- Gannon University offers a diverse group of competitive affiliation programs with professional schools to provide qualified students with an advantage over students at other colleges at the time of application. A number of these programs allow the student to complete the undergraduate phase of the program in three years rather than four, although the majority of students choose to complete a bachelor’s degree prior to attending professional school.
- Gannon offers dental affiliation programs with Case Western Reserve University School of Dental Medicine and Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM) School of Dental Medicine.
- Gannon graduates have pursued dental degrees at the following institutions: Case Western Reserve University, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, University of Michigan, University at Buffalo, University of Pittsburgh, West Virginia University, University of Pennsylvania and University of South Carolina.
You Will Learn
Dentists are doctors who specialize in oral health. The goal of dental medicine is to promote oral health and to prevent disease. Dentists are trained to diagnose disease, create treatment plans, interpret x-rays, administer anesthetics, monitor the development of the teeth and jaws and perform surgical procedures. Our small class sizes, high-quality academics and customized curricula collectively create a strong foundation for students preparing to apply to dental school. Students are able to complete the necessary prerequisite coursework and major in a degree of their choosing (most commonly biology, chemistry or biochemistry). Students are provided with expert advising and numerous resources as they work toward becoming a competitive professional school applicant.
You Will Experience
Gannon University’s pre-dental students have the opportunity to
become well-rounded leaders both in and out of the classroom. Their
involvement in service and scholarship activities helps to prepare them
for a career in the health professions. Pre-dental students are eligible
to participate in:
- Gannon faculty-led research.
- Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU), a program sponsored by the NSF.
- shadowing opportunities coordinated by the Career Exploration and Development Office.
- workshops reviewing the application process, personal statements, interviewing, etc.
- unique courses including Community Health Coaches (course and
internship), Medical Practice and Training, and an MCAT prep course.
- Gannon University Pre-Health Club.
- Health Professions Theme Community, a residency enrichment program located in North Hall.
You Will Achieve
There are many specific career paths stemming from dental medicine. Such opportunities include, but are not limited to, the following:
- dental public health
- endodontics
- general dentistry
- oral and maxillofacial pathology
- oral and maxillofacial radiology
- oral and maxillofacial surgery
- orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics
- pediatric dentistry
- periodontics
- prosthodontics
You Will Earn
Estimates show that the job outlook will continue to increase much faster than average for dentists (18-percent growth) through 2024. The salary for dentists is among the highest of all health-related occupations. The median annual salary for these healthcare professionals in 2015 was.
All salary information is compiled from data gathered from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (bls.gov) and/or PayScale (payscale.com).
You Will Study
Gannon University has a long history of helping a number of qualified and motivated students successfully achieve acceptance into dental school. Students may pursue a major of their choice in which they will receive expert advising. They take a balanced and rigorous course load that includes the fundamental science courses dental schools require as prerequisite coursework.
Curriculum highlights include hands-on laboratory experiences for most biology and chemistry courses, which are conducted in small interactive group settings of 20-30 students. Some of these courses include:
BIOL 368 and BIOL 369: Animal Physiology and Lab
This course deals with the normal functioning of the body (primarily human body) and its component parts. The course focuses on physiological mechanisms involved in neuronal and chemical signaling, movement, metabolism, respiration, circulation, excretion, etc. The principles and concepts learned in the lecture class are reinforced through hands-on experience in the lab.
BIOL 365 and BIOL 366: Human Gross Anatomy and Lab
The Human Gross Anatomy course is lecture-based and uses a regional approach to study the human body. It is taken simultaneously with Human Gross Anatomy Lab. Dissection of human cadavers by students is a key component of the lab. In addition, learning is facilitated through the use of anatomical models.
CHEM 366: Structural Biochemistry
This course focuses on a systematic study of the biologically important compounds including the amino acids, proteins, nucleic acids, enzymes, carbohydrates and lipids. Emphasis is placed upon the structure, properties, syntheses, reactions and functions of these compounds.
Liberal Studies Core
The Liberal Studies Core Curriculum is one reflection of Gannon University's commitment to
its Catholic identity. The Core's design offers students a defined, integrated, shared
experience as the foundation for their undergraduate program.