force you to buy textbooks, that's all the better! Only buy what you need, and sell off textbooks quickly after you're done with them. You can try eBay and Amazon if you are having a hard time liquidating textbooks to other incoming students at your school. READ OUR WARNING about VitalSource and why you should not buy their digital textbooks.

4. Live as close as possible to school
This is an indirect way of saving a lot of money over time. If you are able to walk to school, you can save money on transportation costs right off of the bat. The other thing is, as a dental student, you quickly become busy on a daily basis, and a lot of dental students tend not to 'brown bag' their lunches after a while. Most try to at first, but time catches up to them, and most dental students who don't go home for lunch, tend to start buying lunches from the cafeteria everyday. This adds up! Being able to quickly walk home for lunch solves this bad habit of not packing your lunch. If you can walk home, make lunch, eat it, and head back to school after lunch on time, this is ideal! On top of that, you have an inherent advantage in other aspects, such as being able to collect forgotten instruments/documents at home, or being able to go and practice at school more frequently due to ready and convenient access.

5. Find a job? Earn some cash? Do it like only a dental student can!
It's hard to work and attend dental school at the same time, especially if you're trying to achieve good grades and plan to chase your dreams of specialization. You can earn money doing other things, such as participating in research studies at your dental school, or pawning off any gold crowns you've come across in your Oral Surgery rotations (with gold prices skyrocketing, this is totally a viable way to make cash - you should earn about $20 per pennyweight, or you're getting ripped off). Other ways to make money include working as a dental hygienist in your 3rd and 4th years. Consult your state dental legislation to see how to qualify. In some Northeastern states, a dental student simply needs to pass the periodontics section of the NERB exam to qualify to register as a dental hygienist. This can be done in 3rd year! Please leave comments below if you have other unique ways a dental student can save or earn money!

6. Cook your own food, most of the time...
It isn't as hard as it sounds, especially coming from me, a dental student who never had ANY cooking skills even a week before I started dental school. Use recipes online, or just stick to the basics. Easy meals include making pasta sauce by adding meat and other veggies, and then just adding it to the pasta of your choice. Stir-fries are simple and easy alongside rice. Sandwiches, oatmeal, cereal, yogurt, fruit, and salads are instant snacks that can keep you full all day. I highly recommend getting a George Foreman grill. You can make fish, pork chops, chicken breasts, and more quite easily! You can try a variety of marinades and sauces, and adding different veggies into your meals. This can be healthier than eating out all the time, and will save you a lot of money!

7. Partying, frugal style
I am notorious for being the cheap person who never buys drinks. I drink before leaving, and I carry a flask if I can! Drinks at bars and restaurants can add up quicker than some people imagine. On top of that, I don't go out to those fancy dental school sponsored gala's that can cost up to $60 for dinner and dancing. In fact, I rarely go out to places that even charge cover! Being frugal doesn't necessarily mean being totally anti-social. Most of everyone who go to dental school sponsored gala's and dinners end up at bars afterwards, and you can just join them there. Clubs and groups at dental schools usually have free entrance events regularly, and those are the best ones to attend!

8. Carry your student ID
Try to find places that accept your student ID for discounts. It's like a permanent coupon at some places around your campus, so this can be really useful for those days that you do decide to eat out!

9. Jump on piecework opportunities at your dental school
Dental schools occasionally need temporary workers to help administer large exams like the NERB or WREB, or to host large events like CE seminars and symposiums. These usually last for a day or two, and they pay you a set amount. It usually works as a first-come first-hired basis, so make sure to jump on these opportunities!

10. Attend as many Grand Rounds or Lunch and Learns as you can
Dental schools often have days where you are invited to attend a lecture or talk during lunch time or dinner time, and meals are served as a part of these talks. Even if you aren't interested in what is being said, go and eat for free! It might be rude, but if you're seriously not interested in what is being said, take your laptop and play some games or something while eating, but you might as well take advantage. Who knows, you might actually learn something while you're at it!

Have fun coming up with wild and wacky ways to save money in dental school! I know that my roommates/classmates and myself totally go out on a limb sometimes and do relatively weird things to save a buck or two! Let's hear what you've got to say, leave a comment with your tips to save $$$!

Top 10: Ways To Know If Dentistry Is Right For You

Dentistry is a profession which is difficult to comprehend for someone who may have had little exposure. Even for someone who has experience with dentistry, they will tell you that there is a great variation in the way each dentist or practitioner practices dentistry. There are many methods, and many products or instruments to accomplish the same task. So how do you know if dentistry is the right profession for you?

Top 10 Things To Do That Can Help You Determine If The Dental Profession Is A Right Choice For You

1. Shadow a dentist
Ask your dentist or a dentist in your area if you can observe them while at work. Keep in mind that there are many styles of dentistry practiced out there, so try to shadow a few dentists. Some dentists may have staff or patient interaction issues, while others may have a much more pleasant interaction with their staff and patients. Some may focus their efforts on a few fields within dentistry like endodontics (root canals) and orthodontics, while others may perform a little bit of everything. Most dentists are quite willing to have someone observe them. Just be polite and keep in mind that some patients may be unwilling to have an observer in the operatory, so you may have to step out for these patients.

2. Read up on dentistry
Dentistry is a rapidly changing profession, but the basics have remained the same for hundreds of years. Oral health is the basis for dentistry, and placing restorations and maintenance of oral health by performing necessary procedures and providing necessary advice/instruction is the bread and butter of this profession. Technology is integrated into this field as it becomes available. As a dental student, I see that there is a huge divide between what is taught in dental school, and what performing dentistry is actually like once you graduate. These are all points that you have to take into consideration while deciding your future. Dentistry isn't only performing clinical procedures either... it requires being a leader, a business manager, an HR coordinator, and much more rolled into one package. One of the primary ways you will get insight into what is required to succeed as a dentist is to read up on this profession.

3. Visit a dental laboratory
Dental labs are places where you will see all of the hard work performed by dental lab technicians. Dentures and crowns are processed here as well as much more. Keep in mind that you will have to perform some of this difficult lab work while in dental school, although clearly, once in practice, you will rely more on the dental labs to assist you in treating your patients. Dentistry isn't just about what you see in the dental office, and visiting a dental lab can help you experience all of the work required of the "dental team" that operates in the background. Quality is important. Find a dental lab that is recommended by a few dentists in your area before you decide to go in and observe.

4. Visit a school of dentistry
Schools of dentistry and dental medicine are more than happy to show young and interested students around. Potential candidates can usually go on tours and see students in action. If you plan to pursue dentistry, you might as well get a flavor of what will be expected of you in the future! Ask the faculty and the students questions of what they think about dentistry, and take every one's opinions and ideas seriously, as they can all give you a different perspective about the multi factorial nature of dentistry.

5. Join a pre-dental student club
I specifically recommend ASDA pre-dental clubs. These clubs sometimes have people come in and talk about their careers. They can answer your questions as well. You can talk to like-minded club members about what they have learned, and why they are interested in dentistry as well. All of this information can help you obtain your objective of discovering whether or not dentistry is right for you.

6. Talk to a Health Professions Advisor
Some universities have health professions advisors available that can assist you with obtaining information about dentistry and can help you reach a decision. Some advisors may not be as enthusiastic about dentistry as you would hope, so doing your own research may be just as helpful! Talking to an advisor can't hurt though, so if there is one available to you, take advantage.

