Anatomy Importance

[marunotsoprime]

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Hi everyone!
How important/helpful is taking anatomy in undergrad before going to dental school?

I have accepted a spot at a school that doesn't require anatomy as a pre-req, and am currently in my final undergrad senior semester. Taking this anatomy course puts me one hour over the maximum recommended number of semester hours (so it'll be a busy semester) and I'm looking at the online course materials and expectations and it seems like a LOT of work.

Of course, if current dental students highly highly recommend it, I can up my motivation and hopefully do well, but I just wanted some input about dental student experiences regarding how important having this course prior to dental school would be.

Thank you!!

 

[BatedPenguin]

IMO Anatomy has far and away been the most helpful undergrad class to help aid me through the didactic of first year so far.

 

[marunotsoprime]

IMO Anatomy has far and away been the most helpful undergrad class to help aid me through the didactic of first year so far.

Was it helpful because of familiarity/was all of the course material relevant? Does dental school anatomy cover the whole body or does it focus on the head neck region? Thank you so much for your insight! 🙂

 

[laundry]

We highly encourage it for our students. I remember one time as a D1 (ages ago!) when we flew by a week’s worth of undergrad anatomy in 2 hours of lecture.

 

[artist2022]

Was it helpful because of familiarity/was all of the course material relevant? Does dental school anatomy cover the whole body or does it focus on the head neck region? Thank you so much for your insight! 🙂

I'd tell any predent to really take Anatomy if they can. It's helpful to have been exposed to the material once, and some things will come back to you a little. You'll cover so much, so quickly, and in so much more depth than undergrad and having prior exposure helps! At UCLA, we cover everything above the waist, with a lot of emphasis on heck & neck and the arm especially too. It might be helpful to talk to students from the school you'll be attending to see what their anatomy course is like, and focus on those areas a little harder in your undergrad course. Good luck! 🙂

 

[mrdeez]

It’s the most important class you can take in undergrad imo. The harder the better. It’s dependent on your school obviously, but for me, it was the most applicable course i took in undergrad. I took two semesters, so A&P 1 then A&P 2. It was the legit version that all the nursing students take and whatnot, instead of the watered down premed version my school offered.

It has helped me in literally every class that is medical/biological at all. I’ve used my undergrad anatomy knowledge in almost every class this year. (Im a D1)

 

[sobertiger]

It's certainly helpful but if you've been accepted already I wouldn't sweat it.

 

[Jaa_]

I personally took anatomy before D1 and found it to smooth the transition. But at the end of the day it's just a cushion and will not give you that much of a boost. You will still be studying the same amount and there will really be no difference in your grades compared to your classmates. You will also cover so much more material in dental school anatomy that you will wonder what the hell you actually were learning in undergrad. If you are already accepted I would just chill as much as you can before the storm that is D1 hits you.

 

[Counselingdentist]

If you have the option to take it now, then do it. People in my D1 class who did not take anatomy were at a disadvantage and all desperately wished they took it. People made it work but you will see benefits that will pay dividends if you take it now! There will be no wasted effort, that’s for sure!