Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) Program

Description

The goal of the program is to graduate dentists who have a foundation in the scientific and biologic basis of dentistry, who are sensitive to the needs, values, and attitudes of the individual patient and to the community at large, and who possess a variety of diagnostic, therapeutic, and health promotion skills for the delivery of patient care.

This goal is accomplished by a patient-centered educational approach in which biomedical, clinical and behavioral sciences provide the basis for the application of knowledge and skills to patient care.

Academic Policies Handbook

*Handbook is subject to change based on ongoing review.

Admissions Process Overview

  1. Fulfill all academic prerequisites 
  2. Take the Dental Admission Test (DAT) and send scores directly from the Dental Association (either American or Canadian)
  3. AADSAS Application: Apply through the Associated American Dental Schools Application Service (AADSAS) including submission of all official transcripts, DAT scores and letters of recommendation. Once your AADSAS application is received by the Office of Dental Admissions, an acknowledgement will be sent to you via email
  4. Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry Supplemental Application: Submit a passport size (2"x2") photo with your signature on the back (for identification purposes), and a supplemental non-refundable application fee of $125.00 (U.S. funds), made payable to "Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry" by money order or certified check.
  5. Contact the Office of Dental Admissions to follow up on your application.

Please send all admission questions to: dental@udmercy.edu

Admission Process Details

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    Academic Prerequisites

    Academic preparation must include the following specific requirements, both in time and in credit hours (Please note, eight semester hours in science and six semester hours in English are generally equivalent to a one-year course): Prerequisites that are older than 5 years at the time of application are advised to retake the courses, preferably at a 4-year institution.

    Chemistry:

    • Eight semester hours (12 quarter hours) of inorganic or general chemistry with laboratory.
    • Eight semester hours (12 quarter hours) of organic chemistry with laboratory.

    Biology:

    • Eight semester hours (12 quarter hours) of general biology or zoology with laboratory.
    • Additional courses strongly encouraged include: anatomy, physiology, and statistics.

    Physics:

    • Eight semester hours (12 quarter hours) with laboratory.
    • Sufficient prerequisite mathematics should be taken as well as high school physics.

    English:

    • Six semester hours (9-quarter hours).
    • First-year college courses in composition will satisfy the requirement.
    • Three semester hours of credit in literature may be used to satisfy part of this requirement if the course description confirms that writing was integral to the course.

    Biochemistry:

    • Three or four semester hours (2.7 quarter hours)

    Microbiology:

    • Three semester hours (2 quarter hours)

    The dental admissions committee reserves the right to modify the prerequisites when additional courses are necessary to an applicant's preparation for dental school. Grades of C or higher are expected in prerequisite courses; however, high B grades or higher are truly more competitive.

    Courses in sociology and psychology, especially human behavior are highly recommended, as are business courses. If a student wishes to strengthen his/her academic credentials, he or she should consult with predental advisors at their present college/university regarding the proper course of action. When possible, the director of Dental Admissions may be available to offer specific guidance to prospective applicants; however, all applicants are strongly advised to consult with advisors at their schools.

    Academic Achievement

    A minimum GPA in science courses of 3.0 is recommended, but GPAs of 3.5 or higher are considered more competitive. A full-time academic load (15-18 semester hours) of three or four science courses each term is encouraged, particularly during the junior and senior undergraduate years.

    Note - Canadian Students:

    Ontario Residents:

    • Credit hours (or a full-year sequence) is equivalent to U.S. 8 credit hours for science courses (i.e. biology, chemistry, organic chemistry, physics) 
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    Application

    The School of Dentistry utilizes the Associated American Dental Schools Application Services (AADSAS). This service is available to all students applying to dental schools participating in the application service. When you use AADSAS, you complete just one application. Applications are available from June through January 15 of each year. Simply visit the American Dental Education Association's (ADEA) website to submit your electronic application. A non-refundable supplemental application fee of $125.00 USD is due at the time of application and should be paid electronically. Applicants will also be asked to upload a picture of themselves.

