Dentistry is one of the most difficult courses to get admission into because of its strict admission requirements but the dental schools with the lowest GPA requirements are among the easiest dental schools you can get into.
Dentistry is one of the toughest medical courses, but it is definitely worth the stress. As a dentist, you would be night respected and would also get paid very well.
Enrolling in a dental school might seem difficult especially if your high school GPA is low or does not meet the average GPA requirements set for admission purposes. This list of the easiest dental schools with the lowest GPA requirements would be your perfect guide in selecting the easiest dental schools with high acceptance rates and also gives admission with low GPAs.
This list was compiled using factors such as acceptance rate, residency and other admission criteria.
Before we proceed to list the easiest dental schools with low GPA requirements, let’s answer some relating to the requirements needed to get admitted into a dental school so you would know if you are really eligible for this dental school.
What are the Requirements for Dental School?
Different dental schools have different requirements. However, here are some basic requirements you might need for a dental school:
- A year course in English, Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Organic Chemistry, and some Laboratory work.
- Undergraduate coursework in anatomy, physiology, microbiology, biochemistry, and English composition.
- Participation in extracurricular activities.
- Volunteering experience in activities in the dental or healthcare fields.
- You’ll need to job shadow a few dentists before applying to dental school. Most dental programs require applicants to have 100 hours of experience job shadowing multiple dentists so you can see how different offices operate.
- Join the Student National Dental Association.
- Take the Dental Admission Test (DAT).
- Create a competitive dental school application.
- Complete an admissions interview.
- Letters of recommendation.
In the United States applying for a dental school can be done through a single organization. This means that you can apply to several schools through a single organization. All you need to do is to fill out all the forms once, no matter how many schools you wish to apply to.
How do you Determine the Easiest Dental Schools to get into?
Here is a quick way to discover Dental Schools with the lowest GPA requirements.
1. Acceptance Rate
The acceptance rate of a school is a major factor in determining the easiest dental schools to get into.
The acceptance rate is the percentage of students admitted into a school annually.
When searching for dental schools with low GPA requirements, it is wise you compare the acceptance rate of different schools to compare and make sure you pick the school with a high acceptance rate; as you would likely be admitted to a school with a high acceptance rate.
Usually, the acceptance rate of schools is given as percentages. For example, a school like the University of Missouri has an acceptance rate of 14%. What this means is that for every 100 student applicants, only 14 students will be accepted into the dental school.
The National Association for College Admissions Counseling wrote about the average acceptance rate for all four-year colleges in the U.S. It estimated the acceptance rate of these colleges to be about 66%. The American Dental Association (ADA) also created some useful resources with data regarding dental schools and dental education.
2. Residency
Most dental schools in America usually admit more students from the state where the school resides.
So if you have a low GPA you can try applying for any dental school in your state and be sure that you would get admitted.
But this should not stop you from applying to schools that meet your needs but are not within your state.
3. Qualification
Another thing that determines how easy it is to get into a dental school can be your qualifications. Often, you will need a bachelor’s degree to get into dental school, but some schools have different requirements. Depending on the school’s qualification requirements, some schools might be harder for you to get into than others.
Having known the requirements to apply for dental schools with the lowest GPA requirements let’s now take a look at the list of the top 20 dental schools with the easiest admission requirements.
20 Dental Schools With Lowest GPA Requirements
Below is a list of dental schools with the lowest GPA requirements, we’ve saved you the stress of visiting each dental school individually to find out the acceptance rate.
1. University of Mississippi
Overall Acceptance Rate: 31.81%
The University of Mississippi School of Dentistry, is one of the dental schools with low GPA requirements with an acceptance rate of 31.81%.
If you have a GPA of 3.7 and a DAT score of 18.0 you stand a good chance of getting admitted in this top dental school.
The University of Mississippi school of dentistry admitted its first student in 1975.
This school houses an estimated 5,000 square feet of research laboratories where innovative, world-class research is conducted by the faculty.
This dental school is part of the ADEA Associated American Dental Schools Application Service (AADSAS).
The university has the following accreditations.
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, American Dental Association, Commission on Dental Accreditation.
2. East Carolina University
Overall Acceptance Rate: 13.75%
East Carolina University is a public research university located in Greenville. The State of North Carolina has funded the ECU School of Dental Medicine in building dental facilities.
