Pre-Dentistry

Program Overview
Courses

We can help you get on the path to a multifaceted, flourishing dentistry career -- and few professions are more promising. Research studies continue to show that oral health is linked to overall health. This means there is a growing need for competent, compassionate dentists.

Becoming an effective caretaker of teeth, gums and all of the mouth’s other elements will require a strong science foundation. At Lipscomb, pre-dentistry students are ensured of gaining an integrated study of essential scientific principles: mathematics, biology, chemistry and physics. Even more, because dental schools will expect you to have had hands-on experiences in the field, we can help you identify relevant networking and clinical opportunities outside of the classroom. You’ll also have access to resources such as the Health Professions Advisory Committee (HPAC) scholarship.

With the academic knowledge and relationships built here, you’ll be well-equipped to enter dental school and specialize in an area of your choosing.

Program Foundations

Because Lipscomb’s health professions preparation and advising program was formalized nearly 50 years ago, our graduates have enjoyed increasing success throughout the region and across the country. Professional schools know that applicants recommended by our program are well-prepared to complete a health care education and be lifelong contributors to their professions and patients. The cornerstone of Lipscomb’s successful pre-health preparation program is the inculcation of founding principles reflecting the Great Physician: integrity, empathy, compassion, selflessness, intelligence, maturity, good judgment and a commitment to others. With the increasing emphasis upon teamwork and intrapersonal competencies in professional health care, such applicants are highly sought after.

Let us help you get on track in your selection of prerequisites and relevant clinical experiences that will best satisfy your professional goals. Our Health Professions Advisory Office is the home base for all pre-health care students. The committee consists of knowledgeable, respected professionals and educators who are ready to assist you in each step of planning---even if you don’t yet have a plan. We’re happy to listen to your dreams, ideas, goals and questions so that we can serve as an invaluable sounding board. Finally, within one or two semesters of submitting your application, you will need to request an interview with the HPAC to complete your file that will serve as the basis of our letter of recommendation on your behalf.

Register with our office each fall so we keep you informed of campus activities and services relevant to your career choice. We want to get to know you.

Courses

Our office can assist you in determining which courses you need to satisfy professional school requirements. However, we also recommend that you visit the website of each dental school in which you have an interest in order to become familiar with its specific prerequisites and admission requirements.

Although course requirements can vary from one health professional program to another, the following courses are required by most dental schools:

General Biology: Eight semester hours with labs
General Chemistry: Eight semester hours with labs
Organic Chemistry: Eight semester hours with labs
Physics: Eight hours with lab(s)
Math: Trigonometry; some through Calculus I
English: Six semester hours

One of the following: Three hours of Microbiology, three hours of Histology, eight hours of Human Anatomy & Physiology or four hours of Comparative Anatomy.

Pre-Professional Programs

Contact Information

Biology

Beth Conway
Prof of Bio & Assoc Chair
(615) 966-5878
beth.conway@lipscomb.edu

Service learning

We provide you the opportunity to enhance your academic understanding by applying what you’ve learned in class to service projects that benefit our community. Before graduation, you’ll participate in at least two SALT (Serving and Learning Together) projects.

Expert faculty, small class sizes

Learn from award-winning, experienced faculty who actually care about you. Our small class sizes allow us to get to know you personally. We lead an approachable community within our respective programs. Our faculty connections are the experts on their subject matter, too.

Job placement

With a top-tier university education on your resume, you’ll be in high demand, whether you choose to launch your career or begin graduate school. Most of our programs have a placement rate of at least 90 percent within six months of graduation.

Study Abroad

See the world — whether it’s Italy, Austria, Costa Rica, England or another country. Career opportunities will open for you as you sharpen your foreign language skills. Gain the international experience and cross-cultural communication skills you’ll need in our global economy.

Our Faculty

No matter what major you choose, we are ready to advise you on your path to becoming a dentist.

Jon Lowrance

Department Chair - Biology

Jon H. Lowrance is a professor of biology in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Lipscomb University. He received his bachelor of science (B.S.) degree in Biology from...
Meet Jon Lowrance
Linda Phipps

Director of Environmental Health Safety

Phipps has over 35 years of experience in environmental science and chemistry. She served as the Pretreatment Coordinator for Dallas, TX, where she administered the pretreatment permitting and enforcement program...
Meet Linda Phipps
Randy Bybee

Department Chair - Physics and Professor

Randy is a native Tennessean, having grown up in Gainesboro, a small town about 85 miles east of Nashville. After undergraduate work at Tennessee Technological University in Cookeville, TN, Randy...
Meet Randy Bybee
Kent Clinger

Adjunct Faculty

A native of Fort Worth, Texas, Kent Clinger received a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry from Oklahoma Christian College in 1976. He studied in the Master of Science program...
Meet Kent Clinger

Career Paths

Dentists

Dentists diagnose and treat problems with patients’ teeth, gums, and related parts of the mouth. They provide advice and instruction on taking care of the teeth and gums and on diet choices that affect oral health.

Dental Hygienists

Dental hygienists clean teeth, examine patients for signs of oral diseases such as gingivitis, and provide other preventive dental care. They also educate patients on ways to improve and maintain good oral health.

Dental Assistants

Dental assistants perform many tasks, ranging from providing patient care and taking x rays to recordkeeping and scheduling appointments. Their duties vary by state and by the dentists’ offices where they work.

Pre-Dentistry

Program Overview