The WVU School of Dentistry has an excellent reputation for producing outstanding clinicians. Many of the faculty and graduates are recognized leaders in dental education and organized dentistry. A solid base has been established for the future, and with the continued cooperation and support of central administration, the dental alumni, and practicing dentists across the state, the School of Dentistry will remain one of the finest dental schools in the nation. West Virginia's oral health center for education, research and service will only get stronger in the next decade. Majors in the School of Dentistry Dental Hygiene B,M Dentistry D Endodontics M Oral Surgery C Orthodontics M Prosthodontics M B = Bachelor's; M = Master's; D = Doctorate; C = Certificate For more information about the Doctor of Dental Surgery program, contact Dr. Shelia Price at 304-293-6646, dentaladmit@hsc.wvu.edu, or by fax at 304-293-8561. Visit us online at: http://www.hsc.wvu.edu/sod

The WVU School of Dentistry
In the WVU School of Dentistry, a doctor of dental surgery degree is offered for students who wish to become dentists. High school students who are interested in pursuing a DDS degree should enroll in a college preparatory program that includes courses in biology, chemistry, higher mathematics, and physics. There is no major called “pre-dentistry” at WVU; students essentially have two options from which to choose for their preparation. Some applicants apply after three years of undergraduate study, while others decide to earn an undergraduate degree before entering dental school. Any course of study is fine as long as the prerequisite courses are completed, although most students enter the dental program with degrees in biology or chemistry.

To provide students in Dentistry and Dental Hygiene with the necessary clinical experience, the School of Dentistry maintains and operates dental clinics in the Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center.

Admission
Successful admission to WVU’s School of Dentistry begins with a firm academic foundation. Applicants must complete at least 90 semester hours at an accredited college or university. Mandatory courses include English composition and rhetoric (six credit hours), biology or zoology with lab (eight credit hours), inorganic chemistry with lab (eight credit hours), organic chemistry with lab (eight credit hours), and physics with lab (eight credit hours). Courses in comparative anatomy, embryology, and biochemistry are recommended. In addition, courses in the humanities, oral and written communication, economics, and the social sciences are helpful in broadening students’ intellectual backgrounds for both the study and the practice of dentistry. All majors are considered if all course requirements have been successfully completed.

All applicants are required to take the Dental Admission Test. In addition, three letters of recommendation are required, and qualified applicants will be invited for an interview. The School of Dentistry accepts 50 students per year, with preference given to West Virginia residents. The Committee on Admissions has no cutoff GPAs. Competition at the undergraduate level has forced these numbers to a rather high plateau (3.4+). It is important to emphasize that the committee will review transcripts with regard to consistency of performance, course loads, and the degree of difficulty of the curriculum. The application period is from June 1 to January 1.

Curriculum
During the course of eight semesters and three eight-week summer sessions, a dental student will be enrolled in courses designed primarily to prepare him or her for the general practice of dentistry.
The Committee on Academic Standards convenes regularly to monitor student progress throughout the predoctoral curriculum.

Clinical training and experience constitute a major part of the curriculum for dental students. Facilities include all necessary treatment cubicles and related laboratories. Each student is assigned to a team and must work under the close supervision of a team leader and other faculty in rendering comprehensive oral health care. A clinical rotation to a rural community in West Virginia is required of each student.

Accreditation
West Virginia University is fully accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, and the School of Dentistry is fully accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association.

Career Opportunities
Following the completion of the DDS program, the dental graduate has various career options ranging from general practice of dentistry to postdoctoral education leading to specialization in one of nine American Dental Association recognized specialties. Dental graduates can go on to graduate studies in the basic sciences that lead to additional degrees (MS, PhD), a career in teaching and research, and postgraduate study that provides advanced training for the practice of general dentistry.

Salary Range
The mean net income of dentists in private practice is about $173,000 a year, according to the American Dental Association. The mean income of those in specialty practices is about $275,000 a year. Dentists at the beginning of their years of practice often earn less, while those in mid-career earn more. A relatively large number of dentists are self-employed. Like other business owners, these dentists must provide their own health insurance, life insurance, and retirement benefits. The average income of a dentist is in the highest eight percent of US family income.