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US Dentistry · 2027 Entry

Howard University College of Dentistry (DDS) Dental School2027 Entry Requirements & Interview Format

Location Washington, DC, United StatesEstablished 1881Interviews (2027 entry) October 2026–March 2027Decisions (2027 entry) Rolling admissions
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Photo: Ajay Suresh · CC BY 4.0 · cropped

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Full guide

How to get into Howard University College of Dentistry (DDS) dentistry

Step-by-step: entry requirements, DAT prep, personal statement, interview format and the key deadlines.

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Interview guide

Prepare for the Howard University College of Dentistry (DDS) interview

Format breakdown, school-specific sample questions, FAQs and prep tips from tutors who interviewed here.

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Overview

About Howard University College of Dentistry (DDS)

Howard University College of Dentistry, founded in 1881, is one of the oldest dental schools in the United States and is the most prominent HBCU dental school in the country. Located on Howard University's Washington, DC campus, the college has trained more Black dentists than any other institution in US history.

Howard Dental has a deep historical and ongoing mission to train dentists who will serve Black and underserved communities, address oral health disparities, and promote dental health equity across the United States. The school benefits from Howard's position as a major research university in the nation's capital.

What makes Howard University College of Dentistry (DDS) different

Applications via ADEA AADSAS. Howard University College of Dentistry is the foremost HBCU dental school in the United States, with a 140-year history of training dentists who have served Black communities across the country. The school's Washington, DC location provides access to federal oral health policy, government health agencies, and major dental research institutions.

Howard University College of Dentistry (DDS) course & teaching

Traditional curriculum. 4-year DDS curriculum with traditional and integrated elements. Patient care begins in Year 2 at Howard's dental clinic, which serves a predominantly Black and underserved patient population in Washington, DC. Community rotation opportunities with DC community health centers and underserved neighborhood dental sites.

Howard University College of Dentistry (DDS) research strengths

Howard University College of Dentistry (DDS) is strong in these research areas:

  • Oral health disparities
  • Dental health equity
  • Oral-systemic health in Black communities
  • Periodontal disease
  • Oral cancer disparities

How the Howard University College of Dentistry (DDS) interview runs

Format: Traditional one-on-one or panel interview at Howard University campus, Washington, DC

Howard University College of Dentistry conducts traditional faculty interviews at its Washington, DC campus, typically one to two sessions of 30–45 minutes each.

As the most prominent HBCU dental school and a historic producer of Black dentists in the United States, Howard interviews strongly emphasize commitment to serving underserved communities, oral health equity, the oral-systemic health connection, and awareness of health disparities affecting Black and minority communities. Manual dexterity experience, dental shadowing, and genuine motivation for dentistry are also assessed.

The interview day includes a tour of Howard's dental facilities and an opportunity to interact with current students and faculty.

Howard University College of Dentistry (DDS) intake

Approximately 75–80 students per year.

Howard University College of Dentistry (DDS) at a glance

Founded in 1881. Based in Washington, DC.

Programmes offered:

  • General Dentistry
  • Oral Health Equity
  • Pediatric Dentistry
  • Prosthodontics
  • Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
Entry requirements

What you need to apply to Howard University College of Dentistry (DDS)

Admission overview
Bachelor's degree and DAT required. Applications via ADEA AADSAS. Howard Dental actively recruits from historically underrepresented groups in dentistry, particularly Black and minority applicants, though it welcomes applicants of all backgrounds. Dental experience, community service, and commitment to serving underserved populations are strongly valued.
GPA median
3.55 overall / 3.48 science (BCPM)
Acceptance rate
5.5%
Class size
75
In-state preference
None
CASPer
Not required
AAMC PREview
Not required
Holistic review emphasis
Community service in underserved settings, oral health equity commitment, dental experience, academic record, manual dexterity.
Notes
Estimates from publicly available ADEA AADSAS data; verify for current cycle. DAT Academic Average median approximately 18–21 (hedged). HBCU institution — strong mission to train dentists for underserved and minority communities. No formal in-state preference.
Specialities offered
General Dentistry, Oral Health Equity, Pediatric Dentistry, Prosthodontics, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

MCAT, GPA, acceptance-rate and class-size figures are taken from Howard University College of Dentistry's published admissions data. Class profiles are republished each year — confirm which entering class these numbers describe before you rely on them.

