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US Dentistry · 2027 Entry

The Ohio State University College of Dentistry (DDS) Dental School2027 Entry Requirements & Interview Format

Location Columbus, OH, United StatesEstablished 1890Interviews (2027 entry) October 2026–February 2027Decisions (2027 entry) Rolling admissions
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Full guide

How to get into The Ohio State 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 The Ohio State 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 The Ohio State University College of Dentistry (DDS)

The Ohio State University College of Dentistry, founded in 1890, is one of the oldest and most respected public dental schools in the United States. On OSU's Columbus campus, the school operates a large on-campus dental clinic serving a diverse urban patient population. It also conducts significant research across oral biology, biomaterials, and dental public health.

OSU Dentistry graduates are highly regarded nationally and the school places well into advanced specialty programs.

What makes The Ohio State University College of Dentistry (DDS) different

Applications via ADEA AADSAS. Casper is not currently required — verify each cycle. OSU Dentistry benefits from Ohio State's full university infrastructure, including the Wexner Medical Center and affiliated research institutes. Its large clinical volume provides exceptional breadth of patient care experience across urban Columbus.

The Ohio State University College of Dentistry (DDS) course & teaching

Integrated curriculum. 4-year DDS curriculum with integrated biomedical sciences and early clinical exposure. Patient care begins in Year 2 at OSU's large on-campus clinic. Years 3–4 involve comprehensive patient care across all dental disciplines with elective specialty rotations. Research opportunities through OSU's College of Dentistry and affiliated NIH-funded centers.

The Ohio State University College of Dentistry (DDS) research strengths

The Ohio State University College of Dentistry (DDS) is strong in these research areas:

  • Oral biology
  • Biomaterials
  • Dental public health
  • Oral oncology
  • Craniofacial research

How the The Ohio State University College of Dentistry (DDS) interview runs

Format: Traditional one-on-one and/or MMI interview

Ohio State College of Dentistry conducts traditional one-on-one faculty interviews at its Columbus campus, typically October through February. Interview days include faculty sessions of 30–45 minutes assessing motivation for dentistry, manual dexterity self-awareness, oral-systemic health knowledge, and ADA ethics. Candidates interact with current DDS students over lunch and participate in a clinic tour.

Casper is not currently required — verify on the official admissions page each cycle. Post-interview rolling decisions are typically issued within 4–8 weeks, with strong preference for Ohio residents.

The Ohio State University College of Dentistry (DDS) intake

Approximately 105–115 students per year.

The Ohio State University College of Dentistry (DDS) at a glance

Founded in 1890. Based in Columbus, OH.

Programmes offered:

  • Endodontics
  • Orthodontics
  • Periodontics
  • Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
  • Pediatric Dentistry
Entry requirements

What you need to apply to The Ohio State University College of Dentistry (DDS)

Admission overview
Bachelor's degree and DAT required. Applications via ADEA AADSAS. CASPer is not required. Ohio residents receive strong preference as a public university. Competitive applicants demonstrate dental shadowing, community service, and academic achievement.
GPA median
3.68 overall / 3.62 science (BCPM)
Acceptance rate
4.0%
Class size
110
In-state preference
Strong — primarily in-state
In-state matriculants
70%
CASPer
Not required
Holistic review emphasis
Ohio residency, dental experience, academic record, and community involvement.
Notes
Estimates from ADEA AADSAS and OSU College of Dentistry class profiles; verify for current cycle.
Specialities offered
Endodontics, Orthodontics, Periodontics, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Pediatric Dentistry

MCAT, GPA, acceptance-rate and class-size figures are taken from The Ohio State 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 The Ohio State University College of Dentistry (DDS) interviews applicants

Format
Traditional one-on-one and/or MMI interview
Interview window (2027 entry)
October 2026–February 2027
Decision date (2027 entry)
Rolling admissions
Post-interview chances
Approximately 25–35% post-interview (estimated); Ohio residents have a meaningfully higher post-interview acceptance rate.
Tutor insight
Ohio residency is a significant advantage at OSU Dentistry. Out-of-state applicants need a highly competitive profile (DAT AA 22+, GPA 3.7+) to compete for limited non-resident seats. Casper is not currently required at OSU Dentistry — confirm on the admissions page each cycle. Show awareness of oral-systemic health connections and OSU Dentistry's research strengths and specialty education programs in your interview.
Practice

Practise for your The Ohio State University College of Dentistry (DDS) interview

PrometheusQuestion Bank485 dentistry questions inside

Interview questions matched to The Ohio State University College of Dentistry (DDS)

Two questions our tutors flagged as a strong fit for The Ohio State 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

Tribal Dental Health: Cultural Competence in Native American Communities

American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) populations experience some of the highest rates of tooth decay and tooth loss in the United States, compounded by geographic isolation, underfunding of Indian Health Service (IHS) dental programs, and historical trauma that has shaped distrust of healthcare institutions.

The Indian Health Service provides health services, including dental care, to approximately 2.8 million AI/AN people, but its per-capita spending on oral health is significantly lower than the national average. You are offered a two-month externship rotation at an IHS dental facility on a tribal reservation.

What do you need to prepare, how do you approach cultural competency in this context, and what does this placement represent in terms of both professional development and your understanding of health equity?

Likely follow-up · During your rotation, you notice that patients frequently decline restorative treatment in favor of extraction — a pattern the supervising dentist attributes to cultural preference for complete removal over patching. How do you interpret this observation, and how should it affect how you offer treatment options?

3 expert tips in Prometheus
MediumMMI · PanelQ2

Substance Use and Dental Health: Treating Patients in Recovery

Patients in recovery from substance use disorders — including alcohol, opioids, methamphetamine, and other substances — often present with significant oral health consequences of their substance use: severe dental erosion from alcohol or methamphetamine, xerostomia from methadone or buprenorphine maintenance therapy, neglected dental care during active addiction, and high dental anxiety related to past experiences of receiving inadequate pain management.

These patients also have specific needs related to pain medication management during dental procedures and may have strong preferences about what medications they can safely receive. How do you approach a patient who discloses they are in recovery from alcohol use disorder and has been sober for two years, and who presents with multiple areas of decay and dental anxiety?

Likely follow-up · The patient asks whether it is safe for her to receive nitrous oxide during her treatment, given her alcohol use disorder history. She is concerned about the recreational potential of inhalation sedation. How do you discuss this with her?

3 expert tips in Prometheus
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DAT & Admissions

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Interview preparation

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Sources

Where The Ohio State University College of Dentistry (DDS)'s figures come from

Compiled from The Ohio State University College of Dentistry's published admissions material and checked for internal consistency. Not independently re-checked against the official course page for 2027 entry — confirm the figures with the school before you rely on them.

The Ohio State 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

The Ohio State University College of Dentistry (DDS) — frequently asked questions

Bachelor's degree and DAT required. Applications via ADEA AADSAS. CASPer is not required. Ohio residents receive strong preference as a public university. Competitive applicants demonstrate dental shadowing, community service, and academic achievement.

Apply to The Ohio State University College of Dentistry (DDS) with confidence

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

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