The DAT is the "Dental Admissions Test." It is the dental equivalent of the MCAT (Medical College Admissions Test). It is an all day test that evaluates competence in academics and perceptual ability. These are attributes thought to indicate potential success in dental school. Here is a link from the ADA with lots of info on the test.
ADA information on the DAT
If you do well in chemistry, biology, and math, you will do well on the test. A long time ago, there was even a part where they would make you carve a large piece of chalk into something. This was to test manual dexterity. They have since done away with that part of the test.
Dentistry is not solely an academic endeavor. Yes, if you cannot manage chemistry, anatomy etc. you will not be admitted. If you ace the academic parts and do not have the ability to think in 3-D and rotate objects in your mind and express this, you will reach a point where you will not succeed at the more "practical" parts of dental education. In addition, if you are a total klutz with your hands and manipulating small objects, forget dentistry.
What matters in my experience on what gets you "in" to dental school is in this approximate order of importance:
1. Grades
2. Personality (people skills)
3. Experience
4. The DAT
Did I mention Grades? I have written extensively on this on other posts on the blog and in the comment section. If they see improvement in grades that is good. A "B" average from some schools is better than an "A" average from others. Still, a demonstrated record of achievement is something they look at seriously. They do not want to invest time, money, and effort on someone who will not complete the program. In addition, like any other highly desirable program, they want the best they can get. Dental school is competitive. So, a high DAT score will not get you admitted, but will help.
Here is some more information:
ADA publications on dental school
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ReplyDeleteNotwithstanding your experience at the UADS, quite likely it will be difficult to find a ds in the US that ranks the order of importance as you have suggested. Personality certainly plays a role in the selection process but judging by our colleagues one might suggest that adcoms have a warped sense of humor. As for the importance of experience, without a doubt, it is among the greatest misconceptions pre dents have. There is no evidence to suggest that ds value "experience" as you claim at least, nothing above and beyond the required/recommended shadowing hours.
ReplyDeleteLike I said, grades have an inordinate level of importance in the selection process. Yes, the DAT is sort of a "grade" as well that is taken into consideration. I probably should not underestimate the importance of the DAT as it can be a way for schools to compare particular candidates who are otherwise similar in qualifications.
ReplyDeleteAs an aside, when any program is extremely competitive, you have excellent applicants all over the place. How do you decide? That's where the intangibles take their place in the process. I am glad I am not on any selection committees. Do not underestimate interpersonal skills--they are very important when dealing with patients. especially in the "real" world.
Anon-- yes, you are likely correct in that dental students think experience is more highly prized than it really is. What I mean by experience though is not just knowledge of the profession, but experience in business, experience in demonstrating management skills, real life experience, additional degrees or academic accomplishments. Oh, and Research.---Did I say Research? If you have done research in undergrad, (and can explain the what and why of your project in a coherent manner), they really like that!
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed reading your blog Dr. Dean! I am a GP and thinking about applying to pediatric programs next year. I find your blog very helpful, educational, and interesting. Thanks for sharing your expertise with us!
ReplyDeleteNot sure if my previous post worked so im going to post again, sorry if it did.anyhow just wondering how a 3 year olds front top teeth would be repaired when the enamel has decayed half way down the tooth showing the dentin as in the way baby bottle tooth decay does..would it be done with some type of filling to fill the tooth or does it have to be crowns?
ReplyDeleteWith from tabby teeth--basically, if the decay is small--a filling, if it is large --crowns, if it is very large--the tooth is not restorable and is removed.
ReplyDeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteI'm going to high school next year and I'm kind of trying to choose whether I want to be a pediatric dentist or an orthodontist? I want to be a pediatric dentist really bad but a part of me wants to be an orthodontist for the high salary. I have a few questions and it would mean so much to me if you could answer them cause no one in where I live gives any info. about careers and it's hard to go into high school with out know ing which classes to take. Here are my questions:
- what classes do I need to take in high school to become a pediatric dentist/orthodontist
- is it worth all those years of hard work to be a pediatric dentist or orthodontist
- approximately what score on the DAT would be an "excellent"t and what score would be a "good"
- what can I do to prep for my high school classes, right now i'm really good at math and I'm getting all As in my classes
- what is the step by step procedure into becoming a pediatric dentist
- what is the best advice you can give me for this career
- is there a high demand for a pediatric dentist/orthodontist
- which job is better, pediatric dentist or orthodontist (based on salary, work experience, demand, and value)
- I know that in some places you need to have a 4-year undergraduate while in others you can have 2, do you know in which places they accept a 2 year undergraduate
- what do i need to do to get a scholarship because i don't want to have a lot of loans after college
- how much do you earn in pediatric dentist and orthodontist residency
- do you HAVE to get 3 years of residency or is there any way i can make it shorter, if i can't make the residency shorter then is there a way to make the college time shorter
Thank you so much, you don't know how grateful I was for finding your site. I hope your site gets more followers and views. Also, I'm sorry if I asked you too many questions, it's just that I've had anyone willing to answer them for me!
Aspara
ReplyDeleteThose are a lot of questions--and good ones.
Rather than answer all of them here, I suggest #1 review responses to other readers that I have given here and in other posts on dental school under "general Topics--Dental School" over on the right side of the blog.
Also, might I suggest you get my book which covers all your questions.
Michelle my little daughter is 5 years 9 months. She broke her teeth this afternoon. There seems to be a very little part of the teeth remaining there. Pls what do I do as a home remedy.
ReplyDeleteNot much of a "home remedy" for broken teeth. It all depends on what tooth, what the root growth and eruption pattern, etc. In other words, I'd get to the Pediatric Dentist.
ReplyDelete