Updated
Dental School Requirements: Courses, DAT and Shadowing
Most US dental schools require a bachelor's degree or at least 90 semester hours, two semesters each of biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry and physics with labs (often plus biochemistry and English), a DAT score, dental shadowing (from no set minimum to 100 hours, depending on the school), two to four letters of evaluation and an ADEA AADSAS application. Each school sets its own exact rules.
This page takes each requirement from the source that sets it: the ADA for the DAT, ADEA for courses, letters and the application, and 11 dental schools' own admissions pages for what they actually ask. Then it shows when to do each one.
What prerequisite courses do dental schools require?
ADEA GoDental says dental schools have traditionally selected applicants with:
- “Two semesters (three quarters) of biology with lab”
- “Two semesters (three quarters) of general chemistry with lab”
- “Two semesters (three quarters) of organic chemistry with lab”
- “Two semesters (three quarters) of physics with lab”
Beyond that core, “Some dental schools require additional courses, such as English composition, and additional upper-level biology courses, such as anatomy and physiology, microbiology and biochemistry.” Also, “Some dental schools will substitute one semester of biochemistry for the second semester of organic chemistry.”
How common is each course? ADEA counted the courses US dental schools require in its Dental School Explorer. In September 2023, out of 74 schools:
So the four lab sciences are close to universal. Biochemistry and English are required at most schools but not all, and microbiology, anatomy and physiology at a minority. Some schools are adding courses: Iowa says “Microbiology is strongly recommended and will become a required prerequisite with the 2027-28 admissions cycle.” Check every school on your list, and look at the school table below for hours.
What DAT score do you need for dental school?
The Dental Admission Test is run by the American Dental Association. “All dental schools require applicants to take the DAT as a component of their admission process.” The 2026 DAT Candidate Guide says “It consists of four sections: Survey of the Natural Sciences, Perceptual Ability, Reading Comprehension, and Quantitative Reasoning.”
| DAT section | Items | Minutes |
|---|---|---|
| Survey of the Natural Sciences (biology, general and organic chemistry) | 100 | 90 |
| Perceptual Ability | 90 | 60 |
| Reading Comprehension | 50 | 60 |
| Quantitative Reasoning | 40 | 45 |
With the optional tutorial, break and survey, “The total administration time is five hours and 15 minutes”. The 2026 exam fee is $580.
How the DAT is scored
“DAT scores range from 200 to 600 in 10-point increments. Each educational program makes its own determination as to what constitutes an acceptable score. As such, there is not an official passing score for this examination.” The scale changed recently: “Effective March 1, 2025, the Examination Program implemented a new scoring system for the DAT. At that time, the DAT's 2-digit score reporting scale (1 to 30) was replaced by a 3-digit reporting scale (200 to 600).” That is why some schools still quote both, like UCLA's “Although there is no minimum score requirement, scores of 420 and above on the new score reporting scale (20 and above on the previous score reporting scale) are considered competitive for our program.”
School DAT minimums
Most schools publish no cutoff. Harvard says “HSDM does not have minimum GPA or DAT score requirements.” Some do set one: Ohio State lists “Total GPA Minimum: 3.0 - Science GPA Minimum: 3.0 - DAT AA Minimum: 370 - DAT PAT Minimum: 360 - DAT SNS Minimum: 380”, Pittsburgh says “A minimum DAT Academic Average of 410 (Formerly 19) is required”, UT Health San Antonio sets an Academic Average of 390 and Minnesota requires 330.
How old your DAT score can be
Usually two or three years, counted differently by each school. UNC says “DAT test scores must be valid and may not be more than three years old.” Harvard says “HSDM considers DAT and Canadian DAT scores valid for two years from the start of the application cycle.” Tufts says “For the 2026-2027 cycle, DAT scores are valid only if completed after June 1, 2024”
DAT retakes
The ADA's 2026 guide says “Candidates must wait 60 days between testing attempts on the DAT, with a maximum of four (4) such administrations permitted during any 12-month period.” and “Candidates with three (3) or more attempts on the DAT must apply for permission to test again”. Older advice still circulates: ADEA's timeline page says “you must wait 90 days to re-take the test. The DAT can only be taken up to three times”. The ADA runs the test, so its 2026 guide is the rule to plan around.
