PASS Application

The Office of Admissions processes the applications and facilitates the adherence to administrative policies designed to ensure equity in the treatment of all applicants. The respective department will only review applications when they are complete. In addition, interviews are only granted to individuals whose applications have been reviewed by post-graduate faculty.

PASS Deadlines and Matching

Individuals applying to the following programs must submit a PASS application:
Below is a list of program deadlines.  Most departments conduct rolling admissions; it is therefore strongly advised to submit your application as early as possible. Late applications will be returned unprocessed without exception.

ProgramDeadlineRequires Match?
Advanced Education in Esthetic and Operative DentistryNovember 1, 2024No
Advanced Education in General DentistryNovember 1, 2024Yes
EndodonticsAugust 1, 2024No
General Practice ResidencyNovember 1, 2024Yes
Oral/Maxillofacial SurgerySeptember 3, 2024Yes
Oral MedicineNovember 1, 2024No
Orofacial Pain*February 3, 2025No
Orthodontics**August 1, 2024Yes
Pediatric DentistrySeptember 1, 2024Yes
PeriodontologySeptember 1, 2024Yes
ProsthodonticsSeptember 1, 2024Yes

 

*Applicants for the Implant Dentistry may apply using the Tufts Direct Application or the Pass application. 

For information and instruction on completing a PASS application, please contact their office at 617-612-2065 or visit their website. Individuals intending to apply to several schools are best served by utilizing the common PASS application.

When applying through PASS, you must submit all required materials to PASS by the PASS deadline (please see below for a complete list of requirements). PASS will not forward applications until it receives all required documents. Applications submitted to PASS after the PASS deadline or not completed by the PASS deadline will not be processed by the Admissions Office.

Individuals applying to the Advanced Education in General Dentistry, General Practice Residency, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Orthodontics, Pediatric Dentistry, Periodontology or Prosthodontics programs must participate in the National Matching Service. Please note applicants will now register for MATCH through the National Meeting Service.

Individuals applying to the Advanced Dental Technology and Research program (ADT), Advanced Digital Prosthodontics and Implant Fellowship, Advanced Education in Esthetic Dentistry Fellowship, Dental Education Learning and Teaching Academy (DELTA) Fellowship, Dental Sleep Medicine Fellowship, Implant Dentistry Fellowship or the Master of Science in Dental Research program must complete the Tufts Direct application.

Please be aware that applicants can submit no more than three applications during one application cycle. If an applicant submits materials for more than three programs, only the first three applications received will be processed. Any additional applications will be not be processed.

Additional Requirements (U.S. Trained Dentists)

Please do not complete the Tufts application in addition to the PASS application. Applications received through PASS will include the application form, curriculum vitae, personal statement, Institution Evaluation Form, letters of evaluation, dental school transcripts and official NBDE scores (if requested by applicant).

Individuals utilizing PASS must submit the following information directly to Tufts by the program deadline. Please don't send materials before receiving an "application received" email from our office.

  • A $125 fee (which must be paid online with a link provided in the confirmation email from our office). No other method of payment will be accepted.
  •  A 2″x2″ photograph - in JPEG format to be uploaded to this Box folder.
  • Official transcripts from all post-secondary education completed prior to enrolling in dental school. Official transcripts may be uploaded through the PASS application service. If there are additional transcripts than PASS allows space to upload, PDF scans of the official transcripts may be submitted via email to denadmissionspg@tufts.edu. If the university awarded you a degree, the degree conferral must be included on the transcript;
  • NBD Exam Results†:
    • If you have graduated from your dental program Part I and II results must be submitted at the time of application.
    • Students who are still completing their dental education are required to submit NBD Part I results at the time of application and NBD Part II results prior to matriculation.

†They should be sent through PASS officially. Note that it can take four weeks once requested for the score results to be sent to our office. 

You must also list your results, and the date you took the examination(s), on the designated section of the application form. Please visit https://www.ada.org/en/jcnde/examinations to obtain a score report request form. If you are a foreign-trained applicant, you do not need to submit NDB examination results unless applying to Endodontics, General Practice Residency or Orthodontics programs. If you have completed the examination, though, please submit your scores and list your results and the date you took the examination(s), on the designated section of the application form. Canadian citizens applying to the Advanced Education in General Dentistry are required to submit scores for Parts I and II of the National Dental Board Examination.

