unlv dental school admissions

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Application Process

Phase I — Application

ADEA CAAPID application
1. Submit the following supporting documents via CAAPID:
  - Copy of Foreign Dental Degree (Diploma) — A copy of dental degree (diploma) from the applicant’s dental school or equivalent institution must be uploaded via the ADEA CAAPID application portal. If the transcripts are in a language other than English, you must also upload a U.S. certified English translation.
  - Copy of Foreign Dental School Transcript — A copy of dental degree transcript (translated into English) from the applicant’s dental school or equivalent institution must be uploaded via the ADEA CAAPID application portal. If the transcript is in a language other than English, they must be accompanied by a U.S. certified English translation.
  - Course-By-Course School Transcript Evaluation — Official dental school transcripts evaluated COURSE-BY-COURSE with GPA by Educational Credentials Evaluators, Inc. (ECE). Documents need to be submitted directly to CAAPID by ECE.
  - Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) — TOEFL is required with a valid minimum score of 98 within two years. Official scores must be submitted from the Educational Testing Services (ETS) directly to CAAPID.
  - National Board Dental Examinations (NBDE) — Successful Completion of the National Board Dental Examinations (NBDE) Parts I and II, or the Integrated National Board Dental Examination (INBDE). Official scores are to be submitted directly from the American Dental Association (ADA) to CAAPID. Test scores must be within the past six years.
  - Advanced Dental Admission Test (ADAT) – If NBDE scores are more than six years old, the ADAT is required in conjunction with NBDE Parts I and II passing scores. Official scores are to be submitted directly from the American Dental Association (ADA) to CAAPID.
  - Curriculum Vitae (CV) — Submit an updated Curriculum Vitae in the required format. Please use the required CV template provided
  - Personal Statement — Submit a one-page personal statement on your professional path, professional interests and goals
  - Letters of Recommendation — Three (3) official letters of professional recommendation. One should be from someone at the academic dean’s level of the dental school from which the student graduated. The second should be from a practicing dentist (or specialist). The third should be from someone who has known you for at least the past two years, and is not a family member or a friend. Letters must be written within the last two years, provided on school or company letterhead, and contain evaluators’ contact details, signatures and dates.
UNLV School of Dental Medicine DDS Program Supplemental Application
1. Include the following required documents in your UNLV SDM DDS Supplemental Application:
  - Completed Supplemental Application Form: Submit a fully completed supplemental application form, signed and dated by the individual applying to the program.
  - Application Fee: a nonrefundable application fee of $100 US dollars must be submitted with the application. A cashier’s check or money order for the application fee should be payable to “Board of Regents”.
  - Send the completed Supplemental Application via U.S. Mail to: University of Nevada, Las Vegas
    School of Dental Medicine
    DDS Program, Office of Student Affairs
    Shadow Lane Campus
    1001 Shadow Lane MS 7427
    Las Vegas NV 89106-4124
Review of submitted applications upon receipt of both the supplemental application and CAAPID application.
The applicants are responsible for making sure their applications are completed and received. Only completed applications will be reviewed.
An email notification will be sent from the UNLV SDM- DDS program to the applicants once both their Supplemental application and CAAPID application have been completed.
Late or incomplete applications will not be considered for review.

Phase II — Interview and Dexterity Test

Individuals selected for the interview and dexterity test phase of the admissions process will be notified by telephone and confirmed by email approximately two to three weeks in advance of their date.
In order to secure their seat for interview, the selected candidate must be ready to immediately submit the following:
- Official Copy of Foreign Dental Degree (Diploma) — An official copy of dental degree (diploma) from the applicant’s dental school or equivalent institution must be mailed to UNLV School of Dental Medicine Admissions Office DDS sub-Committee either by the applicants’ dental school, or the candidate in the original unopened dental school sealed envelope. If the diploma is in a language other than English, they must be accompanied by a U.S. certified English translation. Notarized copies are not accepted.
- Official Copy of Foreign Dental School Transcript — An official copy of dental degree transcript (translated into English) from the applicant’s dental school or equivalent institution must be mailed to UNLV School of Dental Medicine Admissions Office DDS sub-Committee either by the applicants’ dental school, or the candidate in the original unopened dental school sealed envelope. If the transcript is in a language other than English, they must be accompanied by a U.S. certified English translation. Notarized copies are not accepted.
- Technical Skills Practice & Test Fee — A nonrefundable dental technical skills practice and test fee of $450 (fee subject to change) is required for candidates invited for this phase of the DDS admissions process. This fee is not applied toward tuition or any other fees.
The two and a half-day interview will consist of:
- Orientation and tour of the dental school.
- Simulation practice – 3 to 4 hours of practice in our Simulation Clinic is arranged in order to help candidates become familiar with the lab equipment and instruments prior to the dental technical skills test.
- Personal panel interview with faculty.
- Case-based written exam.
- Dental technical skills test.
The class of up to 8 entering students will be selected from those individuals who present for the interview and technical skills testing.

