Doctor of Dental Surgery Program

The University of Washington School of Dentistry curriculum provides students with opportunities to learn the fundamental principles significant to the entire body of dental knowledge. Students are expected to learn fundamentals of basic health sciences, to attain proficiency in clinical skills, to develop an understanding of professional and ethical principles, and to develop reasoning and critical decision-making skills that will enable implementation of the dental knowledge base.

The first year is divided among lecture, laboratory and preclinical activities in basic sciences, dental anatomy, occlusion and dental materials. In the second year students will develop additional preclinical skills, learn how basic science principles are applied to the clinical setting and begin clinical patient treatment. In the third and fourth years, students concentrate on providing clinical treatment, attend lectures that refine technical and diagnostic skills, and participate in electives and rotations.

Students are required to take one elective in each of the third and fourth years. Electives are chosen by students from courses offered by all departments, including opportunities in independent study, research, seminars on various topics, and specialty clinical topics.

The educational program is enriched by the School's strong commitment to research and the presence of a Regional Clinical Dental Research Center, a Comprehensive Center for Oral Health Research, and a fellowship research training program for predoctoral students. The Regional Clinical Dental Research Center is one of two funded in the nation and its mission is to foster clinically relevant research that will advance dentistry's knowledge base, improve patient care, and promote oral health. State of the art clinical research facilities are available for faculty and student use.

The Four-Year Curriculum Our D.D.S. curriculum extends for forty-two months or fourteen quarters, including two summer quarters. Twelve of the academic year quarters are ten weeks of instruction, one week of examination, while the two required summer quarters following years two and three are each nine weeks long. Students may be allowed additional time to complete required course work.

DDS Admissions Requirements

To be considered for admission to our School you will need to have completed the following requirements:

• Classified as a U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident.
• Have taken the Dental Admission Test by the October 31st deadline.
• Completed the required courses listed prior to matriculation.

* The required courses must be lecture rather than lab courses. For information on course equivalencies for Washington Community and Technical Colleges, please visit the Equivalency Guide for Washington Community and Technical Colleges for specific information on determining your course equivalency with the University of Washington.

We do not select or give preference to a particular undergraduate major field; in fact, our Admissions Committee encourages diversity in majors. Courses in the social sciences and the humanities are also important and are reviewed by the Committee.

Although a majority of students have baccalaureate degrees, students with outstanding academic qualifications may be considered for admission after only three years.

As a member of our entering class, you'll be one of 55 students. The School is committed to diversity within the dental school student body and the dental community.

Admissions Timeline

Residency for DDS Students

Priority for admission to the School of Dentistry is given to Washington State Residents. Preference is given for selection of applicants in the following order: Washington state residents, WICHE state residents, and, lastly, residents of other states.

The School of Dentistry is a state supported institution and participates in the student exchange program provided by the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE) which supports students from western states without dental schools (Alaska, Arizona, Hawaii, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, and Wyoming). Although all applications are carefully reviewed, preference in admission is given to residents of Washington and WICHE states. Visit the WICHE program website for more information.

For additional information regarding Washington State Residency requirements and classification, please visit the Residency Classification Office website.

Equal Opportunity Statement

The University of Washington, as a standing policy, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, or status as a disabled veteran or Vietnam era veteran. Any discriminatory action can be a cause for disciplinary action. This policy applies to all University programs and facilities including, but not limited to, admissions, educational programs, employment, and patient and hospital services. Such discrimination is prohibited by Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Sections 503 and 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Age Discrimination in Employment Act Amendments of 1978, Vietnam Era Veteran's Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974, other federal and state statutes and regulations, and University policy. Coordination of the compliance efforts of the University of Washington with respect to all of these laws and regulations is under the direction of the Equal Employment Officer:

Cheryl Angeletti-Harris
Assistant Vice Provost for Equal Opportunity Equal Opportunity Office (EOO)
4045 Brooklyn Avenue NE, Room 234
Seattle, WA 98105
Direct Line: (206) 543-2624
Fax: (206) 685-3885