    By agreement among American dental schools, the earliest date of acceptance is December 1. For up-to-date information, please see the American Dental Education Association’s (ADEA) application website. Applicants are accepted from December 1 until the class is filled.

    Note - Canadian Students

    Canadian students will complete the I-20 process within the first week of classes with the Office of Admissions.

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    Dental Admission Test (DAT)

    All applicants for admission are required to take the Dental Admission Test (DAT), a national standardized test. Scores from the DAT are an important component to one's application to dental school and should be recognized as such by the student. Members of an admissions committee frequently use the DAT to predict a student's success or potential failure in the school's curriculum. Additional information about the DAT can be obtained by visiting the American Dental Association's (ADA) website.

    Students are advised to take the DAT only after basic requirements in chemistry and biology have been completed. An applicant should try to achieve competitive scores of 20 or higher in each section. Retaking the DAT, with the goal of achieving more competitive scores is encouraged. DAT scores older than two years from the time of the test are not acceptable.

    The Canadian DAT is acceptable for applicants attending Canadian universities or colleges.

    DAT scores after December 31st will not be accepted.

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    Letters of Recommendation

    A composite letter of recommendation is required from the applicant's college/university preprofessional advisory committee. If no such committee exists, a minimum of two letters from science faculty within non-plant or non-environmental disciplines of biology, chemistry or physics--by whom the candidate has been instructed and earned a grade --are required. Applicants are encouraged to spend time in a dental office and are also required to have a letter from a dentist attesting to the applicant  having spent a reasonable amount of time with the practitioner exploring the dental profession. An applicant who feels that the application did not allow explanations of certain aspects of scholastic history may submit a written personal statement directly to the Office of Dental Admissions.

    General Guidelines for Letters of Recommendations: Letters of recommendation must appear on official college/university or business (dental office) letterhead. Professionally, they must include an original signature with typewritten name beneath the signature as well as professional title. Faculty should ensure the course (code, title and term) for which you were enrolled and they instructed is conveyed within the content of their letter. It is highly recommended that letters of recommendation from TAs, graduate student instructors or PhD candidates be cosigned by the course director or department chairperson.

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    Selection Factors

    The director of Dental Admissions reviews all completed applications and together with the Dental Admissions Committee selects applicants for admission to the School of Dentistry.

    Selection is based upon various components of a dental school application which may include cognitive and non-cognitive components of an application: difficulty of an undergraduate curriculum, academic performance in undergraduate studies, DAT scores, and personal characteristics and potential for success as determined by letters of recommendation, personal statements, and personal interviews, to name a few. The dental admissions committee requests an interview for the purpose of gaining information not readily gained from the application; interviews are by invitation only to academically qualified applicants.

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    Reapplication Requirements and Suggestions

    Submit your application early. American dental schools operate on a rolling admission cycle; applicants are accepted from December 1st until the class is filled. With numerous applications being received by dental schools each year, and an increased quality in those applications, dental schools have been filling their incoming classes earlier and earlier.

    Continue to enroll FULL-TIME in upper-division (graduate) biologically-based science courses (non-plant or non- environmental). If you have already obtained your BS degree, it is suggested you begin working toward a master's degree (preferably in an area of biology, basic medical sciences, or public health).

    Submit new letters of recommendation. Letters of recommendation should be submitted from current professors each year you apply.

Program Costs & Financial Aid

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    Estimated Program Costs

    Program Costs

    The following is an estimate of program costs for a dental student based upon 2023-2024 tuition and fees. Tuition and other fees are subject to annual increases and must be paid by the first Friday of each academic term. Students should anticipate annual increases in the order of four percent.

    *Financial aid, scholarships, and other funding can be used towards payment of tuition and fees.

