Graduate Dental Education Program Admissions Requirements
A U.S. or international dental degree is required for admission to all Penn Dental Medicine Graduate Dental Education (GDE) programs with the exception of the Pediatric and Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (OMFS) Residency programs, which will only accept a U.S. dental degree.
Applicants who do not have a U.S. DMD/DDS degree (e.g. individuals holding a BDS or other international dental degrees) must provide additional documentation in order to be considered for admission. This additional documentation requires evaluation of their academic credentials by an approved agency.
Application Procedures
Please note that the application includes two components:
- PASS (Postdoctoral Application Support Service) through the American Dental Education Association (ADEA)
- Penn Dental Medicine GDE Supplementary Application
PASS Application
Penn Dental Medicine participates in ADEA’s centralized application PASS program. The application must be completed via the ADEA PASS website. For more information or questions regarding the application service, contact PASS customer service by email: passinfo@passweb.org to:passinfo@passweb.org or telephone: (617) 612-2065 (9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (ET) Mondays through Fridays except U.S. federal holidays). The 2021-2022 PASS Application Cycle will open May 15, 2021.
The PASS application must be submitted to the centralized application service by the specified program deadline. Applications received after the deadline by the centralized application service will not be processed.
The following documents must be submitted with the PASS Application to ADEA’s centralized application service:
- Official dental school transcript is required to complete the ADEA PASS application: one of the following must be received to fulfill this requirement — official U.S. dental school transcript or foreign dental school transcript. Applicants who did not attend a U.S. or Canadian dental school must also upload their dental school transcripts via the ADEA Pass Portal. ECE Course by Course evaluations do not serve as a transcript, but as an evaluation of your transcript, and do not fulfill this requirement. Applicants who matriculate at Penn Dental Medicine will be required to submit a final set of official transcripts from all postsecondary institution attended.
- Institution Evaluation Form: IEF (also called the dean’s letter) is an evaluation of the applicant completed by the dean or designated official of the dental school attended. NBDE scores or results, GPA and class rank (if applicable) are also included in the IEF.
- Professional Evaluation Form: PEF is the traditional letter of evaluation that is required for every applicant. Penn Dental Medicine requires 2 PEFs for applicants.
- Unofficial Undergraduate Transcripts: applicants must upload unofficial transcripts for each undergraduate college attended to the ADEA PASS application. Do not send official college transcripts directly to the Office of Student Admissions.
- Official National Dental Board Scores (NBDE) Part I: An official NBDE Part I passing score from January 2012 – present is required for all U.S.-educated dentists. Applicants must submit official NBDE Part I scores electronically by the program application deadlines through ADEA PASS. Although an official NBDE Part II score is not required for admission, it is required from U.S.-educated dentists for matriculation into Penn Dental Medicine’s GDE programs. Internationally educated dentists may submit official NBDE scores in support of their application if available. For NBDE information and registration materials, visit the American Dental Association-Testing or contact: The Joint Commission on Dental Examinations, 211 East Chicago Avenue Suite 600, Chicago, IL 60611; (800) 324-1694.
- ADA ADAT Scores (ADA Advanced Dental Admission Test: ADAT Scores are not required for admission to Penn Dental Medicine Graduate Dental Education Programs. ADAT scores will be accepted if available through the ADEA PASS application when released by the ADA.
Additional Requirements for International Applicants
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
- Dental Degree Documentation/Credentialing Evaluation Reports
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
An official TOEFL score report is required for all international applicants (including native English speakers) who received their dental education from a non U.S./Canadian dental school. There is no waiver of this requirement.
- Official TOEFL scores must be submitted electronically through ADEA PASS. Applicants must contact ETS to have official scores released to ADEA PASS. ETS will electronically send your scores to ADEA PASS. Paper copies are not accepted. Visit the TOEFL website to request your scores using the ADEA PASS code C352. It takes approximately 10-12 business days from the date you make the request to post to your application,
- Although there is no minimum TOEFL score, serious consideration will be given to applicants with Internet-based test (IBT) scores of 90 and above.
- IELTS scores cannot be substituted for TOEFL scores.
Dental Degree Documentation/Credentialing Evaluation Reports
Applicants who do not have a U.S. DMD/DDS (e.g. individuals holding a BDS or other international dental degrees) must provide additional documentation in order to be considered for admission. This additional documentation requires evaluation of their academic credentials by an approved agency. The following agencies have been approved to meet this admissions requirement. No internationally educated applicant will be considered for an interview without this evaluation document. Please contact one of the following approved agencies for assistance:
Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc.
