Doctor of Dental Surgery — Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC

Doctor of Dental Surgery

A USC dentist What makes an excellent dentist? Is it the manual skills that deftly restore a beautiful, healthy smile? Is it the chairside manner that puts patients at ease and encourages them to achieve and maintain good oral health?

For a dentist educated at the Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC, that’s merely the beginning.

A USC dentist is an extraordinary individual. Already one of a select few from the time he or she enters the program, a Doctor of Dental Surgery student spends four years receiving an education of unparalleled depth and breadth and graduates with the skills needed to be one of the best dentists in the world. Innovative curricula; world-renowned faculty; and countless clinical, scientific and community service opportunities both inside and outside of the clinic give students the power to truly make the education they receive their own.

Ostrow’s DDS program instills in its students the highest clinical and professional standards found in dental education, and students graduate with the skills and the confidence necessary to address any clinical situation they encounter. This comprehensive training and preparation is why both patients and other dental professionals view USC graduates as some of the most respected and sought-after dentists in the profession.

Ostrow DDS graduates go on to lead the dental profession — in private dental practice, using their skills to serve communities at home and abroad and advancing dentistry through teaching and research. Read on to learn how the program helps today’s brightest minds become tomorrow’s greatest dentists.

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Learner-Centered Education At the Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry, dental education is much more than just passing exams and earning the right to practice dentistry. From the very first day of the program, it’s about developing the skills to think and solve problems like an expert clinician and fostering a lifelong commitment to learning, improving one’s skills and sharing knowledge with others.

“Learner-Centered Education” is a philosophy that Ostrow truly takes to heart. Student-centered curricula and customizable educational opportunities make sure that Doctor of Dental Surgery students have an education that is tailored to them, their goals and their passions. Ostrow faculty members have had years of experience blending problembased, case-based and traditional teaching methodologies for a large class size. And in the first two years of the program, students meet frequently in small groups for faculty memberfacilitated sessions, which contribute to a strong learning partnership between students and faculty. The system ensures that the curriculum is transparent and evolving as both the body of dental knowledge and students’ learning needs change over time.

A notable feature of Ostrow’s DDS program is the school’s expertise in providing a wide variety of curricula carefully tailored for each subject. Facilitated by top dental educators, students take part in seminars, problem-based learning, case-based learning, lectures, service learning, research and hands-on skill development specifically designed to be the best possible learning experience.

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Clinical excellence The hallmark of the USC dentist is his or her dedication to the highest standards in clinical practice.

When Ostrow Doctor of Dental Surgery students work with patients, they are not only using the most advanced techniques and technologies to treat dental problems, they are also assessing their patients’ individual situations, including their lifestyles and unique risk factors, addressing dental fears and helping them adopt the healthy behaviors that will make a positive difference in their lives. This focus on the well-being of the entire patient makes USC DDS graduates amazingly talented dentists, who are also uniquely compassionate and ethical professionals.

Students receive an exceptional variety of clinical experiences by the time they graduate. Observing and learning in the clinic from the very first day of the program and spending

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more than two years of their education planning treatments and providing care, DDS students help patients of every age, background and medical situation with many different dental challenges. From children to seniors, medically compromised individuals to underprivileged communities, DDS students truly see it all during their time at USC, with clinical sites both inside the school as well as in local hospitals, community clinics and outreach sites throughout California.

At Ostrow, DDS students are able to grow their critical thinking skills with guidance from dentistry’s top clinical educators. Students learn from faculty who are continually shaping dental education as well as the dental profession as a whole.

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Groundbreaking research

Community outreach

USC has become one of the nation’s leading research institutions. Trojan faculty members are conducting the science that is changing the world — and the investigators at the Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry are no exception.

Ostrow is well known as one of the pioneers in oral health outreach. For decades, the school has forged relationships with its neighbors in Los Angeles, across California and around the world, bringing health care services and education to the people who need it most.

With a flexible curriculum that can accommodate students’ research ambitions, DDS students are strongly encouraged to take full advantage of the school’s rich scientific environment, whether through the mentorship of a faculty member or through the design, implementation and presentation of their own research projects. From dental public health and clinical investigation to the basic science behind human development and oral biology, research avenues at Ostrow are numerous and widely varied. Student researchers have several opportunities to share their work, including at meetings of professional societies and associations, within respected dental publications and during the school’s annual Research Day celebration.