7. Prioritize what you want in a career
Some people are looking for financial stability and others want a relaxed lifestyle. Some people are excited to deal with people, and others may be more happy to work with technology. Do you want to be your own boss? It requires a lot of work. Would you like to manage people? Dentistry requires a lot of attention to detail and fine motor skills and developed hand movements. Do you like working with your hands? Are you more interested in a certain aspect of medicine? Prioritizing and listing what things you want in a career can help you decide whether or not you would be more happy as an emergency room doctor or as a dentist or whatever it may be!

8. Compare
Once you have your prioritized list what what you want in a career... compare professions! Shadow all of the professions that you may be interested in. You may decide on something completely different at the end of your discovery process! Read up on multiple careers, and ask questions. Comparing and weighing what you are looking for can certainly help you decide if dentistry is the right choice for you!

9. Think
Are you committed to life-long learning? Are you committed to working hard for an extended period of time? Are you ready to deal with frustration surrounding a completely different way of being scrutinized? This is what dentistry is all about. Pre-dental students are used to multiple choice exams. There are plenty of those in dental school as well, but with the added stress of clinical exams. Most anyone can develop hand skills, but it requires many hours of practice. Most days in dental school require you to be there from 8am to 5pm. Staying after classes to practice is needed for most students to pass their clinical exams. Are you ready and willing to do what it takes?

10. Be sure of dentistry if you decide to apply
I wanted to add this small comment at the end of this list for those readers possibly interested in dentistry but have some doubts in their minds. Some students decide to pursue dentistry for superficial reasons, and they do not do enough research before they apply, get accepted, and enter dental school. These people are unhappy and eventually leave dental school or live an unhappy life. Dental school is expensive, so once you enter, it's a huge commitment. There are many ways to make money in life, and dentistry is not the end-all-be-all that some people may expect. Dentistry is a profession which is suited for people who actually enjoy assisting people with improving their oral health. If you aren't committed, it will certainly bear down on you. For those of you who know that this is what you want, go for it, you'll be happy with the choice you have made! Dentistry is a great profession!

I hope this helps, and as always, feel free to leave a comment, or email in a question for a private answer (toptennation@hotmail.com).

Top 10: Things That Canadians Want to Know When Applying to Dental School in the US

Students from Canada attempting to gain admission to dental schools in the United States may be confused with what is required of them, and whether or not they should decide to pursue this route. We are here to help with this information, because Canadian students are increasingly running an uphill battle to gain admission to Canadian dental schools with admission averages hovering anywhere between 3.6 to 3.9. The United States offers many more dental schools to choose from.

Top 10 Things That Canadian Applicants Want to Know About Attending Dental School in the US

1. Equivalency
By a reciprocal agreement, programs that are accredited by the American Dental Association are recognized by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of Canada. Note that persons attending dental schools in the US and who intend to practice in Canada, should carefully investigate the requirements of the licensing jurisdiction where they wish to practice. Canadian students studying dentistry in the US should know that they are required to write the Canadian NDBE (Board Exams) to qualify to practice in Canada. Additionally, provinces in Canada generally require a jurisprudence exam before a dentist is licenced to practice in that respective province. Please check the requirements for your province before pursuing this route. Keep in mind that Canadian dental students write the exact same examinations regardless, as they need to qualify in the exact same manner.

2. DAT Exam
Canadian students can be relieved to know that most Canadian-friendly US dental schools accept the Canadian DAT examination. Also keep in mind that because the US DAT does not have a soap carving section, most US dental schools tend to overlook this section, even if you have a failing score in this section. There are some US dental schools that don't accept the Canadian DAT, in which case, Canadian students can easily write the US DAT at any Prometric Centre in Canada during any available day. Unlike the Canadian DAT, the US DAT can be written pretty much anytime. Generally, writing the US DAT for successful Canadian applicants to the US is NOT required.

3. Canadian-friendly US dental schools
Which US dental schools are Canadian-friendly, and what do we mean by this? Dental schools, like any other professional schools sometimes have quotas as to how many international applicants they can accept. Most state-sponsored dental schools heavily favor in-state applicants only and don't accept international students from Canada. So which US dental schools are the best bet for Canadian applicants? Mostly the large private dental schools. This is because private dental schools generally don't care where their students come from. They are not state-sponsored, so they have no requirements as to how many in-state applicants they need to accept. Top 10 Nation recommends applying to the following US dental schools for Canadian applicants IN THIS PRIORITY ORDER: Boston University, New York University, Tufts University, University of the Pacific, Temple University, University of Detroit Mercy, and Case Western Reserve University. There may be other schools that accept large numbers of Canadians, and we will update this list as required. Western University has not been verified but potentially accepts many Canadians as well. The downside to applying to private dental schools? The cost. We request that any Canadian dental students currently studying in the US contact us or leave a comment to verify and update this information. We appreciate everyone's input in this matter.

4. Semester hour credits
Some Canadian undergraduate universities calculate their credit systems for every course a bit oddly and when you end up converting to the US system, some students end up having 0.5 or 1 credit less than required for any given course. This can be problematic when it involves pre-requisite courses. This is a difficult topic to clarify, and this would require a personalized list for every university in Canada, so our goal here is just to bring this to your attention before it hits you as a surprise. If all of this doesn't make sense, take a look at the AADSAS website and figure out how to calculate your school's credit system to the AADSAS method.

5. F-1 Visa eligibility
Canadian students sometimes wonder how the Visa process works when attending dental school in the US. In a post-9/11 world, this is becoming increasingly a concern for everyone who constantly needs to cross the Canadian-US border. Rest assured though that most Canadian dental students in the US have no issues. Dental schools generally handle the bulk of the work required on your behalf and assist you with obtaining your Visa. Generally, a sponsor letter is required from your parents stating that they will financially support your endeavor. Additionally, a letter may be required proving that you have the financial means to afford dental school in the US. The easiest way to do this is to obtain the minimum required funds as stated, place these funds into a bank account, and to obtain a letter from the bank stating the balance.
*UPDATE:* Canadian students attending US schools under a F-1 Visa may be subjected to fingerprinting (all 10 fingerprints), and laptop searches. There has been no instances of this to our knowledge involving dental students, however, news reports reveal this to be up and coming.

6. Obtaining necessities in the US
A bank account, a cell phone, and other necessities are sometimes difficult to obtain when you are new to a foreign country. Although Canada and the US are very similar, not having a SSN or Social Security Number can cause issues while trying to obtain bank accounts and cell phones and similar necessities. The solution? Talk to the International Students Office at the dental school you eventually decide to attend. They can assist you with finding companies that are willing to help international students obtain the products they need, without all the hassle required with most companies.

7. Employment?
Thinking about working during dental school to help you pay those hefty private tuition costs? Again, refer to the International Students Office, as they can help you acquire a SSN and a job. Laws may require that you can only work at an on-campus location. Keep in mind though that the large majority of dental students are too busy to work while attending dental school, especially if they are pursuing higher grades for possible post-graduate residency spots.

8. Pre-professional committee reference letter
Certain US dental schools will state that they require a letter from a committee that deals with pre-dental or pre-medical students. Canadian universities tend not to have these committees. Don't fret. A lot of colleges in the US don't have these either. Simply substitute this requirement with a reference letter from a pure-science professor. Dental schools are aware that some undergraduate colleges don't have these committees.

9. Prestige
This issue derives from some Canadian students feel that going to the US for dental school is problematic as people in Canada may assume that international or US-trained dentists are inferior to Canadian-trained dentists. Some students can also feel that going to the US for dental school is for those students who couldn't make it into a Canadian dental school. This is a huge myth perpetuated by a competitive undergraduate culture in Canadian universities by students who don't know any better. US dental schools may be more costly, but are excellent schools and in general, the Canadian population does not care which dental school you went to, as long as you are qualified to practice dentistry. In fact, Canadian patients may prefer US-trained dentists, and certainly, a US dental training background can be a source of conversation into the future. Expect world-class education in the US that is respected world-wide.

