Iowa Dental School Requirements
There are 15 accredited dental schools in the United States. Iowans interested in studying dentistry at one of these schools should realize that requirements vary from school to school. Although Iowa does not have a dental school, aspiring dentists can study at dental schools located in other states. Students who are accepted are awarded a Doctor of Dental Medicine degree or a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree. The former is for prospective dentists who do not have an undergraduate science background, whereas the latter is for students with a broad foundation in biology and chemistry.
Iowa is the 8th most populated state in the country and its capital city, Des Moines, is home to just less than 600,000 people with a population of 2.1 million in the region. There is no denying that Iowa has a lot to offer one who is interested in the world of dentistry. The Greater Des Moines Dental Association (GDMA) was established in 1950 as a non-profit organization for promoting and encouraging interest and participation in the dental profession, as well as improving public health by preventing dental diseases and promoting oral hygiene.
Most people who are looking for information about Iowa dental school requirements already know their desired profession. There are a lot of people who don’t need to read a whole lot of information before they zeroed in on their field. If you are taking your time and thinking it through, it is important that you find out all the information that you need to know before making the decision to enroll in this course of study. It is also important that you understand what is involved in being an Iowa dentist.
Iowa Dental School is a great school for many reasons. The first, and most important of all, is that the staff are always available to you! They are at your service when you need them, and they will help you get the best education possible.
The second reason Iowa Dental School is such a great place to go to school is because of the friendly atmosphere. The students are always willing to help each other out, and there’s rarely any tension between classmates or professors. The third reason Iowa Dental School is such a good choice for anyone who wants to become a dentist is because it’s affordable! You don’t have to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars going here like some other schools charge!
Finally, Iowa Dental School offers several different programs so that no matter what type of dentist you want to be, they can help you get there! If you want to specialize in pediatric dentistry then they have an excellent program just for that; if you want something more general then they also offer those as well! There’s something for everyone at this school—and we want it all!
Iowa Dental School Requirements
In order to be considered for admission to the University of Iowa College of Dentistry, you must meet the following admissions requirements.
1. Complete the application and submit it by December 1 for spring admission or by January 15 for fall admission.
2. Submit all required application materials (see below) and pay the $50 application fee by December 1 for spring or January 15 for fall admission.
3. Earn a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.80 on a 4.00 scale or its equivalent from an accredited college or university prior to your matriculation at the University of Iowa College of Dentistry (See link below for GPA Calculator).
4. Have completed a minimum of 90 credit hours with a 2.80 GPA or higher from an accredited college or university prior to your matriculation at the University of Iowa College of Dentistry (See link below for GPA Calculator). This requirement may be satisfied by earning credit hours during your undergraduate education through Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, dual credit programs, general education courses taken while in high school, advanced placement credits earned while in high school, credit earned through proficiency testing programs such as CLEP exams, military service courses and similar programs; however, these courses must be acceptable
Academics
The University of Iowa College of Dentistry requires applicants to have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. Students may apply with either a health sciences or non-health sciences degree.
To be considered for admission, students must have completed at least 45 semester hours of coursework in the liberal arts and sciences with a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.75 or higher on a 4.00 scale (or equivalent).
Science GPA
Science GPA is a weighted average of your grades in all science courses, including all science prerequisites.
The minimum GPA required to apply to Iowa Dental Schools is 2.75. The average GPA of accepted applicants to the University of Iowa College of Dentistry is 3.6. The minimum science GPA for Iowa dental schools is 3.0, but it’s important to note that every school has different GPA requirements and some also require specific test scores.
Experience
The University of Iowa College of Dentistry requires an applicant to have completed at least one year of post-high school clinical experience in a dental office.
This experience may be gained through any combination of the following:
1)volunteer work in a dental office,
2)work as a dental assistant, or
3) actually paid employment in a dental setting.
DAT Scores
The American Dental Association’s Dental Admission Test (DAT) is a computer-based test that assesses the knowledge, skills, and abilities that are essential for a safe and effective dental practice. It’s a standardized test administered by the ADA that all dental students must take before applying to dental school.
The DAT has three parts: Part I includes questions about chemistry, physiology, and behavioral sciences; Part II contains questions about dental materials and patient management, and Part III includes questions about dental diagnostic/microwave applications.
There are three different versions of the DAT: Dental Admission Test (DAT), Dental Admission Test – REVIEW (DAT-R), and Dental Admission Test – Simulated Computerized Adaptive Test (DAT-SC). The first two versions fall under the umbrella of “blue book” tests because they have been in use since 1988. The third version is newer and is used in place of these older tests at some dental schools.
Personal statement
I am a hardworking, conscientious person who is dedicated to education. I have always been fascinated by science and the way it can be applied to day-to-day life. My interest in medicine began when I was very young. My mother was a nurse and my father worked as an engineer for a company that manufactured medical equipment. They both worked long hours, so I spent much of my time with them at work.
I have always been interested in the human body and its functions. In high school, I participated in several clubs related to medical science, including the Science Club, the Research Club, and the Math Club. These clubs helped me develop my reading comprehension skills and hone my problem-solving abilities.
I am currently studying. My coursework has prepared me well for dental school; however, it is only through hands-on experience that I will truly be able to understand how this knowledge can be used in a clinical setting. Therefore, I want to pursue dentistry because I feel that it will allow me to continue learning while also providing me with the opportunity to help others lead healthy lives using what I have learned during my time here.
Eligibility for a Permanent License
A permanent dental license authorizes the holder to practice dentistry in the state of Iowa. Requirements for obtaining an Iowa dental license are found in Iowa Administrative Code 650–Chapter 11.
By Examination
A dentist who is a graduate of an ADA-accredited dental school and who has successfully completed the CRDTS, WREB, CDCA/ADEX, CITA or SRTA examination is eligible to apply for a dental license in Iowa on the basis of examination. Applicants who have been licensed for one (1) year or longer must apply by credentials. Please refer to Iowa Administrative Code 650–Chapter 11 for specific requirements.
By Credentials
A dentist who is a graduate of an ADA-accredited dental school and who has successfully completed the CRDTS, WREB, CDCA/ADEX, CITA or SRTA clinical examination within the previous five years OR has at least three years of current, active practice in another state may be eligible for a permanent dental license issued on the basis of credentials. Applicants who have been licensed in another state for one (1) year or longer must apply on the basis of credentials. Please refer to Iowa Administrative Code 650–Chapter 11 for specific requirements.
By Verification
A dentist who has been licensed and practicing in another state may apply on the basis of verification if they do not qualify for licensure on the basis of examination or credentials. Please refer to Iowa Administrative Code 650–Chapter 11 for specific requirements.
Conclusion
Iowa dental school requirements are the act of throwing a large number of data through an algorithm and watching it come out the other side. it is not a small consideration as to what you are getting yourself into by registering at a university. most students, in life, do not get a chance to make this kind of decision.
it will be one of the very first chances that you have to think about your career ahead of you and start shaping who you are and where you will end up going in the future, for better or for worse. But one thing that should always be on your mind is that, despite the amount of responsibility this carries, it is fun to start looking at what colleges all over Iowa have to offer.