How many shadowing hours do dental schools require?
ADEA explains why shadowing matters: “Dental schools like to see applicants with shadowing experience, as it shows that the student has a solid grasp of what is involved in the practice of dentistry.” The required hours vary more than any other requirement. From the schools' own pages:
Shadowing hours at 11 schools, from no minimum to 100
| School | Shadowing hours |
|---|---|
| Harvard | No minimum |
| UNC | No minimum |
| UT Health San Antonio | No minimum |
| Western University (WesternU) | 30 |
| Ohio State | 40 (admitted students average about 120) |
| Iowa | 40 |
| Minnesota | 40, in person, by matriculation |
| Colorado | 50 |
| Tufts | 75, at least 40 with a general dentist |
| Michigan | 100 |
| Penn | 100, 50 in general dentistry |
A minimum is a floor, not a target. Ohio State says “every candidate must complete a minimum of 40 hours of dental experience. However, the average number of hours for students that are admitted is about 120.” Missing the minimum can end your file early. Michigan says “Applicants without this minimum number of hours will not be reviewed or considered for interview.” Where you shadow counts too. Michigan says “It is expected that the majority of dental shadowing be completed under general dentists”, and Minnesota says “Virtual shadowing hours will not be counted.” Log the dentist, dates and hours as you go, since the application asks for them.
What GPA do you need for dental school?
ADEA's data for the 2025 entering class: 13,657 applicants and 7,073 first-time enrollees. First-time enrollees averaged a 3.68 overall and 3.60 science GPA, and all applicants 3.53 and 3.42. Their DAT averages in that file are on the old 30-point scale.
Few schools publish a hard minimum. Ohio State requires a 3.0 total and science GPA. Pittsburgh says “A minimum total GPA of 3.2 is required”. Minnesota requires a 2.5 total GPA to apply, and UT Health San Antonio a 2.8 science (BCPM) GPA. Penn says “Although there is no minimum grade point average or Dental Admission Test (DAT) score requirement, special consideration will be given to candidates with overall and science grade point averages of 3.2 or higher.” For averages by school, see the average GPA for dental school. Below the averages? Read dental school with a 3.0 GPA.
How many letters of recommendation do dental schools want?
Through ADEA AADSAS: “Applicants can submit four evaluations. They have the option to submit one committee/composite letter and up to three individual letters or four individual letters.” Technically, “Letters of Evaluation (LOE) are not required to complete the ADEA AADSAS application, but most dental schools require LOEs to be complete before they can review the application.” New for 2026-27, “evaluators will be asked to respond to 13 new relationship and characteristic questions” in the letter portal. And “Reapplicants must request new letters for each cycle.”
Who writes them is set by each school. The common pattern is two science professors plus one more person, or a committee letter. Tufts wants “2 Letters of evaluation from science professors and a third letter from another evaluator, such as a dentist, community service supervisor or research mentor.” Minnesota says “Two letters must be from science or math faculty (who taught you in a lecture or lab course), with a third letter being submitted from a professional of your choice.” Penn is looser, asking for “A minimum of two letters from professors (preferably from your major course of study) or a committee letter”. Ask early, and give each writer your earliest school deadline.
How do you apply through ADEA AADSAS?
Most US dental schools take one shared application, ADEA AADSAS. For 2026-2027, “The ADEA AADSAS application cycle opens. May 12, 2026”, and “The first date you can submit your ADEA AADSAS application. June 2, 2026”. The cycle closes “February 5, 2027 at 11:59 PM ET”, but “Each dental school has its own application deadline. We suggest submitting your application during the summer”. Once your fee and transcripts arrive, “it usually takes about four to six weeks to process an application.”
Cost: “ADEA AADSAS charges $264 for the first program you apply to and $115 for each additional program.” “Some programs may have an additional supplemental fee”. Michigan, for example: “Applicants are required to pay a $75 supplemental application fee directly to the University of Michigan.” UT Health San Antonio, a Texas school, takes applications through TMDSAS instead. The application also includes the personal statement, covered in our dental school personal statement guide. A few schools add Casper, a situational judgment test (see which dental programs require Casper).
