Oregon Health and Science University School of Dentistry, founded in 1898 (joining the state university system in 1945 as the University of Oregon Dental School), is the only dental school in Oregon and a top-ranked public dental school in the Pacific Northwest. Part of OHSU's academic health sciences campus in Portland, the school operates a high-volume dental clinic serving a diverse urban and rural patient population and conducts research across oral biology, dental public health, and biomaterials. OHSU Dentistry is known for its strong specialty programs and commitment to training dentists for underserved communities across Oregon.
What makes it different
Applications via ADEA AADSAS. As the only dental school in Oregon, OHSU Dentistry bears particular responsibility for the state's dental workforce. The school's Marquam Hill location integrates dental training with OHSU's full health sciences campus. Community health rotations at rural Oregon FQHCs provide distinctive training in underserved settings.
Course & teaching
Integrated curriculum. 4-year DMD curriculum integrating biomedical sciences with early patient contact. Clinical training begins in Year 2 at OHSU's dental clinics on Marquam Hill. Years 3–4 include comprehensive patient care and elective specialty rotations. Community health rotations at Federally Qualified Health Centers and rural Oregon sites are a distinctive feature.
Research strengths
Oregon Health and Science University School of Dentistry (DMD) has notable research strength in Oral biology, Biomaterials, Dental public health, Craniofacial development, Oral microbiome.
Interview
Oregon Health and Science University School of Dentistry (DMD) interviews via Traditional one-on-one and/or MMI stations. OHSU School of Dentistry conducts traditional one-on-one faculty interviews and/or MMI-format sessions at its Portland, Oregon campus. Interview days include faculty sessions of 30–45 minutes and/or multiple MMI stations of 8–10 minutes each, assessing motivation for dentistry, oral-systemic health understanding, ADA ethics, manual dexterity awareness, and community health commitment. Candidates tour OHSU's dental clinic on Marquam Hill and interact with current DMD students. OHSU values diversity and community health service, and interviewers probe candidates' understanding of Oregon's rural and underserved dental access challenges. Post-interview rolling decisions are typically issued within 4–8 weeks.
Intake
Approximately 72–80 students per year.
At a glance
Founded in 1898, based in Portland, OR. Programmes offered: Orthodontics, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Periodontics, Pediatric Dentistry, Endodontics.
