Indiana University School of Dentistry sits on the IUPUI campus in Indianapolis. It is the only dental school in Indiana, and one of the largest in the United States. It was founded in 1879. IUSD trains about 104 to 106 DDS students a year, with a strong emphasis on clinical competence, community oral health, and postgraduate specialty training.
Patient volume is high, at over 200,000 visits a year, which gives students broad clinical exposure. Sharing a campus with IU School of Medicine creates interprofessional health education opportunities.
What makes Indiana University School of Dentistry (DDS) different
IUSD is the only dental school in Indiana and has one of the largest dental school clinical volumes in the United States, with over 200,000 patient visits per year. The school offers DDS, advanced education, and research programs, and its comprehensive specialty programs across orthodontics, oral surgery, endodontics, periodontics, prosthodontics, and pediatric dentistry make it a genuine academic dental center.
IUSD also operates community dental clinics across Indiana.
Indiana University School of Dentistry (DDS) course & teaching
Integrated curriculum. 4-year DDS curriculum with integrated biomedical sciences and early clinical exposure. High patient volume from Year 2 at IUSD's Indianapolis clinic. Community rotation sites across Indiana in Years 3–4. Advanced specialty programs available for post-DDS residents.
Indiana University School of Dentistry (DDS) research strengths
Indiana University School of Dentistry (DDS) is strong in these research areas:
- Oral biology
- Biomedical informatics and dental data
- Craniofacial biology
- Biomaterials
- Community oral health
How the Indiana University School of Dentistry (DDS) interview runs
Format: Traditional one-on-one faculty interview
IUSD interview day typically includes one or two traditional one-on-one sessions with faculty, each approximately 30–45 minutes, plus a clinic tour and program overview. As the only dental school in Indiana, IUSD interviewers probe applicants' connection to the state and commitment to addressing Indiana's oral health needs.
Questions cover manual dexterity experience, oral-systemic health, ADA ethics scenarios, understanding of Indiana's dental access challenges in rural and urban underserved communities, and career goals.
Indiana University School of Dentistry (DDS) intake
Approximately 104–106 students per year.
Indiana University School of Dentistry (DDS) at a glance
Founded in 1879. Based in Indianapolis, IN.
Programmes offered:
- Orthodontics
- Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
- Periodontics
- Endodontics
- Pediatric Dentistry