10. Culture shock?
Not really... a lot of students wonder if studying in the US is all that different from Canada, and the answer is 'not really.' US schools have more of a sports-oriented culture with a focus on football instead of ice hockey, and a tremendous focus on fraternities and sororities in comparison to Canada. Canadians may initially find that interactions with the public in the US are slightly different. Generally it may seem as if people are not as polite and that people are in more of a rush. It's not a big deal, you'll get acclimated in no time. Just make sure to bring some Tim Horton's coffee beans or something with you, although certain northern states like Ohio do have a Timmy's here and there.

Good luck to you Canadians, eh?

Top 10: Easiest US Dental Schools to Get Into for International or Foreign Trained Dentists (admissions)

THIS LIST IS SPECIFICALLY FOR INTERNATIONAL DENTAL PROGRAMS (IDP's) or ADVANCED STANDING PROGRAMS (AS). First off, it should be made clear that no dental school is easy to gain admission into. This ranking is about the easier dental schools that international students worried about admission should aim to include on their application lists. For graduates of accredited undergraduate universities applying to 4-year DDS or DMD programs, see our 'Easiest US Dental Schools to Get Into' post. Information provided here is approximate (but as accurate as possible) and is updated as required. Thank you for turning to Top 10 Nation for this important information. International or foreign-trained dentists, especially from areas such as India, Korea, Latin America, and the Middle East are looking for the easiest dental schools in the United States to apply to. Which schools have the easiest path to acceptance and admission for these already-trained dentists? Keep reading...

Top 10 Best Dental Schools to Apply To For Foreign or Internationally Trained Dentists as of 2008

1. New York University College of Dentistry Advanced Placement DDS Program (NYU Dental)

With approximately 125 seats for Advanced Placement students, this large program is the leading favorite for international students. The biggest disadvantage to this program is that it is a THREE YEAR PROGRAM.

Minimum's for Application: NBDE Part I: Pass (Average 87), TOEFL: 230.

Advantages: Easy admission, large Advanced Placement class means many peers to work with, state-of-the-art clinical facilities.

Disadvantages: 3-year program makes it a year longer than most other programs, highest tuition/fees at $66,746/year, with the added relatively high cost of living in New York City ($31,351/year).

2. Boston University Goldman School of Dental Medicine Advanced Standing Program (BU Dental)
Definitely the best (easiest) choice for international dentists seeking a two-year program in the United States. With approximately 65 seats available, many students are interviewed and accepted. Read our Top 10 Reasons to attend BU Dental.

Minimum's for Application: NBDE Part I: 85 or higher, TOEFL: 250 or higher.
Advantages: Relatively easy admission for a large 2-year program, large Advanced Standing class means many peers to work with, relatively more affordable tuition, student-friendly environment, supportive faculty.
Disadvantages: Still has a high tuition/fees at $64,511/year (cost of living expenses not available), clinical facilities are lacking with more chairs for students required.

3. University of Pennsylvania, School of Dental Medicine Program for Advanced Standing Students (UPenn)
Ranked as our Top 7th Best Dental School in the US or Canada. This top-tier school has 26 seats available for foreign trained dentists.
Minimum's for Application: NBDE Part I: 85 or higher (average 89), TOEFL: 220 or higher, GPA: 3.0+.
Advantages: Top-tier school ranked at #7 across the country, 2-year program.
Disadvantages: Still has a high cost at approximately $83,000/year for fees and living expenses, clinical facilities are lacking, although a new clinical facility did open in 2002.

4. University of Southern California, School of Dentistry Advanced Standing Program (USC Dental)
This 32-seat program offers a relatively large number of seats and Southern California weather. Qualified applicants will be required to attend an on-campus technical exam and written exam.
Minimum's for Application: NBDE Part I: Pass, TOEFL: 250 or higher.
Advantages: 2-year program, strong clinical emphasis.
Disadvantages: Problem-based learning cirriculum means no structured classes, with an emphasis on 'self-learning,' high-crime location, tuition and living expneses cost in the range of $95,000/year.

5. University of California, San Francisco, School of Dentistry International Dentist Program (UCSF Dental)

This program admits 24 foreign trained dentists as students each year. Tuition alone for this school is approx. $16,000/quarterly or $64,000/year. Living expenses are not available. Qualified applicants will be required to attend an on-campus technical exam and written exam.

Minimum's for Application: NBDE Part I: 83 or higher, TOEFL: 240 or higher.
Advantages: 2-year program, decent clinical exposure, California climate.
Disadvantages: High cost of living, may be difficult to acquire patients.

6. University of Illinois at Chicago, College of Dentistry International Dentist Degree Program (UIC Dental)

Note that Visa students are not accepted for this 24-seat program, residency is a requirement. Minimum's for Application: NBDE Part I: Pass, TOEFL: 213 or higher.
Advantages: 2-year program, relatively easy acceptance for residents or citizens of the US.
Disadvantages: Total tuition costs are in the range of $83,000/year.

7. University of the Pacific Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry International Dental Studies (UoP Dental)

This 22-seat program offers an exciting program in the warm sunny weather of California. Read our Top 10 Reasons to attend UoP Dental.
Minimum's for Application: NBDE Part I: 80 or higher, TOEFL: 237 or higher.
Advantages: 2-year program, strong clinical emphasis, friendly faculty environment.
Disadvantages: Total tuition costs are in the range of $90,000/year, with living costs in the range of $25,000/year making this one of the most expensive IDP schools.

8. Loma Linda University, School of Dentistry, International Dentist Program (LLU Dental)
This 16-seat program is at a Christian-based university.
Minimum's for Application: NBDE Part I: 81, Part II: 79, TOEFL: 213 or higher.
Advantages: 2-year program, total tuition costs around $50,000/year, large patient availability.
Disadvantages: Seventh-day Adventist (Christian religious) ideals are integrated into the cirriculum.

9. University of Pittsburgh, School of Dental Medicine International Advanced Standing Program (UPitt Dental)
This 10-seat program is at an overall high-ranking university. This school requires a bench testing pre-clinical exercise as a part of it's admission process.
Minimum's for Application: NBDE Part I: Pass, Part II: Pass, TOEFL: 250 or higher.
Advantages: 2-year program, generally regarded as a higher-end school.

Disadvantages: Total tuition costs around $73,000/year.

10. Tufts University, School of Dental Medicine Dental International Student Program (Tufts Dental)
This 14-seat program offers exciting courses in fields such as implantology.
Minimum's for Application: NBDE Part I: 90, Part II: 85, TOEFL: 233 or higher.
Advantages: 2.3-year program, generally regarded as a higher-end school in terms of clinical and research exposure.
Disadvantages: Is at the bottom of this list, and is generally harder to gain admission into. Generally in the range of $80,000/yearly, note that the additional 0.3 years adds an additional $40,000/year cost.

All of this information was correct at the time of posting, however, this information changes constantly. If you notice something that is incorrect, please leave a comment! Good luck from all of us at Top 10 Nation.

Top 10: Classes or Courses That You Can Take That Can Prepare You For Success in Dental School

There are a lot of students out there who (for a lack of better things to do) want to know how they can prepare for success in dental school. If you want my advice, I suggest relaxing before dental school and forgetting about taking classes to prepare yourself. You'll have plenty of time to study in dental school and not enough time to relax. Regardless, you may want to know about which courses that you can take that will help you succeed in dental school. Please note that I am aware that a lot of these classes are probably pre-requisites for admission to dental school. This Top 10 List refers to upper-level courses that are considered electives in terms of gaining admission.

