9 Dental Schools That Do Not Require DAT

There are dental schools that do not require DAT before admitting you into them. This blog post has been written to guide you through knowing some of these schools. Read through to discover!

Dentistry is a branch of medicine that deals with the treatment and prevention of diseases in the teeth, gums, and mouth. It particularly focuses on improving oral health, so, if you wish to become a dentist prepare yourself to spend a lot of your time in someone else’s mouth, which means, you get to deal with saliva and blood.

Dentistry is a profession you should consider if you want to get into a medical profession that does not take very long to complete. While it takes about 10 years or more to become a licensed and practicing medical doctor, it takes 6-8 years to become a practicing dentist. Before you get it twisted, a dental student is also a medical student only that the latter takes longer time to complete than the former.

To become a dentist, you have to complete a 4-year bachelor’s degree program in biology or any related life sciences field, after that you can then go to a dental school or dental college, earn a degree in dentistry, and become licensed to start practicing. It takes 3-4 years to complete dental school, the duration typically depends on the school.

While the undergraduate degree program equips you with the fundamental knowledge and prepares you for dental school, the dental school itself is where you gain practical hands-on skills and theoretical knowledge to become a dentist.

However, to enter dental schools in the US, there are certain requirements that applicants must meet which include taking standardized tests like the Dental Admission Test (DAT) and submitting transcripts from previously attended institutions. Most dental schools in the US require applicants to take the DAT and this has been a bit of a hassle for some students thus hindering them from entering dental schools.

The Dental Admission Test takes nearly 5 hours to complete and costs $525. It is also offered year-round. There is an aggregate score that applicants must meet else they will be denied entry into dental school. So, students who do not meet it or cannot afford the fee for the test have to sit back or change careers.

If you are one of these students, I am pleased to let you know that there are dental schools that do not require DAT. Yes, you heard right. Instead of the DAT, these dental schools make use of an internal test to assess applicants and this does not cost as much as the DAT and they are easy to pass.

In this blog post, I have curated a list of dental schools that do not require DAT and in a moment, we will get into them. Before we get into the list, you will be pleased to know that we have a list of the easiest dental schools to get into which you can add to your list of dental schools to send your applications.

Having said that, let’s dive into the main topic.

Dental Schools That Do Not Require DAT

 Dental Schools That Do Not Require DAT

In this section, I will be talking about the dental schools that do not require DAT. They are as follows;

  • University of the Pacific Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry
  • High Point University Workman School of Dental Medicine
  • Case Western Reserve University School of Dental Medicine
  • McGill University Faculty of Dental Medicine and Oral Health Sciences
  • The Medical University of South Carolina James B. Edwards College of Dental Medicine
  • New York University College of Dentistry
  • Temple University Maurice H. Kornberg School of Dentistry
  • Creighton University School of Dentistry
  • Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC

1.       University of the Pacific Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry

This is the first on our list of dental schools that do not require DAT. Founded in San Francisco in 1896 as the College of Physicians and Surgeons, the Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry is a nationally renowned institution of higher learning. They are committed to providing a world-class dental education for their students and comprehensive, affordable patient care for adults and children in a humanistic environment.

The University’s School of Dentistry offers students many opportunities to enhance the dental school experience. They present their students with numerous experiences outside the rigors of the classroom and clinic.

They are comprised of 653 students and residents, 507 faculty (69 full-time; 217 part-time, 221 adjuncts), 221 staff/administrators, and 8,000+ living alumni.  Offering degrees or certificates through seven academic programs. Since this school does not require DAT, the other prerequisite courses needed are just some English courses.

2.       High Point University Workman School of Dental Medicine

The HPU Workman School of Dental Medicine is next on our list of dental schools that do not require DAT.  The School of Dental Medicine and Oral Health at High Point University is intentionally designed to lead the country in innovative curricula and clinical experiences. Their students are prepared through a blend of didactic courses, high-fidelity simulation, and a unique blend of patient care experiences.

They provide personalized tracks to satisfy the career interests of their students. Students will complete coursework and clinical experiences across most specialties but will tailor their experiences to areas of interest in their fourth year through electives and specialty rotations

There is no required prerequisite courses and standardized tests (e.g. DAT) as well as  application or supplemental fee—the only cost is the Acuity Insights (Casper & Duet) assessments

3.       Case Western Reserve University School of Dental Medicine

The mission of the Case Western Reserve University School of Dental Medicine is to provide outstanding programs in oral health education, patient care, focused research and scholarship, and service that are of value to their constituents.

They constitute numerous departments and programs such as Pediatric Dentistry, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (OMFS), Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology Clinic (OMR), Periodontics, Endodontics, Oral and Maxillofacial Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences (OMMDS) and a host of others.

Since this dental school does not require a DAT, the other prerequisite required is a minimum of 90 semester hours; a bachelor’s degree is strongly recommended, and 6 semester hours of English or similar reading/writing-intensive coursework in the humanities.

4.       McGill University Faculty of Dental Medicine and Oral Health Sciences

This is the next on the list of dental schools that do not require DAT. The Faculty of Dental Medicine and Oral Health Sciences of McGill University envisions a world rooted in conscientious caring for life and a healthy and supportive environment for all.

