Easiest Dental Schools to get into | Expert Guide

The requirements for getting into a dental school can be exhausting to meet up with, and the acceptance rate is mostly low. If you are looking for a high acceptance rate dental school, this compilation of the easiest dental schools to get into in 2024 is for you.

Every year, dental schools receive thousands of applications from interested students while only accepting a small fraction of those who apply. Generally, the major headache students who wish to study dentistry have is that most dental schools demand a lot of documents and a certain level of academic performance from applicants.

Notwithstanding, there are dental schools with good acceptance rates where you can study dentistry.

To an average student, being in a dental school is like an Elephant passing through a needle’s eye. This is because of some dental schools’ low acceptance fees and other admission requirements. To solve this fear of not getting admission into a good dental school, I have good news for you.

The World Scholarship Forum team has compiled a list of dental schools that are quite easy to get into in 2024. This article will highlight the basic requirements for these dental schools. A glance at the table of contents below will give you an overview of the information found in this article.

Table of contents

Why is a Dental School Important?

The most important thing to consider in choosing a school should not be the cost but the value. The ratio of quality over price should be considered. 

Taking care of your dental health is very important. Good dental hygiene prevents bad breath, tooth decay, and gum disease. This is why we all need a Dentist to give us the best dental care. Dentistry is one of the best fields to get into.

In addition, a Dentist is also responsible for other operations on the teeth, such as the filling and crowning of teeth, the straightening of teeth, and the construction of artificial dentures.

However, one can’t just wake up ad decide to be a Dentist without attending dental school.

In simple terms, a dental school is a tertiary educational institution that offers programs for students interested in studying, diagnosing, preventing, and treating diseases that affect the teeth or gum.

Therefore, if your dream is to attend the oral healthcare of others, then attending a Dental school should be a goal you must achieve. Well done as you take that bold step to apply to any of the schools in this article!

See: 13 Best Dental Schools In North Carolina NC | 2024

What Do I Need to Apply to a Dental School?

Getting into dental school is so competitive. However, it is not impossible. Dental schools, like every other school, have requirements that every proposed student should meet.

Before you even get to the application process of any of the easiest dental schools to get into, you have to decide what kind of dental program you want to apply to. Your consideration should be based on these:

  • Firstly, you have to be sure of the accreditation of the school.
  • Secondly, you have to know about the reputation of the school.
  • Also, you should consider the acceptance rate of the school.
  • Is the school public or private?
  • Finally, you have to know the number and duration of the program.

Each applicant needs to research each institution to plan to apply fully. Indeed, it isn’t easy to get into dental school without a bachelor’s degree. So, if you want to be a dental student, you must meet the requirements below.

Dental School Requirements

Dental school undergraduate course requirements differ from school to school. Here are the basic requirements for anyone who wants to get into dental school.

Before applying to dental school, you must have completed a year of chemistry, biology, physics, and organic chemistry, each with laboratory work and English. Also, some dental schools require undergraduate coursework in anatomy and physiology, microbiology, biochemistry, and English composition.

Getting into dental school isn’t just a matter of grades. You also need to participate in extracurricular activities that show you’re a well-rounded student.

Try to volunteer, specifically in activities in the dental or healthcare fields. The volunteering experience will give you a major edge over other applicants. Shadowing a professional is also encouraged.

Meanwhile, one nice thing about applying to dental school in the U.S.A. is that the process is streamlined. You can apply to schools throughout the U.S.A. through a single organization. All you need to do is to fill out all the forms once, no matter how many schools you apply to. Awesome, right?

What is the Dental School Acceptance Rate?

To be accepted by the school of your choice is the goal of every student. However, a school can’t accept every student that applies. For this reason, you also need to consider a school’s acceptance rate while applying.

A school’s acceptance rate is determined by the ratio of the number of students admitted into that university to the number of students that applied.

Generally, getting into a Dental School is quite hard. This can easily be attributed to the low acceptance rate of most schools. However, according to research, dental school acceptance rates can be as high as 20% or as low as 0.8%.

Once accepted into a dental school, you will begin a four-year program to complete a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) degree.

So, if you are interested in attending a dental school, you have to make your application stand out and ensure you meet the school’s admission requirements. Good luck, as you put in your best.

Also, see: 10 Best Dental Hygienist Schools in Florida | Cost, Requirements, Accreditation

Dental School Cost

Well, the cost of a dental school depends on the specific institution you choose. Tuition isn’t the only cost you face when entering dental school. As a dental student, you will also pay for your instruments, instructional materials, and other fixed costs. Remember, the cost depends on the school you choose to apply to.