Phase III — Acceptance Notification

Accepted DDS students will be notified by telephone and confirmed by email. Contingency acceptance upon:
1. Passing background verification and complete immunization documentation.
2. Successful completion of the checklist requirements.
3. Submission of enrollment deposits.
4. Providing a completed medical examination when requested.
Accepted DDS students will be assigned to online pre-matriculation training. Completion of this training is required prior to the start of the program.
Accepted DDS students must meet and maintain all educational, financial and immigration commitments to allow for their admission, registration, and enrollment at UNLV School of Dental Medicine.

Application Requirements

Prerequisites

All prerequisite courses and units must be completed by July of the year you intend to enroll. However, we highly recommend that applicants complete prerequisite courses prior to filing their application or taking the Dental Admission Test.

1 year of General Biology with lab
1 year of General Chemistry with lab
1 year of Organic Chemistry with lab
1 year of General Physics with lab
1 semester or 2 quarters of Human Anatomy, or 1 full year or three quarters of Anatomy and Physiology with lab
1 semester or 2 quarters of Biochemistry
1 year of English

A minimum of 90 semester units, or the equivalent completed or in-progress at an accredited college or university in the United States or Canada. Thirty of the 90 semester units must be completed at a four-year institution.

Applying to the Dental School

American Dental Education Association Application The UNLV School of Dental Medicine participates in the American Dental Education Association’s (ADEA) Application Service—AADSAS. For application and procedures, please refer to their website. The application deadline is January 1 of the year you intend to enroll.
Supplemental Application to the UNLV School of Dental Medicine In addition to the AADSAS application, applicants should submit the UNLV SDM supplemental application along with the $75 processing fee. The supplemental application is a required component that along with your AADSAS application will complete your file and allow your application to enter the UNLV SDM Admissions Committee review process. You must also complete the registration pages located on the UNLV Graduate College website. First time users should click “New User” below the login icon. Users will be prompted to enter an email address and password.
Dental Admissions Test Scores All applicants applying to dental schools are required to take this test as part of the application process. The DAT is administered through the Prometric Testing Centers located throughout the United States. The Canadian DAT is not accepted. For more information, please write or call the American Dental Association’s Division of Educational Measurements at 211 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60611, 800-232-1694. We recommended that applicants take the DAT as soon as possible. If your application file is missing your DAT scores, the admissions committee will be unable to review your application for admittance. Scores prior to 2018 will not be considered.
Letters of Evaluation A letter of evaluation from a college’s pre-health professions committee will satisfy this requirement. If the applicant’s university does not have a committee, he or she must submit four individual letters of evaluation. Two of the letters must be from hard science professors, the third letter must be from a dentist with whom the applicant has shadowed or worked, and the fourth may be from a liberal arts professor, employer, pastor, etc
Official Transcripts As part of the AADSAS application, transcripts must be submitted from all colleges and institutions attended. Prior to matriculation, accepted students must again submit official transcripts from all colleges and institutions attended to verify prerequisites and degrees.
Interview After a preliminary review of the AADSAS and supplemental applications, eligible candidates will be extended an invitation for an interview. The Admissions Committee will make the final selection.

*Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)

If English is not your native language and you have not attended an English-speaking institution for four or more years, you must demonstrate proficiency. Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) minimum scores are as follows:

Paper-Based (PBT) Minimum Score: 550
Computer-Based Minimum Score: 213
Internet-Based (iBT) Minimum Score: 80

The TOEFL ID number for the University of Nevada, Las Vegas is 4861. To obtain more information about the TOEFL, contact TOEFL/TSE, Box 6151, Princeton, New Jersey 08541-6151, 609-921-9000.

