What's Pre-Dental?

[joonkimdds]

Many ppl r majoring in BIO or Chem and apply to dental school. I know that it doesn't have to be science major to apply but I believe that many ppl r thinking of majoring science to apply.

The thing is... I am thinking of back up plan. My major right now is biology but if i don't get accepted to dental school, I may have to get a job that has nothing to do with dentistry.

I love dentistry and that's what I wanna do. Even if I don't become a dentist I still wanna do something related to it, such as dental hygenist.(I heard that dental hygeneist is 2 years of studying for a license and bachlar's degree in dental school so I don't know if i can study to become a dentist and dental hygenist at the same time.)

If I major is Pre-dental and I can't go to dental school, what kinds of jobs are available?

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[Flipper405]

Many ppl r majoring in BIO or Chem and apply to dental school. I know that it doesn't have to be science major to apply but I believe that many ppl r thinking of majoring science to apply.

The thing is... I am thinking of back up plan. My major right now is biology but if i don't get accepted to dental school, I may have to get a job that has nothing to do with dentistry.

I love dentistry and that's what I wanna do. Even if I don't become a dentist I still wanna do something related to it, such as dental hygenist.(I heard that dental hygeneist is 2 years of studying for a license and bachlar's degree in dental school so I don't know if i can study to become a dentist and dental hygenist at the same time.)

If I major is Pre-dental and I can't go to dental school, what kinds of jobs are available?

I would think you can't really get much. Although I've also heard Bio/Chem/Biochem majors etc.. are useless unless you want to research in that field.

On the other hand, it might show adcoms that you're really dedicated to the field. Personally, I don't think that's an extremely unnecessary risk, but on the other hand... I'm getting a music degree which is by far more worthless than a biology degree 😀

 

[ItsGavinC]

A major in "pre-dental" really means very little. Given that, it would be better to major in something else that you could possibly use as a back-up plan should dental school fall through.

And no, you can't go to hygiene school and dental school at the same time. After entering dental school you'll dread the though of ever attending hygiene school and scraping teeth all day long.

 

[joonkimdds]

I would think you can't really get much. Although I've also heard Bio/Chem/Biochem majors etc.. are useless unless you want to research in that field.

On the other hand, it might show adcoms that you're really dedicated to the field. Personally, I don't think that's an extremely unnecessary risk, but on the other hand... I'm getting a music degree which is by far more worthless than a biology degree 😀

I really hate to work at bio, chem lab or do anything related to them except "I really want to become a dentist or something related to it as a back up plan." I would rather become a body builder and work at gold gym instead of working at a lab and create zombies.

so do u know any major that I can still work near dentist office even if I don't get accepted to dental school?

The only reason my major now is bio(i just finished 1st year in college), is becuz my counselor told me that it might be the best to major to apply to dental schools. It's not like I have big interest in cells or DNA.

If I major in "Pre-dental"(even though i don't know exactly what I can do with this major), I got to do something related to dental since the major says dental isn't it?

 

[Flipper405]

I really hate to work at bio, chem lab or do anything related to them except "I really want to become a dentist or something related to it as a back up plan." I would rather become a body builder and work at gold gym instead of working at a lab and create zombies.

so do u know any major that I can still work near dentist office even if I don't get accepted to dental school?

The only reason my major now is bio(i just finished 1st year in college), is becuz my counselor told me that it might be the best to major to apply to dental schools. It's not like I have big interest in cells or DNA.

If I major in "Pre-dental"(even though i don't know exactly what I can do with this major), I got to do something related to dental since the major says dental isn't it?

I think you'll probably be fine with bio with your situation. If it comes to it, you should be able to enter hygiene school with a biology degree.

 

[tinman831]

didnt we have a discussion about this topic in one of your other threads? you can choose any major you like and pursue dentistry (so long as you take the prerequisites for dental school admissions). you can still work in the dental office as an assistant or a hygienist (if you want to take this route). i know lots of assistants who work in my dentists office who do not even have a degree or are pursuing careers outside of dentistry. you should really stop worrying about a back up plan and just focus on your classes and the DAT. if the time comes (heaven forbid) that you must consider other options aside from dental school, then, and only then should you worry about it. no sense stressing out about it so early in your college education.

 

[JEWmongous]

Dude, stop posting this useless garbage. You keep going on and on asking the same questions! Use the search button for once please!

 

[joonkimdds]

didnt we have a discussion about this topic in one of your other threads? you can choose any major you like and pursue dentistry (so long as you take the prerequisites for dental school admissions). you can still work in the dental office as an assistant or a hygienist (if you want to take this route). i know lots of assistants who work in my dentists office who do not even have a degree or are pursuing careers outside of dentistry. you should really stop worrying about a back up plan and just focus on your classes and the DAT. if the time comes (heaven forbid) that you must consider other options aside from dental school, then, and only then should you worry about it. no sense stressing out about it so early in your college education.