Education Evaluators International
Education International, Inc.
International Education Research Foundation
World Education Services
Penn Dental Medicine is unable to offer financial assistance, including loans, scholarships, and/or assistantship, to those who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents. International applicants who are accepted into the program must demonstrate proof of adequate personal financial resources to cover all years of the program before a Student Visa application is issued.
Foreign-trained dentists planning to practice dentistry in the United States after completion of a graduate dental education program, must obtain a dental degree from a U.S. accredited dental school in order to secure a license to practice dentistry. There are over 30 U.S. dental schools that provide DMD/DDS degree programs for foreign-educated dentists. For more information on these programs visit the ADEA.org CAAPID application service website.
Penn Dental Medicine GDE Supplementary Application
It is in the applicant’s best advantage to submit the documents listed below well in advance of the application deadline and prior to submitting the PASS application. OMFS and DScD applicants should review specific admissions requirements and procedures. The following items must be received by the program deadline and submitted electronically.
- The Penn Dental Medicine GDE Supplemental Application: Complete the Penn Dental Medicine GDE Supplemental Application online (links below for respective programs). A separate GDE Supplemental Application is required for each program if you apply to multiple Penn Dental Medicine programs.
- Endodontics Supplemental Application »
- Oral Medicine Supplemental Application »
- Orthodontics Supplemental Application »
- Periodontics Supplemental Application »
- Periodontics-Orthodontics Supplemental Application »
- Pediatric Dentistry Supplemental Application »
- Prosthodontics Supplemental Application »
- Application Fee: The $90 non-refundable application fee should be submitted directly to the Penn Dental Medicine Office of Student Admissions. Electronic payment is available by completing the Penn Dental Medicine Payment Form » A separate application fee is required for each program if you apply to multiple programs. No application fee waivers are available.
It is recommended that the GDE Supplemental Application and the application fee are submitted at the same time well in advance of the application deadline.
All application materials and documents become the property of Penn Dental Medicine and will not be returned to the applicant.
Penn Dental Medicine Advanced Education Program Application Deadlines
Advanced Dental Program | Application Deadline |
|---|---|
| Advanced Education in General Dentistry | October 15 |
| Endodontics | August 1 |
| Oral Medicine | October 1 |
| Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery | see specific admissions requirements and procedures |
| Orthodontics | September 1 |
| Pediatric Dentistry | October 1 |
| Periodontics | August 15 |
| Periodontics/Orthodontics | October 1 |
| Prosthodontics | August 15 |
| Master of Science in Oral Biology | see respective application deadlines |
| Doctor of Science in Dentistry (DScD) with Certificate | see respective application deadlines |
| Doctor of Science in Dentistry (DScD) without Certificate | November 1, see separate admissions application requirements and procedures |
Reapplying to Penn Dental Graduate Dental Education Programs
Individuals who were not accepted to an advanced dental education program in prior years are encouraged to reapply. All reapplicants are required to apply through ADEA’s Postdoctoral Application Support Service (PASS). Applicants who wish to reapply to the Penn Dental Medicine’s GDE programs must submit all required application documents. Reapplicants may submit any relevant documents and/or records that support any recent achievements or additional training in addition to a statement describing any changes from previous applications.
- Matriculation Requirements
Matriculation Requirements
Criminal Background Checks – All matriculating students are required to complete a criminal background check prior to matriculation. It is possible that infractions as a result of a background check could prevent an accepted applicant from matriculating at Penn Dental Medicine. Please note that professional licensure requirements may prohibit individuals with criminal convictions from ultimately obtaining a professional license. Licensure requirements vary by state. Prospective students are encouraged to consult state licensing agencies for more information.
Health and Immunization Requirements – All admitted students must meet The University of Pennsylvania and Penn Dental Medicine’s health and immunization requirements prior to matriculation. Matriculating students will be asked to provide Student Health Services and Penn Dental Medicine with proof of immunizations prior to matriculation. Students must remain in compliance for the duration of their enrollment at the University of Pennsylvania.
Contact
Office of Student Admissions — GDE Programs
Robert Schattner Center
Penn Dental Medicine
240 South 40th Street, Room 122
Philadelphia, PA 19104-6030
Email: PDMGDE-Admissions@dental.upenn.edu
Telephone: 215-898-8943 (M-F 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.)
