If you are looking for the best dental schools in Utah, you are at the right place. This article gives a good amount of information on the top dental schools in Utah, any of which you can choose to apply to.
Asides from having the list of the best dental schools at the back of your pocket, it is also very important to know about certain things like why you should attend a dental school.
Why Attend A Dental School?
Depending on your interests and skill set, there are a wide variety of study options available.
However, the options can be daunting, particularly if you have a wide range of interests. But these are the reasons why you ought to enroll in dental school.
1. Amass experience and knowledge
After finishing dental school, you might want to work with other medical professionals in a coworker setting.
2. Improve individuals’ lives
You have the ability to improve people’s lives by becoming a dentist. Giving someone new teeth, assisting them in maintaining good oral hygiene, and spotting other ailments early on through their dental care are all examples of what you can encounter as a dentist.
3. There are many career options
You don’t necessarily have to start your own practice after attending dental school. After graduation, you have the option to pursue a variety of occupations.
4. Get paid well
According to US News, dentists earn an average base pay of more than $175,000 annually.
Depending on where you reside and the field in which you choose to concentrate, your yearly income may increase or even treble.
5. Plan for the future.
You can create a future that is specifically for you by taking advantage of the possibility to start your own practice or to continue expanding the office you have joined.
As a result, you have the freedom to decide where you want to work and what type of community you want to contribute to.
Master’s Degree In Dental Surgery
A Master of Dental Surgery (M.D.S.) can help you learn more about the field after you’ve finished your B.D.S.
It is the highest level of education you can get in the field of dentistry, and it can help you get a job as a dentist in a good place.
Whether you go to a government or private college depends on how well you do on the National Eligibility Exam for the Masters of Dental Surgery (N.E.E.T. M.D.S.) entrance exam.
Depending on what you’re interested in, you can choose what you want to specialize in. During an M.D.S., you can choose to specialize in prosthodontics, orthodontics, operative dentistry, or conservative dentistry.
A Master’s Degree In Public Health
After you finish your B.D.S., it might be a good idea to get a Master of Public Health (M.P.H.).
It is a graduate-level degree that takes two years and focuses on public health. It is not a clinical role. Several colleges in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Europe offer this course.
As public health becomes more important, there are more job opportunities in this area, and you can help improve the health and well-being of other people.
A Master’s Degree In Business Administration
After getting your B.D.S., you can get a Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a focus on hospital management or healthcare management if you want to move into a non-clinical or management role.
There is a lot of room for growth in this field because the country needs a good health care system. Dentistry students often choose to get an MBA after getting their B.D.S.
Career Options After Graduating From Dental School
The dentist’s job can be broken down into two main parts: what kind of dentistry he or she does and how he or she does that kind of dentistry.
If you go to dental school for four years, you will learn everything you need to know to become a general dentist.
General dentists use their knowledge of oral diagnosis, prognosis, surgery, and rehabilitation to fix broken or missing teeth and treat diseases of the bone or soft tissues in the mouth. General dentistry lets you do all kinds of dental work in the same place. Many general dentists are happy and satisfied with their jobs.
After you finish dental school, you can either work as a general dentist in a variety of settings or go on to learn more about one of the following dental specialties.
Bachelor of Dental Surgery, which is what B.D.S. stands for, is a five-year program for people who want to become dentists.
This degree is the same as an M.B.B.S. It is a professional program in dental surgery where students learn about human anatomy, general and dental pharmacology, endodontics, periodontics, orthodontics, dentistry, and many other topics.
Learning about the different jobs you can get after getting your B.D.S. can help you decide which one you want.
1. Lecturer
If you have worked as a dentist before, you might be able to get a job as a lecturer. This is because many dental schools are looking for dental faculty with experience.
The experience can be anywhere from three to five years, depending on the college. You can even become the dean of a dental college after five years as a professor and five years as a practitioner in a medical institution.
2. Clinical Practice
After you finish your B.D.S. program, you can open your own clinic, work in a hospital clinic, or work in a private clinic. Starting your own clinic can cost a lot of money at first, but once you’re up and running, you can make a lot of money.
3. Working As A Dentist Abroad
After B.D.S., you could also become a dentist overseas. You can go abroad to get your M.D.S. or start your own dental practice. The first step is to decide which country you want to work in and learn about their requirements.
There are different requirements for dentists in each country. To work as a dentist in the US, you may need to pass the National Board Dental Examination (NBDE) Part 1 and Part 2 exams first. After that, you can enroll in a dental school and earn a Doctor of Dental Surgery.