Ok...if heaven forbid...i will continue this thread after 2 years from now. until then...bump 🙂

 

[ISU_Steve]

JoonKimDDS=

 

[dentaldoodoo]

JoonKimDDS=

I read this persons old posts. He is a %$#%$#$#*$#$.

But I think he already knew that.

 

[colt]

It looks like "pre dental" is basically a biology major with a few extra classes thrown in. The extra classes are ones that may help you a bit in dental/med. school.

It kinda irks me when you ask someone; what is your major? They will reply "pre med" or "pre dental". Those aren't majors from what I gather.

As far as careers, you can do the same things as you would do with a biology degree. If biology doesn't interest you, aside from dental school, why not major in something else? You can also take extra advanced science classes on the side, or during the summer. I don't think any major is going to help you become a dental hygienist, unless you want to take the 2 yr. program. The program can be taken straight out of high school; although, some schools prefer 1 or 2 yrs. of college.

 

[joonkimdds]

It looks like "pre dental" is basically a biology major with a few extra classes thrown in. The extra classes are ones that may help you a bit in dental/med. school.

It kinda irks me when you ask someone; what is your major? They will reply "pre med" or "pre dental". Those aren't majors from what I gather.

As far as careers, you can do the same things as you would do with a biology degree. If biology doesn't interest you, aside from dental school, why not major in something else? You can also take extra advanced science classes on the side, or during the summer. I don't think any major is going to help you become a dental hygienist, unless you want to take the 2 yr. program. The program can be taken straight out of high school; although, some schools prefer 1 or 2 yrs. of college.

so then, if i major in Biology now, finish bio bachlor degree, get rejected from dental school, go to study dental hygienist stuffs, that's like wasting 2 years for nothing right? since we can study dental hygiene without 3rd~4th year.

yeah, and that was the question i asked. Bio doesn't interest me aside from dental school, and that's why i was asking what other major can be used as back up(but still related to dental) if i don't become a dentist.

 

[colt]

so then, if i major in Biology now, finish bio bachlor degree, get rejected from dental school, go to study dental hygienist stuffs, that's like wasting 2 years for nothing right? since we can study dental hygiene without 3rd~4th year.

Correct. If you get a biology degree and upon your rejection(hopefully not) from dental school, you would need 2 more yrs.

 

[joonkimdds]

Correct. If you get a biology degree and upon your rejection(hopefully not) from dental school, you would need 2 more yrs.

hm.....then i can get bach degree on bio and dental hygene bach after 2 years... i can run two jobs lol... i teach bio in high school then go clean teeth in the afternoon...-_-;

 

[colt]

^lol

 

[joonkimdds]

^lol

is there anyway u can apply to dental school as soon as u become dental hygeine?
for example..

1st,2nd year = general study
3rd,4th year = study dental hygeine stuffs
during 3rd year = apply dental school.

if u get accepted to dental school, u become a dentist
if u get rejected, u can still be a dental hygeniest...

is this theory correct?

 

[Flipper405]

Although I understand that you're trying to "cover all your bases" so to speak, I think you're really taking on a self-defeating mentality. You really need to prepare yourself assuming you can get in. I would say only worry about not getting in if it actually happens. Relax; just concentrate on your grades, and you'll be fine. 😎

As far as the dental hygiene thing, I would think it would be distracting from school. Just concentrate on maxing out your GPA and studying for the test when it comes.

 

[colt]

is there anyway u can apply to dental school as soon as u become dental hygeine?
for example..

1st,2nd year = general study
3rd,4th year = study dental hygeine stuffs
during 3rd year = apply dental school.

if u get accepted to dental school, u become a dentist
if u get rejected, u can still be a dental hygeniest...

is this theory correct?

You could do that, assuming you covered all your pre-reqs in year 1 & 2. I dont think you'd have enough time to take pre-reqs while in hygiene school; it's about 18 credit hours per semester.

On a side note, I've never seen a male hygienist in my area. I know 4 dentist and none have any males. It would probably make hygiene school interesting though 😀

 

[joonkimdds]

You could do that, assuming you covered all your pre-reqs in year 1 & 2. I dont think you'd have enough time to take pre-reqs while in hygiene school; it's about 18 credit hours per semester.

On a side note, I've never seen a male hygienist in my area. I know 4 dentist and none have any males. It would probably make hygiene school interesting though 😀

if I am the only male student and surrounded by 10000 of female students...OH yeah! that's what I like!

 

[jay228]

if I am the only male student and surrounded by 10000 of female students...OH yeah! that's what I like!

why the hell would a dentist hire a male hygienist?

 

[colt]

why the hell would a dentist hire a male hygienist?

he gay?

 

[joonkimdds]

he gay?

i bet female dentist want guy 🙂

 

[jhui]

dude why dont you just spend all this time you are worrying about getting in dental school and just study for ur DAT. suck it up and stop worrying, everyone worries about not getting it but no on complains as much as you do. spend all this time worrying on something useful and ull be fine. grrr 😡