Pre-Dental
Dentists and dental hygienists are part of a dynamic health profession, helping patients prevent and treat diseases and conditions that affect the teeth and gums. As a dentist, you would play a significant role in your patients’ oral health care throughout their lives, from braces in adolescent years to teeth extractions in senior years. Because public oral hygiene is the best it has ever been, the demand for dentists and dental hygienists continues to rise. People are keeping their teeth longer than ever, and they need someone to care for them.
The pre-dental and pre-dental hygienist programs at Concordia include hands-on, experiential instruction in human anatomy, biology and physics, allows students to complete prerequisite coursework for dental school, earn a baccalaureate degree (in a major of your choice) and obtain extensive assistance with the dental or dental hygiene school preparation, selection, and application process, all of which will equip you to be successful in graduate school and in a dental career.
Help make your patients’ smiles brighter!
Program Highlights
WHY STUDY PRE-DENTAL AT CONCORDIA?
At Concordia University, Nebraska, you will gain a strong foundation in the natural and social sciences well as the basic scientific and medical knowledge as part of a well-rounded liberal arts education, so you are prepared to continue your education to become a certified dentist or dental hygienist. The majority of dental graduate schools want a pre-dental major who has completed courses in physics, chemistry, biology, mathematics and has a background in English, humanities and social sciences. The ability to solve scientific problems and a broad undergraduate education are considered essential for the pre-dental and pre-dental hygienist program student.
Accreditation
Concordia University, Nebraska is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, a regional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Degree Goals
A pre-dental program graduate from Concordia University, Nebraska will be able to:
- Integrate both traditional and non-traditional cognitive skills, including analytical inquiry, information literacy, quantitative fluency and communicative fluency.
- Demonstrate intercultural competence in addressing civic, social, environmental and economic issues.
- Demonstrate ethical work habits and behavior patterns that are required for success and advancement in the dental or dental hygienist profession.
Career Outcomes
Dentist
- Help patients maintain a healthy mouth through check-ups, filling teeth, performing surgical procedures and encouraging good dental care
- Help patients take care of their mouth, teeth, gums and tongue
Dental Hygienist
- Clean teeth, examine patients for signs of oral disease such as gingivitis and help educate patients on proper care of their teeth and gums
- Apply sealants and fluorides to help protect teeth, take dental x-rays and assist dentists with treatment plans
FAQs
In order to become a dentist, you will need to obtain a 4-year bachelor’s degree, usually in a science-related field. Then you will apply to and enroll in a dental school, complete clinical experience and pass exams to become licensed in your state.
Most dental hygienists obtain their bachelor’s degree in a science-related field. Then you will go on to graduate from an accredited dental hygiene program before passing the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE) from the Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations (JCNDE) and obtaining licensure from your state dental board.
Related Programs
Biology
With a degree in biology from Concordia Nebraska, you will be prepared to begin a career in the biological sciences right away, or to continue your education in graduate, medical, dental or veterinary school. As a biology major at Concordia, you learn essential skills such as time management and mastering complex material, as well as studying more in-depth topics such as microbiology, human anatomy and immunology to give you the knowledge you need to be successful in the field of biology.
Chemistry
A degree in chemistry from Concordia University, Nebraska expands your understanding of general chemistry and gives you the practical, hands-on experience you need to continue a career in chemistry after graduation. Your classroom and chemistry lab experience will help you on your journey to use your passion for chemistry to serve in healthcare, industry, research and more.
Physical Science
A degree in physical science from Concordia University, Nebraska will give you an interdisciplinary background in the physical sciences including physics, chemistry and math. Many students choose a physical science major as a broad-based education because they want to teach high school science, chemistry or physics, and a bachelor’s degree in physical science can help equip you with the comprehensive physical science skills you need to educate your future students.
Pre-Dental Hygiene
At Concordia University, Nebraska, you can gain the experience and basic scientific background you need to continue your education to become a dental hygienist. Most dental hygiene graduate programs are looking for a pre-dental hygiene who has completed courses in physics, chemistry, biology, mathematics and have a background in English, humanities and social sciences.
1 Recent graduates attending graduate school or employed within six months of graduation.