4. Dentists In The Government
You can also apply for government jobs after getting your B.D.S. In government hospitals and rural areas, there are a lot of jobs for dentists.
5. Research
You can become a dental researcher because research is always going on in areas like oral cancer, oral biology, and others.
You can also become a clinical researcher with a B.D.S. degree. As a clinical researcher, you look into how well medicines work, test medical devices and treatment methods, or help make new medicines.
6. Dental Cosmetology
As people’s living conditions get better, they care more about how their teeth look. This has made cosmetic dentists more in demand.
These types of doctors work to improve the look of people’s teeth and gums and fix their bites.
To become a cosmetic dentist, you can take an extra course in prosthodontics or orthodontics after your B.D.S. or get an M.D.S. with a focus on these two areas.
7. Dental Blogging
You can be a blogger full-time, but you can also do this work on the side of your full-time job. This can be a very interesting way to make a living for people who love writing and teaching.
You can start your own website or blog to teach people about different areas of dentistry or help people who want to become dentists.
8. Forensic Dentistry
If you’re interested in forensic science, forensic dentistry or forensic odontology can be a good career choice after you get your B.D.S.
You can help solve crimes in these fields. You can enroll in some of the best forensic science schools in the country if you get at least a 55% in your B.D.S. course.
You can get an M.Sc. in forensic odontology or an M.D.S. in forensic dentistry after getting your B.D.S.
9. Medical Transcription
You can become a medical or dental transcriptionist after you finish your B.D.S. course.
As a general medical transcriptionist, you can do well if you know how to use medical terms, can listen well, can type quickly, and understand the language well. For a career in dental transcription, it is important to know dental terms.
10. Dental Consulting
Many hospitals hire dental consultants to help them improve their dental care by leading and training other dentists, as well as improving their marketing and human resources. In addition to having a B.D.S., it can be helpful to know how hospitals are run.
11. Insurance
Several insurance companies offer dental insurance as one of their products and hire qualified dentists to do research, review claims, and even do administrative work.
In addition to a B.D.S., having a diploma in management or an MBA can sometimes help recruiters at well-known insurance companies notice your resume.
Job Outlook For Dental Professionals
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, from 2020 to 2030, the number of dentist jobs is expected to grow by 8%, which is about as fast as the average for all jobs.
Over the next 10 years, there will be, on average, about 5,000 new jobs for dentists each year. Many of these openings are likely to be caused by the need to replace workers who switch jobs or leave the workforce, like when they retire.
The recovery from the COVID-19 recession, which started in 2020, is a big reason why this job is expected to grow in the coming years.
As more and more older people need dental services, the need for dentists is likely to grow. Since each generation is more likely than the last to keep their teeth, more dental care will be needed in the future.
Also, there will be a rise in the number of people who need complex dental work, like dental implants and bridges. Oral cancer risk goes up a lot with age, and problems can lead to the need for both cosmetic and functional dental reconstruction.
As more studies show a link between oral health and overall health, more people will want to see dentists. In addition to giving treatments, these workers will need to care for people and teach them how to keep their mouths clean.
How Much Do Dental Professionals Earn
In May 2021, the average dentist made $163,220 per year. The median wage is the wage at which half of the workers in a job made more than that amount and half made less. The 10th percentile made less than $63,880, and the 10th percentile made more than $208,000.
In May 2021, the following was the median annual salary for a dentist:
- Orthodontists – $208,000 or more
- Oral and maxillofacial surgeons – at least 208,000 USD
- Dentists, all other specialists – 175,160 USD
- Dentists, general – 160,370 USD
- Prosthodontists -100,950 USD
In the top industries where dentists worked in May 2021, these were their median annual wages:
- Government – $182,330
- Offices of dentists – 163,650 USD
- Outpatient care centers – 162,120 USD
- Offices of physicians – 159,730 USD
Pay depends on where the dentist works, how many hours they work, what kind of dentistry they do, and how long they have been in practice.
Dentists have different work hours. Some work evenings and weekends to meet their patients’ needs. Some dentists work a lot more than 40 hours a week, but most work less than that.
The List of Best Dental Schools In Utah
According to Ballotpedia.com, Utah has 36 colleges and universities that make up its higher education system. Of them, 11 are nonprofit private schools, 8 are public institutions, and 17 are for-profit private institutions. However, these are the best dental schools in Utah.
Utah College of Dental Hygiene
In order to offer faster dental hygiene education in the heart of Utah Valley, the Utah College of Dental Hygiene (UCDH) at Careers Unlimited was founded in 2005.
