For many of us, the prospect of medical or dental school looms in our near future. It may seem intense, or even distressing, especially if you don't know anyone enrolled in either school. Trying to pry into the life of a pre-professional student to gain a better understanding of what to expect, I interviewed first year dental student Amul Gandhi. He attended UIC for his undergraduate studies, graduating in 2002 with a degree in Chemistry.

Coming out of high school, Gandhi knew dentistry was the career for him. He says it is that kind of dedication and early decision making that helped him prepare for the rigorous workload he is facing now. Having completed his undergraduate degree in three years, he didn't take many of the upper level biology classes that are usually recommended for a pre-professional curriculum.

Comparing his amount of schoolwork with that of an undergraduate student, he concludes that dental school is not much more difficult than the previous classes he has taken. The major difference is the number of classes. Now, he averages about twenty credit hours per semester as compared to the twelve to sixteen hours normally taken at the undergraduate level. His advice to those starting out is, "Choose how much time you put into your classes. There is enough time to study for everything, you just need to manage your time and keep up so you aren't cramming for exams."

His classes are fairly similar to those taken at the undergraduate level, and they are straightforward. Instead of having chapters of textbooks to read, his professors have tried to simplify matters by handing out lecture notes, which are much more specialized and focused. His tougher classes are Occlusion and Anatomy.

Another difficult class is pre-clinical work, partly because Gandhi has not had practice in the field. "There isn't much you can do to study for that class, it just takes experience and lots of hands-on training." For some of the pre-clinical work, the dental students make wax models of teeth and then work on them. Occasionally, the students also work on each other. They do not start working with real patients until after they take the board exams, which are after the second year. However, future classes will take the boards after their first year in order to gain more experience in the pre-clinical area.

The only school work Gandhi has to complete each night is studying the lecture notes. His classes typically have four exams per semester, with no homework or weekly assignments due. So it is up to him when to complete the required readings. He finds that if he reviews three lectures every night he can keep up at a steady pace. He usually even finds the time to take off one night a week to relax.

To make classes easier, Gandhi thinks that before studying, a student must first find a schedule that works for them. "Once you have found something that is effective, stick with it. Because in dental school usually the students attend during the summer, and there isn't much opportunity for playing catch up, so it is important to stay afloat." Another suggestion he offers to pre-professional students is to find a job or volunteer in a medical or dental office. While working at a dental office, students can establish rapport with dental professionals.

Overall, Gandhi thinks the most positive aspect of dental school is the professor/student relationship. "In undergrad, you have to establish yourself, and prove that you are serious to your professors. But once you have reached this stage, you have already shown yourself to be a dedicated student, and your professors treat you as such."

Sue is a second-year student majoring in Biology. She aspires to enter the field of dentistry.

List of first year dental school courses.

ANAT 312-GROSS ANATOMY FOR DENTAL STUDENTS-The upper extremity, thorax, abdomen and head and neck regions of the body are studied in this course. Emphasis is placed on the head and neck. The functions of organ systems and clinical importance of regional anatomy are stressed. Lecture, lab; 160 clock hours.
BCHE 411-INTRODUCTION TO BIOCHEMISTRY-General biological chemistry. Topics include the chemistry and structure-functional relationships of the major chemical constituents of cells, tissues, and organs; enzymology; biochemical energetics; metabolism and regulation; nutrition; molecular genetics; bioregulatory mechanisms; and bio-chemical mechanisms of disease. Lecture; 79 clock hours.
*DADM 396-DENTAL INDEPENDENT STUDY-Individualized scholarly activities such as research and other special projects. Variable hours.
DADM 396-DENTAL INFORMATICS-Introduction to basic computer skills and information technology. Lecture and laboratory exercises in computer applications and resource searches. Lecture, Lab: 4 clock hours.
DBSC 313-HUMAN BEHAVIOR IN DENTISTRY-Lectures on human behavior as it applies to the practice of dentistry, with special emphasis on establishing an effective relationship with the patient. Lecture; 15 clock hours.
HSTL 401-GENERAL HISTOLOGY-Provides an introduction to the general area of microscopic anatomy and histological structure/function relationships. Laboratory exercises identify the histological features of various tissues studied. Lecture, lab; 102 clock hours.
HSTL 451-ORAL HISTOLOGY-Lectures and laboratory exercises in the microscopic anatomy and functions of the tooth, periodontium, and orofacial complex including cytologic and developmental features. Lecture, lab; 53 clock hours.
MIMX 322-DENTAL MICROBIOLOGY-Nature, transmission, and control of microorganisms as agents of human oral and systemic disease. Special emphasis is placed on the response of the immune system in health and disease. Laboratory exercises in aseptic technic, antisepsis, disinfection, and in the identification of microorganisms. Lecture, lab; 61 clock hours.
OMDS 315-DENTAL RADIOLOGY-Physical principles of x-radiation used in dentistry, the production of quality radiographs, and the interpretation of such radiographs as one of the prime oral diagnostic aids. Lecture; 33 clock hours.
ORLA 312-BIOLOGY OF HUMAN DENTITION-Deals with the structure, function and evolution of the human dentition and its associated structures. Dental morphogenetics, human dental variation and forensic dentistry are treated in simplified ways. Lecture, lab; 64 clock hours.
ORLA 313-NEUROANATOMY-An overview of the human nervous system with detailed coverage of the peripheral nervous system of the head and neck; brainstem, especially structures related to oral functions; trigeminal sensory-motor complex; and somatic sensory-motor areas of the forebrain. Lecture, lab; 39 clock hours.
PERI 311-PREVENTIVE DENTISTRYI-Didactic and clinical basis of the prevention of dental diseases. Experience in evaluation of oral hygiene and in taking of medical and dental history as well as in basic mouth examination procedures. Lecture, lab, clinic; 78 clock hours.
PERI 312-INTRODUCTION TO DENTAL CLINIC-Didactic and clinical instruction in clinical protocol, infection control and various aspects of dental operatory utilization and record keeping. Lecture, clinic; 21 clock hours.
PHYB 321-HUMAN PHYSIOLOGY-Major concepts involved in the regulation of living processes. Emphasis on the underlying homeostasis and communication mechanisms by which major systems are interrelated. Lecture; 75 clock hours.
REST 310-OCCLUSION-Emphasis on clinical instrumentation for studying the form and function of the masticatory system. Basic procedures for the diagnosis and evaluation of occlusion. The influence of various factors on tooth morphology are analyzed by the students while they develop a functional occlusal pattern in wax on articulated standardized casts. Lecture, lab; 75 clock hours.
REST 311-INTRODUCTION TO RESTORATIVE DENTISTRY-Basic fundamentals for restorative dentistry. Covers basic restorative dentistry terminology, principles, and concepts. Introduces students to simple restorative preparations and procedures on a dentiform. Lecture, lab; 24 clock hours.