Foreign-Trained Applicants

UNLV School of Dental Medicine offers a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree, which is a two-year (6-semester) fast-track program for dentists who graduated from non-U.S. accredited dental schools. It enables dentists who were trained in non-U.S. accredited institutions to gain the skills and knowledge necessary to practice in the United States. Additional information can be found on the DDS admissions section.

School of Dental Medicine Admissions Timeline

Month	Year	Detail
Spring	2021	Begin requesting letters of evaluation: one from a pre-health professions committee or four from individual professors—at least 2 from science professors, 1 from a liberal arts professor, employer, pastor, etc., and one from a dentist (total of 4 letters) Prepare personal statement for AADSAS application. Prepare for the Dental Admissions Test (DAT).
Summer	2021	Shadow a dentist(s) and/or specialist(s).
May/June	2021	AADSAS online application available from American Dental Education Association (ADEA) website. UNLV Supplemental application available through Grad Rebel Gateway.
July	2021	Take Dental Admissions Test no later than this date.
Sept.	2021	Interviews begin and take place through February.
Dec.	2021	Letters of acceptance mailed to qualified candidates. For status of application, check AADSAS website or call the office.
Jan.	2022	UNLV AADSAS Application deadline.
Feb.	2022	Deadline to submit all other supporting documentation.
Sept.	2022	Classes begin.

It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure their application is complete and all supporting documents have been received by our office. Only complete files will be reviewed by the Admissions Committee for interview decisions.

Supplemental Application

The deadline to submit the DDS supplemental application is June 30, 2021 12 p.m. (PST) for the DDS class of 2024 beginning in May 2022.

Note: Application through CAAPID is required together with the UNLV DDS Program supplemental application.

Contact

Main Contact Information

Mailing Address

School of Dental Medicine
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Mail Stop: 7410
1001 Shadow Ln.
Las Vegas, NV 89106-4124

Phone

Patient Care: 702-774-2400
After-Hours Emergency: 702-380-1944
Academic Admissions: 702-774-2520
Dean’s Office: 702-774-2500

Fax

702-774-2521

Email

unlvdentsch@unlv.edu

Building Location

Shadow Lane Advanced Dental Education (SLC-D), Room 278

Office Hours

8 a.m.-5 p.m.

UNLV Smiles Dental Clinic

Student Recreation and Wellness Center University of Nevada, Las Vegas
4505 S. Maryland Pkwy. Las Vegas, NV 89154

Phone

702-774-7108

Advanced Pediatrics

1700 West Charleston Boulevard, Bldg. A
Las Vegas, NV 89102

Phone

702-774-2415

Orthodontics

1700 West Charleston Boulevard, Bldg. D
Las Vegas, NV 89102

Phone

702-774-2690

General Practice Residency

1700 West Charleston Boulevard, Bldg. D
Las Vegas, NV 89102

Phone

702-774-5175

Faculty Dental Practice

1700 West Charleston Boulevard, Bldg. D
Las Vegas, NV 89102

Phone

702-774-8000

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the prerequisites?

The prerequisites are:

1 year of General Biology with lab
1 year of General Chemistry with lab
1 year of Organic Chemistry with lab
1 year of General Physics with lab
1 semester or 2 quarters of Human Anatomy, or 1 full year or three quarters of Anatomy and Physiology with lab
1 semester or 2 quarters of Biochemistry
1 year of English

All prerequisite courses and units listed above must be completed by July of the year you intend to enroll. However, we highly recommend that applicants complete prerequisite courses prior to filing their application or taking the Dental Admissions Test.

A minimum of 90 semester credits is also required with no more than 60 earned at a 2-year community/junior college. A grade of “C” or higher must be attained in the prerequisite courses. Is a bachelor’s degree required?

No, a bachelor’s degree is not required. You may apply to UNLV as long as the prerequisites have been taken and you will have the minimum 90 credits before you start dental school. However, having a degree will give an applicant a competitive edge and is recommended. What should I major in?

