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Easiest Dental Schools to Get Into – Wouldn’t it be great if getting into dental school were as easy as brushing your teeth? Unfortunately, earning your spot in a dental program will never truly be that easy. Even before applying, there are required undergraduate courses, letters of recommendation, job shadowing, GPA, and standardized tests to consider. Ultimately, what can make the process of applying to dental school less frustrating is applying to programs where you have a better chance of acceptance. To clarify, this means that what makes the application process “easier” is largely relative. For some prospective students, the easiest dental school to get into might still be a reach for others.

For example, one important requirement for dental school is passing the (DAT). This test is graded on a scale from 1-30. Earning a score of 19 is typically considered to be an average competency on a national basis. So, if you’re applying for dental school, a 19 should be the minimum score to aim for.

To help you choose the easiest dental schools to get into based on your specific qualifications, we have compiled a list of 20 programs to help you sift through each of the requirements. We have separated the categories by the easiest dental schools to get into domestically and internationally.

This list is based on program average undergraduate GPA scores, required DAT scores, additional standardized test scores as needed, and other required technical standards.

For reference, some of the best dental schools generally require higher undergraduate GPA and DAT scores than the programs listed below. This is not to say that other dental programs have relaxed standards—they still require a high level of academic rigor–but they may be less selective in their admissions process.

Easiest Dental Schools to Get Into – Domestic

 1)  – Harrogate, Tennessee

• Undergraduate GPA: 3.3
• Non-science GPA: 3.2
• DAT Score: 19+
• Required Undergraduate Courses: General Biology; Inorganic (General) Chemistry; Organic Chemistry; Psychics; English.
• Acceptance Rate: 27%

As part of the admissions process, students must submit three letters of recommendation. They must also complete 60 observation/shadowing hours in a general dentist’s office. As well, the prospective candidate must complete an interview with the LMU-CDM Admissions committee.

Additionally, students can apply to this program as high school seniors through a Direct Freshman Entry program. In this pathway, students can complete both their Bachelor of Science and DMD degree in eight years.

If applying for this route, students will need to meet the following qualifications:

• ACT score of 25+
• SAT score of 1250
• Cumulative GPA of 3.7+
• Complete an interview
• Complete a 1,000-word essay to answer: How have you arrived at this career goal?
• Submit two letters of reference

** As a general note, most required STEM-based undergraduate courses require 6-8 semester hours of each subject. English typically requires 6 semester hours. However, it’s always a good idea to double check these course requirements for each program.

2)  – Salt Lake City, Utah

• Undergraduate GPA: 3.0
• DAT Score: Minimum of 17 in every section
• Required Undergraduate Courses: Anatomy; Biochemistry; Physiology; Microbiology; Biology; Chemistry, general; Chemistry, organic; English; Psychics; Microbiology lab (1 semester hour)
• Acceptance Rate: 25%

Before applying, students must complete at least 80 hours of job shadowing. It is recommended that students shadow a minimum of four different dentists. Additionally, students must complete three letters of recommendation. Two letters must come from science instructors. The final letter may come from a college/university committee, a non-science instructor, dental professional, supervisor or employer, or clergy member.

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3) – Portland, Oregon

• Undergraduate GPA: 3.0
• DAT Score: Average of 21
• Required Undergraduate Courses: General biology (with labs); general chemistry (with labs); Organic chemistry (with labs); Psychics (with labs); Biochemistry (lab not required but highly recommended); English
• Acceptance Rate: 10% (in-state); 46% (out-of-state)

Students will be required to submit two letters of recommendation from basic science faculty and one letter of recommendation from a dental professional.

A minimum of three years (90 semester credit hours) must be completed at the time of application from an accredited US or Canadian university. Prior to application, students must also have completed a minimum of 50 clinical observation hours in a dental setting. Of the 50 hours, 25 hours must be in a general practice setting.