Fax: 215-573-9648
FAQs
Is it hard to get into Penn dental school? ›
Approximately 20 Penn undergraduates and undergraduate alumni apply for admission to dental school each year, and are very successful in this endeavor. Dental school admissions is very competitive, and applicants are evaluated holistically.
Is Upenn dental pass fail? ›PASS/FAIL: Penn Dental Medicine will accept P/F grades for courses taken during the Spring, Summer, and Fall 2020 and 2021 terms to fulfill admissions requirements.
What is Penn Dental Medicine known for? ›Penn Dental Medicine has a rich history as a research intensive institution and continues to be an international leader in the generation of new knowledge and treatment modalities to improve oral health.
What is the easiest dental school to get into? ›| Rank | School | Acceptance Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Mississippi | 44.32% |
| 2 | University of Minnesota | 38.54% |
| 3 | University of Puerto Rico | 36.70% |
| 4 | University of Detroit Mercy | 28.71% |
What Is a Good DAT Score? The DAT score ranges from 1 to 30. According to the test prep experts at Kaplan, competitive DAT scores that rank in the top 25% DAT score percentile are 19 to 20 points. So, a top score would be 22 or higher.
What is unique about Upenn dental? ›Established in 1878, Penn Dental Medicine is among the oldest university-affiliated dental schools in the nation. Penn's 12 schools are located on a singular campus within walking distance of one another.
Why is Upenn a good dental school? ›The four-year DMD program and curriculum at Penn Dental Medicine not only reflects a strong commitment to developing knowledge and skills in both oral science and oral health care, but also offers the flexibility for students to tailor their education to their professional interests and goals.
What makes Penn Dental unique? ›At Penn Dental, you will find a full team of dentists who bring you in-depth experience in the art and science of dentistry. In addition to being trained practitioners, many of our doctors are also highly respected academic professionals.
Is it easier to get into dental or medical school? ›Because there are so many medical schools, the admission system is also a lot more competitive than the dental school admission system. For example, the average MD matriculant has an average undergraduate GPA of 3.7 and an MCAT of 511; this is an 82nd percentile score.
Is dental school harder than medical school? ›Ask a dental student and dental school is harder ask a medical student and medical school is more difficult. Here are the facts. Medical school is more difficult to get into. Average GPA's are higher, students have more research experience and the MCAT is longer and covers more subjects than dental.
What Ivy League has a dental school? ›
Harvard University
This Ivy League school houses one of the best dental schools in the United States. The Harvard School of Dental Medicine (HSDM) is located in the Longwood Medical Area in Boston.
About the University of Pennsylvania
Penn is one of eight private universities known as the Ivy League. There are over 21,000 students at Penn, including 4,500 international students.
University of Pennsylvania (Perelman) 2023 Rankings
University of Pennsylvania (Perelman) is ranked No. 6 (tie) in Best Medical Schools: Research and No. 20 (tie) in Best Medical Schools: Primary Care. Schools are ranked according to their performance across a set of widely accepted indicators of excellence.
At Penn Dental Medicine, we routinely help people of all ages to restore their smiles with dental implants. In fact, our prosthodontics program—the only one of its kind in the Greater Philadelphia area—specializes in restorative procedures.
How do I stand out when applying to dental school? ›...
These are:
- Good GPA.
- High DAT score.
- Extracurricular activities.
- Volunteer hours.
- Shadowing hours.
- Strong personal statement.
Dentistry is known to be a challenging qualification requiring the development and demonstration of expert knowledge, from terminology to procedures. The curriculum that you will follow at dental school will not be identical for all institutions, but there are some key commonalities.
Is dentist school Hard? ›Dental school is a series of ups and downs. Much like undergrad, some semesters are harder than others. Unlike undergrad though, all of your classmates will have the same coursework each semester, so you're never the only one who's overloaded with tough classes.
How hard is it to get a 22 on the DAT? ›The cream of the crop will come in at the 98th percentile or better, with scores of 22-23, putting them in the top 2% of test-takers. While the section scores on the DAT average 17, it is important to note that the Academic Average score required for admittance into most dental schools is 19.
How hard is it to get a 20 on the DAT? ›Generally speaking, you can only miss around 5-6 questions in each of the science and math sections to score a 20. Scores of over 23 are very rare (98th percentile and up). You can miss around 20 questions in the perceptual test to score a 20.
What is the lowest DAT score being accepted? ›Is good to know that some, not all, dental schools have a DAT score “cut off and for the GPA this is true as well. Most students who have successfully applied to and have gotten accepted in dental schools usually have a 3.5 or higher GPA and a DAT score of 19 Academic Average and 19 Total science.