UCDH has graduated over 875 dental hygienists since 2007! This excellent graduation rate shows how committed they have consistently been to students’ success in completing the program. Numerous alumni have worked or are currently working as registered dental hygienists (RDH) around the country.
In about 20 months, you can complete a private college’s Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene (BSDH) program at UCDH. The only program of its sort in Utah is this exclusive 20-month program. At the moment, the student to instructor clinical ratio at the college is 5:1.
The rapid Bachelor’s degree takes 20 months to complete if you enter with 33 semester credits of prerequisite courses already completed at a regionally accredited institution in the United States with a passing grade of C or higher and a minimum 2.5 GPA in science and general prerequisites.
Click here for more information.
Admission Requirements: To be considered for admission by this school, please ensure you have the following.
- Minimum 4 credits in microbiology
- Minimum 3 credits in human nutrition
- Minimum 3 credits in chemistry
- Minimum 8 credits in anatomy and physiology I & II.
- Minimum 3 credits in English I, Public speaking, Sociology, Psychology, and College level mathematics.
Tuition: $35,593.00 is the total estimated cost.
Fortis College – Salt Lake City Dental School
Students in the dental assisting and dental training programs at Fortis Colleges and Institutes learn the skills and information they need to show they are qualified for a license and to start a new career.
Dental assistants and hygienists are important members of the healthcare team, and Fortis’s dental training programs can help you get ready for a new job.
Their teachers are knowledgeable and dedicated, and they are committed to helping students reach their educational goals.
Students in the Fortis dental assistant and dental hygiene programs learn the skills they need to be competent in a variety of dental office procedures and lab techniques through a mix of traditional classroom instruction, small-group discussion, and skill development in the real world.
Some of these important skills are how to do a preliminary exam, four-handed dentistry, dental charting, making appointments, and keeping records on patients.
Click here for more information.
Admission Requirements: Most of the time, you need to have graduated from high school or the equivalent to get in.
All applicants have to fill out a sheet with information about themselves. During a personal interview with the admissions staff, they will talk to you about your career goals and help you find the right program for your needs.
Tuition: N/A
Utah Valley University
Dental hygiene students can choose between an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) and a Bachelor of Science (for those who are currently in an associate dental hygiene program.)
This degree completion course is available solely in an online format. Thus, you may easily juggle your private practice business, family, and other commitments by dedicating only two to three days each week to it.
Click here for more information.
Admission Requirements: By 4:00 PM on February 1, all application documents (including the application, transcripts, HSRT results, Clinical Observation Verification, letters of recommendation, and application fee) must be given in person or postmarked to the Dental Hygiene department.
For admission, only fully completed applications will be taken into account. All transcripts and test results must be legitimate, sealed documents to be considered complete. Please hand-deliver all materials, if at all feasible, to the Dental Hygiene advisor at HP 101b.
Tuition: $15,563 and $13,302 for first and second year respectively.
Weber State University
Dentists examine patients to ascertain the nature of conditions using x-rays, dental instruments, and other diagnostic procedures; clean, fill, extract, and replace teeth using rotary and hand instruments, dental appliances, medications, and surgical implements; and provide preventive dental services to patients such as fluoride applications and sealants on teeth.
Why enroll in WSU’s pre-dental program?
- Your post-graduate coursework in a pre-medical professional discipline will be suitably prepared for you.
- You will have access to resources including teachers, staff, and advisers who have extensive medical experience and can provide knowledgeable counsel and insight.
- You will be entering a field that is fascinating and has the potential to impact many people’s lives.
Click here to see more information.
Admission Requirements:
- possess high science and general GPAs (3.6 or better).
- Do well on the Dental Admissions Test by studying diligently (18 or better).
- procure outstanding letters of recommendation.
- have knowledge of dentistry (volunteer work).
- Gain more manual dexterity (learn to knit, fix small appliances, play piano, etc.).
- Participate in extracurricular organizations like department clubs or the Pre-Dental Society.
- meet frequently with advisors.
Tuition: Click here to see the breakdown.
Utah Tech University
Utah Tech’s Dental Hygiene Program is a full-time, two-year curriculum where students are trained in the theoretical knowledge and practical skills necessary for dental hygiene practice once they have finished all required coursework.
The Public Dental Hygiene Clinic offers students the opportunity to hone their clinical abilities. The Commission on Dental Accreditation has granted the academic program full accreditation.
Students must complete an authorized dental hygiene school, pass the national written exam, pass regional and state clinical board examinations, and submit an application for licensing in the state or states where they plan to practice in order to become a Registered Dental Hygienist (RDH).
Click here for more information.
Admission Requirements: Applications for the Fall of 2023 are accepted from November 1, 2022 through January 25, 2023.