    2023 - 2024 Academic Year

    Program Costs (In-State and Out-of-State Residents)
    Charge Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4
    Tuition

    $81,970

    $81,970

    $81,970

    $81,970

    Instrument Rental

    		 $6,400 $6,700 $6,400 $6,400

    Equipment Purchase

    		 $2,472 $1,640 $248 $262

    Dental IT Fee (Tablet/Software)

    		 $1,820 $0 $0 $0

    Clinical Technology Fee

    		 $1,131 $0 $0 $0

    Fees (ASDA Membership, ADEA Membership, Equipment Replacement, Activity Fee, Credential Fee)

    		 $416 $392 $392 $392

    Student Health Service Fee

    		 $300 $300 $300 $300

    Health Insurance (optional student plan)

    		 $3,159 $3,159 $3,159 $3,159

    Estimated Books & Supplies

    $2,800

    $2,000

    $700

    $210

    Estimated Board & Licensing Fees

    $0

    $0

    $3,050

    $1,206

    Living Expenses
    Options Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4

    Living with Parents (estimated)

    $20,012

    $20,236

    $20,254

    $20,282

    Living without Parents (estimated)

    $29,101

    $28,919

    $28,936

    $28,969

    TOTAL EXPENSES (Tuition, Fees & Housing)
    Options Year 1 Year 2  Year 3  Year 4

    Living with Parents

    $120,735

    $116,652

    $117,083

    $114,436

    Living without Parents

    $129,824

    $125,335

    $125,765

    $123,123

     

    First-, second-, and third-year students attend year round, from August-August. Fourth-year students attend August-May. The costs listed above are for the Fall and Winter Semesters. Students do not accrue any tuition costs or fees for the Summer Semester.

    All students must have health insurance coverage or must enroll in the University plan provided through Aetna Health Insurance. Fees are subject to change without notice. It is anticipated that the costs of tuition and books will increase commensurate with inflation, budget needs, or similar affecting factors. Current costs are available upon request.

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    Financial Aid

    Students may be eligible to receive Financial Aid while enrolled in this program.

    A select number of donor-funded scholarships are available annually at the School of Dentistry as well as several scholarships offered upon acceptance to the Doctor of Dental Surgery program. No application is necessary for scholarships offered at acceptance; application details for donor-funded scholarships are shared annually in the Fall Term.

Doctor of Dental Surgery Program Required Curriculum (188.5 Credits)

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    First Year

    First Year

    **Curriculum is subject to change based on accreditation requirements and ongoing review.

    Fall Term

    • DBS 8110 Gross Anatomy I, 2.5 credits
    • DBS 8121 Biomedical Sciences I - Microbiology & Immunology, 2.5 credits
    • DBS 8122 Biomedical Sciences II - Cellular & Molecular Biology, 4 credits
    • DBS 8123 Biomedical Sciences III - Orofacial Complex, 3 credits
    • DENT 8100 Dental School 101 - First Year Seminar, 0 credits (P/F)
    • DENT 8001 Practice Essentials & Interprofessional Education Module I, 2 credits
    • DCS 8101 Oral Health, 2 credits
    • DCS 8102 Diseases & Prevention, 1.5 credits
    • DCS 8103 Traditional Direct Restorative Dentistry, 2 credits
    • DCS 8111 Simulation Clinic I, 3.5 credits (P/F)
    • DSD 8140 Foundations of Evidence-Based Dentistry, 1 credit

    Winter Term

    • DBS 8124 Biomedical Sciences IV - Structural & Nervous Systems, 3.5 credits
    • DBS 8125 Biomedical Sciences V - Blood, Cardiovascular System, & Renal System, 3.5 credits
    • DBS 8126 Biomedical Sciences VI - Lymphatic & Respiratory Systems, 3 credits
    • DBS 8127 Biomedical Sciences VII - Endocrine & Reproductive Systems, 2 credits
    • DBS 8140 Gross Anatomy II, 4 credits
    • DCS 8201 Oral Health II, 2 credits
    • DCS 8202 Disease & Prevention II, 2 credits
    • DCS 8203 Adhesive Direct Restorative Dentistry, 1.5 credits
    • DCS 8211 Simulation Clinic II, 2.5 credits (P/F)
    • DENT 8002 Practice Essentials & Interprofessional Education Module II, 2 credits
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    Second Year

