About the School
The MCG School of Dentistry offers a four-year program leading to a doctor of dental medicine degree. Dual programs in oral biology also are available. The dental curriculum consist of courses in oral biology, clinical sciences, behavioral sciences and management.
An MCG dental education emphasizes early exposure to patients. Students begin treating patients as early as sophomore year, enjoying a seamless transition from lecture halls and laboratories to clinics. As they master new skills they practice them in the clinic, closely supervised by caring, committed faculty. The fourth year of education is devoted almost solely to patient care. Students also practice their skills in clinics and facilities throughout the state.
Dental school requires intense focus, hard work and long hours, but MCG’s caring and dedicated faculty and staff are on hand to assist every step of the way. Most students approach dental school as a full-time pursuit, but students with jobs and/or families, including those who pursue dentistry as a second career, have excelled at MCG. Balance and commitment are key.
MCG’s numerous student organizations, as well as dental organizations for students, provide fun, camaraderie and inspiration. Some of these organizations emphasize fun and relaxation. Others provide an early start on networking and the opportunity to help shape the dental field.
Administration
| Dean |
Connie L. Drisko |
| Associate Dean |
James T. Barenie |
| Associate Dean |
Frank Caughman |
| Associate Dean |
Carole M. Hanes |
| Associate Dean |
Carol A. Lefebvre |
| Assistant Dean |
Terrie D. English |
| Associate Dean |
Darrell E. Gentry |
SOD Mission
The mission of the Medical College of Georgia School of Dentistry is to educate dentists in order to improve overall health and to reduce the burden of illness in society through the discovery and application of knowledge that embraces craniofacial health and disease prevention.
SOD Vision
To be a premier school of dentistry.
Degrees Offered
Accreditation
The School of Dentistry’s Doctor of Dental Medicine program is fully accredited by the Commission of Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association. The commission’s most recent site visit yielded eight commendations in predoctoral and graduate programs for outstanding performance. MCG students’ scores on the National Boards I and II, required to practice dentistry, are consistently among the highest in the nation.
Admissions Information
Admission Standards
The Medical College of Georgia School of Dentistry is a state-assisted institution with the primary goal of educating dental health care providers for the citizens of Georgia. The ethical practice of dentistry requires intellectual ability. Each applicant must successfully complete all requirements for admission. In addition to demonstrating personal characteristics appropriate for a career in a health care profession, qualification for admission and graduation requires satisfying the following general standards:
- Sufficient intellectual capacity to fulfill the curricular requirements of required basic sciences and clinical courses;
- Ability to communicate with patients, colleagues, faculty, staff and other members of the health care community;
- Ability to learn and safely perform the technical skills required to complete the dental curriculum; and
- Sufficient emotional stability and responsibility to withstand the stresses, uncertainties and changing circumstances that characterize the practice of dentistry.
Degrees and Coursework
A Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) is awarded upon completion of the 4-year dental program, including successful testing of the National Boards I & II. Graduates of the Medical College of Georgia School of Dentistry are eligible for examination by all U.S. dental licensing boards. The 11-semester curriculum consists of:
- Oral Biology Courses: anatomy, biochemistry, microbiology, pharmacology and physiology
- Clinical Sciences: dental materials, endodontics, occlusion, oral medicine, oral pathology, oral surgery, orthodontics, pediatric dentistry, prosthodontics, radiology and restorative dentistry
- Behavioral Sciences/Management Courses
M.S. or Ph.D degrees: Oral Biology Dual Degrees are offered through the graduate program of the Department of Oral Biology.