What major is UPenn best known for? ›
The most popular majors at University of Pennsylvania include: Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services; Social Sciences; Health Professions and Related Programs; Biological and Biomedical Sciences; Philosophy and Religious Studies; Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies; Mathematics and Statistics; ...
What major is UPenn famous for? ›The most popular majors at University of Connecticut include: Economics, General; Psychology, General; Speech Communication and Rhetoric; Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse; Biology/Biological Sciences, General; Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services, Other; Mechanical Engineering; Finance, General; Political ...
What makes you stand out for dental school? ›While having a high DAT score and a good GPA are really important factors when considering your application for dental schools, there are also other valuable factors. Dental schools care about extracurricular activities, volunteer work, shadowing or working as a dental assistant, and such real life experiences.
What is the #1 dental school in the US? ›| 1 (5) | University of Michigan, Ann Arbor * | USA |
|---|---|---|
| 40 (192) | Temple University * | USA |
| 41 (198) | Harvard Medical School | USA |
| 42 (209) | University of the Pacific | USA |
| 42 (209) | Medical University of South Carolina * | USA |
...
1. Alaska.
| Total Dentist Jobs: | 13 |
|---|---|
| Average Annual Salary: | $191,103 |
| Lowest 10 Percent Earn: | $146,000 |
| Highest 10 Percent Earn: | $249,000 |
Even though many people will tell you “they hate going to the dentist” and joke about their fear of the dental chair, a 2019 poll from MoneyWise lists dentists as among the most respected professionals in the U.S.2 That is an important point to let sink in. Medical doctors are also highly respected.
What dentist do celebrities use in NYC? ›THE DOCTORS LOWENBERG LITUCHY & KANTOR
Gregg Lituchy, and Dr. Brian Kantor are top cosmetic dentists in Manhattan NY who have transformed the smiles of many of the world's best-known actors, models, rock stars, authors, celebrities and other public figures. Since the 1980's, Dr. Lowenberg and Dr.
Founded in 1878, it's long been renowned as a dental school that takes patients as part of its commitment to excellence in dentists' clinical education. In 2021, the school provided services valued at more than $4 million to patients who needed help affording dental care.
What does AAA mean in dentistry? ›Dentists have been working with a AAA triage system. This stands for Advice, Antibiotics and Analgesia. They have produced an advice document for their members which contains information familiar to most of us.
Is being a dentist harder than Doctor? ›Nevertheless, most agree dentistry is the more demanding course. Besides going through much of what the med student studies, he also has the dental part to cope with. There is also much much more hands on training. Some also consider veterinary medicine and pharmacy to be more difficult courses than medicine.
Is being a dentist easier than a doctor? ›
Typically, dentists experience less demanding work loads than physicians. While they might have adjusted schedules to meet the needs of their patients, most dentists can expect to work standard business hours and achieve relatively high levels of work-life balance.
Is PA school harder to get into than med school? ›US med school admission statistics show average medical school acceptance rates hover around 41%. Physician assistant (PA) acceptance rates sit at 31% on average. This is due to a number of factors, including that PA programs are generally more competitive and PA admission requirements can be quite rigorous.
Are doctors or dentists more respected? ›Doctors are often more respected than dentists.
What is the hardest part of dental school? ›- 1) Professionalism – is doing the right thing even when no one is watching. ...
- 2) Lack of free time. ...
- 3) First year is not a breeze. ...
- 4) Why are you so stressed, all you do is learn about teeth right? ...
- 5) Separating the big print from the small print. ...
- 6) Going from genius to average.
There is no definitively superior career choice when it comes to medicine and dentistry. They're both highly respected professions that can offer incredibly rewarding careers. Which field a student should pursue will come down to individual preferences and personal aspirations.
What is the number 1 dental school in the world? ›What's the easiest Ivy League school to get into? While all Ivy League schools are incredibly difficult to get into, Cornell University would likely be considered the easiest since it has the highest acceptance rate of all Ivies. As of fall 2021, Cornell's acceptance rate for first-year applicants was 9%.
How much money do dentists make? ›How much does a Dentist make in South Africa? The average dentist salary in South Africa is R 432 000 per year or R 222 per hour. Entry-level positions start at R 255 000 per year, while most experienced workers make up to R 941 640 per year.
Which Penn school is easiest to get into? ›Wharton (9% acceptance rate) is the most competitive school, while the UPenn School of Nursing (25% acceptance rate) is the least competitive of the four.