Top 10 Undergraduate Classes or Courses That Will Be Helpful in Dental School

1. Microbiology and Virology
Gram positive or Gram negative. Cocci or rods. Encapsulated or naked. Biomedical sciences are heavy in dental school and knowing your microbes and viruses as well as fungi beforehand can help you get an edge in dental school. You will likely have to take a microbiology course in your first year of dental school, but it doesn't end there. The US NBDE Part 1 examines this subject. Periodontology continues to demand this knowledge throughout your clinical years as well. Pathology will also push you to learn more about microbes and infectious organisms. Knowing your microbiology and virology will help you succeed.

2. Human Anatomy (Emphasis on neuroanatomy)
Dental students, like medical students, must learn neuroanatomy. Dental students have the added stress of focusing on the nerves of the neck and head - one of the most complex areas of the human body. Knowing your cranial nerves I-XII and your spinal tracts beforehand will help you be prepared for the onslaught dental school will throw your way. Most schools also have a cadaver lab. Being able to recognize anatomical structures on an actual human specimen will help you gain a greater knowledge of what to expect in dental school.

3. Biomedical Latin and Greek
This is something I am very glad that I took in undergrad. Biological sciences comprises of an almost seperate language in and of itself. This even helped me for the US NBDE Part I. Half of knowing the subject is knowing what the words mean, and this chore becomes much easier to accomplish if you have an understanding of why certain words are used to describe biological phenomena. It's much easier to break down components of latin and greek terms instead of memorizing large words. Thrombocytopenia? It's just another word to study and memorize if you don't know basic latin. If you know basic latin, you don't even need to bother looking this word up... you already know what this condition is!

4. Biochemistry
Knowing metabolism, DNA, RNA, and other regulated processes in the body are crucial to your success in dental school. If you don't know what the Kreb Cycle, or the Cori Cycle, or the Urea Cycle or the Pentose Phosphate pathway is, you should probably take some advanced biochemistry courses. This course takes a lot of memorizing to get by... might as well get started now if you don't have anything better to do.

5. Cell Biology
For obvious reasons. The human body comprises of cells, and healthcare professionals need to know cells and their signalling methods and processes very well. A large number of subjects relate to this including pathology and pharmacology in dental school.

6. Physiology
Physiology is one of the more difficult courses, at least it is at the dental school I went to. It's a subject that sort of links everything you know (and will learn) to how things physically operate in the human body. It's also a subject that is tested on the NBDE Part 1.

7. Pathology (Oral Pathology if possible)
I'm not sure how many undergraduate courses are available on pathology, but there might be a few universities out there that offer it. If this is offered, you should definitely try taking it. This is one of the toughest subjects that you will encounter in dental school. Any prior exposure to this subject will definitely help!

8. Endocrinology
The hormones that signal processes in the human body are important to know, especially because they can have implications upon the oral cavity. As a future dentist, you would probably want to know how things like how pregnancy induced gingival conditions occur. This subject is covered in dental school, but again, if you take this class, it will be easier to swallow in dental school as it is presented to you again!

9. Introduction to Business*
I included the last 2 of this Top 10 List as a special category. Knowing how a business operates is especially important for dentists because eventually, most dentists open a practice. Business fundamentals are not covered thoroughly in dental school and dental students clamour to take any available business or practice managment elective education they can get their hands on. Do yourself a favor and take this class while you have the oppurtunity to do so.

10. Introduction to Accounting*
Accounting essentially relates to the business side of dentistry again. Although business and accounting won't help you succeed in dental school, they will definitely help you succeed as dentists! Consider taking this course as a foundation of knowledge that you can fall back on as you might decide to open your own practice (small business) one day!

Top 10: Ways or Methods on HOW To Do Well on the DAT

Inquiring minds want to know about what methods lead to good results on the DAT!
The DAT is a comprehensive exam and covers a lot of material. You may feel lost or confused as you begin to look at the breadth of the information examined. How do you start? What is the best way of going about it? Please note that the DAT is relatively easy to pass. Passing is not the goal of this examination, you must do relatively well on this exam to be considered for admission to dental schools in the US and Canada. What kind of a score are you aiming for? I would suggest at least a 20 or more in each section should be your goal. Canadian readers should note that the Canadian DAT does not include an organic chemistry section but does include a soap carving manual dexterity section. The soap carving will be covered under the last point on this list as a special category.

Top 10 Methods on How You Can Do Well on the DAT Examination and Score High

1. Get your bearings straight
This exam is NOT DIFFICULT. Keep in mind that for most pre-dental students, this exam is simply a review of what you have already learned. In fact, for most biology majors, the exams you encountered in class are much more difficult than the questions you will encounter on the DAT. Start by doing some old exam questions. You can find these in a multitude of places - try doing a simple Google search (feel free to use the Google search provided on this site above). A quick search will yield a few sites that can provide you with samples of the types of questions asked. If you feel lost at this point, be prepared to study a bit harder. Keep in mind that dental schools have pre-requisite courses, and these courses are the foundation for this exam. Just as an aside, you should try to study in the range of at at least 1-2 months or more for this exam. Keep yourself organized, and write down your goals as you go along...

2. Kaplan DAT Blue Book
The infamous Kaplan blue book for the DAT. Purchase it and use it. Personally, this book was the ONLY STUDY MATERIAL THAT I USED (I am a dental student, I achieved about an average of 23 per section, my lowest score was in the perceptual ability test in which I scored a 19). I borrowed mine from a friend who already took the exam. It was a few years old and it did not matter at all that it was an older book. Don't get me wrong, stick to a recent version of this study book, but don't be so concerned that you feel that you have to go out and get the most recent version to get a solid score. If you are a strong student, read this book once and you should get in the range of 18-20 per section. Read it twice and you should do really well. If you are the type of person who requires more studying time than your peers, you may want to consider some of the other options presented in this Top 10 list as well. I am not in any way affiliated to Kaplan. I simply know this book to be the best resource available for people who want to study the least amount of time and have the highest score.

2. Get access to the Kaplan DAT Quiz Bank
I never did this myself, however, I have friends who got access to the quiz bank available through Kaplan and have highly recommended it. What's the point? The strength of this quiz bank lies in the sample chemistry questions. Organic chemistry and inorganic chemistry isn't fun and the best way to do well in these sections is to do lots of questions and to get a sense of what is going on.

3. Realize that time is a factor
For most exams you might have encountered up to this point, time may have not been a factor. For the DAT, it can be a problem. Do your research! Read the DAT Examinee Guide provided by the ADA. Each section is timed, and you may run out of time easily. Learn to manage your time and answer questions not only accurately, but quickly.

4. Barron's DAT Book
I have not used this book myself, but again, insiders recommend this book strongly for the PAT section. The PAT section requires a certain specialized knowledge that one can obtain by practicing constantly. This book gives you the BEST EDGE that you can get for the perceptual ability test section of the DAT. Please note that due to some biomedical or hormonal, or unknown reason, females tend to do poorer on this section than males. I am a strong proponent of getting more females into dental school :) Females should strongly look into getting their hands on this book to improve their PAT section scores.

