The College of Dentistry has much to offer in terms of experienced faculty, early “hands-on” dental training and clinical experience. These advantages are enhanced by the state-of-the-art equipment available to students in both the pre-clinical and clinical stages of the program. If dentistry is the career for you, we are sure you’ll agree that the College of Dentistry at the University of Saskatchewan is the place to study. Please read on!
Choosing an occupation is one of the most important decisions you will ever make. Your life’s work builds and reinforces your identity as a person, so it is never too early to start investigating career opportunities, asking questions and getting answers.
If you answer “yes” to the following questions, dentistry might be the right choice for you:
Dentistry is a rapidly changing, expanding profession. The scope of a dentist’s work is much broader today than ever before, and continues to grow. Today’s dentists do more than drill and fill their patients’ teeth; they perform a wide variety of procedures and functions, such as the following:
In addition to the variety of tasks performed by dentists, the dental profession also allows for creativity, since it involves a strong artistic element. Because dentists provide an essential health care service, they enjoy a highly respected position within the community. Dentists gain a great deal of professional flexibility by establishing a private practice, or practicing within a group. The dental profession also provides financial and job security, two very important factors when choosing your career. (Credit: “Dentistry: Is it for you?” Published by the Canadian Dental Association.)
Talk with a counsellor or advisor who is knowledgeable about the health care professions. Talk with dentists in your community. Arrange to visit a dental office. The more you know about the practice of dentistry, the more certain you can be about your decision.
If you feel reasonably confident that dentistry is for you, now is the time to start planning your education.
The College of Dentistry is a dynamic college with a reputation for excellence in both teaching and research. Established in 1965, the College is fully accredited by the Canadian Dental Association, and is recognized by the American Dental Association. The small class size of 28 ensures individual attention from the 23 full-time faculty and 61 part-time faculty. Graduates who successfully complete the Doctor of Dental Medicine degree (D.M.D.) are eligible to take all North American board exams.
Early in the program, students learn basic dental procedures and current techniques in a pre-clinical teaching area that includes a state-of-the-art clinic simulation facility. During the clinical training phase of the program, senior students provide direct patient care in our treatment clinic which provides an excellent environment for both patients and students.
The excellence of our dental program, combined with the support of dedicated faculty and staff, and our superior facilities, make the College of Dentistry, University of Saskatchewan the best choice for your dental education.
The University of Saskatchewan offers a pre-dentistry club for students interested in applying to dental school. Members assist one another with the application process and receive advice from the College of Dentistry and dental practitioners. You will also have the opportunity to meet students with similar career goals.
Please contact predentclub@gmail.com for more information.
Applicants must have a minimum average of 70% in required pre-dentistry courses and must complete at least 60 credit units of university level work within two standard academic terms (September - April) with a minimum average of 75% in two best 30-credit years. Applicants must have a minimum average of 70% in required pre-dentistry courses and must complete at least 60 credit units of university level work within two standard academic terms (September - April) with a minimum average of 75% in two best 30-credit years. Students must also write a Dental Aptitude Test and attend an interview.
The following is a list of high school subjects required for admission. Please select the province/territory where you completed high school.
The College of Dentistry welcomes applications from all students. Of the 28 first-year spots, 22 are reserved for Saskatchewan residents, including 3 spaces for persons of Aboriginal descent. The other 6 spaces are open to all other applicants, regardless of residency.
Required
Pre-Dentistry Courses:
Applicants must have a minimum overall average of at least 70% in the required pre-dentistry courses that have been completed by the end of the first term (Fall) of the current year but may complete any outstanding pre-dentistry courses in the second term (Winter). The overall pre-dentistry average and Academic Average will determine the applicant's eligibility for further admission consideration. All required pre-dentistry courses must be completed by the end of April the year in which admission is sought with an overall average of at least 70% to be eligible. Applicants who have not completed this requirement will not be considered.
It is recommended that applicants’ program of studies be in the area of natural sciences. Furthermore, students should choose a program that leads to an alternate career, in case they are not accepted into the dental program.
Minimum Credit Unit Requirement:
The full weighting of 65% is given to your TWO best academic years of study. Each academic year must have no fewer than 30 credit units of university level work. An academic year is defined as TWO standard academic terms consisting of eight (8) consecutive months ( September to April). Applicants must have obtained a minimum cumulative weighted average of 75% over their TWO best academic years of study. Applicants will not be considered if they do not have the required minimum credit units within the 8-month period, September to April, or the minimum cumulative weighted average.
Applicants who take a correspondence class must complete the class and write the final exam by the end of April.
Non-Saskatchewan/Transfer Credentials:
Applicants who have attended other
post-secondary institutions must complete
the equivalent of the required pre-dentistry
courses and a minimum of two full
30-credit unit years. Applicants who do
not complete this requirement will not be
considered.
All applicants must take the Dental Aptitude Test (DAT) administered by the Canadian Dental Association. The test is conducted each year by a number of universities across Canada, including the University of Saskatchewan. The test can be written on two occasions, in November and in February. The results will be accepted for both dates.
DAT results older than three years are not accepted for admission purposes. If an applicant has taken more than one DAT within this time period, the best overall DAT score will be used as the final score.
The applicable scores from the DAT will be those earned on:
Effective the 2012 - 2013 application cycle, reference letters are not required for application to Dentistry.
| Year | Quota | Applicants | Averages | Gender | Prior University | Age |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 28 22 (SK)1 6 (other) |
301 60 (SK) 241 (other) |
78.56% to 95.35% | 17 Female 11 Male |
Two years: 6 Three to four years: 10 Five+ years: 12 |
19 to 40 |
| 2010 | 28 22 (SK) 6 (other) |
271 53 (SK) 218 (other) |
79.9% to 97% | 14 Female 15 Male |
Two years: 5 Three to four years: 15 Five+ years: 8 |
19 to 37 |
1. Saskatchewan resident:
If you are applying as a Saskatchewan Resident, you must provide proof of Saskatchewan residency by February 1st.
Applicants must be Canadian citizens or landed immigrants at the time of application.
Applicants normally must have resided in Saskatchewan for at least four years immediately prior to September 1st of the year in which admission is being sought. Applicants who left the province, but who previously lived in Saskatchewan for an accumulated period of 15 years (permanent residency), will be treated as residents. Applicants who have previously lived in Saskatchewan for an accumulated period of less than 15 years and who do not qualify under the four-year condition will receive credit of one year toward the four year requirement for every four years of residency in the province. There are no exceptions to the four-year Saskatchewan residency rule.
In support of a claim to qualify under section (b) above (as a resident of Saskatchewan), the following proof and circumstances will be taken into account:
Dates of issue on your Saskatchewan Health Card and either a Saskatchewan Driver’s License or Saskatchewan Income Tax forms confirming taxes paid in Saskatchewan.
Applicants who have completed four years of full-time study at Saskatchewan post-secondary institutions immediately prior to the year of admission being sought are considered Saskatchewan residents. To support this claim, official transcripts from the Saskatchewan post-secondary institutions attended must be provided by February 1st.
Reasons for any break in continuity of residence, which will include attendance at an out-of-province educational institution, summer employment where applicable, and any other reason deemed to be relevant;
Saskatchewan high school transcript (if you are NOT currently registered at the University of Saskatchewan) or
Resident of the Yukon, Northwest or Nunavut Territories
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