Program specific requirements (U.S. Trained Dentists)

Advanced Education in General Dentistry: Applicants to the Advanced Education in General Dentistry program must be citizens or permanent residents of the United States or citizens of Canada and must have graduated from a U.S. or Canadian dental institution.

Endodontics Program: If you are a US or Canadian dental student or graduate applying to the Endodontics program, you must submit DAT scores.

An official score report must be sent to our office via email. To request that scores be sent to Tufts University please visit: https://www.ada.org/en/education-careers/dental-admission-test/score-and-audit-information. The scores should be sent to: denadmissionspg@tufts.edu.

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Program: Applicants must take the NBME Comprehensive Basic Science Examination. Please visit the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons website for information.

**Orthodontics Program: All applicants are required to submit either an official GRE or ADAT score report if you are applying to the Orthodontics program. To have your GRE scores sent to Tufts University School of Dental Medicine use code 3902. For more information regarding the GREs contact: GRE Customer Service at 609-771-7670. You may also visit their website. Information about the ADAT exam can be found on the ADA website.

Additional Requirements (Internationally Trained Dentists)

  • A $125 fee (which must be paid online with a link provided in the confirmation email from our office). No other method of payment will be accepted.
  • A 2″x2″ photograph - in JPEG format to be uploaded to this Box folder.
  • Official dental school transcripts must be submitted directly to the Office of Admissions (unless supplied through the WES evaluation)
  • If you did not submit a copy of an academic credentials evaluation through PASS, you must submit an official copy (a course-by-course evaluation is required showing the degree earned) directly to Tufts. Suggested providers of credentials evaluation are Educational Credential Evaluators – www.ece.org, and World Education Services – www.wes.org;
  • If you are a foreign-trained applicant, you do not need to submit NDB examination results. If you have completed the examination, though, please submit your official scores and list your results on the designated section of the PASS application form. Exception: All foreign-trained applicants to the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery are encouraged to take and submit scores for Parts I and II of the National Dental Board Examination. Those foreign-trained applicants applying to the Endodontics, General Practice Residency and Orthodontics programs and Canadian citizens applying to the Advanced Education in General Dentistry are required to submit scores for Parts I and II of the National Dental Board Examination.
  • If you are a foreign applicant, you must demonstrate adequate command of the English language in reading, writing, speaking and listening comprehension. Evidence of proficiency in the English language can be demonstrated by:
    • Completion of the dental degree at a university in the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland or the United Kingdom
    • Completion of a post-graduate or master’s degree or a certificate/residency program in English from an institution in the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland or the United Kingdom
    • Minimum overall test score of 7.0 achieved on the Academic format of the International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
    • Minimum overall test score of 90 achieved on the internet based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)**

**A TOEFL or IELTS score more than 2 years old on the date of the application deadline will no longer be valid. “My Best” TOEFL scores are accepted but all test scores included must be valid within 2 years of the application deadline. The requirement is mandatory, and any decisions made by the postgraduate department or Admissions Office may be rescinded if the required documentation is not provided by the requested date. To have your scores sent to Tufts University School of Dental Medicine use institution code 3902 and department code 38 on the TOEFL registration form.

Applicants must meet the following minimum section scores: (“My Best” scores are also accepted for the individual score sections):

  • Reading           21
  • Listening          17
  • Speaking         24
  • Writing             25

For more information regarding the TOEFL contact:

TOEFL Educational Testing Services
Box 6151
Princeton, NJ 08541-6151

Or call 609-771-7760. You may also visit the website at http://www.ets.org.

For information on the IELTS please visit their website http://www.ielts.org/.

Program Specific Requirements (Internationally Trained Dentists)

Advanced Education in General Dentistry: Please note applicants to the Advanced Education in General Dentistry program must be citizens or permanent residents of the United States or citizens of Canada and must have graduated from a U.S. or Canadian dental institution.

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Program: All applicants to the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery program must take the NBME Comprehensive Basic Science Examination. Please visit the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons website for information.

**Orthodontics Program: International applicants applying to the Orthodontics program are required to take the NBDE Part I and II and either the GREs or ADAT. To have your scores sent to Tufts University School of Dental Medicine use code 3902. For more information regarding the GREs contact: GRE Customer Service at 609-771-7670. You may also visit their website.  Information about the ADAT exam can be found on the ADA website.

