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US Dentistry · 2027 Entry

University of Kentucky College of Dentistry (DMD) Dental School2027 Entry Requirements & Interview Format

Location Lexington, KY, United StatesEstablished 1962Interviews October–FebruaryDecisions Rolling admissions; strong Kentucky resident preference
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Full guide

How to get into University of Kentucky College of Dentistry (DMD) 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 University of Kentucky College of Dentistry (DMD) interview

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

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Overview

About University of Kentucky College of Dentistry (DMD)

The University of Kentucky College of Dentistry, located in Lexington, trains approximately 55–65 DMD students per year with a strong emphasis on Appalachian and rural Kentucky oral health. UK Dental co-locates with UK's Academic Medical Center, providing interprofessional training alongside UK medical and pharmacy students. The school has an active research enterprise in oral biology, dental materials, and community oral health, and its graduates are disproportionately likely to remain in Kentucky to practice.

What makes it different

UK College of Dentistry is one of two dental schools in Kentucky and has a particular mission focus on Appalachian oral health. Kentucky has the highest rates of tooth loss among US adults and significant dental access barriers in its rural eastern counties. UK Dental works with the UK Appalachian Regional Health program and operates community dental clinics in Eastern Kentucky, giving students hands-on experience with underserved rural populations.

Course & teaching

Integrated curriculum. 4-year DMD curriculum with integrated biomedical sciences. Clinical training at UK's Lexington campus dental clinic beginning Year 2. Community rotation sites in Eastern Kentucky Appalachian counties provide rural clinical experience in Years 3–4.

Research strengths

University of Kentucky College of Dentistry (DMD) has notable research strength in Appalachian oral health, Oral biology, Biomaterials, Community oral health disparities, Periodontal disease.

Interview

University of Kentucky College of Dentistry (DMD) interviews via Traditional one-on-one faculty interview. UK Dental interview day includes one or two traditional one-on-one sessions with faculty, each approximately 30–45 minutes, plus a clinic tour. UK interviewers place strong emphasis on applicants' awareness of Appalachian Kentucky's oral health crisis — the state has among the highest rates of tooth loss and untreated dental disease in the United States. Questions cover manual dexterity, oral-systemic health, ADA ethics, tobacco-related oral disease (highly prevalent in Appalachia), and the applicant's specific interest in serving Kentucky communities.

Intake

Approximately 55–65 students per year.

At a glance

Founded in 1962, based in Lexington, KY. Programmes offered: General Dentistry, Pediatric Dentistry, Orthodontics, Periodontics, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery.

Entry requirements

What you need to apply to University of Kentucky College of Dentistry (DMD)

Admission overview
Bachelor's degree and DAT required. Applications via ADEA AADSAS. Strong Kentucky resident preference (public state institution). Dental shadowing, letters of recommendation from a licensed dentist, and community service — ideally in underserved settings — expected.
GPA median
3.60 overall / 3.55 science (BCPM)
Acceptance rate
12.4%
Class size
60
In-state preference
Strong — primarily in-state
In-state matriculants
87%
CASPer
Not required
Holistic review emphasis
Kentucky residency, Appalachian community awareness, dental experience, academic achievement.
Notes
Estimates from ADEA AADSAS data and public class profiles; hedged. DAT AA median approximately 19–22. Strong Kentucky preference.
Specialities offered
General Dentistry, Pediatric Dentistry, Orthodontics, Periodontics, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
Interview

How University of Kentucky College of Dentistry (DMD) interviews applicants

Format
Traditional one-on-one faculty interview
Interview window
October–February
Decision date
Rolling admissions; strong Kentucky resident preference
Post-interview chances
Approximately 40–55% post-interview for Kentucky residents (estimated).
Tutor insight
Appalachian oral health is central to UK Dental's identity — know the statistics and understand why Kentucky has among the worst oral health outcomes in the US (tobacco, poverty, dental access, Medicaid coverage gaps). Kentucky residency is a major advantage; out-of-state applicants need a compelling reason to train at a state mission school. The UK-UK Medical Center co-location is a genuine interprofessional asset worth mentioning.
Practice

Practise for your University of Kentucky College of Dentistry (DMD) interview

PrometheusQuestion Bank485 dentistry questions inside

Interview questions matched to University of Kentucky College of Dentistry (DMD)

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

MediumPanel · MMIQ1

Holistic Review in Dental Admissions: Evaluating Non-Traditional Applicants

ADEA and dental school admissions committees have increasingly adopted holistic review processes that consider an applicant's lived experiences, community contributions, and demonstrated commitment to underserved populations alongside academic metrics and DAT scores. A dental school admissions committee is reviewing two applicants: Applicant A has a 3.8 GPA and a 23 DAT score and has spent two summers conducting basic science research in a dental school lab. Applicant B has a 3.4 GPA and a 20 DAT score, grew up in a Dental Health Professional Shortage Area, worked as a dental assistant for three years while supporting family members, and has demonstrated sustained commitment to oral health advocacy in her community. How should a holistic review committee think about these two applicants, and what does research on workforce diversity suggest about the downstream impact of admissions choices?

Likely follow-up · A colleague on the admissions committee argues that academic metrics are objective and other factors are inherently subjective, and therefore the committee should weight GPA and DAT score most heavily. How do you engage with this position?

3 expert tips in Prometheus
EasyPanel · MMIQ2

Why Dentistry: Articulating a Personal Commitment That Holds Up

Every dental school interview ends with a version of this question: Why dentistry? But in a competitive applicant pool, many answers are formulaic — the love of science, the artistic element, the ability to help people, the stable career. Admissions committees have heard these answers thousands of times and are skilled at distinguishing genuine commitment from rehearsed enthusiasm. They are not asking you what you know about dentistry; they are asking you why this profession, for you, in the context of who you are and where you have been. Answer this question in a way that is genuinely yours.

Likely follow-up · There are many healthcare careers that also combine science, art, manual skill, and patient contact — medicine, optometry, physical therapy, surgery. What specifically about dentistry, as distinct from these other paths, is the right fit for you?

3 expert tips in Prometheus
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DAT & Admissions

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FAQ

University of Kentucky College of Dentistry (DMD) — frequently asked questions

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