Dentist School in West Virginia - WV

By an allied health world contributing writer
Published: August, 5 2010

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There is only one dentist school in West Virginia, the West Virginia University School of Dentistry in Morgantown, which offers the D.D.S (Doctor of Dental Surgery), as well as degrees in endodontics, orthodontics, and prosthodontics. However, aspiring dentists who wish to practice in West Virginia may obtain their degree at one of the 57 accredited dental schools located throughout the United States. Most students entering dental school already have a bachelor’s degree. However, many dental schools, including the West Virginia University School of Dentistry, allow students to enter after completing three years of undergraduate coursework and complete their bachelor’s degree concurrently with their dentistry studies. Dentistry school in West Virginia must be completed entirely in the classroom and in clinical practicum settings. Dentistry studies leading to a D.D.S. and a license to practice as a dentist cannot be completed online.

Students planning for dental school should have a firm grounding in math and science. While it is not necessary for aspiring dental students to major in the natural or physical sciences, they must successfully complete essentially the same series of coursework as premed students, including biology, chemistry, physics, and calculus. Dental school applicants must take the standardized Dental Admissions Test or DAT. Admission to dental school is competitive; applicants should have good grades and good test scores.

Dental school itself involves a four-year course of study. For the first two years, students pursue coursework in subjects such as anatomy and physiology, biochemistry, and microbiology. A significant portion of time is devoted to mastery of the laboratory sciences. During the final two years, students begin treating patients in dental clinics while supervised by licensed dentists.