ESSENTIAL MATERIALS
- Fee for Applications
- Grades attained, transcripts, and overall GPA
- Confidential Evaluation / Recommendation
- HSRT Results
- Dental Experience Verification Form
- Writing Prompts
Tuition: $6,637 and $12,422 per semester for resident and non-residents respectively.
Salt Lake Community College
A dental hygienist is a trained oral health specialist who offers both adults and children educational and therapeutic services in order to maintain optimal oral health.
A career in dental hygiene can lead to employment as a clinician, instructor, administrator, public health professional, government employee, researcher, or foreign health care provider, among other professions.
Students studying dental hygiene at SLCC may expect a thorough, reasonably priced, and high-quality education from qualified medical professionals with advanced degrees.
Small class numbers allow for individualized learning through one-on-one instruction and peer cooperation, and the team of skilled dental hygienists and dentists monitor students in the cutting-edge, contemporary, on-site dental hygiene clinic outfitted with the most recent technology.
Click here for more information.
Admission Requirements: Within five years of the program’s beginning, BIOL 2060/2065, BIOL 2320/2325, BIOL 2420/2425, and CHEM 1110 & CHEM 1115 must be completed with a C+ or above. A C or above is required in the remaining necessary courses.
A merit-based, competitive admissions method is used for the Dental Hygiene program. Every Fall semester, we accept one cohort of up to 24 students. Qualified applicants may be contacted before admission to take part in the required orientation.
Only applications submitted during open submission periods are considered for admission to the Dental Hygiene program.
Applications will be accepted for the Fall 2023 cohort from October 1, 2022, through January 15, 2023.
Call the Health Sciences Admissions Office at 801-957-6253 if you have questions regarding the application process or if you have not received an email within 7 days verifying receipt of your application.
Tuition: Click here to see the breakdown.
Snow College
Utah’s Ephraim is home to Snow College, a public university. It is a small university with 3,186 undergraduate students enrolled.
The acceptance rate at Snow College is 100 percent. Liberal arts and humanities, nursing assistant, and business are popular majors. Alumni of Snow College earn a starting salary of $25,300, with graduation rates of 41%.
Click here for more information.
Admission Requirements: Click here to see prerequisite courses.
Tuition: Click here to see the breakdown
Provo College
Discover a new profession as a dental assistant! If you enroll in this school, you might begin a new, rewarding career as a dental assistant in just 10 weeks.
Click here for more information
Bridgerland Applied Technology College
Students have the chance to get a certificate from Bridgerland Technical College in dental assisting. Students are taught by highly qualified educators the knowledge and practical skills required to support dentists in providing high-quality oral health treatment.
Students gain knowledge in charting, instrument passing, patient positioning, radiograph exposure, processing, and mounting, pouring models, mixing dental products, and assisting with general dental procedures.
This program enables dental assisting students in the Bear River Region to receive competency-based, employer-guided education, which is in line with the College’s purpose to educate both secondary and post-secondary students.
Click here for more information.
Admission Requirements: Applied Math (Level 4), Graphic Literacy (Level 4), and Workplace Documents (Level 5).
If taken no more than four years prior to admission, a composite ACT score of 17 or a composite SAT score of 930 can waive testing requirements.
Verification of Immunization
- Tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis, or TDAP ( current within 7 years)
- Measles, mumps, and rubella, or MMR (2 series injection)
- Hepatitis B (3 series injection)
Before enrolling in this certificate program, there is a $50 background check cost that is not refundable.
Test for Tuberculosis (TB Test)
The local health department or your doctor will administer the TB test. A two-phase injection is used to assess tuberculosis exposure. It must be up to date within a year.
Tuition: $3,145 – this is an estimate. Course fees may vary.
Mountainland Technical College
You must comprehend the ins and outs of clinical practice and office management to be a successful dental assistant.
You will have the chance to study and hone your skills in real-life situations and externships while enrolled in MTECH’s Dental Assisting program.
The Dental Helping Program trains students in all facets of clinical chair-side assisting as well as an introduction to office administration in a classroom and lab setting.
As you master non-invasive techniques like suctioning and taking impressions, you will have the chance to practice on classmates and bring in patients.
The lecture and lab sessions will take place on campus, but there will also be out-of-campus field trips and some hybrid assignments.
Your successful career as a chairside assistant, hygienist, lab technician, specialty assistant, dentist, or product representative will be paved by this invaluable introduction to the dental industry.
Click here for more information.
Admission Requirements:
- Prior to registering, students should consult with their high school counselors at home.