Is UPenn or Penn State Better? ›The gist of it is this: UPenn is a highly ranked, private Ivy League institution, while Penn State is a large, well-ranked public university. In reality, the two schools aren't connected to each other in any major way, except for the fact that they're both well known and located in Pennsylvania.
What MCAT score do I need for UPenn? ›
MCAT Scores
The MCAT is a multiple-choice exam medical schools use to assess applicants' relevant skills and knowledge. The UPenn Medical School average MCAT score is 521.9. Applicants are required to take the MCAT within three years of applying to Perelman School of Medicine.
The number 1 hospital in Pennsylvania is Hospitals of the University of Pennsylvania-Penn Presbyterian.
What is the hardest medical school to get into? ›- Harvard Medical School. ...
- Wake Forest School Of Medicine. ...
- George Washington School Of Medicine And Health Sciences. ...
- Warren Alpert Medical School Of Brown University. ...
- Howard University College Of Medicine. ...
- New York University (NYU) Grossman School Of Medicine.
| Admission Rate | Average MCAT Score | |
|---|---|---|
| Penn Students & Alumni | 72% | 517 |
| Applicants Nationally | 38% | 512 |
Approximately 20 Penn undergraduates and undergraduate alumni apply for admission to dental school each year, and are very successful in this endeavor. Dental school admissions is very competitive, and applicants are evaluated holistically.
Which hospital is best for dental implants? ›- Clove Dental.
- Sir HN Reliance Foundation Hospital and Research Centre.
- Apollo Gleneagles Hospital.
- Fortis Hospital.
- The Dentaris.
- Sarvodaya Hospital.
- Metromed International Cardiac Centre (MICC)
- Pushpawati Singhania Hospital & Research Institute (PSRI)
The Three Dental Implant Surgery Phases
Placement of the implant. Attaching the abutment. Fitting the crown.
The University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine is one of the oldest university-affiliated dental institutions in the United States. Founded in 1878, it's long been renowned as a dental school that takes patients as part of its commitment to excellence in dentists' clinical education.
What is special about Upenn dental school? ›Established in 1878, Penn Dental Medicine is among the oldest university-affiliated dental schools in the nation. Penn's 12 schools are located on a singular campus within walking distance of one another.
What percent of dental applicants get into dental school? ›According to the American Dental Education Association, dentistry school acceptance rates have stayed much the same over the past 20 years. About 55% of applicants are accepted.
What is considered a low GPA for dental school? ›
Some dental schools directly reject the application of students who have a lower GPA. For example, some institutes consider the minimum GPA to be 2.75, while the vast majority take it to 3.0 as the bare minimum and will reject the application with a GPA lower than that.
How much do dentists make near Pennsylvania? ›How much does a Dentist make in Pennsylvania? The average Dentist salary in Pennsylvania is $187,533 as of October 27, 2022, but the range typically falls between $167,745 and $213,575.
How much do dentists make near Philadelphia PA? ›How much does a Dentist make in Philadelphia, PA? The average Dentist salary in Philadelphia, PA is $201,288 as of October 27, 2022, but the range typically falls between $180,048 and $229,240.
Is it harder to get into dental or medical school? ›Because there are so many medical schools, the admission system is also a lot more competitive than the dental school admission system. For example, the average MD matriculant has an average undergraduate GPA of 3.7 and an MCAT of 511; this is an 82nd percentile score.
Is it easier to get into dentistry than medicine? ›Medicine has fewer applicants per year (ranging from 10-18:1 applicants to places) than dentistry (15:1). As a result, dentistry is the more competitive course of the two (Source) owing to the fact it has fewer places (on average).
What is the lowest you can get on the DAT? ›DAT scores are reported by the American Dental Association (ADA) as eight standard scores. The first six scores are from the individual tests themselves, i.e. biology, organic chemistry, perceptual ability, ect. The raw score is then converted to a scaled scoring range 1 (lowest) to 30(highest).
How can I increase my chances of getting into dental school? ›- Get good grades. ...
- Develop a plan and timeline for covering DAT topics and taking the DAT. ...
- Connect with the pre-dental advising office. ...
- Join the pre-dental club. ...
- Participate in meaningful pre-dental extracurriculars. ...
- Academic enrichment.
- Dental experience.
- Employment.
Your GPA describes your ability to perform academically over a long period of time, while the DAT describes your ability to retain a large volume of information at one specific point in time. Hence, a high DAT will offset a low GPA.