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Doctor of Dental Surgery

The Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree is a four-year program with the first two years being primarily devoted to the biomedical sciences of anatomy, biochemistry, histology, microbiology, pathology, pharmacology, and physiology. Pre-clinical technical courses are also taught to achieve a close correlation of the basic sciences with the clinical disciplines. Beginning the Spring semester of the second year, students are introduced to their clinical groups and protocol. The last two years primarily consist of clinical experiences in the UTHSC College of Dentistry clinic on campus and in our off-site clinical sites across the state of Tennessee.

 

 

Admissions Information

UTHSC College of Dentistry reviews applicants using a holistic approach and appreciates the value in having a diverse student population. The Admissions Committee is seeking applicants who demonstrate the academic ability to successfully complete the DDS program, who show compassion and concern for others, and who possess the responsibilities and integrity of a healthcare professional. The Admissions Committee attempts to select the class based on the criteria below.

 

Applicants are required to complete the following coursework with a grade of C or above no later than May 31 of the year they are entering the program. Completing the prerequisite courses at an accredited four-year college or university is strongly encouraged. Community college coursework is accepted but not recommended for the prerequisites.

  • English Composition: 6 semester hours
  • Biology (General: Lecture and Lab): 8 semester hours
  • Chemistry (General: Lecture and Lab): 8 semester hours
  • Chemistry (Organic: Lecture and Lab): 8 semester hours
  • Physics (Lecture and Lab): 8 semester hours
  • Biochemistry (Lecture): 3 semester hours

Other Biology (Applicants must take at least ONE of the following upper division biology courses):

  • Histology: 3 semester hours
  • Microbiology (Lecture and Lab): 4 semester hours
  • Comparative Anatomy: 4 semester hours (Human Anatomy may be substituted if it is taken with a lab and equals 4 semester hours)

Total number of hours taken to be considered for admission: 97

Applicants must indicate that they have taken or will take all pre-required courses on their application. All science prerequisites should be taken in face-to-face instruction format unless your institution only offers it in an online format. If your institution does not offer the prerequisite in a face-to-face format, a letter from the Registrar or an Academic Counselor stating that the course and/or lab was not offered in a face-to-face format, will be needed. We are aware that many applicants had their courses switched to online due to COVID19 and will certainly accept those taken in 2020 and Spring/Summer semesters of 2021 without documentation from the Registrar. 

Other Areas Considered in Admission Decisions:

  • A bachelor’s degree, in any major is preferred; however, it is possible for a well-qualified student to be accepted without one. This is not common and requires approval by our office in advance of application. Majoring in a science based major will better prepare applicants for the content of the Dental Admissions Test, which is required for consideration of acceptance.
  • Letters of Evaluation: All evaluations must be submitted in AADSAS.  We cannot accept evaluations sent to UTHSC through mail/email.  We prefer either one committee letter and one from another source* or 3 letters of evaluation from professors (at least two of the three should be written by science professors). Additional Letters of Evaluation sent to our college will not be accepted.
    *Another source for letters of evaluation could be another faculty member from any department, an employer, faculty sponsor of a club, supervisor at a volunteer/community outreach event, or dentist that you shadowed. Letters from members of the applicant’s family is discouraged.
  • Community Outreach/Volunteer Experience: Improving the health of the underserved population is an important piece of the College of Dentistry’s mission; therefore, involvement in any form of community outreach is appreciated. Any activity that allows direct interaction with the people in need is preferred. Examples: soup kitchens, meals on wheels delivery, food box distribution, toys for tots, running errands for the home bound, and much more. Activities such as this display an ability to get out of your “comfort zone” and interact with people from all cultures. 
  • Shadowing a dentist in a general dental office is requested of applicants. No less than fifty hours of shadowing in a general dental practice is acceptable.
  • Admission is restricted to citizens or permanent residents of the United States at the time of application. Residents of Tennessee are given preference for admission. Residents of Arkansas will be considered based on the Arkansas Health Education Grant guidelines. State of residency is generally determined by the applicant’s permanent address on the day your AADSAS application was submitted. Approximately 7 percent of our class is made up of applicants from all other states.

UTHSC Prerequisite Course Accreditation Requirements

If you have questions regarding prerequisite courses, please contact the Admissions Office at 901.448.6268.

UTHSC College of Dentistry participates in the Associated American Dental Schools Application Service (AADSAS). All applications must be submitted through this service.

Last Published: Feb 4, 2025