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Doctor of Dental Surgery
The Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree is a four-year program consisting of nine months for the first two years and eleven months for the last two clinical years. Much of the first two years is 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.
Admissions Information
Fulfillment of the basic requirements does not guarantee admission. The College of Dentistry’s Admissions Committee selects the applicants it considers best qualified for the study and practice of dentistry from the pool of applicants who meet the basic requirements.
Prospective Student Notice
Statement on Pass/Fail and S/NC Grades for Prospective and Newly Accepted Students: The changes COVID-19 has brought to higher education include some schools changing course taken in 2020 and Spring 2021 to Pass/Fail type grading. The Admissions Committee encourages all students to choose a grade if possible–especially for prerequisites. If your school does not give you an option in the matter, please be prepared to provide documentation from your school’s Registrar or Academic Counselor that earning a grade was not possible.
Modification to face-to-face course instruction requirement: Science courses should be taken using face-to-face instruction if offered. 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. For science courses with labs taken Fall 2021 semester, be prepared to provide documentation from your school’s Registrar or Academic Counselor stating that the course and/or lab was not offered in a face-to-face format.
Dentistry Prerequisites
The courses required for admission to dental school vary depending on the school to which you are applying. You should review the prerequisites carefully for any professional school you are considering. For most dental schools, you can expect to complete the following:
| Chemistry 120, 130 | General Chemistry I, II |
| Biology 150 | Organismal and Ecological Biology |
| Biology 159 | Skills of Biological Investigation |
| Biology 160 | Cellular and Molecular Biology |
| Chemistry 350 | Organic Chemistry I |
| Chemistry 360 | Organic Chemistry II |
| Chemistry 369 | Organic Chemistry Laboratory |
| Physics 221,222* | Elements of Physics |
* The physics sequence most appropriate for students pursuing health professions is Physics 221-222; however, Physics 135-136 is also appropriate. Students majoring in Engineering may satisfy this requirement by completing Physics 231-232.
In addition to the courses listed above, the UT College of Dentistry in Memphis requires:
- Biochemistry and Cellular and Molecular Biology 401
- And one of the following:
- Microbiology 210
- Biology 220 (General Microbiology) and Biology 229 (General Micro Laboratory)
- Ecology and Evolutionary Biology 240 (Human Anatomy)
Please note that Biology 240 (Genetics) is highly recommended.
REQUIREMENTS
- 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):
- Histology: 3 semester hours
- Microbiology (Letcture 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
The traditional student has a Bachelor’s degree; however, it is possible for a well-qualified student to be accepted without one. Applicants must indicate that they have taken or will take all pre-required courses on their application. Applicants must be citizens or permanent residents of the United States at the time of application. State of residency is generally determined by the applicant’s permanent address on the day of application.
UTHSC Prerequisite Course Accreditation Requirements
If you have questions regarding prerequisite courses, please contact the Admissions Office at 901.448.6268.
GRADE POINT AVERAGE GPA
A minimum grade point average of 2.75 is expected in all required subjects attempted and in cumulative course work. Due to the competition among applicants, classes are filled with those who have higher academic averages. Prospective applicants should strive to maintain a prescribed and cumulative grade point average well above a 3.00, but GPA scores are generally competitive at 3.5 or higher.
DENTAL ADMISSION EXAM
All dental school applicants must take the Dental Admissions Test (DAT) that is administered by the American Dental Association. The test should be taken before applying. Dental Aptitude Text Examinees will be limited to three (3) opportunities to participate in the testing program. The Admissions Committee uses the DAT as a very important marker of applicant performance.
The DAT examines applicants in four (4) sections: natural sciences, perceptual ability, reading comprehension, and quantitative reasoning. Scores received in these areas will also be averaged resulting in two additional scores for Science and Academics for a total of eight scores. Scores in each area may range from 1-30 points for a maximum of 240 possible points. An applicant with a DAT score of 140 points or better will be considered for an interview.
Scores that are competitive are an Academic Average of 19 (or higher.) Any scores of 17 or below will not be competitive.
Additional information about the Dental Admissions Test can be found on the ADA website. https://www.ada.org/en/education-careers/dental-admission-test
PERSONAL INTERVIEW
A personal interview at the College of Dentistry, by invitation of the Admissions Committee, is necessary prior to acceptance. The interview will include a tour of the school, the receipt of information about financial aid, and the opportunity to talk with faculty and students. During the interview, the committee looks for evidence of such personal qualities as integrity, motivation, and maturity. The committee also expects applicants to have been exposed to the delivery of dental care as properly licensed participants (dental assistant or dental hygienist, for example) or as observers.
OTHER NOTES
Applicants who have made grades of less than “C” in required courses are required to repeat those courses. (Both grades are utilized in computing grade point averages.)
Correspondence/online courses are not accepted for required course work.
Each applicant is expected to comply with the general requirements of the college attended, including the non-academic requirements.
The Committee on Admissions reserves the right to require any candidate to complete additional course work irrespective of his or her academic average at the time of evaluation.
ADVANCE PLACEMENT DREDIT
We accept all CLEP and advanced placement credits as long as your undergraduate institution acknowledges and awards said credits.
