Another good question. As the number of dental applicants increase each year, of course, the average GPA is also increasing. However, some applicants with much lower GPA's get accepted, while others with higher GPA's do not. Most dental schools look at the overall package, not just the grades. If you would like a more specific answer, contact the dental schools of your choice and ask what the average acceptance GPA's were for the preceding classes.
Most students pay with student loans.
This is not undergraduate anymore, and student loans can reach the 10's of thousands of dollars each year. Since dental school is not cheap, it is always best to explore other options. Many dental students choose the military as an option for paying for their education. They are not all the same, so if you are interested, you should contact a recruiter from each once you are accepted to a dental school and weigh your options. As most of us know, dental cavities are on the down slope, and have been for quite some time.