What do I need to do?

[Kobethegoat24]

So after a lot of research I finally decided that being a dentist is the best field for me. I had been pre pharmacy until now and have lots of pharmacy tech hours that are worthless. I have a 3.90 GPA and am going to start studying for my DAT starting september, I also have my letters of recommendation stored in interfolio. Other than that, is there anything else I need to do. Is it just volunteering?

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[Firik]

One thing to add: Most schools require you to shadow a dentist (100+ hours preferred) to ensure you have a knowledge of what is being a dentist like. Good luck!

 

[doc toothache]

So after a lot of research I finally decided that being a dentist is the best field for me. I had been pre pharmacy until now and have lots of pharmacy tech hours that are worthless. I have a 3.90 GPA and am going to start studying for my DAT starting september, I also have my letters of recommendation stored in interfolio. Other than that, is there anything else I need to do. Is it just volunteering?

Actually your pharmacy tech hours will come in handy. You will at least be able to recognize the names of the drugs even if the pharmacology will be lacking.

 

[The Piano Guy]

Your letters of recommendation will need to be updated if they were initially directed specifically to pharmacy schools.
You also need some volunteer activity on your application (not a required component but definitely critical).

 

[Kobethegoat24]

Your letters of recommendation will need to be updated if they were initially directed specifically to pharmacy schools.
You also need some volunteer activity on your application (not a required component but definitely critical).

Two of my letter of recommendation writers haven't uploaded their letters yet so I intend to ask them to update it. Does dental school require clinical and non clinical volunteering or do they just care about volunteering within the community? Also how many hours of volunteering would you say is good?

 

[The Piano Guy]

Two of my letter of recommendation writers haven't uploaded their letters yet so I intend to ask them to update it. Does dental school require clinical and nonclinical volunteering or do they just care about volunteering within the community? Also how many hours of volunteering would you say is good?

Community service is fine. It does not have to be clinical. The more hours the more attractive but since you are just getting started aim for 300+, assuming you are applying next cycle. You can, of course, continue volunteering and shadowing throughout the application cycle to accumulate more hours and to better familiarize yourself with dentistry!
Good Luck!