Years of Schooling Required to Become a Dentist:
8+ years of education
- Undergraduate Preparation (~4 years);
- Dental School (4 years);
- Residency (1-6 years, optional).
Many schools require a bachelor’s degree. Although not all schools list a bachelor’s degree as a requirement for admission, few students are admitted without one. For those schools that do not require a bachelor’s degree, completing a bachelor’s degree is highly recommended. Admission to dental schools is highly competitive, and a bachelor’s degree significantly strengthens a student’s application and provides students with greater options for advancement and career opportunities.
Degree Conferred
Upon completion of dental school, students are awarded either the Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD). Both degrees are equivalent with respect to licensure and professional practice.
Applicant Statistics
|
Applicants |
Matriculants |
Percentage of Applicants that Matriculate |
| 2023 |
|
|
|
| National Applicants |
11012 |
6113 |
56% |
| UH Mānoa Applicants |
9 |
3 |
33% |
| 2022 |
|
|
|
| National Applicants |
10,889 |
5,819 |
57% |
| UH Mānoa Applicants |
14 |
5 |
40% |
| 2021 |
|
|
|
| National Applicants |
11,473 |
5,795 |
40% |
| UH Mānoa Applicants |
21 |
10 |
40% |
Based on data acquired by the National Association of Academic Advisors for Health Professions (NAAHP) and the American Dental Education Association (ADEA).
Dentistry Programs in Hawaiʻi: None*
The University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Dentistry provides 3 seats each year for applicants from Hawaiʻi.
Early Acceptance Programs:
Students may choose to take a gap year after they graduate with their undergraduate degree. A “gap year” is the period of time between the end of your undergraduate education and the start of your professional school. A gap year might be a year or more depending on each person’s particular circumstances. Students may choose to participate in longer-term engagement activities during their gap year. Taking a gap year would change when to apply to professional school, so please see a PAC peer advisor to help you plan on when to apply and fit in a gap year experience.
There are a large number of Post-Baccalaureate and Special Master's Programs offered across the nation. Although these programs vary greatly in terms of degree offerings, course curriculum, and program duration, they are all geared to help students in preparation for professional school by taking relevant graduate-level courses or to meet the necessary prerequisite courses for their intended program.
Combined Degree Programs
Many dental schools offer combined degree programs: DMD or DDS/MS or PhD to combine dentistry with research or teaching; DMD or DDS/MBA to combine dentistry with business administration; DMD or DDS/MPH to combine dentistry with public health; and so on. Combined degrees can be offered concurrently, sequentially, or in combination, and often extend the number of years in dental school.
