The Dugoni School of Dentistry is the only UC San Francisco-affiliated dental school in Northern California and one of two in the state. We invite you to browse the site and discover the many reasons why we are an exemplary educational institution.

There are two major factors that make admissions to dental school difficult: an applicant’s academic record and the Dental Admissions Test (DAT). Most dental schools place more emphasis on an applicant’s academic credentials than on the biology, chemistry and physics courses taken in college. For example, every applicant must have completed at least two years of college coursework by the time he or she applies to dental school. Students should not rely solely on academics to get into dental school. Instead, they should take advantage of extracurricular activities such as volunteering, clinical experience and joining honor societies.

dugoni school of dentistry acceptance rate

Located in the heart of San Francisco, one of the most desirable urban locations in the United States, the University of the Pacific Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry is a top choice for prospective students seeking a world-class dental school in California. Indeed, the school is nationally renowned for its humanistic education model that emphasizes respect for all and recognizes every student’s growth potential.

Innovation is another key value at the Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry. It’s the only school anywhere in the United States with an accelerated DDS program that condenses a four-year study course into three years. Students also get the unique opportunity to start clinical instruction from day one of the program – a big reason that Arthur A. Dugoni graduates are in high demand when it’s time for them to start their professional careers.

While an acceptance rate of 6.3% means that applicants will need to stand out amongst the crowd, students shouldn’t be discouraged from applying. In fact, a key aspect of the school’s vision is building a student body that’s diverse and well-rounded across each of its individual programs. Applicants to the dental hygiene program should have a minimum high school GPA of 2.7 along with courses in biology and chemistry.

uop dental school tuition

Tuition for the 2021-2022 academic year for the DDS, IDS, Ortho and Endo programs is $119,360.

Upon notification of acceptance, applicants are required to submit a nonrefundable $1,000 enrollment fee ($500 for the graduate programs) as directed in the acceptance letter in order to hold their place. The fee will be applied to first quarter tuition upon matriculation to the University of the Pacific. First quarter tuition is due and payable before matriculation day. Subsequent payment of tuition is due by the first day of each quarter and is required for registration and continued enrollment.

Tuition Refund

Withdrawal: School policy provides that in response to written notice of withdrawal by a student or by an applicant, tuition credit shall be allocated as follows:

• Prior to matriculation: full credit less the enrollment fee.
• After matriculation: credit prorated according to calendar days after reduction by the enrollment fee (see below).
• After first day of class, second through final quarters: credit prorated according to calendar days as follows:
  • 1st through 7th day: 80% credit
  • 8th through 14th day: 60% credit
  • 15th through 25th day: 40% credit
  • 26th through 35th day: 20% credit
  • After 35th day: no refund

Dismissal: Upon dismissal for reasons other than misconduct, tuition credit is allocated according to the refund schedule above. When a dismissed student is readmitted, full tuition must be paid for each quarter repeated, or part thereof.

Extended Program

A student who has not fully demonstrated competency to the faculty in all clinical disciplines by the end of the final quarter of the program will be extended beyond graduation. An extended student is not charged tuition for one quarter. Tuition for subsequent quarter(s) or part(s) thereof is charged at 85% of the current rate. In every quarter of the extension, an extended student pays current rates for mandatory health and disability insurance. Upon notification to the dean that performance meets graduation standards, an extended student receives tuition credit of 10% for each full week of instruction remaining in the quarter.

Readmission and Repeat

Repeat students are charged 85% of the current tuition for any quarter repeated and 100% of the current rate thereafter. A student must pay any outstanding account balance to be eligible for readmission or to repeat all or part of an academic year.

Diplomas and Transcripts

A diploma will not be issued until a student’s account with the University is paid in full and in the judgment of the school all other requirements have been satisfied. If a diploma is held for financial reasons only, the original graduation date is retained on the record.

Fees

The enrollment fee described above is nonrefundable. The list of fees and expenses below should not be considered complete for all students, and includes anticipated costs for outside agencies listed as “special fees.” Fees listed below are for the DDS program and are estimates. Fees for the International Dental Studies and the Graduate programs are available from the Division of International Dental Studies and the Department of Orthodontics, and the Endodontics department, respectively.

DDS Program Fees, 2021-2022

(partial listing; some fees subject to adjustment)

• Application Fees: $75.00
• Instrument Management Fee: $3,410.00
• Student Doctoral Kit*: $11,385.00
• Student Body**: $89.00
• Health Insurance: $3,450.00
• Disability Insurance: $53.00
• Technology Fee: $705.00
• Optical Loupes: $1,195.00
• Rental Kit: $961.00

Special Fees, 2021-22 (partial)

• A.S.D.A.: $88.00
• California Dental Assn. Membership**: $5.00
• Laboratory Fee: $325.00
• Total: $21,741.00*

*The Student Doctoral Kit includes textbooks, instruments and supplies that are required by the school according to guidelines submitted by the Store Committee. These materials are issued in a kit on matriculation day to all registered students. Instruments and supplies should not be purchased in advance. Release from kit purchases will not be granted. Allowance should be made for additional supplies and instruments that will be required during the educational program.

**Fees for student body, class, ASDA and CDA memberships vary each year according to decisions of the student body and the respective classes.

uop dental school curriculum

Known to be one of the most competitive dental schools in the United States, UoP has a long-held reputation for producing the best clinicians, having the best alumni connections, and maintaining an accelerated three-year DDS curriculum.

