The University of Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry, founded in 1932, is one of the oldest private dental schools in Michigan and a significant dental workforce training institution in the Great Lakes region. Located in Detroit, Michigan, and rooted in the Jesuit-Mercy tradition of service and social justice, the school operates a large on-campus dental clinic serving a diverse urban patient population, including many patients with limited access to dental care. UDM Dentistry is known for its comprehensive clinical training, strong community health mission, and a location in one of the United States' most historically significant but healthcare-challenged cities.
What makes it different
Applications via ADEA AADSAS. Detroit Mercy's Jesuit-Mercy mission makes it distinctive among dental schools — applicants with a genuine commitment to serving underserved communities, particularly urban Detroit, are strongly favored. The school's large clinical volume in a medically underserved urban setting provides exceptional breadth of patient care. UDM Dentistry's location in Detroit means students encounter complex socioeconomic and oral health access challenges throughout training.
Course & teaching
Integrated curriculum. 4-year DDS curriculum with pre-clinical simulation in Years 1–2 and comprehensive patient care in Years 3–4 at UDM's large on-campus dental clinic serving Detroit. Community rotations place students in underserved Detroit-area health centers. The school's Jesuit-Mercy mission is integrated throughout the curriculum via service-learning and ethics education. Research opportunities available through affiliated UDM Health Sciences programs.
Research strengths
University of Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry (DDS) has notable research strength in Community oral health, Dental public health, Oral-systemic health disparities, Dental materials, Oral biology.
Interview
University of Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry (DDS) interviews via Traditional one-on-one and/or panel interview with faculty. The University of Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry conducts traditional faculty interviews at its Detroit campus. Interview days typically include 30–45 minute one-on-one or small panel sessions with faculty and/or current students assessing motivation for dentistry, understanding of oral health access issues in urban Detroit, manual dexterity self-awareness, and alignment with Detroit Mercy's Jesuit-Mercy mission of service to the underserved. Candidates tour the school's pre-clinical simulation labs and on-campus dental clinic, and interact with current DDS students. As a Jesuit-Mercy institution, interviewers value evidence of community service and a genuine commitment to addressing health disparities in underserved urban communities. Rolling post-interview decisions are typically issued within 4–8 weeks.
Intake
Approximately 145–150 students per year.
At a glance
Founded in 1932, based in Detroit, MI. Programmes offered: General Dentistry, Orthodontics, Pediatric Dentistry, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Community Oral Health.