    Second Year

    **Curriculum is subject to change based on accreditation requirements and ongoing review.

    Summer Term

    • DBS 8220 Pharmacology I, 1.5 credits
    • DBS 8128 Biomedical Sciences VIII - Digestive System, 2.5 credits
    • DBS 8129 Biomedical Sciences IX - Current Topics & Nutrition, 2 credits
    • DBS 8130 Mock Board Review & Exam, 1 credit (P/F)
    • DOM 8220 Radiology, deferred course
    • DOS 8390 Physical Assessment, deferred course
    • DCS 8301 Indirect Restorative Dentistry, 1.5 credits
    • DCS 8302 Periodontics I, 1 credit
    • DCS 8303 Intraoral & Medical Data Collection, 0.5 credits
    • DCS 8311 Simulation Clinic III, 2 credits (P/F)
    • DENT 8003 Practice Essentials & Interprofessional Education Module III, 1 credit

    Fall Term

    • DBS 8221 Pharmacology II, 1.5 credits
    • DOD 8200 Growth & Development, 1 credit
    • DOD 8201 Orthodontics, 2 credits
    • DOM 8220 Radiology, 3 credits
    • DOM 8250 Oral Diagnosis & Radiology, 4 credits
    • DOM 8260 Oral Pathology & Radiographic Interpretation, deferred course
    • DOS 8220 Pain & Anxiety Control, 1 credit
    • DOS 8390 Physical Assessment, 2 credits
    • DENT 8004 Practice Essentials & Interprofessional Education Module IV, 2 credits
    • DCS 8401 Fixed Partial Denture, 1 credit
    • DCS 8402 Complete Denture, 2 credits
    • DCS 8403 Endodontics I, 1 credit
    • DCS 8404 Periodontics II, 1.5 credits
    • DCS 8411 Simulation Clinic IV, 2.5 credits (P/F)

    Winter Term

    • DBS 8301 Pharmacology III, 1.5 credits
    • DOD 8210 Pre-Clinical Orthodontics, 2 credits
    • DOM 8260 Oral Pathology & Radiographic Interpretation, 4 credits
    • DOM 8281 Principles of Treatment Planning & Introduction to Clinics, 2 credits
    • DOS 8340 Oral Surgery I, 1 credit
    • DPD 8201 Pediatric Dentistry I, 1 credit
    • DPE 8240 Advanced Periodontics, 1 credit
    • DENT 8005 Practice Essentials & Interprofessional Education Module V, 2 credits
    • DCS 8501 Removable Partial Dentures, 1.5 credits
    • DCS 8502 Clinical Preparation & Review, 1 credit
    • DCS 8503 Periodontics III, 2 credits
    • DCS 8511 Simulation Clinic V, 1.5 credits (P/F)
    • DSD 8230 Evidence-Based Dentistry II, 0.5 credits
    • DZD 8010 Course Evaluation, 1 credit
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    Third Year

    Third Year

    **Curriculum is subject to change based on accreditation requirements and ongoing review.

    Summer Term

    • DBS 8302 Pharmacology IV, 1.5 credits
    • DCL 8311 Comprehensive Clinical Competency I, 1 credit
    • DCL 8312 Clinical Decision-Making I, 1 credit
    • DCL 8313 Clinical Practice Management I, 1 credit
    • DCL 8314 Clinical Care Outcomes I, 1 credit
    • DOS 8310 Clinical Oral Surgery I, deferred course
    • DOS 8320 Oral Surgery II, deferred course
    • DOS 8250 Management of Medical Emergencies, 0.5 credits
    • DPD 8302 Pediatric Dentistry II, 1 credit
    • DCS 8611 Simulation Clinic VI, 2 credits (P/F)
    • DSD 8370 Clinical Service Learning, deferred course
    • DENT 8006 Practice Essentials & Interprofessional Education Module VI, 1 credit