RECOMMENDATION LETTER
Letters of recommendation are not mandatory but are accepted through the AADSAS application ONLY. Please do not send additional letters of recommendation to the College of Dentistry.
The Admissions Committee values letters of recommendation from the applicant’s college professors or pre-professional committee (if one exists) above all others.
CANDIDATE REVIEW FACTOR
Letters of recommendation are not mandatory but are accepted through the AADSAS application ONLY. Please do not send additional letters of recommendation to the College of Dentistry.
The Admissions Committee values letters of recommendation from the applicant’s college professors or pre-professional committee (if one exists) above all others.
COMMUNICATION POLICY
It is the policy of the College of Dentistry that in matters of admission, the Associate Dean for Admissions and Student Affairs communicates only with the applicant.
All applications to the College of Dentistry must be submitted through AADSAS.
The annual application period is June 1 through September 30. Interviews begin as soon as applications are received by the Admissions Committee — usually in early July. It is strongly advised to apply as early as convenient. While the application period lasts until September 30, all available interview slots for the year are often taken by early September. Qualities
Applicants to programs of the College of Dentistry must possess the following general qualities: critical thinking, sound judgment, emotional stability and maturity, empathy, physical and mental stamina. Applicants must possess the ability to acquire knowledge, surgical skills and technical functions and use such knowledge, skills, and functions in a wide variety of didactic, laboratory, and clinical settings at an acceptable level of competency, as defined by the college. View the technical standards in their entirety.
Criminal Background CheckAll newly accepted students must have an approved Criminal Background Check prior to matriculation at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center. Once accepted, applicants will receive information as to how to apply for the criminal background check. A potential exists that an accurate negative Criminal Background Check report could affect a student’s enrollment status at UTHSC. View the University of Tennessee Health Science Center policy on criminal background checks.
Students enrolling in the first-year class of the College of Dentistry will be required to arrive with a laptop computer. The campus supports both PC and Mac platforms.
MINIMUM technical requirements:
- Capable of running the most recent version of MS Windows or Mac OS
- 8 GB or greater of RAM
- 2.9 ghz Intel i5 processor or equivalent CPU processor
- 512 or 1024 GB hard drive or solid state drive
- 1024 x 768 or higher screen resolution
- Anti-virus software (If not installed, students will be required to install free anti-virus software from UT upon arrival on campus: Malwarebytes)
- Built in webcam and microphone
The College of Dentistry has no provisions for providing a laptop to students whose own laptop proves to be inoperable upon arriving at UT and cannot assist students whose laptop does not meet the specifications and proves to be inadequate for the student to perform their required lessons. Note that tablets and Chrome books are not acceptable substitutes for a laptop as described above.
If you have additional questions about purchasing a laptop or would like to know if your laptop is sufficient, contact our IT Help Desk at 901.448.2222.
Misrepresentation of Academic Materials
Misrepresentation of academic credentials is a Class A misdemeanor in Tennessee. A person commits the offense of misrepresentation of academic credentials who, knowing that the statement is false and with the intent to secure employment at or admission to an institution of higher education in Tennessee, represents, orally or in writing, that such person: (1) has successfully completed the required course work for and has been awarded one or more degrees or diplomas from an accredited institution of higher education; (2) has successfully completed the required course work for and has been awarded one or more degrees or diplomas from a particular institution of higher education; or (3) has successfully completed the required course work for and has been awarded one or more degrees or diplomas in a particular field or specialty from an accredited institution of higher education.
One of the principal missions of The University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Dentistry (UTHSC-COD) is to provide quality educational opportunities for the people of this state and beyond. One measure of the quality of an educational experience is the extent to which it enables the recipient to compete and be productive in society and contribute to the quality of life. UTHSC recognizes that diversity in the educational environment, including an outstanding and diverse student body, faculty, and staff, and an environment conducive to learning, adds value to the educational experience and the degree earned. Interacting with people from diverse backgrounds and perspectives augments the curricular experience and affords every student the opportunity to gain the knowledge and skills necessary to be a productive and contributing citizen of this state and nation, capable of competing in a global society. Thus, diversity is fundamental to a sound twenty-first century education.
UTHSC affirms the educational value of a diverse and fully inclusive campus community, one that is enriched by persons of different backgrounds, points of view, cultures, socioeconomic status, and other diverse characteristics. UTHSC is committed to engaging in a variety of initiatives to advance diversity in all aspects of University life.
Application Timeline
- First business day in June: Admissions cycle begins. Admission cycle begins through AADSAS. No materials should be sent to the College of Dentistry unless specifically requested by the Admissions Committee.
- September 30: Application deadline. All application material must be submitted and all DAT tests taken by this date. Note: Pre-professional evaluations can be submitted through AADSAS after this deadline but must be received by the Admissions Office by November 30.
- July to February: Notification of interviews. Applicants granted an interview are notified in writing (based on GPA, PGPA & DAT). Applicants are interviewed only once.
- First Business Day in December: Admissions committee decisions; Notification of acceptances begins and continues on a rolling basis until the first day of school.
- December to January: Alternate lists established. These lists will be used when space in the class becomes available.
- December to March: Unsuccessful applicants. Unsuccessful applicants not receiving an invitation to join the class are notified in writing.
- End of February: Financial aid priority deadline. Submit Free Application for Student Aid (FAFSA)
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