Do you need a bachelor's degree or a science major?
Not a science major. ADEA says “A specific undergraduate major is not required for acceptance to dental school; however, a good foundation in the sciences is required.” Whether you need a finished degree depends on the school.
What five schools say about a degree
Harvard says “A bachelor's degree is required prior to matriculation.” Tufts says “A degree from a four-year college is required for matriculation.” Penn says “A four-year bachelor's degree is preferred at the time of matriculation but is not required.” Colorado says “The minimum requirement for admission is 90 semester hours (or approximately 135 quarter hours) of academic coursework, but completing a bachelor's degree is strongly encouraged.” UNC accepts “Students not pursuing a degree must complete a predoctoral program of at least three years of accredited college courses (96 semester hours or 144 quarter hours).”
Requirements at 11 dental schools
Our summary of what each school publishes on its own admissions pages, read October 28, 2026. Open a school for its prerequisites, DAT, shadowing and letters, with a link to its page. Requirements change every cycle, so confirm on the school's page before you apply.
Harvard School of Dental Medicine (DMD, private, Massachusetts)
- Prerequisites:
- One year of biology with lab, a two-year chemistry sequence (inorganic, organic, biochemistry) with lab, physics and writing. Bachelor's degree required.
- DAT:
- Required. No minimum score. Scores valid for two years from the start of the cycle.
- Shadowing:
- No minimum number of hours.
- Letters:
- Three, two of them from a biology, chemistry or physics professor or a research mentor, or a committee letter.
Penn Dental Medicine (DMD, private, Pennsylvania)
- Prerequisites:
- Biology, three semesters of chemistry with labs, biochemistry, physics and English. A bachelor's degree is preferred, not required.
- DAT:
- No minimum score. For 2026-2027, scores from January 2024 or later.
- Shadowing:
- 100 hours before you apply, 50 of them in general dentistry.
- Letters:
- Two from professors, or a committee letter.
Tufts University School of Dental Medicine (DMD, private, Massachusetts)
- Prerequisites:
- 8 credits each of biology, inorganic chemistry and physics, 4 of organic chemistry, 3 of upper-level biology and 3 of biochemistry. Four-year degree required.
- DAT:
- For 2026-2027, scores from after June 1, 2024. Academic Average 420 listed as competitive.
- Shadowing:
- 75 hours, at least 40 with a general dentist.
- Letters:
- Two from science professors and a third from another evaluator, or a committee letter.
University of Michigan School of Dentistry (DDS, public, Michigan)
- Prerequisites:
- Biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry and physics with labs, plus biochemistry, microbiology, psychology, sociology and English (see the school's checklist).
- DAT:
- No minimum or cutoff. Scores older than 3 years not accepted.
- Shadowing:
- 100 hours by the time you apply.
- Letters:
- Three in total.
UCLA School of Dentistry (DDS, public, California)
- Prerequisites:
- 8 semester hours each of general chemistry, physics and biology, 6 of organic chemistry, plus English, psychology and biochemistry. At least 90 semester units.
- DAT:
- No minimum. 420 and above is competitive. Take it by December 31 and within 3 years.
- Shadowing:
- No hour minimum stated. Shadowing is part of a holistic review.
- Letters:
- At least 3, 4 recommended.
UNC Adams School of Dentistry (DDS, public, North Carolina)
- Prerequisites:
- 8 semester hours of general chemistry, 6 of organic chemistry and 3 of biochemistry, plus biology, physics and English. 96 semester hours without a degree.
- DAT:
- Scores no more than three years old. No minimum stated.
- Shadowing:
- No minimum number of hours.
- Letters:
- Not stated on the catalog page.
Ohio State College of Dentistry (DDS, public, Ohio)
- Prerequisites:
- 8 of its 12 prerequisite courses done before you apply.
- DAT:
- Minimums: Academic Average 370, Perceptual Ability 360, Total Science 380. Scores up to three years old.
- Shadowing:
- 40 hours minimum. Admitted students average about 120.
- Letters:
- At least two, one from a college faculty member.
University of Iowa College of Dentistry (DDS, public, Iowa)
- Prerequisites:
- 8 semester hours each of biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry and physics, 3 of biochemistry and 6 of English. Microbiology becomes required in 2027-28.
