Dentistry is one of the growing professions in today’s world. If you are an aspiring future smile architect, this is just the place for you! If you are aiming to pursue dentistry from the best colleges for dentistry, why not pursue it from the land of prestigious Ivys? Dive along to discuss a list of dental schools in the USA for international students with us!
What is Dentistry?
Dentistry is popularly known as dental medicine or oral medicine. The American Dental Education Association has defined it as a category of healthcare that involves maintaining the health of teeth, gums, and other areas of the mouth. Before diving into the job of a dentist, let's look at some of the main branches of dentistry residency programs and their acronyms.
1. AEGD: Advanced Education in General Dentistry
2. ANES: Dental Anesthesiology
3. CDNGPR: Canadian General Practice Residency
4. GPR: US General Practice Residency
5. OMS: Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
6. ORTH: Orthodontics
7. PED: Pediatric Dentistry
8. PERIO: Periodontics
9. PROS: Prosthodontics
10 Best Dental Schools In The US
According to the US Bureau of Labour Statistics, dental jobs are predicted to grow by 6% by 2031. This makes it extremely crucial to choose the best dentistry programs in the best dental schools! Most US dental schools are highly competitive and offer a low acceptance rate. The best dental programs in the US strengthen the foundation of academics and also offer hands-on experience. It provides all the skills and knowledge the students require to pass state and national exams. Take a look at the top dental schools in the US, along with their QS & dental school rankings 2024, average GPA, Dental Admission Test (DAT), acceptance rates and more!
1. University of Michigan School of Dentistry
Location: 1011 N University Ave, Ann Arbor, MI 48104, USA
Average Fees: $497,152
QS Rank: 1
Average GPA Required: 3.81
Average DAT Score: 22
Acceptance Rate: 6.5%
According to the dental school rankings U.S. News, this university ranks 4th. The University of Michigan in Ann Arbor has an extensive network of affiliated clinics. It offers an array of excellent opportunities and exposure for students studying at this dental university in the US. The US dental school hosts 120 full-time faculty members who handle 15 different programs. Students can pursue an MBA or PhD while getting their Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS).
2. University of North Carolina
Location: Chapel Hill, NC, USA
Average Fees: $485,861
QS Rank: 132
Average GPA Required: 3.6
Average DAT Score: 22
Acceptance Rate: 17.1%
The University of North Carolina has always been at the top of the list of dental schools in the US for international students. The university boasts one of the best dental programs in the US and has built a curriculum that follows the A-C-T premise (Advocate-Clinician-Thinker). The students are trained to be problem solvers. They also gain clinical experience through several rotation sites in North Carolina.
3. UCLA School of Dentistry
Location: 714 Tiverton Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90024, USA
Average Fees: $122,197
QS Rank: 6
Average GPA Required: 3.83
Average DAT Score: 23
Acceptance Rate: 5%
UCLA School of Dentistry is regarded as one of the best dental programs in the US due to its extensive community service and clinical education building its curriculum. This is one of the top dental schools in the US that fosters a Community Based Clinical Education (CBCE). The CBCE encourages students to participate in free clinics and treat underprivileged patients throughout their academic journey. The network of community clinics around Los Angeles deals with more than 4000 patients in a year.
4. Harvard School of Dental Medicine, Harvard University
Location: 188 Longwood Ave, Boston, MA 02115, USA
Average Fees: $470,380
QS Rank: 11
Average GPA Required: 3.85
Average DAT Score: 22
Acceptance Rate: 3.18%
Harvard University never falls off the list, being one of the top dental schools in the US. Offering robust research components together with nine extensive research labs, Harvard gives students opportunities to learn about dental processes. They also gain hands-on experience through several clinical rotations at the Harvard Dental Centre, and hence, Harvard is one of the best universities in the US.
5. University at Buffalo, State University of New York
Location: State University at Buffalo South Campus, 3435 Main St, Buffalo, NY 14215, USA
Average Fees: $259,400
QS Rank: 491
Average GPA Required: 3.75
Average DAT Score: 16
Acceptance Rate: 5.25%
The University of Buffalo School of Dental Medicine offers a range of comprehensive and some of the best dental programs in the US. These dentistry courses in the USA focus on clinical practice and research that trains students. Additionally, the UBSD is popular for offering US dental programs. Several students can pursue a DDS Degree or a dual degree program where they pursue an MBA along with it.
6. Columbia University
Location: 116th and Broadway, New York, NY 10027, USA
Average Fees: $138,680
QS Rank: 23
Average GPA Required: 3.7
Average DAT Score: 23.4
Acceptance Rate: 5%
Providing a wealth of academic offerings, Columbia University is one of the best dental schools in the US. The school offers a standard four-year DDS program along with interdisciplinary degrees like DDS/MBA. Columbia is one of the four dental schools in the US that offers regular classes at the medical school. Once the student completes their dental degree, they can also apply for post-doctoral fellowships or residency programs at this dental university in US.
7. University of Pennsylvania
Location: 240 S 40th St, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
Average Fees: $143,122
QS Rank: 19
Average GPA Required: 3.2
Average DAT Score: 20
Acceptance Rate: 6.1%
UPenn is often regarded as a professional school and offers one of the best dental schools in the US. The University of Pennsylvania has three independent research centres on its campus and pilots new research projects involving dentistry. The US dental school also offers six speciality clinics where students can learn from an extensive range of sub-specialities or major in one specific speciality. The school offers some of the best dental programs in the US, along with quality education and training.
8. New York University
Location: 550 1st Ave., New York, NY 10016, United States
Average Fees: $626,384
QS Rank: 38
Average GPA Required: 3.5
Average DAT Score: 21
Acceptance Rate: 11%
The New York University Dental School is one of the largest and best dental schools in the US. Students are exposed to real-world experiences. They are given opportunities to work closely with the faculty and practice directors. The NYU dental school caters to approximately 3,00,000 patients every year. Being one of the most expensive yet best dentistry schools in the US, students can look for financial assistance opportunities. It is very crucial to think and reflect on how to get a scholarship to study in the USA!
9. University of California, San Francisco
Location: 707 Parnassus Ave, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
Average Fees: $69,832
QS Rank: 6
Average GPA Required: 3.6
Average DAT Score: 23
Acceptance Rate: 6.98
The University of California in San Francisco (UCSF) School of Dentistry offers international students with several research opportunities and quality, rich clinical education. Producing more than 100 graduates in a year, the school's dental center caters to approximately 120,000 patients a year. Being one of the best dental schools in the US, it also offers a center where they address children's oral health disparity. Students can brainstorm and study ways to improve the overall oral health of children at this center, where they primarily focus on preventing frequent tooth decay.
10. University of Washington
Location: 1959 NE Pacific St HSB D323, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
Average Fees: $551,983
QS Rank: 24
Average GPA Required: 3.5
Average DAT Score: 20.9
Acceptance Rate: 6.1%
Located in Seattle, the University of Washington's dental school offers comprehensive and some of the best dental programs in the US that emphasize hands-on experience and research. With a diverse faculty and state-of-the-art facilities, students are bound to receive a quality education that fosters collaboration. Students are exposed to plentiful opportunities that help them face dental challenges in oral healthcare.
The top ten dental schools in the US range from prestigious IVY schools to state schools that focus on community service. The universities mentioned offer some of the best dental programs in the US that train the students to prepare them well professionally. Fulfill your dreams of becoming a dentist by enrolling in the best dental schools in America. As you embark on this journey to relocate to this wonderful country, brace yourself for some intriguing American culture shocks! Best of luck to our future dentists!