Some choose to study at Luther for three years and then enter the four-year program at the University of Iowa Dental School. Luther is one of a select group of undergraduate programs formally affiliated with Iowa in this program. The predental student usually majors in biology or chemistry. However, a major in another discipline can easily be arranged after consultation with the predental adviser. A number of Luther faculty members are engaged in health-related research in addition to their teaching responsibilities.
Faculty members understand the needs of students entering health professions.
Advisers help students plan programs which satisfy specific dental school requirements and provide the important background needed for a successful dental practice. These internships are primarily observational, but they provide a very practical introduction to the many health-care professions. These programs are flexible to allow advisers freedom to match specific internships with the career goals of the individual predental students. In the academic areas of biology, chemistry, physics, English, mathematics, social sciences, and humanities, Luther prepares predental students for acceptance and further study at major dental schools. Application to dental school is made during the summer of the junior year and the fall of the senior year.