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Start your path to a career in dentistry here

We will help you get prepared for dental school.

Pre-Dental Path

Students of many different majors are on the pre-dental path at SUNY Plattsburgh. The PHPAC will help make sure you are prepared to apply to dental school.

Academics

If you are a biology or biomedical sciences major, you will take all of the important prerequisite classes for medical school application as part of your major. If you are not one of these majors, it is important to take the following classes:

  • General Biology (BIO101, 4 credits with lab)
  • General Chemistry I and II (CHE111 and CHE112, 8 credits with lab)
  • Organic Chemistry I and II (CH241 and CH242, 8 credits with lab)
  • Physics (PHY103 and 104) 8 Credits including lab
  • English (ENG101 and AWR) 6 credits

In addition to basic sciences, you are encouraged to take some art classes or pick up a hobby that develops manual dexterity skills. Examples are sculpture, ceramics, and jewelry making. These activities will develop your manual dexterity and also help you the better visualize objects in three dimensions, which is an important skill for the DAT.

The Honors Program at SUNY Plattsburgh is an important way to show academic excellence. We advise pre-dental students to go this route if possible.

Dental Experience

Dental schools will expect that you have some experience in the dental environment, even if it is just shadowing a dentist. We have relationships with dentists within walking distance of the campus and can get you the experience you need.

Alumni Profiles

Portait of Alisala ThatsanasuwanAlisala Thatsanasuwan, D.M.D., Class of ’14

  • Columbia University

“At SUNY Plattsburgh, I met an incredibly dedicated and supportive academic advisor. He continues to offer his help despite that I am no longer a student there. After I graduated, I landed a job at an orthodontics office and soon after that I found a new job at a multi-specialty office where I had the opportunity to have hands on experience with all phases of dentistry. At times I found myself not knowing what field exactly between medicine and dentistry I would enjoy going into more, I talked with my advisor and he helped me see my hidden potential and boosted my confidence. I chose dentistry because I could see myself living a more flexible life and enjoy helping the patients restore their oral health.“

Portrait of Saeed BigdeliSaeed Bigdeli, D.M.D., Class of ’14

“The student to faculty ratio is advantageous to the students populations compare to other schools and that's why there are more opportunity at Plattsburgh compare to other schools in N.Y.“

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