The Arizona School of Dentistry and Oral Health (ASDOH), founded in 2003 as part of A.T. Still University, is a private dental school in Mesa, Arizona, known for its innovative community-based dental education model. ASDOH was founded with a mission to train dentists to serve underserved populations and operate in community health settings.
Students complete significant portions of their clinical training at federally qualified health centers and community dental clinics, distinguishing ASDOH from traditional dental schools.
What makes Arizona School of Dentistry and Oral Health (DMD) different
Applications via ADEA AADSAS. ASDOH's community-based model is its defining feature: students spend significantly more clinical time in FQHCs and underserved settings than at a traditional on-campus clinic. The school's ATSU affiliation provides interprofessional education opportunities alongside osteopathic medicine, physician assistant, and allied health students.
Arizona School of Dentistry and Oral Health (DMD) course & teaching
Integrated curriculum. 4-year DMD curriculum built around community-based clinical education. Years 3–4 include extended rotations at federally qualified health centers (FQHCs), tribal health clinics, and rural dental sites across the Southwest. The curriculum integrates oral-systemic health and interprofessional education with other ATSU health professions programs in Mesa.
Arizona School of Dentistry and Oral Health (DMD) research strengths
Arizona School of Dentistry and Oral Health (DMD) is strong in these research areas:
- Oral health disparities
- Community dentistry
- Oral-systemic health
- Access to care
- Cultural competency in dental care
How the Arizona School of Dentistry and Oral Health (DMD) interview runs
Format: Interview day with a group exercise, an individual panel interview and an MMI of three timed stations with a standardized patient (2025–26)
ASDOH's interview day, as described for the 2025–26 cycle, has three parts: a group exercise in which applicants discuss a scenario, an individual panel interview, and a Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) of three timed, independent stations with a standardized patient. In-person interview days are held at the Mesa, Arizona campus, and a separate interview schedule runs entirely on Zoom.
Interviewers probe commitment to community-based dentistry, understanding of oral health disparities in underserved populations (including tribal communities in Arizona), manual dexterity experiences, and the oral-systemic health connection. ASDOH's distinctive community-based model means interviewers look for genuine interest in non-traditional practice settings beyond private practice.
Arizona School of Dentistry and Oral Health (DMD) intake
Approximately 78 students per year (ASDOH Fast Facts average class size).
Where Arizona School of Dentistry and Oral Health (DMD) is
Arizona School of Dentistry and Oral Health at A.T. Still University was founded in 2003 and is based in Mesa, AZ.
Programmes offered:
- Community Dentistry
- Pediatric Dentistry
- Oral Medicine
- Public Health Dentistry
- Oral-Systemic Health