The school is currently the only remaining institution in the United States accredited to teach an accelerated three-year program leading to a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree. Students complete a full curriculum of pre-clinical and basic sciences classes in their first year of dental school, as opposed to years one and two at other universities. Despite the accelerated curriculum, students at the school experience a number of hours of clinical education well above the national average for students studying in traditional four-year curricula.

Units of Credit

One unit of credit is awarded for ten hours of lecture or seminar, twenty hours of laboratory or clinic, or thirty hours of independent study per term. In the predoctoral programs (DDS and IDS), students are assigned to comprehensive care clinics for approximately 500 hours during the second year and 1,000 hours during the third, in addition to specialty clinic rotations. Units of credit are assigned in the comprehensive care clinical disciplines in proportion to the amount of time students spend providing specific types of care for assigned patterns.

Full-time enrollment in the predoctoral programs at the School of Dentistry (DDS and IDS) is defined as 16 or more units per term.  Full-time enrollment in the graduate residency programs in orthodontics and endodontics is defined as 20 or more units per term.  For the graduate certificate programs in Advanced Education in General Dentistry and Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, full-time enrollment is defined as 16 or more units per term.

Personalized Instructional Program

Beginning with the DDS class of 2020 and IDS class of 2019, successful completion of a Personalized Instructional Program (PIP) is required for graduation. Thisis reflected on the transcript as a stand-alone course (SL 999) with comments indicating customized detail. Unit values will vary based upon contact hours.

uop dental school requirements

Prerequisites

Predental College Years: General minimum is three years (90 semester or 135 quarter units)

Limitation on Community College Work: Courses taken at a community college will be acceptable if they are transferable as equivalent to predental courses at a four-year college. 

Biological Sciences* (with laboratory)	4 semesters or 6 quarters
Inorganic Chemistry (with laboratory)	2 semesters or 3 quarters
Organic Chemistry (with laboratory)	2 semesters or 3 quarters
Physics (with laboratory)	2 semesters or 3 quarters
English, Speech, or Communication**	2 semesters or 3 quarters

The following represents the minimum required number of courses for semester and quarter system-based universities.

Highly Recommended: anatomy, physiology, microbiology, biochemistry, histology/cell biology & research experience — practical or theory

* Note: The Admissions Committee requires that applicants complete either two semesters of organic chemistry or one semester each of organic chemistry and biochemistry.

** Note: One course in composition or technical writing is required. Other courses should develop written or verbal communication skills. English as a Second Language (ESL) course work does not meet this requirement.

Students may not elect pass/fail options in required course work unless a narrative transcript is provided by the college.

Letter of Recommendation: 2 letters from science professors and 1 of your choice (e.g., dentist, research or work manager/supervisor) OR 1 committee letter.

Dental Shadowing Experience: 40 hours minimum (minimum hours must be general dentistry).

Grade Point Average (GPA): Your overall and science GPA, the schools attended, and the difficulty of your course load are all assessed on an individual basis.

Dental Admissions Test (DAT): Preference is given to students who provide Dental Admissions Test scores no later than November.  June 1st update: Due to COVID-19 and reduced DAT testing capacity, DAT scores will now be valid to up to 3 years. Scores before June 15, 2018 will not be considered for the 2020-2021 admissions cycle. This does not apply to Univ. of the Pacific Pre-dental Advantage students – please refer to your contract and your pre-dental advisor. 

The committee reviews the most recent DAT scores in the application. For instructions on how to schedule a date for the DAT, please go online to American Dental Association (ADA).

No supplementary application is required, but there is a supplementary fee of $75. Link is provided in AADSAS.

Transfer Students/Advanced Standing

Only under unusual and compelling circumstances does the Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry accept transfer students. Incompatibility of dental education programs inhibits transition from another school to our program. Students requesting such classification usually matriculate with the first-year class. No student will be admitted to advanced standing beyond the second year. Special action regarding transfers is required.

Health Requirements, Medical and Disability Insurance

Prior to matriculation, health requirements must be met and documentation submitted to the Admissions Office, as follows:

• Medical Examination: Submit our school’s “Health Requirement Examination Form,” signed by a health care provider confirming that a medical examination was completed within 6 months of the date of matriculation.
• Measles, Rubella (German Measles) and Mumps: Documented vaccination (2 vaccines) with live attenuated Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) virus is adequate. A history of measles and rubella as childhood diseases is not sufficient. If documentation is not available, blood tests showing immunity will suffice.
• Tuberculosis: Submit the report of a 2-step Mantoux tuberculosis skin test. (Commonly referred to as PPD) within 6 months of matriculation. With a history of tuberculosis OR a positive skin test, submit the provider’s report of a chest X-ray taken within 6 months prior to matriculation. Chest X-rays may be required at intervals, and suppressive medication may be recommended.
• Hepatitis B: Every dental student is required to submit documented proof of presence of antibodies to the Hepatitis B virus AND complete the Hepatitis B vaccination series. It is recommended that this be done prior to matriculation; in all cases, however, it must be done before a student is allowed to treat patients. If a student does not have documented proof of having antibodies to this virus, the vaccination series is available at our dental school for a fee.

Medical and Disability Insurance: All enrolled students and residents participate in mandatory medical insurance and disability insurance programs selected by the Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry. Unless proof of current health insurance is provided to university specification, no one shall be exempt from the mandatory health insurance. Insurance premiums are assessed with tuition and other fees.

Reservation of Powers: The Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry reserves the right to modify or change admissions standards or requirements any time without prior notice. The information on this website is not to be regarded as creating a binding contract between the student and the dental school.