Program Overview

Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) Program

The Doctor of Dental Surgery degree program offers a course of instruction that includes basic sciences, behavioral sciences, preclinical sciences, and clinical sciences. The instruction in basic and preclinical sciences and initial clinical experiences are the primary focus in the first two years of study, with more emphasis placed on clinical sciences during the latter two years.

Essential Skills for Dentists and Dental Hygienists

To be successful, dentists and dental hygienists must demonstrate cognitive skills in critical and logical/analytical thinking. Dentists and dental hygienists must demonstrate psychomotor skills (fine motor dexterity and coordination) and observational skills (vision, hearing, and tactile abilities) sufficient to master the clinical procedures essential in treating dental disease.

Expenses

• Tuition: Attendance during any part of an academic year will require payment of the entire tuition, subject to the refund provisions. Tuition for each academic year is due at the time of registration. Tuition and fees are subject to change according to the actions of the UTHealth Houston or UT System Board of Regents. Changes become effective when enacted.
• Required School and Program Fees, and Course and Lab Fees: UTSD has required school- and program-specific fees, as well as course and lab fees.
• Graduation Fee: A fee of $150 is required for all dental students; DDS students are assessed this fee in their 4th year.
• Professional Liability Insurance Fee: DDS students' Professional Liability Insurance fee is $25 annually.
• Student Services Fee: The Student Services fee is required of all students.

Educational Requirements for Doctor of Dental Surgery (D.D.S.)

• Applicants must have completed a minimum of 90 semester hours (or 134 quarter hours) at a regionally accredited US or Canadian college or university.
• All undergraduate course requirements listed must have been completed at a regionally accredited US or Canadian university/college. Foreign coursework will not count towards meeting any of the prerequisites, even if transfer credit has been given for them by a US or Canadian school.
• Each required course must be completed with a grade of C or better. Courses taken Pass/Fail or Credit/No Credit will not count towards meeting the requirement.

Undergraduate Course Requirements

• Biological Sciences: 14 semester hours (12 semester hours of lecture & 2 semester hours of formal lab) or 21-quarter hours (18 quarter lecture hours & 3-quarter lab hours) of Biological Science are required.
• General Chemistry: 8 semester hours or 12 quarter hours of General (Inorganic) Chemistry, as required for college science majors, including the corresponding laboratory experience, are required.
• Organic Chemistry: 8 semester hours or 12 quarter hours of Organic Chemistry, as required for college science majors, including the corresponding laboratory experience, are required.
• Biochemistry: 3 semester hours or 5-quarter hours of Biochemistry are required.
• Physics: 8 semester hours or 12-quarter hours of Physics, as required for college science majors, including the corresponding laboratory experience, are required.
• English: 6 semester hours or 9-quarter hours of college English are required.
• Statistics: 3 semester hours or 5-quarter hours of Statistics are required.

Dental Admission Test

In addition to the scholastic admissions requirements, all candidates must take the Dental Admission Test (DAT). The DAT should be taken in the spring of the year in which the application is initiated.

Procedure and Criteria for Dental School Admissions

The Dental Admissions Committee at UTSD is composed of faculty members, student members, and ex officio members. The Dental Admissions Committee considers, selects, and recommends to the Dean applicants for admission to the D.D.S. program.

Application and Acceptance Procedures

UTSD applications may be made through the TMDSAS or the Associated American Dental Schools Application Service. Application is preferred through TMDSAS and is required of Texas resident applicants.

Transfer and Advanced Standing Applicants

UTSD classifies "transfer" students as applicants currently enrolled in good standing in dental schools accredited by the American Dental Association and "advanced" standing applicants as graduates of dental schools not accredited by the American Dental Association.

Readmission

A student who voluntarily withdraws or is dismissed from the dental program and subsequently applies for readmission will be considered on an individual basis by the Dental Admissions Committee.

Curriculum

The dental curriculum has been designed to maximize the student's learning experience. There is an intentional integration of the various disciplines to aid the student in assimilating the knowledge base necessary for developing a sound decision-making process and the required technical skills in dentistry.

Courses of Instruction/Description

An eight-character number identifies courses of instruction. The first four characters indicate the type of course and semester. The first digit indicates the year, the second and third digits indicate the department and section, and the last digit is a unique number assigned to each course in the respective department and section.

Academic Standards

Grading System

• Passing: Final course grades are numerical. A grade of 70 or above is considered passing; students must obtain a passing grade in every course. An overall average of 76 for all coursework each year must be maintained for promotion and graduation.
• Failing: A course grade of 69 or below is considered failing. Failure of any course during any semester or failure to maintain a passing status may result in repetition of a course, repetition of an academic year, dismissal, or other action.

Examinations

Clinical, laboratory, and course examinations may be administered each semester to provide both students and faculty the opportunity to evaluate the student's level of achievement.

Graduation Requirements

To be eligible for graduation, a student must complete the following requirements:

• Successfully Completed the School of Dentistry curriculum as validated by the departments, the Student Evaluation and Promotion Committees, and the Administration of all courses and clinical procedures.
• Maintenance of a minimum cumulative grade average of 76 for didactic courses.
• Maintenance of a minimum cumulative grade average of 76 for preclinical laboratory courses.
• Maintenance of a minimum cumulative grade average of 76 for clinical courses.
• Satisfactory completion of all required competency examinations.
• Satisfactory completion of all extramural rotations.
• Satisfactory completion of a minimum of four semester hours of Electives and satisfactory completion of two School of Dentistry Continuing Dental Education Courses.
• Pass the Integrated National Board Dental Examination.
• Payment of all outstanding fees, Graduation Fee and return of all loaned equipment.
• Sustained record of satisfactory moral, professional, and ethical behavior.