Dentists are key healthcare providers responsible for diagnosing and treating issues affecting patient oral health, gums, and teeth. In addition to clinical procedures, dentists provide preventive education, restore damaged teeth, design dental prosthetics, and identify systemic health issues. Achieving a dental degree (D.D.S. or D.M.D.) typically requires four years of undergraduate study followed by four years of accredited dental school training. At Pacific Lutheran University, our faculty advisors prepare you for every stage of this educational journey.

Why Choose Dentistry?

Practicing dentistry uniquely integrates scientific knowledge, manual dexterity, and personal service. Adapted from the American Dental Association (ADA), here are 10 compelling reasons students choose dentistry as their lifelong calling:

  • Service to Others: Improve oral health, personal confidence, and overall quality of life.
  • Balanced Lifestyle: Enjoy professional autonomy and flexibility in clinical scheduling.
  • Empower Patients: Restore smiles and build lasting provider-patient relationships.
  • Technology & Innovation: Work directly with advanced medical technologies, imaging, and materials science.
  • Community Leadership: Earn respect and trust as a key healthcare leader in your local area.
  • Preventative Education: Educate communities on systemic connections to oral health.
  • Early Disease Detection: Identify early indicators of systemic illness, oral cancers, and cardiovascular risk.
  • Artistic Creativity: Utilize fine artistic vision and tactile dexterity daily.
  • High Success Potential: Address growing regional demands and an expanding aging population.
  • Practice Ownership: Build, manage, or partner in your own private clinical practice.

Regional School Spotlight: There are over 70 accredited dental programs in the United States. Pacific Northwest regional choices include the University of Washington School of Dentistry, Oregon Health & Science University, and Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences (PNWU).

Academic Foundations & Prerequisites

Dental schools welcome applicants from all academic majors. However, students must demonstrate rigorous mastery in natural sciences and pass the Dental Admission Test (DAT). Common core course requirements at PLU include:

Core Field Required PLU Coursework & Competencies
Biological Sciences BIOL 225 (Molecules, Cells & Organisms) & BIOL 226 (Genes, Evolution, Diversity & Ecology)
General Chemistry CHEM 115 (General Chemistry I) & CHEM 116 (General Chemistry II)
Organic Chemistry CHEM 331/333 (Organic Chemistry I + Lab) & CHEM 332/334 or 346 (Organic Chemistry II + Lab)
Biochemistry CHEM 403 (Biochemistry + Laboratory) — Highly Recommended / Required by many programs
Physics PHYS 125 (College Physics I) & PHYS 126 (College Physics II)
Behavioral Sciences PSYC 101 (Introduction to Psychology)
Recommended Upper-Division Biology BIOL 342 (Microbiology), BIOL 352 (Comparative Anatomy), BIOL 453 (Human Physiology)

Transferring credits? Check our Interactive Transfer Equivalency Guide to confirm your coursework.

Understanding Dental Degrees & Pathways

Dental schools confer one of two professional doctorates upon graduation. Both degrees share identical educational requirements, national licensing protocols, and clinical standards.

D.D.S. (Doctor of Dental Surgery) & D.M.D. (Doctor of Dental Medicine)

Both four-year curricula combine intense foundational scientific instruction during Years 1–2 with comprehensive clinical rotations and patient treatment during Years 3–4. Graduates may immediately enter clinical practice or pursue specialized residency training (e.g., Orthodontics, Oral Surgery, Pediatric Dentistry).

Featured Insight: Dental Hygiene vs. General Dentistry

Are you considering the differences between dental hygiene and doctor-level dentistry? As highlighted by Dr. Ann Auman, Dean of Natural Sciences:

“A dental hygienist focuses on preventive care, cleanings, and patient assistance. A dentist evaluates complex diagnostics, performs advanced procedures, supervises staff, and can specialize in fields like periodontology or orthodontics.”

Read Dr. Auman’s Full Article →

Resources by Student Group

For Prospective Students

  • Explore PLU’s small lab sizes taught directly by PhD faculty without graduate assistants.
  • Discover how our institutional partnerships—including PLU’s pathway with Pacific Northwest University (PNWU)—create direct opportunities for pre-health graduates. Read about the PNWU Partnership

For Current Students

For Applicants & Alumni

PLU Pre-Dental Outcome Destinations

PLU pre-dental scholars build strong academic records, gain hands-on clinical exposure, and successfully matriculate into distinguished dental schools across the nation. Recent PLU graduates (2018–2026) have matriculated into:

  • University of Washington School of Dentistry
  • Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) School of Dentistry
  • University of Southern California (USC) Ostrow School of Dentistry
  • University of Michigan School of Dentistry
  • Creighton University School of Dentistry
  • University of Louisville School of Dentistry
  • Western University of Health Sciences College of Dental Medicine

Connect with Pre-Health Advising

Whether you are exploring pre-dental pathways or finalizing your DAT prep and AADSAS application, our advisors are here to support your career trajectory.

Schedule a Pre-Dental Advising Appointment