4) – Greenville, North Carolina

• Undergraduate GPA: Average 3.67
• DAT Score: Average of 21
• Required Undergraduate Courses: Biological Sciences; General/Inorganic Chemistry; Organic Chemistry; General Psychics; English; Mathematics
• Acceptance Rate: ~25%

This is one of the easiest dental schools to get because only residents of North Carolina can apply for this program. While the applicant pool is still competitive, it might not be as large.

A person must physically be in the state of North Carolina for 12 months before they can claim residency for tuition purposes. Additionally, a person must intend to make North Carolina their permanent home indefinitely and not only for the purpose of attending the university.

Applicants must also participate in a pre-matriculation course through Exam Master, to help fill in the gaps during their first year of dental school. This course should be completed prior to application.

Three letters of recommendation are required. Two must come from a pre-health committee (if applicable) or from a biology and chemistry professor. The final letter must be from a (non-relative) dentist who is either currently practicing in or has retired from North Carolina.

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5) – Detroit, Michigan

• Undergraduate GPA: 3.0 minimum; GPA of 3.5+ to be competitive
• DAT Score: 20 or better to be considered competitive
• Required Undergraduate Courses: Inorganic/general chemistry (with lab); Organic chemistry (with lab); General biology (with lab); Physics (with lab); English; Biochemistry (4 semester hours if no lab available); Microbiology (4 semester hours if no lab available)
• Acceptance Rate: 23%

In this program, student will need to submit two letters of recommendation from science faculty within the disciplines of biology (non-environmental), chemistry, physics, or mathematics (including statistics). Strong preference is given for letters from biology and chemistry professors. The final and third letter of recommendation must come from a general dentist who can confirm the prospective student has spent a minimum of 60 hours shadowing.

Letters of recommendation must be completed with a date and an official letterhead. They must include both an original signature with a typewritten name beneath, including the recommender’s professional title. Because this program requires , it is important to follow these steps diligently.

6) – Elk Grove, California

• Undergraduate GPA: 3.3
• BCP (Biology, Chemistry, Physics) GPA: 3.1
• DAT Score: 19+
• Required Undergraduate Courses: Human anatomy; Biology (with lab); Inorganic/general chemistry; Organic chemistry (with lab); Physics; Biochemistry; English
• Acceptance Rate: N/A

As part of the admissions process, students must complete the . This test is a situational judgement test which asks what you do in a specific situation to determine behavioral tendencies.

Applicants must also plan to submit three letters of recommendation. While these letters do not have to be from anyone specific, the applicant should choose people who can speak to their character and life experience. In general, it is recommended these letters come from former professors in STEM-based areas.

Easiest Dental Schools to Get Into (Continued)

7) – Jackson, Mississippi

• Undergraduate GPA: 3.5 average pre-dental
• DAT Score: 19 average
• Required Undergraduate Courses: Humanities or English; Inorganic chemistry (with lab); Organic chemistry (with lab); Physics (with lab); General biology or Zoology (with lab); Microbiology (with lab); Mathematics (College algebra and trigonometry or higher level); Biochemistry
• Acceptance Rate: 29%

For entrance into this program, strong preference will be given to students who have completed a baccalaureate degree from a US or Canadian fully accredited college or university. The School of Dentistry does not require any particular undergraduate major.

New and effective as of June 2024, students must complete a minimum of 70 clinical showing hours with at least 4 dental providers. Plus, prospective students must also complete 100 hours of community service, with at least 30 of these hours with vulnerable/disadvantaged populations.

Additionally, it is also important to note that preference will be given to residents of Mississippi.

8) – Biddeford, Maine

• Undergraduate GPA: 3.5 average pre-dental
• DAT Score: 19 average
• Required Undergraduate Courses: English; Biology (with lab); General chemistry (with lab); Organic chemistry (with lab); Physics; Anatomy (with lab); Microbiology (lab); Biochemistry (no lab required); Additional 12 semester hours in Biology, Chemistry, Calculus, or Physics. Students must earn a C or better in each of these required courses. “C minus” is not acceptable.
• Acceptance Rate: 28%

Students must complete at least 30 hours of dental showing experience before applying to the program.  Additionally, while it is not required, it also strongly encouraged to demonstrate community service volunteer hours before applying.