    Fall Term

    • DCD 8340 Removable Prosthodontics, 1 credit
    • DCL 8321 Comprehensive Clinical Competency II, 2 credits
    • DCL 8322 Clinical Decision-Making II, 2 credits
    • DCL 8323 Clinical Practice Management II, 2 credits
    • DCL 8324 Clinical Care Outcomes II, 2 credits
    • DOD 8310 Clinical Orthodontics Seminar, 1.5 credits
    • DOM 8370 Oral Medicine I, 2 credits
    • DOM 8380 TMJ Pathology & Facial Pain, 1 credit
    • DOS 8310 Clinical Oral Surgery I, deferred course
    • DOS 8320 Oral Surgery II, 1.5 credits
    • DOS 8300 Applied Clinical Therapeutics, deferred course
    • DPD 8320 Clinical Pediatrics I, deferred course
    • DSD 8370 Clinical Service Learning, deferred course
    • DENT 8007 Practice Essentials & Interprofessional Education Module VII, 1 credit

     Winter Term

    • DCD 8330 Fixed Partial Denture Treatment Planning, 1 credit
    • DCL 8331 Comprehensive Clinical Competency III, 2 credits
    • DCL 8332 Clinical Decision-Making III, 2 credits
    • DCL 8333 Clinical Practice Management III, 2 credits
    • DCL 8334 Clinical Care Outcomes III, 2 credits
    • DEN 8410 Endodontics (Didactic), 1 credit
    • DOM 8430 Oral Medicine II, 2 credits
    • DOS 8310 Clinical Oral Surgery I, 1 credit
    • DOS 8300 Applied Clinical Therapeutics, 2 credits
    • DOS 8410 Topics in Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, 1 credit
    • DPD 8320 Clinical Pediatrics I, 3 credits
    • DSD 8370 Clinical Service Learning, 2 credits (P/F)
    • DSD 8400 Practice Management I, 1 credit
    • DOS 8221 Pain & Anxiety II, 1 credit
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    Fourth Year

    Fourth Year

    Summer Term

    • DCD 8430 Oral & Maxillofacial Implants, 1.5 credits
    • DCL 8411 Comprehensive Clinical Competency IV, 1 credit
    • DCL 8412 Clinical Decision-Making IV, 1 credit
    • DCL 8413 Clinical Practice Management IV, 1 credit
    • DCL 8414 Clinical Care Outcomes IV, 1 credit
    • DOS 8430 Clinical Oral Surgery II, deferred course
    • DPD 8410 Clinical Pediatrics II, deferred course
    • DSD 8410 Practice Management II, 1 credit
    • DSD 8470 Clinical Service Learning II, deferred course

    Fall Term

    • DCL 8421 Comprehensive Clinical Competency V, 2 credits
    • DCL 8422 Clinical Decision-Making V, 2 credits
    • DCL 8423 Clinical Practice Management V, 2 credits
    • DCL 8424 Clinical Care Outcomes V, 2 credits
    • DOS 8430 Clinical Oral Surgery II, deferred course
    • DPD 8410 Clinical Pediatrics II, deferred course
    • DSD 8460 Practice Management III, 1 credit
    • DOM 8421 Cone Beam Computed Tomography and 3-D Imaging, 1 credit (P/F)
    • DSD 8470 Clinical Service Learning II, deferred course
    • DSD 8430 Applied Evidence-Based Dentistry, deferred course

    Winter Term

    • DCL 8431 Comprehensive Clinical Competency VI, 2 credits
    • DCL 8432 Clinical Decision-Making VI, 2 credits
    • DCL 8433 Clinical Practice Management VI, 2 credits
    • DCL 8434 Clinical Care Outcomes VI, 2 credits
    • DOS 8430 Clinical Oral Surgery II, 1 credit
    • DPD 8410 Clinical Pediatrics II, 2 credits
    • DENT 8420 Ethical Rounds, 1 credit
    • DSD 8430 Applied Evidence-Based Dentistry, 1 credit
    • DSD 8470 Clinical Service Learning II, 3 credits (P/F)
    • DZD 8010 Course Evaluation, 1 credit

     

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