5. Do NOT take a DAT tutoring course
Well, unless you seriously have no motivation on your own. In which case, you should reconsider your choice to go on into dental school anyways. If you need a tutoring course that bad, then keep in mind that dental school will likely be the hardest thing you will encounter in your life. You won't have the chance to get tutoring to make your way through dental school. So save your money and dig that motivation out of that cave now, because this is just the beginning. You should not need to take any expensive tutoring courses to do well on this examination. For the rest of you who still think this is bad advice... if you have money to waste, and if you like the structure of a classroom to motivate you, a DAT course won't hurt, so go for it!

6. Join a pre-dental society
Pre-dental student clubs or associations at your school may be holding mock DAT exams. These mock exams can help you prepare for the exam day by letting you experience first-hand what it feels like to be examined for so long. These are better than setting exams up yourself because you don't have the option of 'cheating' and taking quick breaks here and there! Top 10 Nation personally recommends local pre-dental ASDA (American Student Dental Association) chapters for pre-dental students who are looking for support.

7. Set up mock exams for yourself
The same reasoning applies here, especially if you don't have the oppurtunity to join a pre-dental student society. A few mock exams interspersed into your study schedule can help you greatly. This is especially important for those students who may tend to get anxious during exams. Do yourself a favor and don't take breaks when you are not supposed to.

8. Take the optional break
There is an optional break somewhere in the middle of the exam. Take this optional break, even if you think you don't need to. Just relax and maybe have a bite to eat. It will give your brain a chance to rest, and a small bite can refuel your body and mind. Some people tend to skip this break, but my advice is to take the break to its fullest extent. Also be sure to take a sweater with you as the testing room may be chilly.

9. Realize that it is hard to study for Reading Comprehension
It's practically pointless to study for this. If you struggle with this section in mock test scenarios, consider completing more English courses before you take the DAT. Actually I don't really know what else to suggest when it comes to this part. It takes a long time to develop these skills, not a short stint reading some book full of hints. English, biomedical terminology, and vocabulary skills may help to improve your performance on this section of the DAT.

10. *For Canadian DAT takers only * Practice carving by purchasing soap and equipment from the CDA
Purchase the soap and knife directly from the CDA. This will be the same soap that you will get during the DAT. Use only the recommended sharpie to mark up the soap, as this is the only writing tool that you may use during the exam. Purchase any DAT carving study book to help you get through this section. Any relevant study book will help show you techniques to mark up and carve the soap. Keep in mind that courses are sometimes offered to help with this section, I suggest them especially if you think that this section may pose difficulty for you. Practice makes perfect, and hardly anyone is perfect at first. Also stay on top of rules governing this section, as I am aware that certain aspects such as the permission to wear latex or nitrile gloves during this examination section may change.

There you have it! With this advice, and your good head on your shoulders, you shouldn't need any good luck, but here it is anyways... Good luck from everyone at Top 10 Nation!

Top 10: Best Things To Do If You Didn't Get Accepted by Dental School This Year

Stuff happens. You didn't get that admission letter you were hoping for. Most likely because you applied late right? Let your worries fade away and let the strength in you shine, because it's time you got to work! First thing is first, just make sure you apply early next time. What can you do during your year now? Here we go, the Top 10 best things to do if you did not get accepted by dental school this time around:

Top 10 Things To Do If You Did Not Get In This Year To Dental School

1. Analyze your situation
You probably know why you didn't get in. It's sad but true. Since you know your weakness, try to improve it! If you seriously don't know why you didn't get the admissions acceptance letter this year... well it's your lucky day, just read the rest of this Top 10 List.

2. Re-write your admissions exam
That's right, re-write that DAT examination. It's a pain in the behind, I know... but it's the best thing you can do. An even better score can help you clinch that spot next year in a jiffy. Great scores will wow AdComs and they will drool over you instead of passing you over. I have a personal friend that did this... he had 23's across the board on the DAT the first time he applied and got rejected (which are already impressive scores). He simply re-wrote... achieved even more impressive 26's across the board, and had mulitple offers of admission the second time around. See our post on how to do well on the DAT if this applies to you!

3. Continue on into a Masters program
I am assuming that you completed a Bachelors program before you applied. If you didn't even finish a Bachelors, do that first. If you did, maybe consider a Masters. Most of them require at least 2 years more, and a research project. It's tough, but worth it, especially if you can do well and get A's. Our insiders hint to you? There are 1-year Masters programs at certain universities that are lecture based only. This will avoid you the torture of research, and allow you to finish your Masters within the one year that you would have been idling anyways. Do your research and try to find one of these 1-year Masters programs! A lot of universities in the US offer programs like "GMS" or a Masters in Graduate Medical Sciences. These are ideal for people in your position!

4. Find a job in your intended field
You're interested in dentistry, so the ideal job for you would be a dental laboratory technician. These types of positions are often hired for without any experience, and training is provided. Perhaps consider working in a dental clinic as an auxiliary. Not only will you be clinically more competent and faster than your classmates once you get into dental school... the getting in part will be that much easier!

5. Volunteer in your intended field
Naturally, this is similar to finding a job in your intended field, but you don't get paid for it. Usually, the involvement is of a lesser degree as well. In terms of patient contact, this is usually something in which you superfically deal with patients, and less directly than a person employed. This is usually due to liability reasons, and as such, finding a job can be more helpful than simply volunteering. Don't get me wrong though, volunteering is something that definitely enhances your application the second time around.

6. Contact the schools you applied to
After the admissions cycle is over for the year, you can contact the schools you applied to, explain your situation, and ask for their advice. Some schools are often willing to let you know how you can improve your application. Certain schools look for specific things which you can accomplish easily! This is a no-brainer especially if you are really pushing for one specific school such as your local one! Just keep in mind that you should act professionally and cordially. The person you end up contacting may remember you, and if you asked questions in a positive and friendly manner, this may actually help you in your re-application process.

7. Pursue research positions within your undergraduate school
This may seem tough especially if you have already graduated with a Bachelors degree. It isn't tough at all though. If push comes to shove, you can go from lab to lab and ask to volunteer! Professors are always looking for lackeys that they can utilize to perform menial tasks. If you can obtain a proper research position in a laboratory, all the better! Although you may hate research like I did, it's well worth that effort when you see that acceptance letter the second time you apply.

8. Contact your local pre-dental student society
Chapters of various pre-dental student societies and associations exist in almost all undergraduate universities. Use them! You might have to purchase a membership first. They may be able to answer your specific questions and provide insight and support to you. I personally recommend pre-dental ASDA (American Student Dental Association) chapters for pre-dental students who are looking for support.

9. Pursue high-level extracirriculars
This won't apply to many people, but if you're an extraordinary athlete or chess player or something of the sort, pursue your extraordinary ability. If you can end up competing in state-level, national, or even international tournaments, it will definitely improve your application! Now if you can get to the Olympics, that would be ideal, but not all of us can do this. This is something to think about if you fall into this category.

10. Travel
This is at the end of the list, as this may not enhance your application that greatly. It will give you more depth into your personality and character in any subsequent interviews though. It will also give you something to chit-chat about. Plus, its more enjoyable and exciting than anything else on this list right? :)

I hope this helps. We know you're disappointed, but we know you can do it. Keep up the hard work, and one day your dreams will come true. Just don't give up!

Top 5: Latin Terminology for Dental School

When a student joins the medical world, be it as a student physician or dentist or veterinary, there is a whole new language to learn. Bio-scientific and medical terminology mainly derives it roots from Latin and Greek. Now I am assuming that you know some basic Latin and Greek derivatives if you are visiting this page... such as "-itis" and all that. So lets get on with it!