These Dental facilities are called community service learning centers (CSLCs) and are in eight rural and underserved locations. These locations include Ahoskie, Brunswick County, Elizabeth City, Davidson County, Lillington, Robeson County, Spruce Pine, and Sylva.
These standalone facilities are used for hands-on learning during your dentistry courses. However, enrollment is limited to residents of North Carolina.
Nevertheless, If you live in North Carolina, and you wish to be considered for admission endeavor to initiate the formal application process in June prior to the desired matriculating year.
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, American Dental Association, Commission on Dental Accreditation.
3. University of Missouri – Kansas City
Overall Acceptance Rate: 11.7%
The University of Missouri is one of the largest comprehensive and fully accredited universities in Kansas City.
The School of Dentistry at this university in Kansas City operates a student dental clinic and community clinic in the UMKC Health Sciences District. You can also find dentistry options in research fields as well as practice fields.
To be eligible for the Doctor of Dental Surgery program, you need an average DAT Academic Average of at least 19 and an average science and maths GPA of 3.6 and above. It is one of the easiest dental schools to get into.
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission, American Dental Association, Commission on Dental Accreditation
4. Ohio State University
Overall Acceptance Rate: 11%
The college of dentistry at Ohio State University is the fourth-largest public dental school in the United States. It consists of ten academic divisions representing all major dental specialties.
These divisions offer both patient care services and academic programs, allowing dentists to train as specialists. Also, they have outreach and engagement activities which include over 60 active programs and more than 42 extramural sites.
With an acceptance rate of 11%, it is one of the Dental Schools With the Lowest GPA Requirements.
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission, American Dental Association, Commission on Dental Accreditation
5. Augusta University
Overall Acceptance Rate: 10%
Augusta University’s Dental college of medicine provides dental education to students through hands-on education, innovative research, patient care, and service.
The DCG was founded to provide the people of Georgia with quality dental care by educating students in dentistry.
The Dental College of Georgia is located in Augusta as part of Augusta University. Students will study on campus and may attend one of the many clinics the dental college serves across Georgia.
Your entire fourth year of studying is dedicated to patient care so you can gain practical experience. They offer two degrees, which include: The Doctor of Dental Medicine degree and a dual degree in oral biology.
However, 90% of the applicants accepted will be from Georgia state, while the other 10% will be from other states or countries.
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, American Dental Association, Commission on Dental Accreditation.
6. University of Puerto Rico
Overall Acceptance Rate: 10%
The School of Dental Medicine of the UPR is one of the best dental schools in the world, They offer a Doctor of Dental Medicine program, supplemented by various post-doctoral offerings and an innovative Continuing Education program.
The institution is a leader in research on inequalities in oral and systemic health, fostering critical thinking, intellectual curiosity, and commitment to the needs of people.
The University of Puerto Rico School of Dental Medicine is the dental school of the University of Puerto Rico. It is situated at the University of Puerto Rico, Medical Sciences Campus in San Juan, Puerto Rico. It is the only dental school in Puerto Rico. It is accredited by the American Dental Association and is one of the Dental Schools With the Lowest GPA Requirements
Accreditation: The American Dental Association.
7. LSU Health Sciences Center
Overall Acceptance Rate: 9.28%
According to the LSU Health Sciences Center, three out of every four dentists and dental hygienists practicing in Louisiana today are graduates of the school.
LSUSD offers degrees in dentistry, dental hygiene, and dental laboratory technology. LSU School of Dentistry has confers the following degrees:
Doctor of Dental Surgery
Dental Hygienist
Dental Laboratory Technology
In addition to these academic programs, LSUSD offers advanced training programs in the following areas:
- Endodontics
- General Dentistry Residency
- Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
- Orthodontics
- Pediatric Dentistry
- Periodontics
- Prosthodontics.
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, American Dental Association, Commission on Dental Accreditation.
8. University of Minnesota
Overall Acceptance Rate: 9.16%
The University of Minnesota’s School of Dentistry is the only dental school in the state of Minnesota. It is also the only dental school in the northern tier of states between Wisconsin and the Pacific Northwest.
It boasts of 377 Clinical operatories, 71k Square feet of clinic space, and about 1k+ New patients each month.
The School of Dentistry at the University of Dentistry educates general dentists, dental specialists, dental therapists, dental hygienists, dental educators, and research scientists. It is among the dental schools with the lowest GPA requirements.
