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Step-by-step: entry requirements, DAT prep, personal statement, interview format and the key deadlines.
Open the guide →Format breakdown, school-specific sample questions, FAQs and prep tips from tutors who interviewed here.
Read the guide →Indiana University School of Dentistry, located on the IUPUI campus in Indianapolis, is the only dental school in Indiana and one of the largest dental schools in the United States. Founded in 1879, IUSD trains approximately 104–106 DDS students per year with strong emphasis on clinical competence, community oral health, and postgraduate specialty training. The school's high patient volume — over 200,000 visits annually — provides broad clinical exposure, and co-location with IU School of Medicine creates interprofessional health education opportunities.
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.
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) has notable research strength in Oral biology, Biomedical informatics and dental data, Craniofacial biology, Biomaterials, Community oral health.
Indiana University School of Dentistry (DDS) interviews via 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.
Approximately 104–106 students per year.
Founded in 1879, based in Indianapolis, IN. Programmes offered: Orthodontics, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Periodontics, Endodontics, Pediatric Dentistry.
IUSD's clinical volume is genuinely extraordinary — emphasize your commitment to building clinical skills through high patient contact. Indiana residency is a significant advantage as the only dental school in the state. The IUSD-IU Medicine co-location is a real interprofessional education asset — show interest in the oral-systemic health curriculum integration. Out-of-state applicants should demonstrate a specific and genuine reason for choosing IUSD.
Two questions our tutors flagged as a strong fit for Indiana University School of Dentistry (DDS)’s interview style. Try answering them out loud, then open Prometheus for the model answers and follow-up tips.
Midway through what you expected to be a routine extraction as a general dentist, the case becomes far more complex than anticipated, with a root tip displaced toward the maxillary sinus. You have not managed this before. What are your ethical obligations regarding scope of practice and competence, and how does this connect to nonmaleficence?
Likely follow-up · How does the ADA Code address practicing within the limits of your competence?
A classmate preparing for the Integrated National Board Dental Examination (INBDE) tells you they have obtained what they call 'recalls' -- live, copied questions from recent administrations of the exam circulating in a private group chat -- and offers to share them with you to help you pass. They argue everyone does it and it only levels the playing field. How would you respond, and why does this matter?
Likely follow-up · Why does the integrity of a licensing exam matter beyond your individual score?
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Plan your DAT prep and AADSAS application strategy for Indiana University School of Dentistry (DDS).
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Learn moreWe've helped students turn their DAT, personal statement and interview prep into offers from Indiana University School of Dentistry (DDS) and other US dentistry schools.
