Oregon Health and Science University School of Dentistry (DMD)
Portland, OR, US
Portland, OR, US•Est. 1898
Oregon Health and Science University School of Dentistry (DMD) Dental School - 2027 Entry Requirements & Interview Format
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 programmes and commitment to training dentists for underserved communities across Oregon.
Entry Requirements
What you need to apply to Oregon Health and Science University School of Dentistry (DMD).
Admission overview
Bachelor's degree and DAT required. Applications via ADEA AADSAS. Oregon residents receive strong preference as the only public dental school in the state. Competitive applicants demonstrate dental experience, community service, and a genuine commitment to Oregon oral health needs.
GPA median
3.80 overall / 3.75 science (BCPM)
Acceptance rate
6.0%
Class size
76
In-state preference
Strong — primarily in-state
In-state matriculants
56%
CASPer
Not required
Holistic review emphasis
Oregon residency, dental experience, community health service, academic achievement.
Notes
Estimates from ADEA AADSAS and OHSU School of Dentistry class profiles; verify for current cycle.
Specialities offered
Orthodontics, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Periodontics, Pediatric Dentistry, Endodontics
Interview Format
How Oregon Health and Science University School of Dentistry (DMD) interviews applicants.
Format
Traditional one-on-one and/or MMI stations
Interview window
October–February
Decision date
Rolling admissions
Post-interview chances
Approximately 25–35% post-interview (estimated); Oregon residents have a meaningfully higher acceptance rate.
What to expect at a Oregon Health and Science University School of Dentistry (DMD) interview
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.
What makes Oregon Health and Science University School of Dentistry (DMD) 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.
Tutor insight
Oregon residency confers a strong advantage at OHSU. Out-of-state applicants should articulate compelling Pacific Northwest or community health ties. In your interview, show genuine awareness of Oregon's dental access landscape — the state has rural dental deserts and Indigenous community oral health disparities that OHSU graduates are expected to address. Prepare for either traditional or MMI format questions with equally strong oral-systemic and ADA ethics preparation.
PrometheusQuestion Bank
405 dentistry questions inside
Interview questions matched to Oregon Health and Science University School of Dentistry (DMD)
Two questions our tutors flagged as a strong fit for Oregon Health and Science University School of Dentistry (DMD)’s interview style. Try answering them out loud, then open Prometheus for the model answers and follow-up tips.
Medium·Panel · MMIQ1
Interprofessional Practice: Dentist-Physician Collaboration for Diabetic Patients
An estimated 34 million Americans have Type 2 diabetes, and bidirectional evidence links periodontal disease with glycemic control: poorly controlled diabetes worsens periodontitis, and treating periodontitis may modestly improve HbA1c. The dental visit represents an opportunity to identify undiagnosed or poorly controlled diabetes through patient history, examination findings (severe generalized periodontitis in a young patient), and point-of-care HbA1c testing now available in some dental settings. How do you think about the dental office as a site for diabetes identification and interprofessional collaboration?
Likely follow-up · A patient with known diabetes presents for a full-mouth debridement. Before beginning, what clinical information about their diabetes management is clinically relevant, and how do you obtain it?
3 expert tips in Prometheus
Medium·PanelQ2
Holistic Review: Evaluating Your Own Application Honestly
Holistic review in dental admissions asks applicants to present the full picture of who they are — not just GPA and DAT scores but their lived experiences, the contexts in which they achieved, their demonstrated commitment to the profession, and their unique contributions to a future dental school class and profession. Standing here today as an applicant, describe the aspects of your profile that are strongest under a holistic review lens, acknowledge honestly the aspects that are weaker or still developing, and explain how your particular combination of background, experience, and motivation makes you an applicant worth investing in.
Likely follow-up · If you could go back three years and make one different decision in how you prepared for dental school, what would it be and why?
Apply to Oregon Health and Science University School of Dentistry (DMD) with confidence
We've helped students get into Oregon Health and Science University School of Dentistry (DMD) and other US dentistry schools. Get tailored support for each stage of the application.
Oregon Health and Science University School of Dentistry (DMD) - Frequently asked questions
Bachelor's degree and DAT required. Applications via ADEA AADSAS. Oregon residents receive strong preference as the only public dental school in the state. Competitive applicants demonstrate dental experience, community service, and a genuine commitment to Oregon oral health needs.
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.
Oregon Health and Science University School of Dentistry (DMD) typically interviews in October–February.
Decisions are released Rolling admissions.
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.
