While there may be differences
between dental school programs in terms of class size and how
they teach organ structures, most follow a general four-year
pattern. The first half of dental school is more
classroom-intensive. You�ll be introduced to the basic systems
and tools of the trade, the theory behind the praxis. Your third
and fourth years are reserved for more hands-on clinical
diagnosis and treatment.
In your first year you�ll participate in lectures, labs, and
pre-clinical activities in basic sciences and dental materials.
You�ll also take your first courses in gross anatomy (for the
squeamish, this is where you�ll discover if you�re cut out for
dental school after all). The second year is often dedicated to
developing additional pre-clinical skills and the application of
basic scientific principles to clinical situations. You might
also get your first shot at clinical patient care.
To get an idea of what your curriculum will be like, here�s a
sample list of the courses you might encounter during your first
year of dental school:
Biochemistry
Histology/Embryology
Introduction to Medicine
Dental Materials
Gross Anatomy
Radiological Anatomy
Microbiology
Occlusion
Restorative Dentistry Lecture
Restorative Dentistry Laboratory
Radiology
Anatomy Dissection
Physiology
Preclinical Periodontics
Make sure you�ve completed all of your fundamental science
courses before finishing the second year. You�ll need to have all
the spare time you can muster during the intensive years that
follow.