General Admissions Information
The Admissions Committee recommends applicants on an annual competitive basis. Applicants who are considered in the judgment of the committee, to be the most well-qualified for admission. In their recommendations, the committee considers the following:
| Overall Grade Point Average |
Ranging from 2.8 to 4.0 |
| Dental Admissions Test |
Ranging from 14 in the Academic Average or Perceptual
Ability components to the maximum score of 30 in each of the same areas |
| Academic Coursework |
Minimum of 90 semester hours (135 quarter hours) at an accredited American college or university. Although a bachelor’s degree is not required, prospective dental students who earn a 4-year degree by enrollment receive more consideration. |
| Health Care Experiences |
Observing in the office of a general dentist is the best way to learn about dentistry. The Committee recommends that applicants make arrangements to observe and / or receive hands-on experience in the office of one or more general dentists or in an appropriate dental setting. |
| Other Responsibilities |
Prior to applying to dental school, applicants frequently work to financially support self and family. |
| Involvement |
In extracurricular and community activities, leadership, national recognition, summer enrichment programs, and research experience |
| Backgrounds |
Ethnicity, socioeconomic and cultural background, educational background, region of residence with respect to its health care needs, residing in health professional shortage areas, first person in family to attend college. Overcoming significant obstacles or family circumstances |
| Commitment |
Commitment to practice in Georgia, commitment to practice in underserved areas, motivation to become a dentist. |
| Recommendations |
There are three required: pre-dental advisor, dentist, and a third personal reference. Composite recommendations and pre-health advisory committee recommendations from colleges are counted as one recommendation ( pre-dental advisor). Forms that can be used for the references can be located at www.mcg.edu/sod/admit in the left margin. |
| Interviews |
Interviews are granted by invitation of the Committee only. All accepted students must be interviewed. Interviews are normally held from September to December. These interviews are with members of the School of Dentistry Admissions Committee who help assess the applicant’s personality, motivation and ability deemed pertinent to the successful study of dentistry. |
Admission Requirements
Course Requirements
A minimum of 90 semester hours (135 quarter hours) at an accredited American College or university is required. Preference is given to students who earn a baccalaureate degree. Required prerequisites are listed as follows:
| Biology |
One academic year with lab |
| Chemistry |
One academic year of general or inorganic with lab |
| Advanced Chemistry |
One academic year of advanced chemistry with lab |
(Semester requirements include: one semester of organic chemistry with lab followed by a second semester of organic chemistry or a semester of biochemistry {lab not required}).
(Quarter requirements include: two quarters of organic chemistry with lab followed by a third quarter of organic chemistry or a quarter of biochemistry {no lab required}).
| Physics |
One semester or two quarters with lab |
| English |
One academic year or the portion of an academic year required for the baccalaureate degree at an accredited American college or university. |
All required courses must be taken on a graduated grading scale (A,B,C, D, F); required courses may not be taken on a pass/fail basis. Applicants must earn a grade of “C” or better in all required courses. An academic year equals two semesters or three quarters or one semester and two quarters.
Other Requirements
| Application |
The application for the entering class will be available beginning June 1 until the October 15 deadline, ten months before those accepted are due to enroll. MCG does not participate in the Association of American Dental Schools Application Services (AADSAS). The MCG application is only available and must be submitted on-line at http://www.mcg.edu/SOD/admit/application.htm
|
| Application Fee |
The $30 non-refundable application fee must be paid at the time of electronic submission in order for receipt of application by School of Dentistry. |
| Dental Admission Test |
All applicants for admission must have taken the Dental Admission Test (DAT) within two years of applying. The DAT must be taken by the September 30 deadline, 11 months before those accepted are due to enroll. The DAT can be taken every 90 days. However examinees will be limited to three opportunities to take the test. For information and a DAT application, visit the American Dental Association website at www.ada.org/prof/ed/testing/dat/index.asp or call 1-800-232-2162. |
| Supplemental Information |