Most applicants have majors in the sciences – biology, microbiology, chemistry, biochemistry, etc. However, you may have any major so long as the prerequisites have been completed. It is advisable that additional upped division biology courses be taken in preparation for the first year of dental school. What are the GPA and DAT scores you will be looking for?

An applicant would be considered competitive if he/she had a science/cumulative GPA of 3.5 and 20s on the DAT, specifically the total science, PAT and AA sections. How long is dental school?

Dental school is a four-year full time program. What is the curriculum?

The curriculum is as follows:

Biomedical and Oral Health Sciences – Study and competencies of breadth and depth of biomedical sciences for the oral health professional with emphasis on the orofacial complex and its relation to systemic health disease
Competency in Dental Practice – Study and competencies for the clinical practice of dentistry with an emphasis on general dentistry, serving the lifespan of patients
Clinical and Professional Studies – Study and competencies of the values, ethics, legal and regulatory aspects of health professional practice, including practicing in the public, academic and private health enterprises
Public Health and Externships – Hands-on participation in service learning and in dental services under close supervision of faculty and associated faculty. A related academic curriculum is required, including classroom assignments and case presentations.

What if I have taken courses at a foreign institution? Can I still get credit for them?

Courses taken in a foreign country are not automatically accepted. You must have your transcript evaluated by a credentialing service that will provide a report of whether or not the courses are equivalent to those taken at an accredited U.S. institution. For more information, contact ECE at (414) 289-3800. An application may also be obtained from their website. The cost of a course-by-course evaluation is approximately $195. When is the best time to take the Dental Admissions Test (DAT)?

An applicant would be ready to take the DAT after completing 1 year of general biology, general chemistry and organic chemistry. It is best to have scores at the time of application or by September before the application year. An interview invitation will not be released to an applicant if DAT scores are needed; in other words, the sooner the DAT is taken and sent to the school of your choice the better. UNLV will accept test scores no older than 3-years. Canadian DAT scores will not be accepted. What if I retake the DAT?

It would be advisable to be prepared the first time you take the test. Studies have shown repeaters do not markedly improve their test scores and in some cases score lower. If an applicant has retaken the test, the highest of each section will be taken. Keep in mind you will have to wait 90 days between test dates. When do I turn in my AADSAS application?

AADSAS will begin processing applications June 1st. Although UNLV’s deadline isn’t until February 1st, it is recommended the application be turned in as early as possible. The sooner a file is complete, the sooner it is reviewed by the committee for interview decisions. Interviews are mandatory and by invitation only. The committee will typically begin reviewing files as early as August and begin interviewing in September. Please note that it is the applicant’s responsibility to check with the Office of Admissions to ensure their file is complete and not lacking supporting documents. How soon will I find out if I am accepted?

After the interview, acceptances will be sent out beginning December 1st and continue until the class of 80 is filled (rolling admission). When do I turn in my supplemental application and fee?

The Office of Admissions will accept supplemental applications and fees even before receiving the AADSAS application. However, processing of application materials will commence only after the AADSAS is received. How do I get a supplemental application?

The UNLV SDM application. First time users should click “New User” below the login icon. Users will be prompted to enter an email address and password. Does UNLV grant a waiver for the supplemental application fee?

No, unfortunately fee waivers are not granted. How can I get residency status other than applying for reclassification after the first year in dental school?

In order to be considered a resident, you must have lived in the state at least 12 consecutive months prior to matriculation. You are automatically considered a resident if you have graduated from a Nevada high school. How many letters of evaluation are needed? Do I need a committee letter?

A letter of evaluation from a college’s pre-health professions committee will satisfy this requirement. If the applicant’s university does not have a committee, he or she must submit four individual letters of evaluation. Two of the letters must be from hard science professors, the third letter must be from a dentist with whom the applicant has shadowed or worked, and the fourth may be from a liberal arts professor, employer, pastor, etc. What if I have been out of school for over 10 years and cannot reach my professors for letters?

A letter from a dentist is still required but in lieu of the science professors, employers, and/or colleagues may be used as references. A note explaining your circumstances must be sent to us. I am a graduate of a foreign dental program. How can I obtain a degree from your school?

unlv dental school admissions