Pre-Dental
Determining Your Calling to Dental School
Let us come alongside you as you determine God’s unique calling within the dental field. Visit with professors and advisors to determine if dental school is something you are being called to and determine where that could lead.
Preparing You Academically for Dental School
Establish the foundation needed to be successful in dental school and beyond. Through pre-dental classes, whether analyzing the human anatomy or participating in a chemistry class, students will leave DBU equipped with skills needed for dental school.
Preparing You Personally and Professionally for Dental School
Engage with other students on similar career paths through our student organizations or through service opportunities. Gain real-world experience through internships and shadowing opportunities that help enhance your learning.
Preparing You for the DAT and Dental School Admissions
Take advantage of the connections that DBU offers, whether it is the Kaplan test prep course, dental school tours, or other workshops. Students will receive personalized guidance from the pre-dental advisor to help them make decisions such as where to go to dental school or what career to pursue once they obtain their degree.
Pre-Dental Advisor
Dr. Debra Hinson
Professor of Biology
Dr. Debra Hinson is a Professor of Biology and teaches Genetics, Microbiology, and Immunology. She received her Ph.D. in Molecular Genetics in the area of Biomedical Sciences from Baylor University. She continued in research as a Technical Supervisor for Clinical Enzymology and later worked as a Biomedical Scientist at a Research and Development company. In the fall of 2000, she left the world of research for academia and came to Dallas Baptist University as a Professor of Biology. In 2012, Dr. Hinson assisted in bringing the Beta Beta Beta Honor Society to DBU and has served as the organization’s sponsor since that time. In addition to being the sponsor at DBU, the National BBB organization appointed Dr. Hinson as the Southcentral District 2 Director in 2019. Dr. Hinson wishes students to have access to additional opportunities of learning through research, speakers, and events afforded by membership in BBB.
Pre-Dental Current Student Testimonial
Elisha Roccaforte
Pre-Dental Biology Major
Elisha is a freshman at DBU. She is currently studying Pre-Dental Biology.
"DBU allows me to be around like-minded individuals who care about one another, desire to see me succeed, and genuinely want to get to know me and hear about my life."
Pre-Dental Alumni Testimonial
Destiny Sakolevidis
Laboratory Technician, Dallas Baptist University
Destiny graduated from DBU in 2021 with a B.S. in Biology and a minor in Chemistry. She is currently a laboratory technician at DBU.
“My favorite thing about studying at DBU has been that I am known by my professors - I am not just a number in a room of hundreds of people. I truly feel like my professors caere about me as an individual and I know that they want me to succeed. I cannot recommend that pre-dental program enough and am so thankful for the impact that this progeram has had on me.”
Pre-Dental Alumni Profiles
Jadee Dellis '15
Texas A&M University College of Dentistry
Associate Dentist, Seaside Dentistry
Zachary Ross '14
Texas A&M University College of Dentistry
General Dentist, Forney TX
Brandon Florence '99
Baylor College of Dentistry
Dentistry Practitioner, Cedar Hill TX
Pre-Dental FAQs
What is the Pre-Dental course plan?
Many pre-dental students choose to major in Biology, but there are a variety of majors open to pre-dental students, as dental schools value a diversity of majors. Because of this, we encourage students to meet early on with their pre-dental advisor and discuss a major that works for them.
Course Catalog
What Pre-Dental internships and experiences are available?
Through the Pre-Dental program at Dallas Baptist University, students have the opportunity to gain practical experiences both for credit and not-for-credit internship and observation experiences. These experiential learning opportunities are critical to the development and execution of many of the core values that are prioritized by the American Physical Therapy Association, such as accountability, altruism, compassion, excellence, integrity, professional duty, and social responsibility.
Internships
- Students can meet with their advisor to discuss internship opportunities and locations. Rather than the traditional internship format, some Pre-Dental students take the opportunity to do summer research in labs and clinics throughout the country. Students can meet with their advisor to find the best fit for them.
TriBeta Honor Society
- Beta Beta Beta (TriBeta) is a National Biological Honor Society. It is dedicated to improving the understanding and appreciation of biological science and promoting scientific research. TriBeta alums are an excellent resource for our students. Many of our alumni have returned to speak to our students about their profession and serve as shadowing opportunities in their private practices.
- Tribeta Official Website
Research Symposium
- The Dr. Herb Robbins Undergraduate Research Symposium gives students a platform to present their scientific research and an opportunity to learn about new scientific discoveries and the importance of summer research programs.
Is dental school for me?
Our professors and advisors want to come alongside you as you navigate decisions about your career and determine what God might be calling you to. For those who feel called to serve others in a personal setting, the dental field may be for you. The Pre-Dental program at DBU is designed to help students understand their natural giftings and how they could be put to use in the medical field. As you determine what your future in the field of dentistry may look like, there are a few things that you should consider.
- God’s calling on your life
- Do your strengths match dental school requirements?
- Do your short and long-term goals match up with going to dental school
- What makes you interested in dental school
- Are you prepared for the investment, both time and money, that dental school requires?
How can DBU prepare me for dental school?
DAT Prep Course
- Dallas Baptist University partners with Kaplan, a test preparatory corporation, to provide a discounted DAT prep course. With this course, students are able to study with peers, take practice tests, and work through a guided analysis of test content.
Building a Resume
- In order to gain experience prior to going to dental school, it would be wise for students to focus on building their resumes while in undergrad. Students will have the opportunity to meet with the Pre-Dental advisor, Dr. Curtis Lee, to help discuss opportunities to build up their resumes as they study.
Application Process
- While dental schools do not require a certain major but rather value the diversity of majors, they do have certain criteria they focus on. As you pursue your undergraduate degree, students should focus on building tools to prepare you for dental school. Dental school applications often focus on the following components:
- Academic Record
- DAT Score
- Resume
- Personal Statement
- Letters of Recommendation
Why prepare for a career in dentistry at DBU?
The Pre-Dental program at Dallas Baptist University provides the opportunity to prepare for dental school in a Christian environment. Professors and advisors at DBU are dedicated to ensuring that students gain the assistance they need in their healthcare journey. As students learn how to care for the health of others through dentistry, they are also learning how to connect their faith to their profession. The Pre-Dental program is designed to provide the background knowledge needed to be successful in dental school while also growing in their faith. At DBU, students get personalized attention from advisors and professors as they make decisions about life and post-graduate work. Whether it is giving advice about dental schools, internships, DAT prep, research, or other opportunities, the professors and advisors at DBU are here to help.
