19 Best Dental Schools In The US

• Acceptance Rate: 6.7%
• Average DAT Score: 21.8
• Average GPA: 3.68
• Tuition and Fees: $35,289

The University of Michigan School of Dentistry is the dental school of the University of Michigan, located in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The School of Dentistry conducts research, provides patient care, and performs community service related to oral and craniofacial health care.

According to two independent rankings, it is now recognized as the top dental school in the United States and fifth in the world. The dental school has undergraduate Bachelor of Science, Doctor of Dental Surgery, and Master of Science and Ph.D. departments.

• Acceptance Rate: 3.5%
• Average DAT Score: 20.8
• Average GPA: 3.6
• Tuition and Fees: $69,300

The Harvard School of Dental Medicine is a dental school at Harvard University and is located in the Longwood Medical Area in Boston, Massachusetts. It is the smallest school at Harvard University with a total student body of 280.

Harvard was the first dental school to award the Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry (DMD). School-based programs include Orthodontics, Endodontics, Prosthodontics, Periodontics, and Dental Public Health. It also offers hospital-based programs such as Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Pediatric Dentistry.

• Acceptance Rate: 10.08%
• Average DAT Score: 22
• Average GPA: 3.59
• Tuition and Fees: $55,422

The University of Washington School of Dentistry is the only school of dentistry in the state of Washington. There are altogether 8 departments in dental school, including the Department of Endodontics, the Department of Oral Health Sciences, and the Department of Orthodontics.

It is located in the Health Science Building, south of the main campus, and boasts active student associations and research groups such as the American Association for Dental Research National Student Research Group, and American Student Dental Association.

• Acceptance Rate: 6%
• Average DAT Score: 22.1
• Average GPA: 3.67
• Tuition and Fees: $35,609

UNC Adams School of Dentistry is located at the University of North Carolina, inside Chapel Hill, United States. It is consistently ranked among the best in the world according to two independent rankings. 

It was the only dental school in North Carolina and later another dental school was regulated under the name East Carolina University School of Dental Medicine. This university engages in oral and craniofacial health care education, research, patient care, and service, awarding 12 degrees to master's and doctorate graduates.

• Acceptance Rate: 12%
• Average DAT Score: 21
• Average GPA: 3.5
• Tuition and Fees: $60,251

The New York University College of Dentistry is the third oldest dentistry school in the United States, that offers graduate programs and clinical training in oral healthcare. It is located on First Avenue between East 24th and 26th Streets, about 6 blocks south of the NYU School of Medicine.

The dental school offers academic and clinical experiences, research facilities, and community outreach programs to all the students. NYU Dentistry does not follow traditional textbooks and provides students with digitalized textbooks.

• Acceptance Rate: 6%
• Average DAT Score: 22.4
• Average GPA: 3.75
• Tuition and Fees: $61,316

The University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine, also known as Penn Dental Medicine, is in Philadelphia. It is one of twelve graduate schools at Penn University and one of several dental schools in Pennsylvania.

It has three main buildings, the Robert Schattner Center, the Levy Center for Oral Health Research, and the Thomas W. Evans Museum and Dental Institute. Their research program is diverse and includes both basic and clinical sciences.

• Acceptance Rate: 6%
• Average DAT Score: 20.9
• Average GPA: 3.56
• Tuition and Fees: $44,164

The University of Maryland School of Dentistry (UMSOD) is the dental school of the University System of Maryland and is the first dental college in the world. The only dental school in Maryland was chartered by an act of the General Assembly of Maryland in 1840.

UMSOD enjoys one of the most advanced dental education facilities in the world. The school offers academic counseling, tutoring, personal counseling, internships, extramural programs, and various other opportunities. Some notable alumni include Harry Estes Kelsey and George Edward Post William T.G. Morton.

• Acceptance Rate: 6%
• Average DAT Score: 22.8
• Average GPA: 3.66
• Tuition and Fees: $44,370

The San Francisco (UCSF) School of Dentistry was founded in 1881 and is the oldest dental school in California. The school is accredited by the American Dental Association and is known as one of the top dental schools in the world.

It offers Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS), Ph.D., and MS degrees in oral and craniofacial sciences, and a combined DDS-PhD and Ph.D. specialty training programs. The university also provides academic facilities, research experience, and community outreach programs.

• Acceptance Rate: 6%
• Average DAT Score: 23.2
• Average GPA: 3.74
• Tuition and Fees: $40,854

The UCLA School of Dentistry is a dental school at the University of California located in the Center for Health Science building in the Westwood neighborhood. 

The university organizes its programs into four academic divisions: Regenerative and Reconstructive Sciences, Diagnostic and Surgical Sciences, Preventive and Restorative Sciences, and Oral and Systematic Health Sciences. The school also offers three types of degrees and specializations.

• Acceptance Rate: 12%
• Average DAT Score: 21.3
• Average GPA: 3.67
• Tuition and Fees: $55,474

The Ohio State University College of Dentistry is one of the graduate and professional dental schools of The Ohio State University. It falls under the top list of dental schools in the US and consists of nine academic divisions representing all major dental specialties.