As part of the application process, students must also submit two letters of recommendation. One letter must come from a science professor. The second letter is recommended to come from a practicing dentist. However, committee letters are accepted in place of the two required letters.

In addition, students will be asked to complete a personal statement.

Easiest Dental Schools to Get Into (Continued)

9) – Minneapolis, Minnesota

• Undergraduate GPA: 3.62 average; Minimum 2.5 required to apply
• BBCP (Biology, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Physics) GPA: 3.54
• Science GPA: 3.56
• DAT Score: 20.36 overall average
• Required Undergraduate Courses: General biology or Zoology (with lab); General chemistry (with lab); Organic chemistry (only one lab required); Biochemistry; Physics (with lab); Mathematics (college algebra or higher level); English
• Acceptance Rate: 38%

To apply for this program, students must submit three letters of recommendation. Two of these letters must come from science or math professors in lecture or lab courses. A letter from a TA is also acceptable. The third letter must be from an employer or supervisor from a volunteer, work, or research position.

Students must complete a minimum of 50 hours of showing in general dentistry. Applicants are highly encouraged to shadow more than one dentist and in different practice settings. Required hours need to occur outside of a family’s dental practice.

Additionally, students will also be asked to submit a statement of purpose.

10) – Washington, DC

• Undergraduate GPA: 3.0+
• Science GPA: 2.8 minimum
• DAT Score: 18-Total Science; 20 Reading Comprehension; 18 Academic Average
• Required Undergraduate Courses: English Composition and Literature; Inorganic chemistry (with lab); Organic chemistry (with lab); Biochemistry; Human anatomy (with lab); Physics; Electives (22 semester hours)
• Acceptance Rate: N/A

All applicants must have earned a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. Online coursework is not acceptable for the required prerequisite coursework. Students must submit two letters of recommendation. One letter must be from a college professor, and the second letter must be from an employer.

In addition, students will be asked to answer the following questions as part of their personal statement:

• Why have you chosen dental hygiene as your professional career?
• Why do you want to attend Howard University for your education goal?
• Why should the Dental Hygiene Admissions Committee select you?

Easiest Dental Schools to Get Into (Continued)

11) – Louisville, Kentucky

• Undergraduate GPA: 3.6 average
• BCP (Biology, Chemistry, Physics) GPA: 3.46 average
• DAT Score: 20 average
• Required Undergraduate Courses: Biology; General chemistry (with labs); Organic chemistry I and II (with labs); Physics; Biochemistry. In these required courses, students must earn a C minus or better.
• Acceptance Rate: N.A.

All applicants are required to complete the test as part of their evaluation process. In addition, three letters of recommendation are required. However, it is up to the student’s discretion to determine from whom these letters come from.

At the time of application, students must have completed a minimum of 40 hours of dental observation and shadowing in a general dentistry setting. It is recommended that applicants consider observing in a variety of general dentistry settings.

Easiest Dental Schools to Get Into (Continued)

13) – Kansas City, Missouri

• Science & Math GPA: 3.0 minimum; 3.4 and above preferred; 3.7 average for accepted students
• DAT Score: 16 minimum; 17 and above preferred; 20 average for accepted students
• Required Undergraduate Courses: General biology; Anatomy; Physiology; Biochemistry; Chemistry I & II; Organic Chemistry I ⅈ Physics I & II; English Composition I & II; One of the following courses: Cell biology; Histology; Microbiology; Molecular biology
• Acceptance Rate: 13%

At the time of application, students must have completed a minimum of 100 hours of ongoing dental shadowing/work experiences in 3+ practices. Additionally, students must have completed a minimum of 100 hours of ongoing community service in 3+ organizations.

It is important to note that the school’s first obligation is to qualified students who are residents of Missouri. However, students from Kansas, Arkansas, New Mexico, and Hawaii will also have preferred consideration.