The Faculty of Dental Medicine and Oral Health Sciences at McGill offers students undergraduate and graduate programs in a dynamic and diverse setting. Students will have the opportunity to attend one of the world’s greatest and most research-intensive dental schools.

They strive for distinction in research, innovation, and education for oral health and well-being. They also offer programs such as Undergraduate Dental Education, Special DMD Admission Pathways, Postgraduate Dental Education, Graduate Dental Education, and other programs.

Since this school does not require a DAT, the other  requirements are;  a 4-year bachelor’s degree (Canadian and International) or a 3-year bachelor’s degree with a DEC (Québec)

5.       Medical University of South Carolina James B. Edwards College of Dental Medicine

As South Carolina’s only dental school, the MUSC College of Dental Medicine is an essential source of dentists in a state that is currently under-served in terms of dental care. About 75 percent of their graduates have chosen to remain in South Carolina. Over half the state’s dentists today are MUSC graduates.

Since its founding, the MUSC College of Dental Medicine has grown into one of the most respected dental colleges in the country. Their students consistently score in the country’s top percentiles on their national boards, and competition for admission is extremely high. They consist of different departments and divisions such as Advanced Education in General Dentistry (AEGD), Oral Rehabilitation, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Oral Health Sciences, and a host of others.

Since this school does not require a DAT, this school has other requirements such as; Mathematics which incorporates Calculus, Statistics, or College Algebra, in addition to some English courses.

6.       New York University College of Dentistry

NYU Dentistry is the third oldest and the most significant dental school in the United States, educating nearly 10 percent of our nation’s dentists. The College has over 1,900 students in its various pre- and postdoctoral programs from all over the United States and 40 foreign countries.

The mission of the NYU College of Dentistry is to partner with students in achieving academic excellence, providing the best oral health care, and engaging in research, scholarship, and creative endeavors to improve the health of the highly diverse populations in New York City and around the world.

NYU Dentistry offers specialty training in the following dental specialty areas: endodontics, oral and maxillofacial surgery, orthodontics, pediatric dentistry, periodontics, and prosthodontics, as well as in implant dentistry; conducts an extensive continuing education program; and is home to the only dental school-affiliated dental hygiene program in New York State.

Since this school does not require a DAT, this college requires the applicants to have a bachelor’s degree or 90 completed credits and a GPA of 3.5 and above. Some intensive writing English courses are also required.

7.       Temple University Maurice H. Kornberg School of Dentistry

Founded in 1863, Kornberg remains a pillar in the dental community. They have more than 7,000 alumni currently redefining the field of oral health around the world.

As the second-oldest dental school in the U.S., the Maurice H. Kornberg School of Dentistry upholds a legacy of innovation in dental education, research efforts, community service, and pioneering healthcare services. They offer various programs and degrees such as; DMD programs, post-baccalaureate programs, international DMD programs, and graduate programs.

Since this school does not require a DAT, this college requires six credit hours in English, and taking some advanced science courses, such as Anatomy, Biochemistry, Histology, and Physiology, is highly recommended.

8.       Creighton University School of Dentistry

Since its founding in 1905, Creighton University School of Dentistry has prepared more than 5,000 dentists for lives of professional excellence, community leadership, and compassionate service.

Their alumni work around the world, with more Creighton dentists serving rural, underserved communities than graduates from any other private dental school in the country.

They serve more than 14,000 patients annually. By caring for so many patients, their students not only fulfill Creighton’s mission of service and justice for others; they become some of the most practice-ready dentists in the nation.

The Creighton University School of Dentistry offers dynamic programs that prepare students to be expert dental professionals who provide quality care to their patients. Some of their program options are; Oral Biology, Advanced Standing, Pre-Dental Post-Baccalaureate Program, and Doctor of Dental Surgery amongst others.  Since this school does not require a DAT score, this dental school requires 2 semesters of English but has no other prerequisites.

9.       Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC

Since 1897, the Ostrow School of Dentistry has shaped talented students into outstanding dentists and dental hygienists. Their challenging clinical education and their expert faculty members provide future oral health professionals with the skills they need in order to become the best.

 Ostrow not only educates excellent clinicians but also produces professionals who earn their patients’ trust with an unyielding commitment to exemplary ethical standards.

 Their graduates also earn the respect of their colleagues, taking active leadership roles in the organized dentistry community from local to international levels.

In addition, their diverse research activities present students with a multitude of opportunities to maximize the depth and breadth of their educational experiences.

Ostrow is home to some of the brightest names in oral and craniofacial biology, stem cell science, biofilm research, clinical investigation, and more.

Many of their students take advantage of this rich scientific environment, taking their dental education to the laboratory and emerging with a deep appreciation of the science behind the latest advances in dental treatments.

However, since this school does not require a DAT but in its unique way, it has other prerequisites such as; English Composition (1 year) and Philosophy, History, or Fine Arts (1 year) as its only prerequisites.

Conclusion

From the listed schools, you can see that these schools do not require a DAT score before you can enroll yourself in any of them. Hence, you can start applying now!

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