Program Overview

Introduction to the Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) Program

The Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) program at the University of Oklahoma College of Dentistry is a four-year curriculum designed to educate and prepare students to excel as dental professionals. The program begins with foundational studies in biomedical and dental sciences, progresses to applied laboratories and simulated patient experiences, and culminates with clinical training and comprehensive patient care.

Program Structure

The four-year curriculum is structured as follows:

• First year: Patient interaction begins, accompanied by curriculum that focuses on developing a solid foundation in biomedical sciences with introduction to the various disciplines in dentistry.
• Second year: Instruction involves more hands-on exercises in which students learn to perform procedures in a laboratory or simulated (preclinical) patient environment.
• Third year: Students spend substantially more time treating patients for specific dental concerns with emphasis shifting to comprehensive management and treatment of patients.
• Fourth year: Emphasis is on comprehensive management and treatment of patients.

Admissions Requirements

To be eligible for the DDS program, applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Minimum of 90 semester hours of coursework from any accredited college or university (75 hours completed prior to application)
• Minimum 2.5 GPA for all college level work attempted
• Minimum 2.5 math and science GPA for all college level work attempted
• Dental Admissions Test (DAT) with minimum scores:
  • AA: 16 / 350
  • SNS: 16 / 360
  • BIO: 16 / 360
  • GCH: 16 / 360
  • OCH: 16 / 370
  • PAT: 16 / 340
  • QR: 16 / 360
  • RC: 16 / 320
• Subjective criteria:
  • A minimum of 100 hours of dental shadowing
  • A minimum of 100 hours of community service
• Prerequisites:
  • 16 hours | Biology, 2 labs minimum
  • 8 hours | Chemistry, labs required
  • 8 hours | Organic Chemistry, labs required
  • 3 hours | Biochemistry
  • 8 hours | Physics, labs required
  • 3 hours | Psychology
  • 6 hours | English

Program Details

• Location: Oklahoma City and Tulsa (years 3 and 4)
• Degree Acquired: Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS)
• Application Window: June September
• Deadlines/Important Dates:
  • Early Fall Interview Invitations Begin
  • September November Interviews Conducted
  • Mid-December Acceptance Communicated

What Makes This Program Unique

The University of Oklahoma College of Dentistry stands at the forefront of educating and preparing students to excel as dental professionals. The program offers comprehensive care clinics where students learn to deliver exemplary care and treatment to patients. Both dental and dental hygiene students can expect to begin their clinical experiences during their first year.