Ponce Health Sciences University strongly suggests that applicants apply with a BA / BS. Pre-dental coursework must be completed at a college-level institution accredited by the Council of Higher Education of PR or by a US accrediting organization or complete a minimum of 90 college credits. Candidates that have completed the degree (BA/BS) will be given preference. However, a BS or BA degree is not a requirement for admission. Independent of the degree an applicant is pursuing or pursued, completion of the following courses is required:

Courses                                                                                                                                                                                                   Credits

*Any two of the following: Psychology, Sociology, Anthropology, Ethics, Political Sciences, and/or Economics.

In addition to the above requirements, we strongly recommend coursework in Biochemistry, Cell Biology, Genetics, and Microbiology. In addition to the above requirements, we strongly recommend coursework in Biochemistry, Cell Biology, Genetics, and Microbiology.

Additional requirements considered for admission

• Bilingual in English and Spanish (read, write, speak, and understand).
• Minimum GPA of 2.7 (on a four-point scale) is required for applying.
• Minimum SGPA of 2.7 (on a four-point scale) is required for application.
• Minimum DAT score of 15 (average of “Academic Average” and “Perceptual Ability”). The scores must be no more than three years old.
• Minumum of 3 letters of recommendation and a maximum of five (one letter will be from volunteering at a community activity).

• 24 hours of shadowing at a dental office.
• Community service and extracurricular activities

Admissions are competitive in nature.  There are some requirements to be considered for admission. Candidates that do not fulfill the minimum requirements can submit their credentials and applications, but there is no guarantee that they will be considered for admission. In addition, candidates are encouraged to prepare beyond the minimum requirements by enhancing their preparation in basic and behavioral sciences.

Accepted applicants still completing the degree must successfully complete all courses in progress at the academic level they had been performing at the time of application.

Selection Criteria

The SDM Admission Committee will evaluate and weight applications considering several factors, which include:

• Academic performance (20%)
• DAT scores (20%)
• Essay (10%)
• Extracurricular activities (10%)
• Experience in the health field (research, community service, shadowing, and others; 10%)
• Letters of Recommendation (a minimum of three; 10%)
• Interview (20%)

PHSU has a history of excellence in education and diversity.  Our strong position as a health sciences campus provided the framework to be supported by faculty and resources with experience in health/sciences education.  Dental students will share the campus with students from the Schools of Medicine, Behavior and Brain Sciences, Public Health, and Nursing.

The dental profession brings great opportunities for personal and professional growth.  To become more familiar with Dentistry as a profession, we invite you to visit the webpage of the American Dental Education Association, in particular, the following link: https://adea.org/GoDental/

Other IMPORTANT LINKS

• American Dental Education Association: adea.orgg    
• Apply to dental schools: https://adea.org/GoDental/Apply
• To obtain a Dental Personal Identification Number and apply for the DAT examination.

https://www.ada.org/education/manage-your-dentpin

1.     Evaluate and integrate biomedical, epidemiological, and research outcomes using critical thinking for evidence-based clinical practice.

2.     Recognition of ethical principles and legal issues and applying them accordingly in decision- making while providing dental care.

3.     Demonstrate effective management of a general dental practice, including technology resources, interpersonal skills, and communicate effectively with individuals from a diverse population.

4.     Develop and participate in prevention and educational health promotion strategies based on the fundamental principles of behavioral sciences and risk assessments for individuals of all ages, including oral cancer screenings.

5.     Manage oral health care, including assessment, diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment planning with informed consent for patients of all ages and those with special needs.

6.     Prevent, identify and manage dental emergencies.

7.     Manage pain and anxiety in patients of all ages.

8.     Diagnose and assess temporomandibular disorders.

9.     Diagnose and manage periodontal diseases.

10.  Perform and complete restorative procedures that preserve tooth structure, replace missing or defective tooth structure, maintain function, aesthetic, and promote soft and hard tissue health.

11.  Diagnose and treat malocclusion and space management.   

12.  Manage teeth replacement for partially and completely edentulous patients with a fixed prosthesis, removable prosthesis, and dental implants.

13.  Diagnose and manage pulpal diseases.

14.  Diagnose and manage surgical treatment needs.

15.  Diagnose and manage oral mucosa and osseous diseases.

16.  Demonstrate self-assessment and professional lifelong learning skills.