Top 5 Latin and Greek Stems of Medical Terminology to Know for Students

1. ENTER(o) - "intestine" (Greek)
Enterobacteria, Anenterous, Enterolysis... etc. You'll know a word with this stem refers to something to do with the intestines! Keep in mind that this usually refers to the small intestines.

2. HEPAT - or HEPAR - "liver" (Greek)
Hepatitis, Heparin, Hepatolysin... these conditions or descriptions refer to those related to the liver.

3. SQUAM - "scale" (Latin)
Mainly squamous, which refers to flat, nucleated, simple epithelium (or top most, or skin-like layer).

4. STAPHYL - "bunch of grapes" (Greek)
It's good to remember the main pathogens or organisms that can invade and infect the body. Staphylococcus aureus is a prime example. So now you know that Staph looks like a bunch of grapes under a light microscope. Good to know actually.

5. STEAR - or STEAT - "fat" (Greek)
Ever heard of steatorrhea? You might have guessed it: diarrhea with fat in it.

Top 10: Easiest US Dental Schools to Get Into (admissions)

First off, it should be made clear that no dental school is easy to gain admission into. This ranking is about the easier dental schools that students worried about admission should aim to include on their application lists. Everyone wants the averages of the easiest US dental schools to get into. Published numbers aren't always current, and numbers don't give you the complete picture. Keep in mind that GPA is not everything! The DAT is also an important factor, as well as other factors such as tuition. For example, a school with the lowest GPA average may have one of the most stringent DAT requirements. Some of you may dispute this ranking list, however, keep in mind that this is just for a general sense of which dental schools may be easier to gain admission into. ***These schools are mostly PRIVATE schools, not state schools, and US residents should apply to their in-state dental school on a priority basis before applying to out-of-state and private institutions*** Students claiming minority status in certain situations may be able to obtain admissions to alternate dental schools more easily. The 10th spot on this ranking is a special designation ranking for the easiest schools to obtain admissions into for minority pre-dental students.
FOR FOREIGN TRAINED DENTISTS SEEKING ADMISSION INTO IDP OR ADVANCED STANDING PROGRAMS, SEE OUR TOP 10 LIST OF EASIEST DENTAL SCHOOLS FOR INTERNATIONAL DENTISTS.

Top 10 Easiest Dental Schools to Gain Admission Into Based on Incoming Class Statistics and Other Factors as of 2008

1. New York University College of Dentistry (NYU Dental)
Generally regarded as one of the priciest dental schools in the country, the admissions average remains low as applicants tip the scales as they choose affordable dental schools over this one. In fact, this dental school is ranked as the 2nd most expensive. If you're in a rut in terms of GPA and/or DAT scores, NYU should potentially appear on your application list. Although this school is easy to get into, we are aware that NYU's quality is still superior. The New York City environment adds to the cost of living, however, for the 'money is no object' type of applicant, this remains a prime choice. Students should be aware that a small % of freshmen students do drop out of classes as it is promoted to the sophomore year.

2. Temple University Kornberg School of Dentistry (Temple Dental)
A relatively high cost of tuition/living, high crime zone, and negative reviews regarding faculty contribute to this school's ranking as one of the easiest dental schools to get into. DAT score averages remain low as well as GPA averages of the incoming classes. Some readers may argue that they enjoyed their education at Temple Dental, however one of our editors' personal interviews at this dental school gave him the insight from speaking to Temple dental students that this school was not highly regarded.

3. Boston University Goldman School of Dental Medicine (BU Dental)
Generally one of the easier dental schools to obtain admissions into in terms of having a low undergraduate average GPA and science GPA. BU Dental does seem to have a preference towards a high DAT score. Year in and year out for the past few years, and what seems to be some ways into the future, BU Dental remains a stronghold for many pre-dental applicants seeking "back-up" options in case they don't obtain admission into other dental schools. So why is this one of the easier schools for admission? COST! The tuition is costly and the cost of living in Boston does not help the situation at all. BU is ranked as the 4th most expensive dental school. BU Dental seems to be regarded as a school with a relaxed atmosphere. See more information on Top 10 Reasons to Attend BU Dental.

4. Tufts University School of Dental Medicine (Tufts Dental)
Look towards BU Dental, as essentially the same circumstances apply. In fact, these two schools are not even that far apart. If you didn't already know, Tufts is in Boston too. Boston's a great city though, check out why we say that. Also in-step with the Boston environment, Tufts is the 5th most expensive dental school.

5. Loma Linda University School of Dentistry (LLU Dental)
On paper it seems as if it is a relatively easy school to obtain admission into. There's a reason for that. Loma Linda is a Christian school and they tend to integrate some Christian values into their programs. Enough said.

6. Virginia Commonwealth University School of Dentistry (VCU Dental)
VCU Dental is located in a high crime rate area, consistently mentioned for the high murder and assault rates reported. Living in a decently safe area requires you to commute to this school. The main reason this school is considered easier to gain admission into is actually due to the low GPA and DAT averages required, however it should be noted that extracirricular activities, and personal background factors (life experience, unique circumstances) are more highly recognized than other dental schools. This factor allows students with lower core statistics to gain admission, but this is offset with a higher expectation of other facets of the applicants portfolio.

7. University of Southern California School of Dentistry (USC Dental)
Expensive, expensive and expensive. This school is ranked as the #1 most expensive dental school in the United States. A pricey atmosphere coupled with PBL. A problem-based learning (PBL) cirriculum at this school scares applicants away... at least those ones with prior exposure to PBL! Admissions averages remain low relative to other schools, most likely due to the high cost of tuition.

8. University of the Pacific Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry (UoP Dental)
Expensive again, see a trend? This school is the 6th most pricey. Expensive schools tend to have incoming classes with lower admissions averages. The location and quality of this school is decent, and the 3-year program tends to attract some applicants pushing this school towards the bottom of this list. See Top 10 Reasons to Attend Pacific Dental (UoP) if you want more information about why this school is a good choice.

9. Case Western Reserve University School of Dental Medicine (Case Dental)
A poor neighborhood in terms of crime and safety. Low regard of the dental school within Case Western Reserve University itself, and a strong presence of LDS (Mormon) affiliated dental students describes this school. Slightly pricey (7th most expensive school) with an average set of facilities, this school still lands within the Top 10 easiest dental schools to get into.

*10. Howard University College of Dentistry and Meharry Medical College Dental School
This ranking is only mentioned with a special status as these schools cater to students of color and disadvantaged backgrounds. Minority students should seek to apply to these schools to improve their chances of admission.

That's all. We know this post may create friction and raise tensions for some readers... but that's our goal! We are here to post rankings, which do tend to create controversies as certain readers may have an affiliation with a particular institution which may have gotten a bad rap.

Top 10: Ways or methods on HOW to do well on the US NBDE Part 1 (Dental)

Please contact us at toptennation@hotmail.com if you are looking to purchase some of the used study material that we have left over.
<***SPECIAL UPDATE: As of present, the Joint Commission of National Dental Examinations has unanimously voted to move the National Board Dental Examinations (NBDE) Part I and II to a pass/non pass format by 2010. Additionally, there is an idea circulating among dental educators to merge the two board exams into one single, clinically relevant and integrated exam. Currently, the JCNDE is conducting surveys and collecting opinions to help decide how to implement these changes. More regarding this format change will be updated as information is acquired by Top 10 Nation. This change in format would affect international dental applicants as well as current and future dental students and current dentists, especially those interested in post-graduate residency programs. For now, this Top 10 List still applies as to how to do well on the NBDE Part I.***>
Dental school... and boards, an inevitable encounter that all dental students experience. What is this exam all about? More importantly, how do you study for this exam? It all depends on the goal here! Do you want to just pass, or do you want to achieve a 90+ score to obtain admission into a specialty or residency program?