14) – Mesa, Arizona

• Undergraduate GPA: 2.75 minimum; 3.0 and above recommended
• Science GPA: 2.75 minimum; 3.0 and above recommended
• DAT Score: 19.5 average
• Required Undergraduate Courses: General biology (with lab); General chemistry (with lab); Organic chemistry (with lab); Human physiology; Biochemistry; Physics (algebra-based, with lab); English composition; Human anatomy
• Acceptance Rate: 13%

While it is preferred that students hold a bachelor’s degree, they may apply after completing a formal minimum of three years of college or university work from a regionally accredited school in the US.

Students will submit two letters of recommendation. One letter must be from a science faculty member OR predental committee member. The other letter must be from a dentist. Additionally, if students choose, they can submit a third letter from a community service supervisor.

Easiest Dental Schools to Get Into (Continued)

15) – Augusta, Georgia

• Undergraduate GPA: 3.67 average
• DAT Score: 21 average
• Required Undergraduate Courses: Biology (with lab); Chemistry (with lab); One year of advanced chemistry (Organic chemistry with lab or biochemistry with or without lab); Physics (with lab); English
• Acceptance Rate:

Prospective applicants have two options for submitting letters of recommendation.

Option one: The first letter should be a composite committee letter, written either by one person or a group of people on behalf of an institution or office. The second letter should come from a dentist whom the applicant has shadowed.

Option two: The first letter should come from a science faculty member, advisor, or department chair. The second letter should come from a dentist whom the applicant has shadowed. In this option, the applicant must also submit an additional two letters which can come from: an academic advocate, another dentist, or supervisor.

Easiest Dental Schools to Get Into – International

16) – Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico

• Undergraduate GPA: 3.46 average
• DAT Score: Must score 15 or higher on each section; 16 or higher on each section to be competitive
• Required Undergraduate Courses: Spanish; English; Biology or Zoology; Physics; General chemistry; Organic chemistry; Social Sciences and Conduct (Sociology, Psychology, Political Science, Economics, Anthropology or Ethics). All required courses must earn a minimum grade of C to be accepted.
• Acceptance Rate: 36%

Preference for this program will be given to applicants who are residents of Puerto Rico. Space for non-resident candidates is limited and only fully bilingual applicants will be considered. Fluency is considered as the ability to write, read, and speak the language.

17) – Halifax, Nova Scotia

• Undergraduate GPA: 3.7 GPA (on 4.3 scale) to be competitive, or A- average
• DAT Score: Must score 15 on all components; average of all best scores of 19 or better
• Required Undergraduate Courses: Introductory biology (with lab); Introductory chemistry (with lab); Introductory physics (with lab); Organic chemistry (with lab); Introductory biochemistry; Introductory microbiology; Human physiology; Writing; Humanity and/or social science courses (12 credit hours)
• Acceptance Rate: 13%

If the applicant is invited for an interview, they will be required to provide letters of recommendation, or confidential evaluations. At least one reference should be from a university instructor. The other two references should be from non-relatives with whom the applicant has worked or volunteered with.

Easiest Dental Schools to Get Into (Continued)

18) – Vancouver, BC, Canada

• Undergraduate GPA: Minimum 2.8 for all college/university work
• DAT Score: 22.3 average
• Required Undergraduate Courses: English; Chemistry; Biology; Organic chemistry; Biochemistry
• Acceptance Rate: 15%

International applicants to this program must fulfill any Canadian immigration student vias requirements at the time of entry. Additionally, the program allows for up to three seats to be reserved each admissions cycle for Indigenous applicants. Requests for deferrals are not accepted.

Easiest Dental Schools to Get Into – In Review

No matter which program you choose, hard work and determination are necessary not only to gain admittance but also to succeed in dental school. From DMD to DDS programs, dental schools require disciplined and attentive students. But enrolling in the program shouldn’t feel like pulling teeth! If you enjoy the sciences and have a passion for helping people, then dentistry could be the perfect path for you.

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