From someone who does not want to specialize, here is my outlook on grades.
1) You will enter school with a sense of pride and respect for yourself and want to do the best you can. So this will drive you to do well and make good grades
2) You don't wanna be that guy who makes C's to get by. You do a lot of work in pairs and no one wants to get shots or do pre-clinical work with someone who puts in little effort
3) You also don't wanna be the guy making the lowest grades out of all your friends. You may say you don't care, but deep down it will be a little discouraging.
4) If something EVER does happen where you need the benefit of the doubt, it helps if you have a strong transcript and good relationship with the faculty
5) And last, and most unlikely, if you decide that dentistry is not for you, it will help to have a strong transcript if you decide to apply to other healthcare programs.
Just some stuff to think about before you say, eh, whatever I will make C's and graduate. The one benefit of not wanting to specialize is, every once in a while, when you are just smashed with work, you can sit back relax and say, "this C will not kill me", while others freak