Top 10 Ways or Methods on HOW To Do Well on the US NBDE Part I

1. Dental Decks
Yes, you've heard this hundreds of times. The Dental Decks are an excellent resource. Why? They are concise, dense, and packed full of high-yield information. Exactly what you need to know to pass and do well on the NBDE Part 1. If you are simply looking for a passing score, reading the decks ONCE or TWICE over will help propel you to a 'good enough' level. Review it carefully TWO or THREE times if you want to obtain a 90+ score. How long does it take to review the dental decks? Depending on your personal drive and how much time you spend studying per day, ONE THOROUGH reading will take anywhere from one month to 2 weeks. My personal opinion is that the dental decks also adapt to changes in this exam quite tastefully. Therefore it is strongly advised to obtain a recent copy of the Decks.

2. Personal drive and minimizing inappropriate procrastination
How do you do this? Everyone has a different method. I will share with you a method that works consistently for me. Write down your goals. This is a simple way to determine, clarify, and solidify your future performance on this exam. If you're a procrastinator... you better be a 'higher-end' student! Students that have the ability to absorb large amounts of information in a short period of time? They should spend at least 2 weeks preparing for this exam.

3. Wikipedia
Come across some terminology that you don't understand? Wiki it! Often for this exam, you need to know what a certain word means. Even simple knowledge of what a particular term means or is related to can help you pass this exam and do well.

4. Old examinations
A lot of you might complain about the lower ranking of old exams on this list. A few years ago, I would have placed old exams at #2 on this ranking list. Old exams are still important to understand what the current board examination consists of, but guess what? The current NBDE Part I (into 2008 and beyond) is rapidly changing. Testlets are appearing, pictures may soon arrive, and the 100% digitization and randomization of this exam means that old examinations are losing their lustre. Obviously, I do not have any inside information regarding this, however, my personal opinion is that in the past, the old examinations were more useful, and that there were quite a few instances of repeat questions. In the current versions of the exam, it seems that a different style of questions is appearing. Still, use the old exams, but know the limitations. Shy away from OLDER exams (70's and 80's), and try to focus on old exams that are less than 10 years old. Where do you get old exams? My strong suggestion is to use ASDA released exams. At least this way, you know the answers you are studying are correct. I DO NOT SUGGEST THE USE OF UNRELEASED OR REMEMBERED QUESTIONS. These will not give you an edge. The answers they provide are usually not correct. This type of a "resource" will only confuse you! In fact, you should report this type of information to the Joint Commission On National Dental Examinations.

5. First Aid for the NBDE Part I
This concise book gets an honorable mention from me. I did not use it personally so I cannot advise on the appropriateness or the value of the information contained within this publication. I mention it though because LOTS of my classmates used this book and gave positive feedback. I do have some negative information regarding this book though. There are many errata (errors) within this book (as of 2008). This may lead to confusion and may result in you wasting your time to confirm correctness of facts.

6. Classmates and upperclassmen (and women)
Yes, you will have a few of those wild and crazy classmates that decide to rip through the board exam early on. Listen to their advice, they can tell you which sections to focus upon (like... know your fungi!). They can also advise you as to the style of the examination, and other tidbits of information that is current and relevant. In fact, you should have already been using this resource for dental school in general right?!

7. Professors
Ask your professors during your first and second year classes about what you need to know for the boards. They can point you towards the proper direction well in advance of this exam. This will allow you to know what type of information you need to know... and it will be just that tiny bit easier to remember for when the board exam does come around.

8. Inter-school resources
This depends on your school. Some schools offer a databank of past questions and furnish other personalized information for their own students. Sometimes a student from another school is able to forward this information to you, or sometimes your school actually provides you a review course or information. This is something that you should take advantage of!

9. Mock exams
Institutions, organizations, and clubs such as your local ASDA chapter often hold mock board exams to help you prepare and get a feel for what the exam situation feels like. If you tend to develop stress or you tend to become nervous during exams - this type of a resource may help you!

10. ADA Candidate Guide and online tutorial
Last... and least... this won't exactly help you do any better for the NBDE Part 1, however, it will help you understand the rules and processes that are in effect for this exam. Get to know how the exam is structured and scored. Get to know the timing of your breaks, and other details before you step foot into that Prometric Center to take your exam!

Top 10: Reasons to Attend Pacific Dental (UoP Dental)

Pacific's Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry (UoP) conducts annual student surveys. AdComs reports those findings, and here is why students like Pacific! Now please note that this list is actually released by this school. I will relay this list to you as well, however note that I don't agree with these reasons in such order. I would place emphasis on the 3-year cirriculum as a major interest generator for this dental school. Students look at this school and see a place at which they can finish a year earlier and still end up with a degree that's just the same as you would get from a 4-year school. That being said, let's go for it - the Top 10 reasons to choose Pacific for dental school.

Top 10 Reasons to Attend the University of the Pacific Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry (according to the school [see original source])

1. Clinical strength and emphasis on practice management
Most freshmen acknowledge an early clinical experience is integral to their choice.

2. Advanced simulation laboratory
Students enjoy the access to the facilities available to them. Described as state-of-the-art, Pacific's new simulation lab is an excellent addition to a top-tier dental school in this nation. Students also comment about the attractive environment at this school.

3. Friendly atmosphere
Faculty treat students as respected individuals starting from day one. This school claims to place emphasis on the development of self-confidence and self-esteem. I personally feel that this reason arises not as a reason to choose this school, however as an indicator that students are treated fairly (as they are at most dental schools).

4. Three-year cirriculum
"Cram session," describes it. Four academic years of instruction in three calendar years appeals to many applicants. Everyone wants to transgress the school phase quickly. My opinion on this is that this is by far the primary reason people choose to apply to this school. Other reasons include obviously if you are a local, but out-of-state students look at this as a place that they could 'skip' an extra year of stress and just finish earlier.

5. Quality of staff
The school claims to have faculty available to students with an added focus on quality. This is an excellent reason as some schools may not have a supportive atmosphere, however, note that in my opinion, many schools have a reasonably appropriate atmosphere for students. A rare professor here or there may not click with you at most schools.

6. Simulation Lab
I know, this already appeared at "Top 10 Reason #2." The school's report is uhhh.... repeating itself.

7. Reputation of Pacific for producing excellent clinicians
This is perhaps an ego-centric claim on the school's part. I feel that even if students surveyed responded in such a manner, that their opinions are potentially misguided with a haze of school pride. Students reported that many groups of contacts recommended attending Pacific.

8. "Pacific family"
Again a repeated reason which is simply a rehash of "Top 10 Reason #3." Students enjoy the interaction with Pacific alumni and staff.

9. Curriculum
Ok, not because it's a three year program... no, this is a completely new reason. Students like the mix of basic and clinical sciences. They prefer the clinical experience which starts early on in their program.

10. Location
San Francisco is a major city in the United States. It's in a good area too! California obviously has great weather and a great lifestyle! San Francisco itself is renowned for its tourism. Studying in San Francisco would certainly add character to an already remarkable school experience.

So that's it. I still think that the three-year thing makes this school one of the best dental schools in the United States.