They offer the following programs:
- Doctor of Dental Surgery
- Dental Therapy
- Dental Hygiene
- UMN Pass: For International
- Specialty and Advanced Education Programs
- Community Outreach Experience.
Accreditation: American Dental Association, Commission on Dental Accreditation.
9. University of Alabama, Birmingham
Overall Acceptance Rate: 8.66%
This school is located within a vibrant and expansive urban campus in the heart of a leading academic medical center. UAB School of Dentistry blends the rich tradition of a school founded in 1948 with cutting-edge technology and contemporary programs and facilities.
The school is comprised of 7 academic departments and a variety of educational programs that span the major dental specialties.
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, American Dental Association, Commission on Dental Accreditation.
10. Southern Illinois university
Overall Acceptance Rate:8.3%
The SIU School of Dental Medicine provides the latest technology in the oral health care field, a state-of-the-art clinic, and the lowest dental school tuition in Illinois.
The SIU School of Dental Medicine is the only dental school in Illinois that is outside the Chicago metropolitan area. You can get into this dental school with a low GPA.
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission, American Dental Association, Commission on Dental Accreditation.
11. University of Detroit – Mercy
Overall Acceptance Rate: 8.05%
The University of Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry is the dental school of the University of Detroit Mercy. It is located in the city of Detroit, Michigan, United States. It is one of two dental schools in the state of Michigan.
Accreditation: American Dental Association, Commission on Dental Accreditation
12. University of Iowa
Overall Acceptance Rate: 8%
Dental students at the University of Iowa are admitted into a highly competitive and comprehensive DDS program. Their educational curriculum has been instrumental in educating excellent dentists and specialists across Iowa and the world. They claim that 78% of Iowa dentists are graduates of the college.
Students in their third year undergo clerkships that offer experiences in a wide range of dental specialties. After four years of study, dental students at Iowa are expected to have clinical experience.
The college has as many recognized ADA dental specialties. For the DAT score, the average of accepted dental students to this university is 20, and a GPA of 3.8.
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission, American Dental Association, Commission on Dental Accreditation.
13. University of Oklahoma
Overall Acceptance Rate: 8%
Another dental school with a low GPA requirement is the university of Oklahoma, it was established in 1971, and has grown to be named among the top dental schools in America.
The college offers a Doctor of Dental Surgery program and a Bachelor of Science degree in dental hygiene. There are also graduate and residency programs in advanced general dentistry, orthodontics, periodontics, and oral and maxillofacial surgery.
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission, American Dental Association, Commission on Dental Accreditation.
14. Medical University of Southern Carolina
Overall Acceptance Rate: 7.89%
The College of Dental Medicine is the dental school of the Medical University of South Carolina. This college is located in the city of Charleston, South Carolina, United States. It is the only dental school in South Carolina.
The College of Dental Medicine at MUSC has a very competitive admission. With an estimation of about 900 applications for a class of 70 seats. About 15 of the seats are reserved for out-of-state students, while the remaining 55 seats are reserved for South Carolina residents.
The average cumulative undergraduate GPA stands at 3.6. The average DAT academic average (AA) is 20, and the perceptual ability (PAT) score is approximately 20.
Accreditation: American Dental Association, Commission on Dental Accreditation.
15. New York University
Overall Acceptance Rate: 7.4%
The NYU College of Dentistry boasts of being the third oldest and the largest dental school in the United States, training nearly 10 percent of our nation’s dentists.
To be accepted by this dental school, you will need a bachelor’s degree OR a GPA of 3.5 and 90+ credits. You will also need 100 hours of shadowing (i.e observing a working dentist) and three individual letters of evaluation. You will also need a DAT score of 21, making it join the list of dental schools with lowest GPA requirements.
Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education, American Dental Association, Commission on Dental Accreditation.
16. University of Tennessee Health Science center
Overall Acceptance Rate: 7.2%
The UTHSC College of Dentistry embraces the value of diversity in dental education. The University of Tennessee College of Dentistry is the dental school of the University of Tennessee. It is in Memphis, Tennessee, United States.
This college has facilities that are part of the University of Tennessee Health Science Center. The college has a four-year program and approximately 320 students.
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, American Dental Association, Commission on Dental Accreditation.