- Students must complete the MTECH Entrance Assessment with a score of 2 in maths and a B in English, or submit other evidence of their proficiency.
The free entrance exam needs to be completed and takes an hour. Visit mtec.edu/testing for additional information.
- The completion of all immunizations and a TB test is required prior to the start of class.
Tuition: $2,065.00 for the 12 months program.
Ogden-Weber Technical College
Start a fulfilling career as a dental assistant by collaborating with a group of dental specialists to provide high-quality patient care.
Dental assistants conduct a variety of clinical, interpersonal, and administrative tasks that improve the productivity of the dental office.
Join this program to put your training to use in a career that is always in demand, offers flexible hours, and offers excellent chances for career growth.
Students must prove their proficiency in a number of key skills and confirm their understanding of accepted industry standards in order to graduate from the program. The following abilities and subjects are among the program’s objectives:
Show off general chair-side assistance abilities, such as but not restricted to:
- Four-handed dentistry
- Radiology
- Infection prevention and control
- Laboratory techniques
- Showcase increased function abilities
- Showcase fundamental administrative abilities Showcase proper work ethics
Click here for more information.
Admission Requirements: The Ogden-Weber Technical College has set admission requirements that students must complete in order to enroll in one of its programs.
These requirements are used to assess the level of student proficiency required for program achievement.
- Testing at the college’s Testing Center or submitting a copy of your external testing results or alternative paperwork to the Testing Center for approval can both satisfy the admissions requirements.
- English/Reading courses taken within the last five years: ACT, CASAS, TABE 9/10, TABE 11/12, Accuplacer Next Generation, 248, and TABE 256 Counting: 21 SAT English 560, GED Language Arts 165, and English 1010 with a grade of C or higher
- Alternatives include earning an associate’s degree or higher or a certificate from Ogden-Weber Technical College at a comparable level.
- Junior high school enrollment, high school graduation, GED, or other state-issued comparable documents
- Background investigation before enrollment.
Tuition: $2665.00 for adults, $335.99 for materials and $169.00 for high school students.
Davis Applied Technology College
Public vocational college Davis Technical College is located in Kaysville, Utah. Over 6,000 high school and adult students get competency-based education in an open-entry, open-exit setting that equips them with technical and career skills.
Students can acquire the skills required for entry-level employment in a number of dental settings through the Dental Assisting program.
- Click here for more information.
- Tuition: 4600 USD
FAQs
Is Utah dental school good?
One of Utah’s top dental schools is the U of U School of Dentistry. The mission of the University of Utah Dental School is to promote better dental health among students, teachers, patients, and the general public. And provides advanced training in the theory and practice of dentistry.
Does Utah have a dental school?
The University of Utah School of Dentistry was established to give the State of Utah and its area access to a top dental school that is completely integrated with the health center of the State’s premier academic institution.
How hard is it to get into the University of Utah dental school?
Acceptance Rate of 11.1%
The Doctor of Dental Surgery degree program is the only graduate degree offered by the University of Utah School of Dentistry, along with the General Practice Residency Program for advanced clinical dental education.
Does BYU have a dental school?
The biggest pre-dental program in the nation has been maintained by BYU. More BYU students than any other university in the country applied for dental school in 2003 with 194.
The admittance rate at BYU has also consistently been among the highest in the nation.
Does Uvu have dental school?
They grant two degrees: a Bachelor of Science completion degree for people who already hold an Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Dental Hygiene, and an Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Dental Hygiene.
How do I get into the University of Utah dental school?
A minimum DAT score of 17 is needed in each section in order to be admitted. Academic average, perceptual average, and total science average for current students are each 21 and 20 respectively. The ADA website contains instructions and information on the test application.
Is dental school Hard?
In dental school, there are many highs and lows. Some semesters are harder than others, much as in undergrad.
But unlike undergrad, every one of your classmates will take the same courses each semester, ensuring that you’re never the only one with a full schedule of challenging courses.
Is dental school competitive?
Although dental school admissions are extremely hard, you can succeed if you are committed to being a dentist. If you want to stand out, get accepted, and finish dentistry school, you must be committed and focused.
What is the number 1 dental school in the world?
The University of Michigan came in second, the Academic Centre for Dentistry Amsterdam and the University of Hong Kong tied for third, King’s College London and Tokyo Medical and Dental University both placed fourth, and the University of Gothenburg in Sweden claimed the top spot.
How long is a dentist’s degree?
A minimum of five years of education in dental school are required to become a dentist, followed by one to two years of practice under supervision. The battle for admission to dental schools is fierce. Do you have any suggestions on these dental schools in Utah on our list, please leave a comment below.