Top 14 BEST Colleges For Dentistry

To become a dentist, one needs to:

• Maintain a high GPA at school.
• Obtain a Bachelor degree in:

• Pre-Dentistry program
• biochemistry program
• Any program with an emphasis on Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Math, and Physics.

• Pass the Dental Admission Test (DAT).
• Gain additional experience in the dental field, shadowing a dentist, for instance.
• Complete other requirements of the chosen dental school.
• If one has failed the DAT, one can participate in the pre-health post-baccalaureate program.

Dental schools usually offer the following degrees:

• Doctor of Dentistry
• Doctor of Dental surgery (DDS).

It is also possible to work in dental clinics with an undergraduate or professional degree in:

• Dental Hygiene
• Dental Technology
• Dental assisting

How To Become A Maxillofacial Surgeon / Oral Surgeon?

Oral and maxillofacial surgeons treat several disorders and traumas of the head, neck, jaws, and face. Explore how to become an oral surgeon in the USA.

Read more

Auburn University offers several courses specifically designed for students preparing to enter medical and dental schools called pre-Health curricula. There is a specific curriculum intended for pre-med and pre-dental preparation. Auburn University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges andSchools Commission on Colleges to award Bachelor’s, Master’s, Educational Specialist, and Doctor’s degrees.

The students need to declare a major after 60 credit hours of the program. The majors include but are not limited by:

• Biomedical sciences
• microbiology
• BA in Chemistry
• Physics
• Organismal Biology

Why is Auburn University best for Pre-Dental preparation?

• The college offers a well-thought-out curriculum that covers all the requirements of dental and medical schools;
• The schedule is flexible, and some courses can be substituted after consultation with an advisor.
• The students can choose a major after they have gained some essential knowledge.
• Regular meetings help the students with the application process for the medical/dental schools.
• There are pre-medical preceptorships for students wishing to gain more practical experience.

The Department of Biological Sciences offers the pre-dentistry program at Murray University. Murray State University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. Commission also accredits the university programs on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).

Why is Murray University best for Pre-Dental preparation?

• Good national rankings
• The suggested curriculum corresponds with the criteria of the dental schools of the University of Kentucky and the University of Louisville and can be used for preparation for other schools as well.
• The curriculum is well-balanced. It contains:
  • Courses in social science.
  • Courses in Biology, Math, Chemistry, and Physics.
  • English college-level courses
• The curriculum takes into account the necessity of taking DAT a year before the submission of the application to the dental school.

Towson University offers a pre-medical and pre-dental undergraduate program aimed at students intending to enter medical and dental schools. This support program is not associated with a major that offers advising and academic support for students. The Towson University accredits Towson University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).

Why is the Towson University best for pre-dentistry?

• The program has a unique faculty committee and student study groups that would support your learning.
• The advising is individualized.
• The university is linked to excellent medical facilities where students can gain practical experience.
• The university offers majors compatible both with pre-dental preparation and further gainful employment if the student does not get accepted:
  • Biochemistry
  • Forensic science
  • Allied Health
  • Health education
  • Gerontology

Marquette University offers a pre-dental scholars’ program – it is an accelerated program that combines liberal arts education with a possibility to be accepted to the Marquette School of Dentistry. Marquette is accredited through The Higher Learning Commission . The program is selective, and there are no more than 10 students accepted each year.

The students need to:

• Be at the top 25 of their high school.
• Have an SAT score no less than 1280/ACT 27.
• Be enrolled as:
  • Biological sciences major
  • Biomedical Sciences major
  • physiological sciences major

Why is the Marquette University best for pre-dentistry?

• The students are accepted into the program with conditional acceptance to the school of dentistry.
• The students would need seven years to obtain a dental degree, one year less than usual. They also obtain a bachelor’s degree in the chosen major in the meantime.
• The Marquette University School of Dentistry is the only dental school in the state.

The pre-dental program is one of the pre-health professional preparatory programs offered at Baylor University. It is not a major, as the student needs to declare a major and also to enter the program. Participation in the pre-dental program means the student needs to complete the required courses that are required for DAT preparation and dental school admission and also to complete the requirements of the chosen degree.

There are no particular requirements concerning the major the student can choose. Baylor University is accreditedby the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

Why is Baylor University best for Pre-dentistry?

• The students are offered professional advising on admission requirements and DAT preparation.
• The courses offered through the program cover most of the requirements of the in-state and out-of-state dental schools.
• The Pre-med/pre-dentistry advisory committee of Baylor University evaluates the student’s performance, and those evaluations play an essential role in the admission process.
• There are so-called Living-Learning Centers where students are grouped based on their interests.