Interview

How Howard University College of Dentistry (DDS) interviews applicants

Format
Traditional one-on-one or panel interview at Howard University campus, Washington, DC
Interview window (2027 entry)
October 2026–March 2027
Decision date (2027 entry)
Rolling admissions
Post-interview chances
Approximately 35–50% post-interview (estimated).
Tutor insight
Howard Dental interviews reward applicants who can authentically speak to oral health equity, community service in underserved settings, and the specific health disparities affecting Black and minority communities. You do not need to be Black to apply to or attend Howard, but you should demonstrate genuine understanding of Howard's historical mission and commitment to health equity. Dental experience in community health settings — particularly with underserved or minority populations — is a strong differentiator. The oral-systemic health disparities angle is particularly important: know how conditions like hypertension, diabetes, and sickle cell disease affect oral health in Black communities.
Practice

Practise for your Howard University College of Dentistry (DDS) interview

PrometheusQuestion Bank485 dentistry questions inside

Interview questions matched to Howard University College of Dentistry (DDS)

Two questions our tutors flagged as a strong fit for Howard University College of Dentistry (DDS)’s interview style. Try answering them out loud, then open Prometheus for the model answers and follow-up tips.

HardPanel · MMIQ1

The Oral-Systemic Link: Diabetes and Periodontal Disease

The relationship between diabetes and periodontal disease is now recognized as bidirectional: poorly controlled diabetes increases susceptibility to periodontal disease, and severe periodontal disease may worsen glycemic control.

As a dental student entering clinical training, how do you incorporate an understanding of this bidirectional relationship into your approach to patient assessment, treatment planning, and communication with a diabetic patient who presents with active periodontal disease? How should dentists and physicians coordinate care in cases like this?

Likely follow-up · Your diabetic patient tells you their primary care doctor has never asked about their dental health. How do you approach this interdisciplinary communication gap as a dental student, and what would you do differently as a licensed dentist?

3 expert tips in Prometheus
MediumPanel · MMIQ2

Precision Hand Positioning and Fulcrums: The Foundation of Operative Technique

In operative dentistry, the fulcrum — a stable resting point for the hand or finger that anchors precision instrument movement — is one of the fundamental technical concepts that separates controlled, safe operative technique from uncontrolled movement that risks iatrogenic harm to adjacent tissues.

A well-established intraoral fulcrum allows a dentist to make precise, controlled instrument strokes while preventing unexpected slips into soft tissue. Describe your current understanding of fulcrum technique and the relationship between stable hand positioning and clinical safety, and explain how you are developing the physical habits that will support effective operative technique.

Likely follow-up · You are in a simulation lab attempting a Class I occlusal preparation on a lower molar. Your high-speed handpiece slips during a cutting stroke and nicks the buccal wall of the preparation rather than following your intended path. Walk me through your analysis of what went wrong technically and what you would do differently on the next preparation.

3 expert tips in Prometheus
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DAT & Admissions

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Interview preparation

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Sources

Where Howard University College of Dentistry (DDS)'s figures come from

Howard University College of Dentistry's official course page was opened and reconciled with this record on 15 August 2026. Figures the school does not publish on that page remain unconfirmed.

Howard University College of Dentistry (DDS) — official course page →Entry requirements, interview format and deadlines published by the school itself. The primary source for everything on this page.
FAQ

Howard University College of Dentistry (DDS) — frequently asked questions

Bachelor's degree and DAT required. Applications via ADEA AADSAS. Howard Dental actively recruits from historically underrepresented groups in dentistry, particularly Black and minority applicants, though it welcomes applicants of all backgrounds. Dental experience, community service, and commitment to serving underserved populations are strongly valued.

Apply to Howard University College of Dentistry (DDS) with confidence

We've helped students turn their DAT, personal statement and interview prep into offers from Howard University College of Dentistry (DDS) and other US dentistry schools.

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