The school’s numerous programs serve many different communities: the homeless of Downtown Los Angeles, underprivileged kids, the rural poor of Central California and impoverished communities across the globe. These experiences are vital in shaping Ostrow DDS students into understanding, compassionate professionals. As they are helping patients in need, students gain the experience of working with people of diverse backgrounds and health statuses and attain a firsthand understanding of the health care issues facing the underserved.

Being involved in research provides unique benefits to DDS students. Such investigation hones critical thinking and problem-solving skills in a way that no other activity can, and it also provides a deeper understanding of the science behind what they encounter in the clinic. Most importantly, it demonstrates the process of bringing scientific discoveries to life and applying them to the practice of dentistry, which helps to emphasize the importance of learning and adopting new practices throughout one’s lifetime.

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These valuable learning opportunities are an important part of the DDS curriculum, and every student takes part in meaningful community service throughout their time at USC. By providing oral health education and restoring the smiles of those most in need, Ostrow students don’t just learn how to care for mouths, they provide thorough, compassionate care for the whole person.

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A part of the legendary Trojan Family Being a part of USC’s Trojan Family is something special.

USC students don’t just get a typical degree — their entire higher education experience comes with a depth and breadth that shapes them into creative, talented problem solvers who can deftly take their knowledge and apply it to realworld situations.

USC and its location within Los Angeles, the “capital of the Pacific Rim,” offers students unmatched opportunities for practical learning outside of the classroom and serving

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the community. Outside of school, Los Angeles and Southern California offer USC students a wide spectrum of amenities, entertainment and recreation.

Beyond the close-knit relationships forged on campus, USC’s extensive alumni network provides innumerable resources and priceless connections for students. The diverse student and alumni body — one of the most international in the world — means that graduates can find fellow Trojans almost anywhere they go.

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Applying to the Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry PREREQUISITE COURSEWORK All coursework must be completed at an accredited college or university in the United States or Canada. Accelerated programs in the sciences are generally not transferable.

No specific major is required; however, the prerequisite coursework listed on page 11 must be completed before starting the dental program. Where applicable, the applicant may contact the Office of Admissions for specific transferability and course equivalences.

A minimum of 60 semester units must be completed or in progress at the time of application.

No foreign coursework will be accepted. Coursework from a junior/community college is accepted; however, preference is given to applicants that have taken the majority of the prerequisites at an accredited four-year college or university in the United States or Canada. It is strongly recommended that students take upper-division science courses (i.e. biochemistry, human anatomy, physiology, histology, etc.) in addition to

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the prerequisites. Completion of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in the United States or Canada is highly recommended prior to matriculating into the DDS program.

LIST OF REQUIRED COURSES >> General Biology and Lab — 1 year * >> Inorganic/General Chemistry and Lab — 1 year >> Organic Chemistry and Lab — 1 year >> General Physics and Lab — 1 year >> English Composition — 1 year ** >> Philosophy, History or Fine Arts — 1 year ** * One year is equal to two semesters or three quarters. All basic pre-dental required classes, with the exception of the philosophy, history or fine arts requirement, must be sequential and represent a terminal course (i.e. 101a and 101b, or on a quarter system 101 a, b, c). ** These requirements will be waived once a baccalaureate degree is received in the United States or Canada.

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Application procedures LETTERS OF EVALUATION

HOW TO APPLY

Two letters of evaluation are required from lecture-based science professors in the areas of biology, chemistry or physics. A committee letter may be substituted if the undergraduate institution offers this service. One letter from a dentist is also highly recommended. Letters from research or lab-based professors will not meet the requirement; the letters must be written based on one’s performance in the lecture component of a class.

The Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry participates in the American Association of Dental Schools Application Service (AADSAS) program, and as such all applications must be submitted directly to AADSAS.

DENTAL ADMISSION TEST (DAT) All applicants are required to take the Dental Admission Test (DAT), given under the auspices of the Council on Dental Education of the American Dental Association. The DAT must be taken no later than February 1 of the year for which application is made, and test scores more than three years old will not be accepted. To expedite the admissions process, it is recommended that the DAT be taken prior to filing formal application.