The CODA accredits the school of dentistry at the Michigan University at Ann Arbor. The school offers the following programs:

• Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS).
• Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene.
• Online degree for Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene completion.
• Master of Science in Dental Hygiene (graduate program).
• Internationally trained dentist program.
• Masters programs in:
  • Endodontics
  • Orthodontics
  • Pediatric dentistry
  • Periodontics
  • Prosthodontics
  • Restorative dentistry
• DDS/MBA dual degree
• DDS/Ph. D.dual degree
• Ph.D. in Oral Health Sciences.

Why is the University of Michigan best for dentistry?

• The University of Michigan assists undergraduate students wishing to enter dental schools later with devising a course path for pre-dental preparation.
• The School of Dentistry of Michigan University offers individual pathways aimed at enriching the student’s dental education:
  • Selective pathway
  • Immersion pathway
• Michigan University has its own Commission on Dental Competency Assessments (CDCA) Boards which conducts assessment exams both for its students and off-campus dental student candidates.
• The school offers so-called community – based education, during which the students gain practice by working around the state in the underprivileged communities.
• The students can gain experience working abroad in select countries.

The School of Dental Medicine at Harvard University offers multiple opportunities to its students. The CODA accredits the school.

There are several programs offered at the school:

• Doctor of Dental Medicine program (Doctor of Dental medicine degree).
• Ph.D. in Biological Sciences in Dental Medicine.
• Advanced graduate education programs:
  • Dental Public Health (Certificate).
  • Endodontics (Master of Medical Sciences).
  • General Practice Residencies
  • Master of Medical Sciences in Dental Education.
  • Geriatric dentistry (Certificate)
  • Implant dentistr (Certificate)
  • Oral Medicine Residency
  • Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology (Certificate/Master of Medical Sciences in Oral Biology).
  • Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (residency program).
  • Periodontology (Certificate)
  • Pediatric dentistry
  • Prosthodontics (MMSc in Oral Biology).
• Additional programs:
  • Health Science and Technology programs.
  • DMD/MBA dual degree

Why is Harvard University best for Dentistry?

• A world-renowned university with an excellent research reputation.
• A dentistry program that offers courses both from the faculty of Medical School and School of Dental Medicine.
• Multiple residency opportunities
• The program has an obligatory research component.
• There is a five-year DMD program that allows the students to explore their options, including research opportunities, in-depth.

The American Dental Association’s Commission accredits the College of Dentistry of the New York University (NYU Dentistry) on Dental Accreditation. The college offers a variety of programs, including Master’s and Dual degrees, as well as programs for international students. It is the largest school in the USA.

NYU Dentistry offers the following degrees:

• Doctor of dental surgery (DDS).
• Bachelor of Science/Applied Associate Degree in Dental Hygiene.
• Master’s degree programs in:
  • Biology/Oral Biology
  • Biomaterials
  • Clinical research
  • Biomaterials/Clinical research dual degree.
• Specialized Advanced education programs (postgraduate education) in:
  • Endodontics
  • Oral/Maxillofacial surgery
  • Orthodontics and Dentofacial orthopedics.
  • Pediatric dentistry
  • Prosthodontics
  • Periodontics
• Dual degrees:
  • DDS/Master of Public Health/Certificate in Public Health.
  • DDS/MBA
  • Bachelor of Arts/DDS joint 7 years program.

Why is the NYU best for Dentistry?

• As the school is huge and admits many patients, there are ample educational and training opportunities.
• The College of Dentistry is located together with other Health Sciences – related school, which enables knowledge exchange.
• NYU Dentistry is a part of the NY Global Network University with 13 academic study centers located both elsewhere in the states and worldwide.
• Flexible study opportunities

School of Dentistry of the University of Alabama-Birmingham (UAB) is one of the best in the country. The Commission also accredits the school on Dental Accreditation.

There are multiple degrees offered at the school:

• Pre-dental degrees:
  • Summer Health Professions Education program.
  • Master of Sciences in Biomedical and health sciences.
• Dental and dual degrees:
  • Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD).
  • DMD/MBA degree
  • DMD/Ph.D. degree
  • DMD/M. D.in Oral Surgery.
• Dental Assisting program (Certificate).
• Master of Science in Dentistry.
• Residencies and postgraduate programs:
  • General Practice
  • Maxillofacial Prosthetics
  • Oral and Maxillofacial surgery.
  • Orthodontics
  • Pediatric dentistry
  • Periodontology
  • Prosthodontics

Why is the UAB best for Dentistry?

