DMD Program

On This Page:

• The History of Tufts Dental School
• Applications Procedures and Criteria
• Application Requirements
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Quick Facts
• Financial Aid
• Joint Degree Programs

The History of Tufts Dental School

Tufts University School of Dental Medicine was established in 1868 as Boston Dental College. It was incorporated into Tufts College in 1899. Although founded as a school to educate students from New England , today Tufts is renowned throughout the United States and the world as a center for academic and clinical excellence. Tufts boasts over seven thousand alumni composed of individuals from all fifty states and thirty-nine countries. Students receive a comprehensive education that emphasizes the importance of didactic coursework, pre-clinical training, clinical experience, and practice management that prepares them to enter the work force as confident, proficient clinicians.

Application Procedures and Criteria

Candidates for the program beginning in August 2009 should submit their applications to the American Association of Dental Schools Application Service (AADSAS) between Mid May 2008 and February 1st, 2009. Interview sessions will be conducted between November 2008 and April 2009. Applicants selected for interview will be notified in writing beginning in late September 2008. Please submit the following information to AADSAS:

• A complete AADSAS application form, including a personal statement articulating motivation for a career in dentistry. Please visit www.adea.org for application information;
• Official transcripts from all universities attended (including study abroad programs and any universities attended other than the one awarding the diploma); submit updated transcripts to AADSAS at conclusion of fall 2008 term;
• Two letters of recommendation (one from a Biology professor and one from a Biochemistry, Chemistry, Math or Physics professor) or a pre-professional composite committee letter;
• A letter from a dentist providing proof of at least 30 hours shadowing experience

Although Tufts welcomes any additional letters of recommendation from professors or employers, they will not be sufficient to complete an application.

Applicants must submit an official Dental Admissions Test (DAT) score report directly to Tufts. Please note - DAT scores obtained before June 1, 2005 are no longer valid. If you completed the DAT prior to June 1, 2005 you must retake the examination and submit updated scores. Please visit www.ada.org for information on the DAT.

Tufts does not require a supplemental application. Applicants will be informed of supplemental requirements, including a $60 fee, once the Admissions Office receives their application from AADSAS.

The Office of Admissions at Tufts University School of Dental Medicine reserves the right to request additional information at any time to complete an assessment of a candidate's abilities and capabilities.

Application Requirements

Academic requirements:

• 2 semesters (8 credits) Biology
• 2 semesters (8 credits) Inorganic Chemistry
• 2 semesters (8 credits) Physics
• 1 semester (4 credits) Organic Chemistry
• 1 term (3 credits) Biochemistry
• 1 semester writing-intensive Humanities or Social Science course (may include History, English, Comparative Literature, Philosophy, Government or Women's Studies)

Please note: Labs are required for all science courses, except Biochemistry, where applicable (lab only required for Biochemistry if it is a required part of the course at the university at which it is completed). All pre-requisite coursework must be completed at an accredited 4 year college/university. Community college coursework is not accepted.

All pre-requisites must be taken for a letter grade. No Pass/Fail credits will be accepted, unless it is the policy of the college/university to only offer such evaluation. In these instances, candidates may be asked to provide proof of this policy from the appropriate office at the home institution. Applicants are encouraged to earn a grade of "B" or higher in all pre-requisite courses to be most competitive.

Additionally, the Admissions Committee will not recognize pre-requisites completed by earning Advanced Placement credits. Applicants who have received college credit and/or placed out of pre-requisite courses because of AP credits must either retake those courses at a four year institution or take an equal number of credits in upper level coursework in the same discipline at a four year institution.

DAT requirement:

Test must be completed after June 1, 2005; applicants are strongly encouraged, though, to complete it before January 1, 2008;

Minimum scores:

• 16 Academic Average
• 15 Perceptual Ability
• 16 Total Science

The Canadian DAT is also accepted.

*Please note that the Admissions Committee will only consider scores from the first three DAT attempts.

Additional Requirement:
A minimum of 30 hours observing/assisting in a general dentist's office

Additional Recommendations:
Completion of coursework in upper-level Biology classes such as Anatomy, Physiology, Microbiology, Immunology, Pharmacology and Histology.

Quick Facts

Number of applications in 2006-2007: 4,268
Number of students in D.M.D. Class of 2011: 166
Class of 2011: GPA: 3.42; Science GPA: 3.34
Class of 2011: DAT: Academic Average - 19.2, PAT - 18.5, Total Science - 19.3
Class of 2011: 49% Female, 8% Black/African-American, 29% Asian/Pacific Islander
Class of 2011  Average Age: 24; range 20-36
Class of 2011 composed of students from 25 states and 4 countries
Tuition 2007-2008: $48,300

Useful Information

American Association of Dental Schools Application Services (AADSAS) -
www.adea.org/AADSAS/
1-202-667-9433

Dental Admissions Test (DAT) -
www.ada.org
1-800-621-8099/1-312-440-2687

Financial Aid Programs

The Financial Aid program at Tufts University School of Dental Medicine will be discussed during the interview session. Financial Aid application packets will be mailed to accepted applicants that place deposits at Tufts.

To learn more about financial aid at Tufts University, please visit the Financial Aid page.

Joint Degree Programs

Tufts offers a seven-year B.S./D.M.D.joint-degree program with Tufts University College of Liberal Arts and Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, and an eight-year B.S./D.M.D. early assurance program with Adelphi University in Garden City, NY and Tufts University School of Dental Medicine.

Tufts University College of Liberal Arts and Tufts University School of Dental Medicine have established a program that allows students to earn a Bachelor of Science and a Doctor of Dental Medicine degree in seven years. Current Tufts students completing their first year of undergraduate study are eligible to apply for the program. Conditional acceptance is granted after all first-year grades are received. Final acceptance is granted after receipt of second-year grades and DAT scores.

Download BS/DMD Seven Year Combined Degree Program Application: 2008

Adelphi University and Tufts Dental School have also established a program that allows students to complete their Bachelor of Science and Doctor of Dental Medicine degree in eight years. Students apply to the program through Adelphi after the first semester at Adelphi. Conditional acceptance is granted after an interview at Tufts. Final acceptance is granted after students complete four years of undergraduate study. To gain final acceptance, students must maintain a 3.5 overall GPA and receive a score of 18 on the academic portion of the DAT and a 17 on the perceptual ability portion of the DAT. For more information on the program, please contact Adelphi University Office of Admissions at 516-877-3050.

For general information on Tufts University's joint-degree programs, please visit our Combined Degree Programs page.