Aspiring dental students are often faced with the daunting task of choosing the right major to pursue in order to prepare for dental school. While it may seem like a daunting task, there is no hard and fast rule that dictates which major is the best for a successful dental school application. However, certain majors are more common among pre-dental students as they offer relevant fundamental skills that are essential for a career in dentistry. In this blog post, we'll take a closer look at the most common pre-dental majors and why they are a good fit for dental school.
Biology:
Biology is by far the most common pre-dental major among aspiring dental students. The reason being, dental school education is heavily rooted in the life sciences. Biology courses provide students with thorough knowledge on the anatomy and physiology of living organisms, including human beings. This major ensures that students have the prerequisite knowledge of the human body, which they'll build upon in dental school.
Chemistry:
Chemistry is the second most common major among pre-dental students. It is highly relevant for a career in dentistry as it provides students with essential knowledge and skills on chemical concepts, which are also foundational in the dental field. Understanding concepts such as organic chemistry and biochemistry is essential for studying and providing dental treatment.
Psychology:
Although not as heavily represented as biology and chemistry, psychology is another common pre-dental major among students. Studying psychology gives students an understanding of human behavior and the cognitive processes that drive human behavior. This helps future dentists better understand the unique needs of their patients and provide them with the most effective treatment.
Health Sciences:
Health sciences is an interdisciplinary major that exposes students to a wide range of healthcare fields. This makes it ideal for students with an interest in dental school as it provides an overview of healthcare, including the importance of dental hygiene. In addition, it also exposes students to clinical experiences and knowledge of healthcare systems, which can be invaluable in dental school.
Physics:
Physics may not be an obvious choice for pre-dental majors, but it is just as valuable as any other science major. The fundamental concepts involved in physics, such as mechanics and fluid dynamics, play an important role in dentistry. For example, knowledge of leveraging principles is essential in dentistry, and this is where an understanding of physics comes in handy.
Conclusion:
Choosing the right pre-dental major is an important first step in pursuing a career in dentistry. While biology and chemistry are the most common majors among pre-dental students, there are other majors such as psychology, health sciences, and physics that can provide an equally strong foundation for dental school. Ultimately, the decision of which major to choose should be based on personal interests, skills, and career aspirations. Regardless of which major you choose, make sure you work closely with your academic advisor to ensure that you meet all the requirements for dental school admission.