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If you're fortunate enough to have been admitted into several dental schools, you will need to select the one dental school that you will attend. While this is a good position to be in, it can also be difficult to make a choice. This page will outline how to choose a dental school.
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Dental Student on Choosing a Dental School
A fourth-year dental student at UCSF discusses her reasons for choosing the dental school over others. She talks about the opportunities available at the school, including the school's willingness to accommodate students, helping them if they are interested in pursuing certain specialties, or want to participate in outreach programs. She also discusses the academic programs 5-streams, which allow students to focus on 5 classes rather than 13 different classes like many dental schools.
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Introduction
- All accredited dental schools will prepare you to be a dentist. There are some specific things you should consider, however, when determining which school is the best fit for you.
Step 1: Faculty
- The faculty will profoundly affect your experience at the school. Full time teachers are more available to students than part time teachers, but part time teachers are usually practicing dentists whose current clinical experience can be very valuable to students. A good school will have a mix of both, but the percentages will vary. Look for a mix that you are comfortable with.
Step 2: Facilities Available to Students
- What types of laboratories and clinics are available to students? Schools with lower class sizes generally have more hands-on facilities available to students. Ask questions about what facilities are available, and whether overcrowding can limit hands-on time.
Step 3: Cost and Financial Aid
- Dental school is expensive, but tuitions and financial aid can vary significantly. The amount of debt you need to take on to finance your education can affect how long it will be before you can afford to open or buy into a practice after graduation, so consider cost carefully when comparing schools.
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