Pediatric Dentistry Program: International applicants applying to the Pediatric Dentistry program must achieve the following

  • Minimum overall test score of 7.0 achieved on the Academic format of the International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
  • Minimum overall test score of 90 achieved on the internet based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) but in addition must also meet the following minimum section scores. “My Best” scores can satisfy the requirement if they are all valid within 2 years of the application deadline.
    • Reading           21
    • Listening          17
    • Speaking         24
    • Writing             25

  • If you are interested in pursuing a Master of Science degree in conjunction with a specialty program, you must submit a letter stating your intent directly to our office. In 300-500 words an applicant should describe their research experience, the reason they want to pursue the Master of Science in Dental Research and ideas for a research topic. 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.

  • 2017-2018 Schedule of Fees

    The fee schedule below shows the actual costs for the 2017-2018 academic year. Tuition and fees are revised yearly. Figures for the 2018-2019 year will be released in late May 2018. Please anticipate a 5% increase in billed costs per academic year. Instrument and central sterilization costs vary by department or specialty. Accepted students can determine actual costs by consulting the office of the program director or department chair.

    Fees for the Certificate Program – 2017-2018 Academic Year

    • Tuition – $71,608
    • Student health insurance – $4,836
    • Health administration fee – $240

    Applicants must meet the standards of health established by the university. For protection against hazards of illness or injury, and to comply with Massachusetts state law, the student must enroll in the university’s health insurance plan. Waiver of this requirement is possible if the student can demonstrate that comparable insurance coverage has been secured

    Consumer Information for Students and Applicants

    Download information on the cost of attendance and other important information for:

    Click here, for more information on the cost of education and financial aid programs.

  • Immunization & Health Insurance Requirements

    The School of Dental Medicine requires all students to complete the required immunizations before matriculation and matriculated students are required to have health insurance. Please visit Immunizations & Health Insurance Requirements page for a complete list of requirements from the Student Advisory and Health Administration Office.

    Criminal Background Check & Disciplinary History Requirements

    All students accepted to Tufts University School of Dental Medicine will be required to submit a completed Dean’s Certification of Disciplinary History form and have a criminal background check completed. More information regarding both processes will be sent to accepted applicants at the time of admission. All offers of admission are contingent upon the Admissions Committee’s favorable review of these items.

    Licensure

    All incoming post-graduate students (with the exception of those matriculating into the Advanced Dental Technician, Dental Education Learning and Teaching Academy Fellowship or Master of Science in Dental Research only programs) are required to obtain a Massachusetts Dental License or Limited-License.  Internationally trained students will also need to obtain a social security number prior to applying for the Limited-License.  Information about licensure can be found at the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Dentistry

  • Tufts does not discriminate in its educational programs or activities on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, age, religion or religious creed, disability or handicap, sex or gender (including pregnancy, sexual harassment and other sexual misconduct including acts of sexual violence such as rape, sexual assault, sexual exploitation and coercion), gender identity and/or expression (including a transgender identity), sexual orientation, military or veteran status,  genetic information,  or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state or local law.  Retaliation is also prohibited. Tufts will comply with state and federal laws such as M.G.L. c. 151B, Title IX, Title VI and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, and other similar laws that prohibit discrimination.  More detailed Tufts policies and procedures on this topic may be found on the OEO Policies and Procedures page.

    Unlawful discrimination has no place at Tufts University and offends the University’s core values which include a commitment to equal opportunity and inclusion.   All Tufts employees, faculty members, students and community members are expected to join with and uphold this commitment.

    Any member of the Tufts University community has the right to raise concerns or make a complaint regarding discrimination under this policy without fear of retaliation.  Any and all inquiries regarding the application of this statement and related policies may be referred to:  Jill Zellmer, MSW, Director of the Office of Equal Opportunity, Title IX and 504 Coordinator, at 617-627-3298 at 196 Boston Avenue, 3rd floor, Medford, MA, or at jill.zellmer@tufts.edu.  Anonymous complaints may also be made by reporting online at https://tuftsuniversity.ethicspointvp.com/custom/tuftsuniversity/oeo/form_data.asp.

      As set forth in our policies, individuals may also file complaints with administrative agencies such as the U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights (“OCR”).  The contact information for the local office of OCR is 617-289-0111 at Office for Civil Rights, Boston Office, U.S. Department of Education, 8th Floor, 5 Post Office Square, Boston, MA  02109-3921.The email address for OCR is ocr.boston@ed.gov.

    Please note that we also have a separate Non-Discrimination Statement.