• A broad range of educational programs.
• UAB is home for the National Dental Practice-Based Research Network (NDPBRN), which enables students to choose exciting research opportunities.
• There are advisors at the university helping prepare the students for job search after graduation.
• Several unique research facilities, such as the Global Center for Craniofacial, Oral and Dental Disorders, and Microbiome center, are located at the university.

The school of Dentistry of the University of California Los Angeles has excellent facilities for education, clinical care, and research. The school passed accreditation in 2018.

There are several degrees and preparation programs offered by the school:

• Doctor of Dental surgery (DDS).
• Pre-dental post-baccalaureate program for aspiring dental students.
• 15 postgraduate programs
• Master of Science in Oral Biology.
• Ph.D. in Oral Biology.
• Ph.D. in Dentistry
• DDS/Ph.D. concurrent degree

Why is the UCLA best for dentistry?

• The school implements the usage of the innovative digital dentistry systems.
• The school offers multiple volunteer and externship opportunities.
• The school has centers of excellence specializing in:
  • Bioengineering
  • Bone Biology
  • Salivary diagnostics
  • Cancer Biology
• There are several grants available for those interested in research.

Adams school of dentistry of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is considered to be the best in the North Carolina State. It offers a total of 16 educational programs. The Commission accredits all programs on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association.

There are the following degrees offered:

• Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS).
• Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene.
• Master of Science in Dental Hygiene.
• Certificate programs in Dentistry.
• General practice residency
• Master of Science in:
  • Dental Hygiene education
  • Endodontics
  • Operative Dentistry
  • Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology.
  • Oral and Maxillofacial radiology.
  • Orthodontics
  • Pediatric Dentistry
  • Periodontology
  • Prosthodontics
• Ph.D. in:
  • Oral and Craniofacial Biomedicine.
  • Oral epidemiology

Why is the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill best for Dentistry?

• The school is rated first place in the state.
• The school regularly organizes mini-residencies and seminars on various subjects.
• The school has a unique entrepreneurial program.

Columbia University College of Dental Medicine is a private dental school established in 1916.The school’s programs have received accreditation from the American Dental Association’s Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) in 2017.

The school offers the following programs:

• Doctor of Dental surgery degree (DDS).
• Residencies in:
  • General practice
  • Pediatric dentistry
  • Oral and Maxillofacial surgery/M. D.residency.
  • Oral and Maxillofacial pathology.
• Postdoctoral programs in:
  • Endodontics
  • Prosthodontics
  • Periodontics
  • Dental Public Health
• Continuing education courses

Why is the University of Columbia best for Dentistry?

• The training is conducted in an academic setting together with medical students.
• Its highest adherence to diversity principles recognizes the school.
• The school has recently launched a unique Implant fellowship program.
• The school has a center for precision dental medicine.

The school of dental medicine at university of Pennsylvania is one of the best schools in the USA. The CODA fully accredits it.

The school offers the following programs:

• Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) degree.
• Dual Degrees in:
  • Master of bioethics
  • Master of Science in Bioengineering.
  • Master of Science in Higher Education.
  • Master of Public Health.
  • Master of Science in Translational research.
• A Bio-Dental consortial program for high school students (7-year program, combines a Bachelor and a dental degree).
• Master of Science in Oral Biology.
• Doctor of Science in Dentistry.
• Residencies

Why is the University of Pennsylvania best for Dentistry?

• The University of Pennsylvania is an Apple distinguished school.
• College of Dental Medicine of UPenn is a research-intensive school.
• The school researchers currently develop advanced therapeutics and participate in translational research.
• The school organizes summer schools and mentorship programs.

The CODA accredits the School of dentistry of the University of Maryland. The school has a rich history, and currently has several well – developed research and training facilities.

There are several programs offered for potential students:

• Doctor of Dental Surgery degree (DDS).
• Dental Hygiene Program (undergraduate).
• Postgraduate residencies
• Dual degree:
  • DDS/Master of Clinical Research.
  • DDS/Master of Public Health.
• Ph.D. in dental surgery.

Why is the University of Maryland best for Dentistry?

• The curriculum integrates biological, medical and clinical sciences.
• The school has its own biomedical faculty that is devoted to teaching oral health to students.
• The school offers rotation both on-campus and off-campus for well-rounded clinical experience.
• There are online learning activities offered during the studies.