Top 10: Best Dental Schools in the US and Canada (Ranking)

Please see our 2011 Best Dental School Rankings

Dental professionals will undoubtedly say that it is improper and unfair to rank dental schools. We agree, it is not the best idea to provide our readers dental school rankings because each school provides similar education and each school has unique characteristics. For this reason, this list remains debatable, however, our main intent is to provide a general road map of which schools are leaders in their small niches, and why they are unique. This ranking of the Top 10 Best Dental Schools involves the amalgamation of multiple metrics and rankings from media sources as well as other sources and reports. Our primary intelligence is our dental student and faculty insiders at dental schools across the United States and Canada. All dental schools in the US and Canada are excellent, and the reader should note that that all dental students eventually graduate with equivalent DDS or DMD degrees.

Top 10 Best Dental Schools in the nations of US/Canada as of 2008

1. University of Maryland at Baltimore (UMB), Baltimore College of Dental Surgery

This is a newly renovated dental college with the distinct history of being the first dental college in the world. This school is undoubtedly the pioneer of dental education. Founders Drs. Horace H. Hayden and Chapin A. Harris are the world renowned fathers of dentistry. These names may not strike pre-dental students as important, however, most dentists or current dental students can recognize these tremendous players in the development of dentistry. History aside, unique post-graduate programs such as experimental pathology to seven of the eight accredited post-graduate residency programs available are offered at this exciting school. Many of these post-graduate programs have renowned faculty. Overall, undergraduate dentistry here offers excellent faculty, a student population with a strong admission average, constant curriculum innovation, and a solid patient base. The compilation of which, we believe is the best mix for an excellent dental student experience. The new UMB Dental building that opened its doors in 2006 takes this first place finisher from historical to modern.

University of Maryland Dental School Building

2. Harvard University, School of Dental Medicine
Harvard Dental is the first ever university-based and university-affiliated dental school in North America. Before Harvard Dental came along, dental schools and the field of dentistry itself was not recognized as an important sub-specialty of medicine. The legacy of this school in this regard cannot be overlooked. Harvard is a world-class educational institution overall - leading most rankings across the world in broad categories. Harvard's School of Dental Medicine is a dental school with a strong research backbone and this school has obtained an excellent legacy for discoveries within its walls. Harvard leads in integrating new discoveries from the laboratory to transforming such discoveries into a solid curriculum offered to their students. While research is it's strength, clinical training is also keeping pace. Minor negative points are that Harvard Dental's clinics are somewhat problematic for patients in terms of continuing care and that it ranks as the 10th most expensive dental school.

3. The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UTHSCSA) Dental School
A solid foundation and a great mix of professors. A cooperative atmosphere contributes strongly to this dental school's excellence. Junior and senior off-campus clinical rotations enhance the students' exposure to the clinical world of dentistry. UTHSCSA Dental offers unique 'selectives' that allow their students to excel in a field that they choose. These selectives include courses such as molar endodontics, introductory orthodontics, in-depth financial planning, periodontal flap surgery, and even enteric sedation. Excellent training, and in-depth exposure to advanced aspects of dentistry are sure-fire ways to have a dental school stand above the rest of the crowd.

4. University of North Carolina, School of Dentistry
Strong education, strong research, and a strong sense of service to the community. This dental school is one of the top dental schools in the nation due to its strong performance across most benchmarks. As North Carolina's only dental school, a lack of patients for students doesn't become an issue, and UNC Dental's lucky students have a fantastic clinical experience. Upperclassmen are known to assist fresh faces as they wind through all the hurdles a dental school can throw at a new student. Camaraderie, curriculum, research opportunities, and limitless patients make for a great experience at UNC.

5. University of Michigan, School of Dentistry
The first dental school in history to be loosely associated with a university, this school helped to incorporate dentistry as a true profession. The main reason this school is a top-tier institution is because of an excellent and solid education, with good reviews from many media sources and reports, and a comparatively affordable tuition. Students report overall high levels of satisfaction. Great faculty and dynamics (as reported by students) result in this school being a Top 10 choice! The fact that this school offers separate cubicles for senior students and the Sindecuse Museum of Dentistry located within the dental school are adjunct reasons that a prospective student may consider in their search for a dental school. Although unrelated to the ranking, it is interesting to note that the museum is one of only a handful of dental museums across the world, with over 10,000 exhibits.

6. The University of Toronto, The Faculty of Dentistry
The premier research center for dentistry in Canada and well recognized internationally, UofT Dental scores strong among dental schools in North America. Only top-tier students are accepted, as admission averages to this dental school are extremely competitive, rivaling institutions such as Harvard. A multidisciplinary approach is applied at this institution, resulting in extremely rigorous education. The program offers its students many off-campus opportunities for patient treatment as well. This large, well-endowed dental school, with a legacy in Canada that can't be beat is as a result, Canada's best, and our Top 6th dental school.

7. University of Pennsylvania, School of Dental Medicine (UPenn)
A nationally high ranking school with impressive rates of funding from the NIH, UPenn Dental scores in the Top 10 with its curriculum strongly integrated with medicine and an added interdisciplinary approach. Incoming students into UPenn Dental can expect a rigorous educational experience in both clinical and biomedical sciences. UPenn also boasts a new clinical facility that opened in 2002 - combined with a decent patient population - provides an enjoyable clinical experience for UPenn dental students. On the downside, a relatively larger class size, and dreary dungeon-like classrooms are still a mainstay at this institution.

8. McGill University, Faculty of Dentistry
New facilities and an impressive reputation propels this dental school well above the average dental institution. A diverse student population, along with a strong clinical background gives students a unique experience. McGill University's Faculty of Dentistry is one of a handful of dental schools embedded within a hospital setting. Students in 3rd and 4th years spend time in the hospital dental clinic which provides an added benefit of treating medically compromised patients. Students also rotate through other disciplines within the hospital as well. Overall, this lends McGill graduates a more confident 'leg-up' over other dental graduates. As an aside, Montreal is a city known within Canada as a "party city" and McGill dental students have a reputation that does not disappoint. Interestingly and unrelated to the ranking, it's worthy to note for our readers that our insiders tell us that McGill dental students are (coincidentally?) a good looking bunch.

9. University of Washington, School of Dentistry
This excellent dental school ranks #4 in terms of funding from NIDCR. Pass rates and average scores (although these numbers are not released) consistently show that NBDE Part I and II test takers from this school are among the highest scoring within the country. Excellent training perhaps? WREB passing rates (98.2%) for graduates simply solidifies what all of the other benchmarks also scream: "We teach our students exactly what they need to know!" A diverse student population, and a choice of advanced electives for students in their junior and senior years contributes to the strong academic environment. Students also report a higher level of satisfaction.

10. Columbia University, College of Dental Medicine
This dental school, located in exciting New York City, is an excellent choice for those seeking dual degrees. Columbia offers both the DDS/MPH and the DDS/MBA. A total of five dual degrees are offered at this college. Location, degrees offered, and students' experience enriched with advanced and unique subjects lends Columbia an environment that's inviting for their student population. Columbia is an expensive dental school though, ranking as the 8th most expensive dental school. With a strong reputation and excellent student life, Columbia rounds off the Top 10 List of the Best Dental Schools for 2008.

ATTENTION: Readers should note that that these rankings are simply a "road map" to what top-tier dental schools are able to offer to their students. Essentially, this ranking list simply outlines the unique characteristics of each of these schools. ALL US/CANADIAN DENTAL SCHOOLS ARE EXCELLENT INSTITUTIONS PROVIDING SUPERIOR AND ACCREDITED DENTAL EDUCATION. We suggest that dental students consider all aspects of a dental school including, but not limited to cost of attendance, safety of location, and availability of patients before selecting their final choice. Cost of attendance is in our opinion what the astute dental applicant would consider as their primary determinant in applying for and agreeing to attend any given dental school.