Best dental schools In the US, dental education is known as being at an extremely high standard, and several universities offer appropriate programs for future dentists. The top ten dental schools in the US, the length of a dental degree, common dental-related careers, the number of dental graduates annually, and the admissions and financial requirements for these prestigious universities are all covered in this article.
How Long Does It Take to Complete the Course and the Degree in Dentistry?
In the US, the following procedures are usually necessary to earn a degree as a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD):
1. Education at the bachelor level: Pre-dental training requires a bachelor’s degree and no less than four years of schooling.
2. Dental School: This implies that school for dentistry will require five years as compared to four.
After high school, this equals to eight semesters of study. It is possible for students to choose further sub-specialization, which typically requires an additional between two and six years of resident practice.
Career Path for Dentists
1. General Dentist: Graduates in the field of dentistry are mostly general dentists and they are trained to perform several operations.
2. Specialists: Some opt for sub-specialties which would entitle the holder to practice as an orthodontist, periodontist, oral or pediatric dentist which is more than mere dental education.
3. Academia and Research: Others may choose the jobs to further their education or work in research organizations which will help advance dental science and teaching.
Top 10 Best Dental Schools in the US
1)Harvard School Of Dental Medicine
Introduction: Top dental school in the US is Harvard school of dental medicine which is located in Boston in the state of Massachusetts. It is famous for the cooperation with Harvard Medical School in dental education.
Impact Factor: Sophisticated research visibility, always embraces the top positions throughout the research facilities.
Admission Criteria: Interviews: High GMAs, more competitive DATs, recommendation letters
Fees: The typical annual salary is estimated to be around sixty four thousand nine hundred and eighty four US dollars.
2) UCSF School of Dentistry
Introduction: Top dental schools in the US, which has research orientation and focuses on quality of clinical education.
Impact Factor: Quality research, head the research funding in dental research.
Admission Criteria: gpa, DAT, interviews, recommendation
Fees: It is estimated to cost around $66,299 in a year.
3)University of Michigan School of Dentistry
Introduction: One of the best dental schools in the US which offers best dental program in the us is UMSD.
Impact Factor: High rankings in research and clinical training that in many a period have been described as consistent.
Admission Criteria: Good grades, high test scores on the Dental Admission Test to be more specific, interviews, letters of recommendation.
Fees: It was ascertained that this amount is about $68,370, per year.
4)University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine
Introduction: Best dental schools in the US, it is in Philadelphia and is characterized by an academics-oriented course of study with research focus.
Impact Factor: High numbers of citations, densely innovation-oriented.
Admission Criteria: GPA of 4.0, DAT 20, 21 interview and recommendation letters
Fees: It was seen that nurses earned around $95,382 annually.
5)Columbia University College of Dental Medicine
Introduction: One of the best dental schools in the US located in Washington DC, this institution offers dental education together with a medical school.
Impact Factor: The strengths include prolific research production and significant clinical preparation.
Admission Criteria: Preferably a good grade point average, high DAT scores, interviews and recommendation letters.
Fees: The average amount nearly touches $95,025 per year.
6)University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) School of Dentistry
Introduction: UCLA School of Dentistry is one of the best dental schools in the US and it is known for its research.
Impact Factor: The other major advantage of the countries is high research funding and innovation.
Admission Criteria: High CGPA, high DAT scores, interviews, recommendation letters
Fees: It is estimated at $72,624 for the whole year.
7)UNC School of Dentistry, Chapel Hill
Introduction: It is in the list of Best Dental Schools in the US which was established in 1950.
Impact Factor: A concern of this study is a high level of research productivity and involvement in community work.
Admission Criteria: Prestigious GPA; desirable DAT scores; interviews; recommendation letters.
Fees: About $ 61 580 for the whole year
8)College of Dentistry New York University
Introduction: It was founded in 1865 and it is in the list of top 10 best dental schools in the US.
Impact Factor: A substantial number of research works and clinical training.
Admission Criteria: High GPA, DAT scores, interviewing, writing recommendation letters
Fees: Around 2439 Euros a year or 88,700 US Dollars a year.
