This unique learning experience is for undergraduate and post-baccalaureate students, wanting to explore dentistry and see what a career in dentistry is like. The Basic Dental Principles (BDP) program is made up of a two-quarter lecture series, followed by a two quarter laboratory course for students who perform exceptionally well in the lecture course.

The Lecture Series covers a variety of topics to introduce pre-dental students to the scope of dentistry, and is taught by a select group of third year UCLA student dentists participating in a faculty-mentored Teaching Apprenticeship. 

Basic Dental Principles student instructor assisting in the lab.
Basic Dental Principles student instructor assisting in the lab.

The Laboratory Course exposes pre-dental students to the ‘hands on’ aspects of dentistry through technique lectures and clinical exercises, and is taught by second year UCLA student dentists participating in the Teaching Apprenticeship.

If you are an undergraduate student looking to better familiarize yourself with the field of dentistry and would like to gain a better understanding of what a career in dentistry would be like, please contact the BDP Course Directors.