In order for applications to be considered “complete” applicants are responsible for ensuring their letters of recommendation, transcripts, photo and any requested supporting residency documents are submitted to the admissions office before a decision is made pertaining to granting an interview. |
| Special English Language Requirements |
Applicants not born in the United States whose native language is not English are REQUIRED to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Although there have been several versions previously, the Internet-based version of TOEFL (iBT TOEFL) is solely available for current testers. The exam will test all four language skills for effective communication: speaking, listening, reading and writing. Applicants must achieve a minimum score of 100, with 26 in the speaking component. Test must be taken before the Sept 30 deadline, 11 months before those accepted are due to enroll. For information and registration materials for the iBT TOEFL visit www.ets.org or call 1-609-771-7100. To have your scores sent directly to the School of Dentistry, you must enter 5425, our TOEFL Institution Code, on the back of the admission ticket. |
| Residency Eligibility |
The School of Dentistry currently accepts Georgia residents only. International students that may be eligible for admissions must present permanent resident documentation and proof of residing in Georgia at least a year before enrollment. All eligible applicants are required to have a minimum of 90 semester hours of college coursework at an American Accredited College or University. |
| Re-applicants |
Applicants who have applied three times, will not be considered on an immediate fourth application. In order to be considered further, those applicants must take at least one academic year to become a more competitive applicant before their applications will be reconsidered for admissions. |
| Acceptance Deposit |
The School of Dentistry at the Medical College of Georgia requires a $100 acceptance deposit which will be credited toward first semester matriculation fees. Those accepted applicants who fail to appear for registration, and fail to notify the Office of Students, Admissions and Alumni of their withdrawal 90 days prior to enrollment, will forfeit their acceptance deposit. |
Additional Admission Information for Special Groups
| Transfer Students and Advanced Standing |
The School of Dentistry does not accept advanced standing or transfer students. All students accepted into the program enroll in the first year of the 4-year D.M.D.program at MCG. For a list of U.S. dental program that offer transfer or advanced standing programs contact the American Dental Education Association, 1625 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20036, 202-667-9433 or visit the website at www.adea.org. |
| Foreign Trained Dentist |
Our School of Dentistry does not have a program in which foreign trained dentists can participate in order to become licensed in Georgia. A number of U.S. dental schools have programs for dentistry for those who have earned dental degrees outside of the United States and who desire to earn a dental degree or become qualified to take either national or state licensure examinations for the practice of dentistry in the United States. A list of the schools which accept graduates of foreign dental schools is available from the Department of Educational Surveys, American Dental Association, 211 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611, 312-440-2689 or the American Dental Education Association, 1625 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20036, 202-667-9433. Also, if you are a licensed dentist looking to possibly practice in Georgia you can contact the Georgia Board of Dentistry at 478-207-1680 or find more information at www.sos.state.ga.us/plb/dentistry. |
Academic Progress Policies
For a review of Academic Progress Policies for the School of Dentistry please select the following link:
School of Dentistry APP
Advanced Dental Education
The Medical College of Georgia School of Dentistry offers the following advanced education certificate programs:
Admissions Information
For information concerning the application process, please contact the Office of Advanced Education at (706) 721-2251 or write to:
Medical College of Georgia
School of Dentistry (AD-3150)
Office of Advanced Education
Augusta, GA 30912-1000
Fax: (706) 721-6276
Email: paulahar@mail.mcg.edu
Information concerning PASS may be obtained from:
Postdoctoral Application Support Service
American Dental Education Association
1400 K Street, NW, Suite 1100
Washington, DC 20005
Customer Service: 1-800-353-2237
Or 202-667-1887
Fax: 202-667-4983
Website: www.ADEA.org
For further information on the application of a Matching Program, or on the services provided by National Matching Services Inc., please contact:
|
National Matching Services Inc.
20 Holly Street, Suite 301
Toronto, Ontario
Canada, M4S 3B1
Telephone: (416) 977-3431
Fax: (416) 977-5020
|
or
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National Matching Services Inc.
P.O. Box 1208
Lewiston, NY 14092-8208
Telephone: (716) 282-4013
Fax: (716) 282-0611
|
E-mail: matchinfo@natmatch.com