9)University of Washington School of Dentistry
Introduction: FOUNDED in 1945 and become one of the best dental schools in the US
Impact Factor: Research productivity and the broad, clinically based education that can be offered when using the model are its major assets.
Admission Criteria: Higher GPA scores, high DAT scores, interviews and recommendation letters.
Fees: It can be estimated at about – $75 027 per year.
10)University of Southern California Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry
Introduction: It is one of the best dental schools in the US and famous for their stunning research articles.
Impact Factor: The required levels of funding and innovation of research.
Admission Criteria: These include high GPA, high DAT scores, interviews, recommendation letters
Fees: About $106,260 a year
Comparison Table: School Information
| School Name | Location | Established | Fees (per year) | Admission Criteria | Impact Factor |
| Harvard University School of Dental Medicine | Boston, MA | 1867 | $64,984 | High GPA, competitive DAT scores, interviews, recommendations | High research impact |
| UCSF School of Dentistry | San Francisco, CA | 1881 | $66,299 | Strong GPA, high DAT scores, interviews, recommendations | Strong research output |
| University of Michigan School of Dentistry | Ann Arbor, MI | 1875 | $68,370 | High GPA, competitive DAT scores, interviews, recommendations | Consistently high rankings |
| University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine | Philadelphia, PA | 1878 | $95,382 | Excellent GPA, high DAT scores, interviews, recommendations | High research impact |
| Columbia University College of Dental Medicine | New York, NY | 1916 | $95,025 | Strong GPA, high DAT scores, interviews, recommendations | Strong research output |
| UCLA School of Dentistry | Los Angeles, CA | 1964 | $72,624 | Competitive GPA, high DAT scores, interviews, recommendations | High research funding |
| UNC School of Dentistry | Chapel Hill, NC | 1950 | $61,580 | High GPA, competitive DAT scores, interviews, recommendations | High research output |
| NYU College of Dentistry | New York, NY | 1865 | $88,700 | Strong GPA, high DAT scores, interviews, recommendations | High research and clinical training |
| University of Washington School of Dentistry | Seattle, WA | 1945 | $75,027 | Competitive GPA, high DAT scores, interviews, recommendations | Strong research output |
| USC Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry | Los Angeles, CA | 1897 | $106,260 | Strong GPA, high DAT scores, interviews, recommendations | High research funding |
Annual production of dental graduates
From the estimations made by the American Dental Association, it can be inferred that between 6,500 and 7,000 students graduate from dental schools in the United States each year.
Dental graduates & employment outcomes
1. Employment in Hospitals and Clinics: Of the dental graduates 25 to 30% of them gain employment in hospitals, community based health centers or dental clinics.
2. Private Practice: It was noted that 50-55% of the graduates open their own private practice or work for other private dental practice businesses.
3. Further Specialization: Residency programs remain the most popular among graduates with approximately 10-15% of the graduates proceeding to the programs.
4. Academia and Research: About 5-10% of the graduates go for an academic career or institutions as researchers.
Job Finding Ratio
In general, the job finding ratio regarding the dental graduates are comparatively higher. The various reports show that majority of the dental graduates secure jobs within the first six months of graduation, statistics standing at 80-90 %. This high rate has been as a result of the constant flow of people seeking dental services and low density of dental schools as compared to other professional institutions.
Summary of Dental Graduates and Employment Outcomes
| School Name | Number of Graduates Annually | Percentage Employed in Jobs (%) | Percentage Starting Private Clinics (%) |
| Harvard University School of Dental Medicine | 35 | 30% | 50% |
| UCSF School of Dentistry | 88 | 25% | 55% |
| University of Michigan School of Dentistry | 105 | 25% | 55% |
| University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine | 75 | 30% | 50% |
| Columbia University College of Dental Medicine | 80 | 30% | 50% |
| UCLA School of Dentistry | 90 | 25% | 55% |
| UNC School of Dentistry | 82 | 25% | 55% |
| NYU College of Dentistry | 380 | 25% | 55% |
| University of Washington School of Dentistry | 63 | 25% | 55% |
| USC Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry | 144 | 25% | 55% |
