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On This Page:

• The History of Tufts Dental School
• Applications Procedures and Criteria
• Application Requirements *Updated for 2011-2012 application cycle
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Quick Facts
• Financial Aid
• Immunization Requirements
• Combined Degree Programs

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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.

Please visit the online virtual tour to learn more about our programs and facilities.

Application Procedures and Criteria

Candidates for the program beginning in August 2012 should submit their applications to the American Association of Dental Schools Application Service (AADSAS) between June 1st, 2011 and February 1st, 2012. Interview sessions will be conducted between November 2011 and April 2012. Applicants selected for interview will be notified in writing beginning in late October 2011. 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 2011 term;
• Two letters of evaluation (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 -please note this letter must include approximate number of hours

Although Tufts welcomes any additional letters of evaluation from professors or employers, they will not be sufficient to complete an application. Please note AADSAS limits the number of letters of evaluation to four.

Dental Admissions Test (DAT) scores will be downloaded from the ADA directly to the AADSAS application. Please note - DAT scores obtained before June 1, 2009 are no longer valid. If you completed the DAT prior to June 1, 2009 you must retake the examination and submit updated scores. Please visit www.ada.org for information on the DAT.

Applicants will be informed of supplemental requirements, including a $75 fee, once the Admissions Office receives their application from AADSAS.

Additional documents or updates should not be sent to the Admissions Office. All necessary information should be included in the AADSAS application. The AADSAS applications are paperless and therefore we are not able to add extra materials to the applications for review. Sending additional documents will delay the processing and review of your application. You will be notified should we require additional information.

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.

Academic Requirements:

• 2 semesters (8 credits or 3 quarters) Biology
• 2 semesters (8 credits or 3 quarters) Inorganic Chemistry
• 2 semesters (8 credits or 3 quarters) Physics
• 1 semester (4 credits or 2 quarters) Organic Chemistry
• 1 semester (3 credits or 1 quarter) 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, 2009; applicants are strongly encouraged, though, to complete it before January 1, 2012. Applicants that plan to retake the DAT should update our office by email with the expected date of the test.

Minimum Scores:

• 16 Academic Average
• 17 Perceptual Ability
• 17 Reading Comprehension
• 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. Additionally, all four minimum scores must be achieved on the exact same DAT examination.

Required Letters of Evaluation:

1 Letter from a Biology professor

1 Letter from a second science, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Math or Physics
*Or a pre-professional composite committee letter

1 Letter from a general dentist providing proof of at least 30 hours of dental shadowing experience--please note this letter must include approximate number of hours.

Additional Letter of Evaluation:

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

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 2010-2011: 4,475
• Number of students in D.M.D. Class of 2015: 184
• Class of 2015: GPA: 3.44; Science GPA: 3.34
• Class of 2015: DAT: Academic Average - 20,
• PAT - 20,
• Reading Comprehension - 21,
• Total Science - 20
• Class of 2015: 49% Female, 1% Black/African-American, 43% Asian/Pacific Islander
• Class of 2015 Average Age: 24; range 21-38
• Class of 2015 composed of students from 29 states
• Tuition 2010-2011: $59,540

Useful Information

American Association of Dental Schools Application Services (AADSAS) - 1-202-667-9433

Dental Admissions Test (DAT) - 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.

Immunization Requirements

The School of Dental Medicine requires all students to complete the Hepatitis B (Recombivax) Vaccination series before matriculation. If an incoming student test positive for HBsAG and HBV DNA, matriculation will not be allowed. The Dental School requires testing for presence of infection prior to vaccination and testing for immunity once complete.

Please visit Immunizations Requirements for a complete list of requirements from the Student Advisory and Health Administration Office.