17. Indiana University
Overall Acceptance Rate: 7%
The Indiana University School of Dentistry (IUSD) is the dental school of Indiana University. It is located on the Indiana University – Purdue University Indianapolis campus in downtown Indianapolis. It is the only dental school in Indiana. The University is also among the easiest dental schools with the lowest GPA Requirements for Indiana students.
Accreditation: American Dental Association, Commission on Dental Accreditation.
18. University of Texas at Houston
Overall Acceptance Rate: 6.6%
UT Dentists is the multidisciplinary faculty practice of UTHealth School of Dentistry at Houston. They have expert general dentists, specialists, and dental hygienists who care for patients with every type of dental problem.
What’s interesting is that their UT Dentists providers also teach at the School of Dentistry and are tuned in to the newest approaches in dentistry.
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, American Dental Association, Commission on Dental Accreditation.
19. UT Health San Antonio
Overall Acceptance Rate: 6.6%
The University of Texas Health San Antonio School of Dentistry is sometimes called the Dental School at the University of Texas Health Science Center. It is located in San Antonio and is one of three dental schools in the state of Texas.
The following are the minimum admission standard for the DDS program:
- GPA of 2.8
- DAT of 17
- At least 90 total hours of course credit.
- Grade of C or higher for all required courses.
- Shadowing for Multiple offices
- Healthcare-related Community Service.
- 2 Letters of Recommendation or HPE packet
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, American Dental Association, Commission on Dental Accreditation.
20. University of Florida
Overall Acceptance Rate: 6.33%
The last school on our list of dental schools with the lowest GPA requirements is the University of Florida College of Dentistry, it is one of the top dental schools in the United States, and its dental specialties are ADA recognized. This school is also a recipient of the Higher Education Excellence in Diversity Award for six consecutive years.
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, American Dental Association, Commission on Dental Accreditation.
20 Dental Schools With Lowest GPA Requirements (Recap)
This is the summary of the top 20 easiest dental schools to get into and there acceptance rate.
| 1 | University of Mississippi | 31.85% |
| 2 | East Carolina University | 13.75% |
| 3 | University of Missouri – Kansas City | 11.7% |
| 4 | Ohio State University | 11% |
| 5 | Augusta University | 10% |
| 6 | University of Puerto Rico | 10% |
| 7 | LSU Health Sciences Center | 10% |
| 8 | University of Minnesota | 9.28% |
| 9 | University of Alabama, Birmingham | 9.16% |
| 10 | Southern Illinois university | 8.66% |
| 11 | University of Detroit – Mercy | 8.3% |
| 12 | University of Iowa | 8.05% |
| 13 | University of Oklahoma | 8% |
| 14 | Medical University of Southern Carolina | 8% |
| 15 | New York University | 7.89% |
| 16 | University of Tennessee Health Science center | 7.4% |
| 17 | Indiana University | 7.2% |
| 18 | The University of Texas at Houston | 7% |
| 19 | UT Health San Antonio | 6.6% |
| 20 | The University of Florida. | 6.33% |
What To Know About The Dental Admission Test Score (DAT)
The DAT – Dental Admission Test is a compulsory exam taken by any student aspiring for any dental college.
The DAT last for 4.5 hours and covers the following sections.
- Survey of the natural sciences: This is a 100-question section on biology and chemistry.
- Perceptual ability: This involves a 90-question section on spatial reasoning.
- Reading comprehension: This is a 50-question section on general topics.
- Quantitative reasoning: This is a 40-question section on statistics, data analysis, algebra, and probability.
- To pass the DAT, you’ll need to prepare properly and ahead of time.
If you don’t pass on the first try, you’ll have two more chances after 90 days. A DAT score of at least 19 appeals to most dental schools.
For more information about dentists, including information on accredited dental schools and state boards of dental examiners, visit:
American Dental Association Commission on Dental Accreditation.
For information about admission to dental schools, visit:
American Dental Education Association.
For more information about general dentistry or a specific dental specialty, you can visit the following:
- American Academy of PediatPeriodontology
- Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Conclusion
Dentists are professionals that diagnose and treat problems associated with the teeth, gums, and related parts of the mouth. They provide advice and instruction on taking care of the teeth and gums and on diet choices that affect oral health. It is a respectable profession that everyone enjoys.
However getting admitted to any dental college is quite difficult, especially with the issue of low GPA, that’s why we’ve created this piece on 20 dental schools with the lowest GPA requirements.
We hope this list helps solve your problems relating to easy paths in getting admitted into any dental college.
