University of Maryland School of Dentistry (DDS) Dental School - 2027 Entry Requirements & Interview Format
The University of Maryland School of Dentistry (UMSOD), founded in 1840, is the oldest dental school in the world and the birthplace of professional dental education. Located at the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) health sciences campus, UMSOD is part of the University of Maryland Medical System — one of the most comprehensive academic health systems on the US East Coast. The school has a long tradition of innovation in dental education and a strong public health and community dentistry mission.
Entry Requirements
What you need to apply to University of Maryland School of Dentistry (DDS).
Admission overview
Bachelor's degree and DAT required. Applications via ADEA AADSAS. CASPer required. Maryland residents benefit from strong in-state preference (public school). Dental experience, community service, and academic record expected.
GPA median
3.65 overall / 3.60 science (BCPM)
Acceptance rate
6.0%
Class size
125
In-state preference
Strong — primarily in-state
CASPer
Required
Holistic review emphasis
MD residency, dental experience, community health, academic record.
Notes
GPA medians hedged. DAT Academic Average median approximately 20–22 (hedged). World's oldest dental school (founded 1840).
Specialities offered
Community Dentistry, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Orthodontics, Prosthodontics, Dental History
Interview Format
How University of Maryland School of Dentistry (DDS) interviews applicants.
Format
Traditional one-on-one or panel interview
Interview window
October–February
Decision date
Rolling admissions
Post-interview chances
Approximately 30–40% post-interview (estimated).
What makes University of Maryland School of Dentistry (DDS) different
Applications via ADEA AADSAS. UMSOD's status as the oldest dental school in the world gives it unique historical prestige. The UMB health sciences campus is highly interprofessional. Baltimore's diverse patient population creates rich training in community and public health dentistry.
Tutor insight
Maryland residents have a strong advantage at UMSOD — this is an exceptional public school value for in-state applicants. The school's historical identity as the first dental school is a natural conversation topic in interviews; demonstrate your awareness of it. Out-of-state applicants should emphasise community health commitment and Maryland connections if applicable.
PrometheusQuestion Bank
405 dentistry questions inside
Interview questions matched to University of Maryland School of Dentistry (DDS)
Two questions our tutors flagged as a strong fit for University of Maryland School of Dentistry (DDS)’s interview style. Try answering them out loud, then open Prometheus for the model answers and follow-up tips.
Medium·Panel · MMIQ1
Dental Care for Aging Americans: Medicare, Access, and Complex Needs
Traditional Medicare does not cover routine dental care, and older Americans experience some of the highest rates of edentulism (complete tooth loss), untreated decay, and periodontal disease in the United States. Older adults with dementia, functional limitations, or financial constraints are particularly vulnerable, and nursing home residents often lack access to any dental services. As the US population ages, how should the dental profession respond to the growing oral health needs of elderly patients, and what structural and policy changes would most meaningfully improve their access to care?
Likely follow-up · A 78-year-old patient with mild vascular dementia presents for a routine cleaning but becomes confused and distressed during the appointment, repeatedly trying to sit up and remove the bib. How do you manage this appointment in a way that is both clinically effective and ethically appropriate?
3 expert tips in Prometheus
Hard·MMI · PanelQ2
Climate Health and Oral Disease: Emerging Environmental Considerations
Climate change is increasingly recognized as a public health crisis with downstream effects on oral health: extreme heat events are associated with increased sugar-sweetened beverage consumption, wildfires displace populations to areas with less dental infrastructure, drought-related water stress affects fluoridated water supply systems, and extreme weather events disrupt dental care continuity for vulnerable populations. ADEA and some dental school curricula are beginning to incorporate planetary health and environmental justice into oral health education. As a future dentist, how do you think about the relationship between environmental conditions and oral health, and what does this emerging connection mean for how dentists think about their role in community health?
Likely follow-up · In a community affected by a major hurricane, dental practices are destroyed and patients who relied on ongoing periodontal care go without treatment for six months. When they present to a temporary dental clinic, what oral health changes might you expect, and how do you prioritize care in a disaster-response dental setting?
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University of Maryland School of Dentistry (DDS) - Frequently asked questions
Bachelor's degree and DAT required. Applications via ADEA AADSAS. CASPer required. Maryland residents benefit from strong in-state preference (public school). Dental experience, community service, and academic record expected.
Traditional one-on-one or panel interview
University of Maryland School of Dentistry (DDS) typically interviews in October–February.
Decisions are released Rolling admissions.
Applications via ADEA AADSAS. UMSOD's status as the oldest dental school in the world gives it unique historical prestige. The UMB health sciences campus is highly interprofessional. Baltimore's diverse patient population creates rich training in community and public health dentistry.