In addition, you should know that the cost of a dental school depends on whether it is a public or a private dental school. 

Cost should play an important role when you are searching for a school. However, you shouldn’t limit your options to just the lowest-priced schools. In some cases, the most expensive schools could be your best option.

You should also consider applying for scholarships or other financial aid for dental students. This can play an important role in helping you choose the right school for yourself. Also, it helps you save costs.

Tuition Costs at Public Dental Schools

Well, it is not new to us that tuition in public dental schools is lower than tuition in private schools. This is because public schools receive state and federal government funding.

In 2017 – 2018, public school students paid $37,877. This price includes tuition and mandatory fees but does not account for living expenses or supplies. The four-year cost of tuition nears $151,508.

Tuition Costs at Private Dental Schools

Private dental schools tend to charge more for tuition. This is because they lack state and federal funding. Tuition costs vary greatly between schools, but private institutions charge $67,087 per year on average. The four-year cost totals $268,348. In addition, other expenses include lab fees, preclinical supplies, books, dental kits, scrubs, and exam costs.

How long does it take to become a Dentist?

Getting a degree in dentistry from any of the top accredited dental schools must require you to give it your time and resources.

The average time required to complete a dentistry program in a dental school is four years. Meanwhile, this is after you must have completed a four-year bachelor’s degree program.

Finally, after completing your bachelor’s degree program, the next step in becoming a dentist is taking the Dental Admissions Test (DAT). DAT is designed to assess your fit for dental school.

How Hard is it to Get into Dental School?

Is it hard to get into dental school? Well, it is tremendously difficult if you’re not used to such a task. You need high scores and involvement in research work all the time.

Also, shadowing a dentist to learn from them is a great idea. The competition is tough, so that extracurricular activities will be a considerable advantage. Checking specific dental school admission requirements will also be of use to you.

Tips to get into any of the least competitive Dental Schools?

Truly, the goal of every prospective dental student is to get an acceptance letter from the school of their choice. But is getting into a dental school that easy?

Well, it all depends on your level of performance and your ability to meet up all the requirements as a dental student.

These tips would help your application to any of the least competitive dental schools of your choice stand out. Read them carefully, and practice. Remember, practice makes perfect.

  1. Firstly, you should have good reasons for choosing dentistry. Don’t just wake up one day and decide to study dentistry without having a good reason.
    Show off your dental knowledge and prove that you care about the subject. Express this in your application.
  2. Complete your four-year degree with a full-time course load. Make sure your academic life is in good shape.
  3. Shadow a professional and also volunteer in community projects relating to dentistry. This will help you build your knowledge base in the dental profession.
  4. Get at least two recommendation letters from people in the dental profession. Showing a professional can help you easily get a letter of recommendation.
  5. Lastly, have a good GPA and DAT score. Having pre-dental school experience and a good letter of recommendation is not enough. You must have good grades, too, because no school needs a student that performs poorly academically.

Ranking Criteria

It is important to note that your choice of school will depend on many factors. Therefore, we used the following factors to rank the easiest schools in the world effectively.

Accreditation:

Knowing if a school is accredited or not is very important. This is because, without a school’s accreditation, the certificate you get from that school will have no market value. Thus, making your years spent studying become a waste.

Reputation

The reputation of a school is a critical factor to be considered. By this, we are talking about how real people (and employers!) view the university.

Your university’s reputation affects you and your career more than you think.

It comprises the school’s history, location, academic success, physical conditions, and so on.

Acceptance rate 

At first glance, you will think that schools with low acceptance rates are the most desirable due to their superior reputations and highly competitive admissions. However, there are many benefits to attending a university with a higher acceptance rate.

For one thing, schools with high acceptance rates are easier to get into. 

The DAT score

DAT stands for Dental Admissions Test. The DAT score is a requirement for admission to dental school. It is scored on a 1 to 30 scale, while the national average in recent years results in 19 to 20.

If you would like to apply to the easiest dental school, you should try your best to achieve the scores that will put you on a competitive footing among all the other applicants.

Also see: 15 Most Expensive Dental Schools In The World

Easiest Dental Schools to get into in 2023

Dentistry remains one of the most respected professions nationally, and an increasing number of young men and women seek to enter dental schools each year.

