Program Overview

Dental Medicine (Professional Program: DMD)

The UIC College of Dentistry offers an innovative pre-doctoral degree program, the Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD). The program is designed to graduate oral health professionals with strong competencies in health promotion and disease prevention, diagnosis, evidence-based practice, communication, collaboration, and community engagement. This is a full-time, year-round four-year program with a fall term start. The program spans four years and includes an extramural clinical experience in the fourth year.

Admission Requirements

• Prior Degree: Baccalaureate degree conferred no later than June of the matriculation year. Must be from an accredited United States college or university located in the U.S.; any additional degrees listed on the dental school application must be posted no later than June of the matriculation year.
• Prerequisite Courses: Applicants should complete all required coursework with a grade of C or better from an accredited U.S. college or university by June of the matriculation year. There are no limitations on community college work, but it is recommended that most work be completed at a four-year institution.
  • Chemistry: 14 semester hours (21 quarter hours), with at least 4 semester hours in Organic Chemistry (6 quarter hours)
  • Biological Science: 6 semester hours (9 quarter hours)
  • Physics: 6 semester hours (9 quarter hours)
  • English: 6 semester hours (9 quarter hours)
  • Biochemistry: 1 course (no lab required)
  • All dental school prerequisite science courses must include labs. This does not apply to elective science courses. Advanced Placement (AP) courses are not accepted as course requirements. However, if basic level chemistry, biology, or physics courses requirements are met with AP credit, students may take the specific number of credit hours in each area from upper-level science courses (preferably at a four-year university).
  • English AP credit coursework can be satisfied by enrolling in 6 hours of upper-level literature, advanced composition, or intensive writing classes.
• Recommended Courses: To be competitive, applicants are encouraged to take three to four upper-level courses from the list of advanced science classes (lab not required but encouraged where possible):
  • Human Anatomy
  • Human Physiology
  • Histology
  • Microbiology
  • Cell Biology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Immunology
  • Genetics
• Tests Required: Dental Admission Test (DAT) required. It is strongly suggested that applicants complete this test prior to the year they wish to enter school. DAT scores can only be accepted if the test is taken within two years prior to application submission. The DAT can be taken up to three times, but candidates must wait 90 days between exams. There is no current minimum DAT score required to apply.
• Grade Point Average: The UIC College of Dentistry does not have a minimum GPA required to apply.
• Letters of Recommendation: Three letters required. The college strongly recommends submitting two academic references, preferably from two science professors. A third letter from a dental professional (non-relative) that an applicant shadows is highly preferred. Letters will only be accepted electronically.
• Shadowing: Applicants to the UIC College of Dentistry are expected to demonstrate passion for the field. This is often obtained through shadowing experiences and exposure to dentistry. Students often shadow a variety of dentists, including general practitioners. It is recommended that applicants obtain 100 or more United States dental practice shadowing hours at the time of application submission.
• Community Service/Volunteer Work: The UIC College of Dentistry prides itself on serving the underserved. Applicants are expected to have obtained a variety of experiences, including community service and volunteer work.
• Research: Students are encouraged to become exposed to research where possible.
• Illinois Residency: Preference will be given to residents of Illinois.
• Visa Status: The College of Dentistry accepts applications from students who currently live in the U.S. and hold a valid visa status.
• Application: Students apply using the AADSAS application. The application deadline is December 1. Applicants must also submit the UIC DMD supplemental application and pay the $85 application fee.

Degree Requirements

• Minimum Semester Hours Required: 212.
• Coursework: | Course List Code | Title | Hours | | --- | --- | --- | | D1 Fall (21 Hours) | | | | DAOB 311 | Applied Oral and Behavioral Sciences I | | | DBCS 311 | Biomedical and Clinical Sciences in Dentistry I | | | D1 Spring (18 Hours) | | | | DAOB 312 | Applied Oral and Behavioral Sciences II | | | DBCS 314 | Biomedical and Clinical Sciences in Dentistry II | | | D2 Summer (20 Hours) | | | | DAOB 321 | Applied Oral and Behavioral Sciences III | | | DBCS 321 | Biomedical and Clinical Sciences in Dentistry III | | | D2 Fall (20 Hours) | | | | DAOB 322 | Applied Oral and Behavioral Sciences IV | | | DBCS 324 | Biomedical and Clinical Sciences in Dentistry IV | | | D2 Spring (19 Hours) | | | | DAOB 323 | Applied Oral and Behavioral Sciences V | | | DBCS 327 | Biomedical and Clinical Sciences in Dentistry V | | | D3 Summer (20 Hours) | | | | DAOB 331 | Applied Oral and Behavioral Sciences VI | | | DIT 331 | Integrated Topics in Dentistry I | | | DOST 331 | Oral/Systemic Topics in Dentistry I | | | D3 Fall (20 Hours) | | | | DAOB 332 | Applied Oral and Behavioral Sciences VII | | | DIT 332 | Integrated Topics in Dentistry II | | | DOST 332 | Oral/Systemic Topics in Dentistry II | | | D3 Spring (20 Hours) | | | | DAOB 333 | Applied Oral and Behavioral Sciences VIII | | | DIT 333 | Integrated Topics in Dentistry III | | | DOST 333 | Oral/Systemic Topics in Dentistry III | | | D4 Summer (18 Hours) | | | | DAOB 341 | Applied Oral and Behavioral Sciences IX | | | DIT 341 | Integrated Topics in Dentistry IV | | | DCLE 341 | Community Learning Experience in Dentistry I | | | DOSI 341 | Oral/Systemic Issues in Dentistry I | | | D4 Fall (18 Hours) | | | | DAOB 342 | Applied Oral and Behavioral Sciences X | | | DIT 342 | Integrated Topics in Dentistry V | | | DCLE 342 | Community Learning Experience in Dentistry II | | | DOSI 342 | Oral/Systemic Issues in Dentistry II | | | D4 Spring (18 Hours) | | | | DAOB 343 | Applied Oral and Behavioral Sciences XI | | | DIT 343 | Integrated Topics in Dentistry VI | | | DCLE 343 | Community Learning Experience in Dentistry III | | | DOSI 343 | Oral and Systemic Issues in Dentistry III |