- DAT:
- Scores no older than 3 years. No minimum stated.
- Shadowing:
- 40 hours by the time you apply.
- Letters:
- Three individual letters or one committee letter.
University of Minnesota School of Dentistry (DDS, public, Minnesota)
- Prerequisites:
- Biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry and physics with labs, plus biochemistry, math and English (see the school's prerequisite list).
- DAT:
- Minimum Academic Average 330 to apply. From 2027-2028, scores 2 years old or newer.
- Shadowing:
- 40 hours in person by the time you start.
- Letters:
- Two from science or math faculty and a third from a professional.
University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine (DDS, public, Colorado)
- Prerequisites:
- 8 semester hours each of biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry and physics, plus microbiology, biochemistry and English. 90 semester hours minimum.
- DAT:
- No minimum or cutoff.
- Shadowing:
- 50 hours by the time you apply.
- Letters:
- Two from science instructors and one from a non-science instructor, dentist or employer, or a committee letter.
UT Health San Antonio School of Dentistry (DDS, public, Texas (applies through TMDSAS))
- Prerequisites:
- 14 semester hours of biological sciences, plus general and organic chemistry, biochemistry, physics, English and statistics.
- DAT:
- Minimum Academic Average 390. Minimum science (BCPM) GPA 2.8.
- Shadowing:
- No minimum number of hours.
- Letters:
- Three letters or a health professions packet.
When should you finish each requirement?
The order matters more than the year: courses before the DAT, the DAT before you apply, and shadowing and letters done by the time you submit. A typical path for someone applying in the 2026-2027 cycle:
The typical path, step by step
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| First and second year of college | Start the core science sequence: biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry and physics, all with labs. |
| Spring of junior year or the summer after | Take the DAT. Apply to the ADA six to eight weeks before your test date. |
| May 12, 2026 | The 2026-2027 ADEA AADSAS application opens. |
| June 2, 2026 | First day to submit. ADEA suggests applying during the summer. |
| About 4 to 6 weeks after you submit | ADEA AADSAS processes your application once your fee and transcripts arrive. |
| February 5, 2027 | The ADEA AADSAS cycle closes. Each school's own deadline is often earlier. |
After that, schools invite the applicants they want to meet. Formats differ by school, from one-on-one and panel interviews to MMIs and recorded video. Our dental school interview questions guide covers each format, and you can practice dental school interviews out loud with Confetto. Get ready to answer why dentistry, then use the school by school guides.
Sources: the ADA 2026 DAT Candidate Guide, ADEA GoDental, ADEA's required course counts, ADEA's 2025 entering class data, the ADEA AADSAS Applicant Help Center and the dental school pages linked above. Quotes are exact. The table summaries are ours. All checked October 28, 2026.
Frequently asked questions
What classes do you need to get into dental school?
ADEA says dental schools traditionally require two semesters each of biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry and physics, all with lab. Many also require biochemistry and English. Of 74 schools in ADEA's 2023 count, 55 required biochemistry and 58 English or writing.
Do all dental schools require the DAT?
Yes. The ADA says all dental schools require applicants to take the DAT. It is scored from 200 to 600 and has no official passing score. Each school decides what it accepts.
How many shadowing hours do you need for dental school?
It depends on the school. Harvard, UNC and UT Health San Antonio set no minimum, Ohio State, Iowa and Minnesota ask for 40, Colorado 50, Tufts 75, and Michigan and Penn 100. Ohio State says its admitted students average about 120.
What GPA do you need for dental school?
ADEA's 2025 data puts first-time enrollees at a 3.68 overall and 3.60 science GPA on average, and all applicants at 3.53 and 3.42. Some schools set minimums, such as 3.0 at Ohio State and 3.2 at Pittsburgh.
Do you need a bachelor's degree to go to dental school?
Not always. Harvard and Tufts require one. Penn prefers one but doesn't require it, and Colorado's minimum is 90 semester hours with a degree strongly encouraged. Check each school.
How many letters of recommendation do dental schools require?
Most schools ask for two or three. ADEA AADSAS accepts up to four: four individual letters, or one committee letter and up to three individual ones.