The dental schools with the highest acceptance rates are not necessarily that easy to get into. Equally important, you should remember that all programs require the student to comply with the prerequisites.

Dental schools do not require a particular major, but it requires a majority of students’ degrees in a science area. By the nature of the Dental Admissions Test (DAT), mostly Biology and Chemistry, students tend to major in one of those disciplines. 

List of the easiest dental schools in 2023

Below is a list of the easiest dental schools to get into:

  • University of Mississippi
  • LSU Health Science Center
  • Ohio State University
  • Augusta University
  • University Of Washington
  • University of Missouri, Kansas City
  • New York University
  • East Carolina
  • University of Utah
  • University of Iowa

These easiest Dental Schools are arranged in the order of acceptance rate. These schools are all based in the USA. Carefully follow the schools by visiting the school’s site.

Now that you have all information necessary for choosing a dental program let’s explore in more detail the easiest dental schools to get into in 2024.

#1. University Of Mississippi Dental School

Accreditation: American Dental Association (ADA)

Acceptance rate: 19.9%

The American Dental Association accredits the school of dentistry at the University of Mississippi. 90% of the students have a bachelor’s degree. However, unlike other dental schools, the University of Mississippi has proven to be the easiest dental school to get into in 2024.

This is because of the school’s high acceptance rate, number of programs, success rate, average GPA, and DAT score accepted.

As a prospective student, the University of Mississippi School of Dentistry requires the following math and science courses from you:

  • Behavioral science
  • Biology
  • Organic chemistry
  • Inorganic chemistry
  • Physics
  • Mathematics (algebra, trigonometry) or 1 course in calculus.
  • Statistics

The University Of Mississippi Dental School’s acceptance rate for students who apply is 19.9%. If you can have a GPA score of 3.62 and a DAT score of 19.0, then you are good to apply to the school of dentistry, University of Mississippi.

There are 9 programs in the School of Dentistry, University of Mississippi. These programs include:

The University of Mississippi accepts applications from July 1 to December 1, the year before admission. For more information on how to apply to the University of Mississippi School of Dentistry, visit the school website below.

School Website

#2. LSU Health Science Center

Accreditation: American Dental Association (ADA)

Acceptance rate: 17.5%

Having an academic degree before applying to the LSU School of Dentistry is not compulsory. However, most students earn a degree before enrollment into dental school. 

The overall acceptance of LSU School Of Dentistry is 17.5%, while at least 57.6% of the accepted students graduate from dental school after completing their programs.

Students entering this educational program must possess a strong educational base. A 3.6 GPA is the average accepted GPA for admission into the LSU School of Dentistry. In addition, the applicant should endeavor to score at least 20 on the DAT.

Before entering the LSU School Of Dentistry, you should consider taking the following courses: Comparative anatomy, Histology, Cell, and molecular biology, Physiology, Genetics, etc.

The American Dental Association fully accredits all programs of the dental school. For more information, visit the school’s website below.

School Website

#3. Ohio State University

Accreditation: Commission on Dental Accreditation.

Acceptance rate: 15.0%

Ohio State University is one of the easiest dental schools you can get into in 2024. It is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation.

With a 15% acceptance rate, a prospective dental student should consider applying to this dental school. In addition, statistics show that 49.3% of students who study Dentistry at Ohio State University graduate successfully.

The Average Accepted GPA is 3.61, while the Average Accepted DAT Score is 20.1. So, if this is your chosen dental school, you should do well to have a good academic performance.

For more information on how to apply to the Ohio State University, visit the school’s website below.

School Website

#4. Augusta University

Accreditation: Commission on Dental Accreditation.

Acceptance rate: 13.4%

The Dental College at Augusta University is a public university accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation. With an acceptance rate of 13.4%, Augusta University is noted to be one of the easiest dental schools to get into in 2024.

Also, statistics have shown that 41% of dental students at Augusta University graduate successfully. Thus, if you are in Georgia or plan to study in Georgia, then this Dental college should be on your application list.

You must take the Dental Admission Test and score at least 20 if you desire to study at Augusta University’s Dental College. Having a GPA of 3.6 and above is an added advantage.

For more information, visit the school’s website below.

School Website

Also, see: 10 Best Trade Schools For Dental Hygienist In 2024

#5. University Of Washington

Accreditation: American Dental Association (ADA)

Acceptance rate: 13.1%

Firstly, it is important to note that the Northwest Commission accredits the University of Washington on Colleges and Universities. The school is considered very competitive, with an overall acceptance rate of 13.1%.

