Close-up photo of someone practicing a dental exam on a handheld set of plastic teeth.

Pre-Dentistry

Dentists help people maintain and improve their oral health, as well as their quality of life and appearance — they give their patients smiles they are proud to wear.

What is dentistry?

Dentistry is a branch of medicine devoted to maintaining the health of the teeth, gums, and other hard and soft tissues of the oral cavity. Dentists play a significant role in our oral health care throughout our lives. From focusing on maintenance in our early years, to braces in our adolescent years, to treatment for gum disease or teeth extractions in our senior years — successful dentists are capable and compassionate practitioners.

What are the features of Casper’s program?

The pre-professional education pathway

This is a transfer program. What does that mean? Pre-professional degree programs prepare students for entry into a bachelor’s degree program and then into their identified area of professional schooling. This Associate of Science (A.S.) degree in pre-dentistry is recommended for students pursuing dental school.

How to become a dentist

After completing an an associate degree at CC, you will continue your pre-dental study by transferring to a four-year school. You can declare a major in any subject at a four-year school to obtain a bachelor’s degree, as long as you take the prerequisite courses required to enter dental school.

Then, after being accepted to dental school, it will typically take a total of four more years to be awarded a Doctor of Dental Surgery (D.D.S.) or Doctor of Dental Medicine (D.D.M.).

CC encourages students to begin a dialogue with their intended transfer schools as early as possible. Your academic advisor will assist you with this process, but it is the student’s responsibility to verify required courses and the application process for the school you are planning to attend.

Like most medical professions, it takes a great deal of training to become a dentist. You can start that training now at CC.

What can I do with this major?

Employment info

Learn more about wage ranges for dentists in Wyoming and across the U.S., as well as the general employment profile for dentists.

What are the special admission requirements, if any?

There are no prerequisites for this program.

What courses would I take?

For requirements and more information about this program, view its listing in the academic catalog:

Interested in online learning?

A portion of the courses in this program may be available online. Learn more about online programs and courses at Casper College.

Contact Info

Julie Hansen

Academic Assistant, School of Science

Scott Johnson

Academic Chair; Anatomy & Physiology Instructor

Gerald (Jerry) Hawkes

Dean, School of Science