The Workman School of Dental Medicine at High Point University is a private dental school located in High Point, North Carolina, part of High Point University's expanding health sciences enterprise. The school is designed with a patient-centered, whole-person care philosophy and emphasizes community outreach, interprofessional education, and early clinical exposure. It aims to address the dental workforce needs of the Triad and Piedmont regions of North Carolina, areas with documented shortages of dental providers.
What makes it different
Applications are submitted via the school's own Slate portal, not ADEA AADSAS, and the DAT is not required. The Workman School is among the newest US dental schools — announced in 2021, it enrolled its inaugural DMD class of 60 in fall 2024 after CODA initial accreditation in August 2023 — giving it a distinctive emphasis on innovation, interprofessional education, and whole-person care. Its location in the North Carolina Triad provides meaningful community outreach opportunities in both urban and rural underserved settings.
Course & teaching
Integrated curriculum. 4-year DMD curriculum with emphasis on early patient contact, interprofessional education, and community-based dental care. Simulation training in Years 1–2 transitions to clinical patient care in Years 2–4 at HPU's on-campus clinic and affiliated community health sites across the North Carolina Piedmont.
Research strengths
Workman School of Dental Medicine at High Point University (DMD) has notable research strength in Oral-systemic health, Preventive dentistry, Community oral health, Dental education innovation, Dental workforce development.
Interview
Workman School of Dental Medicine at High Point University (DMD) interviews via Traditional one-on-one faculty and/or panel interview. High Point University School of Dental Medicine conducts traditional one-on-one or small panel interviews at its High Point, North Carolina campus. Interview days typically include a faculty interview of 30–45 minutes assessing motivation for dentistry, understanding of oral-systemic health connections, and manual dexterity awareness. Candidates also tour the school's simulation and clinic facilities and interact with current students informally. As a newer school emphasizing holistic care and community outreach, interviewers probe candidates' values around access to dental care in North Carolina's underserved communities. Post-interview rolling decisions are typically issued within 4–8 weeks.
Intake
Approximately 60 learners per cohort (inaugural class of 60 enrolled fall 2024).
At a glance
Founded in 2024, based in High Point, NC. Programmes offered: General Dentistry, Community Oral Health, Oral-Systemic Medicine, Preventive Dentistry, Dental Education.