In addition, the University of Washington has a success rate of 32.5%. Meanwhile, the average accepted GPA from an applicant to the University of Washington is 3.53. That means students with a lower GPA won’t be admitted.

Also, it is important to note that you must take the Dental Admission Test(DAT). The average accepted DAT Score for the University of Washington’s admission is 20.9

For more information on how to apply to the University of Washington, visit the school website below.

School Website

#6. University of Missouri, Kansas City

Accreditation: American Dental Association (ADA)

Acceptance rate:12.6%

The School of Dentistry, University of Missouri, is accredited by the American Dental Association’s Commission on Dental Accreditation.

With a reputation of excellence in education since 1881, UMKC is the only institution in Missouri offering advanced educational programs and clinical training in 8 programs.

The overall acceptance rate of students at the University of Missouri, Kansas City, is 12.6%(making it one of the easiest dental schools to enter in 2024). At least 50.4% of these students graduate successfully.

The average accepted GPA from an applicant to the University of Missouri’s School of Dentistry is 3.73. In addition, the average accepted DAT Score is 19.8.

For more information, visit the school’s website below.

School Website

#7. New York University

Accreditation: American Dental Association (ADA)

Acceptance rate: 11.7%

The American Dental Association accredits the New York University College of Dentistry. Although it is easy to get into, we know that New York University is still superior in terms of quality education. It is known to be one of the most expensive dental schools in the U.S.A.

For this reason, many students choose affordable dental schools over this one. Notwithstanding, if you have no problem with a school’s tuition fees, this should apply to this school.

Also, if you are looking for a dental school with a high acceptance rate, low GPA, and DAT scores, you should consider applying to New York University. Check below for the school’s acceptance rate, success rate, average GPA, and DAT score.

  • Overall Acceptance Rate (%): 11.7%
  • Success Rate % (In-state): 26.3%
  • Average Accepted GPA: 3.44
  • Average Accepted DAT Score: 21.2

Before you apply to New York University, you must have a bachelor’s degree. As an applicant with a foreign bachelor’s degree, you must complete 60 credits at an accredited U.S. or Canadian college. The total educational expenses you will spend in the school of dentistry at New York University is $94,978.

All prerequisite courses must be completed before matriculation in dental school. These courses include:

  • Biology with lab
  • Inorganic/General Chemistry with lab
  • Organic Chemistry with lab
  • Physics with lab
  • English/Writing-Intensive

Also, courses such as comparative anatomy, biochemistry, cell biology, microbiology, genetics, histology, embryology, physiology, sociology, philosophy, psychology, and mathematics are recommended. 

For more information on how to apply to the New York University College of Dentistry, visit the school website below.

School Website

#8. East Carolina

Accreditation:  Commission on Dental Accreditation.

Acceptance rate: 11.5%


East Carolina University School of Dental Medicine program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation. Before applying to the ECU School of Dental Medicine, you must obtain a Residency Certification Number (RCN). This is gotten after you complete the Residency Determination Service (RDS) Online Interview. 

The ECU School of Dental Medicine encourages prospective students to gain a wide variety of shadowing experiences, engaging in community service and similar activities. 

In addition, if you must attend the ECU School of Dental Medicine, you must intend to make North Carolina your permanent home indefinitely and not only for the purpose of attending college.

The ECU dental school is one of the easiest dental schools you can get into in 2024, with an acceptance rate of 11.5%. However, students with a very low GPA below 3.5 won’t stand a chance to be admitted into the school.

A DAT score is also expected from every applicant interested in being a dental student at East Carolina University. You should score at least 19.9 as your DAT score.

For more information, visit the school’s website below.

School Website

#9. University of Utah

Accreditation: Commission on Dental Accreditation 

Acceptance rate: 11.1%

The University of Utah is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation. As an applicant, you must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited United States college.

As a dental student, the recommended courses include the following: Cell biology, Business, Ethics, Molecular biology/genetics, Computer science, Histology, etc.

All applicants are required to take the DAT and score at least 21. Also, you should note that the average GPA of current students accepted into the program is 3.7.

For more information on how to apply to the University of Utah, visit the school website below.

School Website

Also, see: Top 20 Dental Hygienist Schools in the World | 2024

#10. University of Iowa

Accreditation: American Dental Association

Acceptance rate: 10.4%

The University of Iowa is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association. Unlike other universities, Iowa University truly appreciates the diversity of humanity and believes in the power of united ideas.