The College provides numerous degree programs, including Doctor of Dental Surgery and Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene. Additionally, they offer specialty training programs, advanced training programs, MS programs, and a Ph.D. program in Oral Biology. Moreover, the college also has over 60 active Outreach and Engagement programs in more than 42 extramural sites.

• Acceptance Rate: 6%
• Average DAT Score: 22.2
• Average GPA: 3.78
• Tuition and Fees: $37,566

The University of Florida College of Dentistry is the dental school in the Dental Sciences Building on the southeastern edge of the University of Gainesville, Florida's main campus. It is the only publicly funded dental school in Florida with more than 133 faculty members.

Their acceptance rate is very competitive as the student must pass a lengthy selection process. However, the dental school is known for providing academic preparation, various research works, and community outreach programs to all the graduates and non-graduate students.

• Acceptance Rate: 6%
• Average DAT Score: 20
• Average GPA: 3.56
• Tuition and Fees: $24,150

The School of Dentistry at UT Health San Antonio is a highly regarded institution that offers a DDS program. Only three dental schools exist in Texas, and this one is located on the main campus of the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. Every year, the institution graduates over 90 students from its DDS program. 

It also has nearly 200 research faculty members who specialize in 10 different fields of study. The school offers various degrees, including dual doctorates, Community Dentistry, Comprehensive Dentistry, and more. Additionally, it is known for inventing America's first digital panoramic x-ray device.

• Acceptance Rate: 5%
• Average DAT Score: 20.8
• Average GPA: 3.60
• Tuition and Fees: $43,586

The Columbia University College of Dental Medicine (CDM) is one of the twenty graduate and professional schools located at 630 West 168th Street in Manhattan. It is one of the most selective dental schools in the United States based on average DAT score, GPA, and acceptance rate.

It offers several academic programs such as Endodontics Program, Advanced Education in General Dentistry Certificate, Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology Residency, and more. It also possesses several research facilities including the Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine Laboratory and the Center for Craniofacial Regeneration.

• Acceptance Rate: 5%
• Average DAT Score: 21.6
• Average GPA: 3.74
• Tuition and Fees: $50,370

The University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine is a dental school located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and is one of the six schools that provide health sciences. The acceptance rate of this school is relatively low and competitive.

The University offers Residency Training Programs, Dental Hygiene, International collaborative programs, and postgraduate programs. Similarly, students have access to research in various research centers and departments.

• Acceptance Rate: 9%
• Average DAT Score: 20.5
• Average GPA: 3.65
• Tuition and Fees: $30,550

The University of Iowa College of Dentistry is the dental school situated in Iowa City and is the only dental school in Iowa. It is one of only two dental colleges in the United States to offer all American Dental Association-accredited dental specialty training programs.

The third oldest surviving dental school west of the Mississippi River awards four academic programs, including Doctor of Dental Surgery, Doctor of Philosophy, and more. Moreover, the school has nine different dentistry departments and other facilities for undergraduate and graduate students.

• Acceptance Rate: 4%
• Average DAT Score: 21
• Average GPA: 3.7
• Tuition and Fees: $65,920

The University of Rochester affiliated Eastman Institute for Oral Health is a school of dentistry located at the University of Rochester Medical Center. Dental schools in the United States and dental schools do not have an undergraduate dental program.

The dentistry school has eight programs and specialties, including Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Prosthodontics, Periodontics, and Dental Public Health. The school is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association.

• Acceptance Rate: 5%
• Average DAT Score: 20.9
• Average GPA: 3.6
• Tuition and Fees: $36,900

The University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine is a school of dentistry situated in New York, Buffalo. It is accredited by the American Dental Association and is the most renowned dental school in Dentistry and Oral science.

The school was established in 1892 with more than five departments including the Department of Oral Biology, Pediatric and Community Dentistry, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, and more. It also offers academic, research, and community outreach offerings, helping to grow the overall student experience.

• Acceptance Rate: 3%
• Average DAT Score: 21.7
• Average GPA: 3.71
• Tuition and Fees: $35,810

The University of Connecticut School of Dental Medicine is a school of dentistry located at the UConn Health Center in Farmington, Connecticut. The dental school is accredited by the American Dental Association and was established in 1968.

The University of Connecticut School of Dental Medicine includes three departments, the Department of Oral Health, Diagnostic Science, Reconstructive Sciences, and Craniofacial Sciences. Besides, the Department of Craniofacial Sciences includes divisions of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Pediatric Dentistry, Advanced Education in General Dentistry, and Orthodontics.

• Acceptance Rate: 5%
• Average DAT Score: 20
• Average GPA: 3.42
• Tuition and Fees: $84,840

Tufts University School of Dental Medicine is a private dental school, located at the heart of Chinatown, Boston, Massachusetts. It is the second oldest dental school in the city founded in 1868 and is considered one of the most highly competitive medical schools with a low acceptance rate.

The university educates pre-doctor and post-doctoral students with the major students pursuing a Doctor of Dental Medicine degree. The dental school follows a competency-based curriculum that extends over four years along with didactic, patient simulation, and clinical experiences.