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE TEST: Mail: Division of Educational Measurement — Council on Dental Education American Dental Association, 211 East Chicago Avenue Chicago, Illinois 60611 Phone: (800) 621-8099 | Web: www.ada.org/dat.aspx

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The AADSAS application should be completed and submitted to AADSAS no later than February 1 of the year of anticipated entrance.

Applications are evaluated as they are received from AADSAS, and competitive applicants may be required to submit supplemental materials, such as official transcripts and letters of recommendation from science instructors. A personal interview is required and will be done by invitation only.

Due to the large volume of applicants, not all qualified candidates will be asked to interview. Every attempt is made to interview as many qualified applicants as possible within the admissions interview calendar.

Domestic applicants are required to pay a non-refundable processing fee. Canadian applicants or any applicant requiring an I-20 student visa must also pay a non-refundable processing fee.

The appropriate fee should be forwarded directly to USC at the time of application. Applicants can find instructions on paying the processing fee through the online payment portal by visiting dentistry.usc.edu/programs/dds/apply.

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Frequently asked questions 1. What does the admissions committee look for when evaluating applications?

All applications are evaluated under a system of whole file review wherein consideration is given to cognitive (objective) as well as non-cognitive measures. Although there is no minimum GPA requirement, academic performance in the sciences is critical to a successful application as evidence of potential to successfully complete the challenging dental curriculum.

Beyond this, the committee looks for academic trends, documented potential for service and leadership, evidence of good character and professional potential and a wellrounded background.

2. Does USC give preference to California residents?

As a private institution, USC actively seeks a geographic and cultural mix of students who are selected without regard to residency.

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3. Do I need a bachelor’s degree to attend USC? A bachelor’s degree is not a prerequisite for admission; however, due to the increasing competitiveness of the applicant pool, 100 percent of all students accepted during the past 10 years had earned at least a bachelor’s degree.

Many had earned advanced degrees.

4. How many students are invited to participate in the interview?

This number varies annually and seldom exceeds 600 individuals. An interview does not ensure acceptance and unfortunately, many competitive applicants cannot be interviewed as the number of qualified applicants always exceeds the number of class positions available.

5. Who is a part of the Admissions Committee?

The Admissions Committee is composed of appointed members of the full- and part-time faculty, alumni, administrators and professional staff.

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6. If I applied to USC previously, am I guaranteed admission next year?

No. All reapplying applicants must complete the entire application and review process again.

7. Do I need to declare a science-related major?

No. Students have been selected with a variety of majors; applicants can declare any major so long as all the prerequisite requirements are completed.

8. What should I know about the DAT examination?

In order to streamline the application process, applicants are advised to take the DAT prior to submitting the application. If the DAT has been taken more than once, the Admissions Committee will consider the most current scores.

Please note that the ADA changed its rules in January 2007, and examinees may only take the DAT three times.

If you need to take the exam more than that, you must apply for special permission to take the test again through the ADA. USC will accept Canadian DAT scores. Scores more than three years old will not be considered. The Admissions Committee has established a minimum DAT score of 15 in each DAT category.

9. Can pre-dental course work be taken Pass/Not Pass?

It is required that all prerequisite coursework be taken for a letter grade.

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10. Can I take my prerequisites at a community college, and if so, is there a limit on the number of units that can be taken at a community college?

USC does not require that all prerequisites be completed at a four-year institution; however, applicants who have taken the majority of their science course work from a four-year school are evaluated more favorably. It is generally recommended that no more than 60 units be completed at a junior or community college.

11. Does USC accept coursework that was taken at a foreign university?

No, all coursework must have been taken at an accredited college or university within the United States or Canada.

12. Will coursework taken many years ago still be accepted in fulfillment of requirements and prerequisites?

Yes. However, because of the scope and breadth of new information, the committee recommends that applicants who have been away from school for some time refresh their knowledge by becoming familiar with contemporary scientific principles.

For any additional questions, please contact the Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry Office of Admissions at uscsdadm@usc.edu or (213) 740-2841.

The Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC reserves the right to modify or change admissions standards or requirements any time without prior notice. The information contained herein is for planning purposes only and is not to be regarded as creating a binding contract between the student and the dental school.

925 West 34th Street Los Angeles, California 90089 (213) 740-2841