The overall acceptance rate of students into the University of Iowa’s School of Dentistry is 10.4%. This makes it one of the easiest dental schools to enter in 2024. However, you must do your part to stand out from other applicants.

Most students complete a bachelor’s degree before entering dental school.

As a student, you must take your studies seriously. This is because having good grades are important if you want to be a dental student. Thus, you should be able to perform excellently in your GPA with a 3.70 score and have a good DAT score of 21.

For more information on how to apply to the University of Iowa’s College of Dentistry, visit the school website below. Their admission requirements and total study costs are attached to the link below.

School Website

#11. High Point Dental School

High Point University will open the area’s first private dental school backed by $150 million in investment.

The “School of Dental and Oral Health” will offer a Doctor of Dental Medicine degree, pending accreditation, and is expected to welcome its first students in the fall 2024 semester. 

Dental school applications can be made after a minimum of three years of undergraduate study (90-96 credits).

Some dental schools will accept applications after two years of pre-professional study, although the preference is for 3-4 years of pre-dental study. Most students accepted for dental study have already earned a bachelor’s degree.

School Website

Dental School That Doesn’t Require Bachelor’s Degree

While a bachelor’s degree may not be required, it might be preferred for a competitive candidate within the applicant pool. If a bachelor’s degree is not a requirement, candidates must meet a minimum number of prerequisite courses across science and non-science areas of study. Below are some of the dental schools that do not require a bachelor’s degree for admissions:

  • University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Dentistry
  • Arizona School of Dentistry & Oral Health
  • University of Southern California School of Dentistry
  • University of the Pacific School of Dentistry
  • Dental College of Georgia at Augusta University
  • The University of Iowa College of Dentistry
  • Indiana University School of Dentistry
  • University of Louisville School of Dentistry
  • Louisiana State University Health New Orleans School of Dentistry
  • University of Maryland School of Dentistry
  • University of Michigan School of Dentistry
  • University of Minnesota School of Dentistry
  • Missouri School of Dentistry & Oral Health
  • University of Mississippi Medical Center School of Dentistry
  • Creighton University School of Dentistry
  • The University of Nevada, Las Vegas, School of Dental Medicine
  • Touro College of Dental Medicine at New York Medical College
  • The Ohio State University College of Dentistry
  • Medical University of South Carolina College of Dental Medicine
  • Roseman University of Health Sciences College of Dental Medicine
  • West Virginia University School of Dentistry

Conclusion

The admission process of some dental schools makes it very discouraging for students who wish to pursue a Dentistry profession. However, nothing is impossible to achieve.

Interestingly, while maintaining their accreditation status, a few dental schools have come to the rescue of prospective dental students in search of schools with a high acceptance rate.

This article compiled the easiest dental schools to get into in 2024. Read through the article and pick a school that you satisfy their eligibility thoroughly.

Dental School FAQs

What GPA do I need to enter a dental school?

The lowest GPA accepted by most dental schools is 3.0. However, don’t feel down if you score below a 3.0 GPA. If you did well in your science classes, make sure to point out that individual GPA.
Also, highlight any extracurricular activity you’ve been involved in.

Is Dental school hard?

The coursework combined with the dental and surgical laboratory procedures makes dental school challenging. However, dental school is not as difficult as people see it.
Truly, having a support group can be helpful. You can exchange knowledge with your support group and also learn from them. Also, make sure you meet up with your school’s requirements, and do well to obey rules and regulations.

How much does it cost to attend a dental school?

The cost of a dental school depends on the specific institution you choose. A public dental school’s cost of tuition nears $151,508 for the four years of study, while the four-year cost of a private dental school totals $268,348.

How much do dentists earn?

The highest-paid dentist is the Oral and maxillofacial surgeons. They make an average of $242,370 a year. This is because they perform the most invasive procedures.

References

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Amarachi Mbagwu Chilaka here! My academic background in History and International Relations from the esteemed Imo State University might not scream "tech guru," but my passion for efficiency led me down a different path - this path. After exploring tech, I've becoming a seasoned expert in various tech tools. As an SEO writer and editor at Kiiky Tech, I leverage my expertise to write clear, concise articles that empower readers to find the perfect tech solutions for their needs. I translate complex technical jargon into actionable insights, to ensure you understand how each tool can streamline your workflow and boost productivity. My focus is on providing results-oriented content that equips you to make informed decisions about your tech stack.

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