Checking in on Pennsylvania ’ s Dental Schools
Oakley : All students that apply to Pitt Dental Medicine are reviewed holistically by the admissions committee in an equitable and efficient manner . The thorough review of each application considers both the academic and non-academic attributes of the applicant . Academic factors used to evaluate applicants include standardized test scores , cumulative undergraduate GPA , and prerequisite GPA . A DAT score for predoctoral students applying to the DMD program is required and completion of the ADAT is preferred for foreign trained dentists applying to our International Advanced Standing Program .
Examples of non-academic attributes that are evaluated in the holistic review include applicants ’ evidence of personal exposure to the field of dentistry and demonstration of commitment to serving their communities . The admissions committee makes the final selection of applicants that have the highest potential to be successful and compassionate providers .
Our applicant pool remains very strong as evidenced by the number of submitted applications consistently increasing from year to year .
Ismail : The ADAT and DAT are two different tests . The ADAT is required for admission into specialty programs . The ADAT was designed , and the National Dental Examination Board written test was changed to a Pass / Fail system . At Temple Dental , the DAT is still used for admission to the DMD program because it helps the admissions committee select students who can excel in tests similar to those administered by the Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations . Temple Dental has seen an increase in the number and diversity of applicants over the last couple of years .
PDJ : What do you think about the concept of a mandatory internship / fellowship program for all graduating dentists ( such as with medical schools ) in order to practice ?
Wolff : I believe that a general practice residency ( taken long before any statutory mandate existed in any state ) served to make me a better dentist . I encourage students to participate in advanced training programs . A majority of our students do participate in an advanced standing dental education program . Other students come to us after significant practice experience in a foreign country . They benefit from receiving training in our school , learning the skills from a U . S . dental school , but I am not always sure that they would benefit from an additional mandatory training year .
Oakley : Although I question the need for a mandatory internship or fellowship program as a necessary requirement to enter the workforce , I would enthusiastically support initiatives that would minimize licensure challenges across the Commonwealth .
Ismail : Given the extensive education and clinical training at Temple Dental , the majority of our graduates do not need to enroll in an AEGD or GPR program . I prefer to have this as an optional program rather than a mandatory one . However , if a residency program were to be required for licensure , Temple Dental would welcome eliminating the regional clinical examination and replacing it with a single-site assessment of competency that focuses on holistic care , from examinations to post-treatment reviews , as well as skills in managing all diseases .
SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2024 | PENNSYLVANIA DENTAL JOURNAL 19