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US Dentistry · 2027 Entry

Oregon Health and Science University School of Dentistry (DMD) Dental School2027 Entry Requirements & Interview Format

Location Portland, OR, United StatesEstablished 1898Interviews (2027 entry) October 2026–February 2027Decisions (2027 entry) Rolling admissions
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Full guide

How to get into Oregon Health and Science University School 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 Oregon Health and Science University School 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 Oregon Health and Science University School of Dentistry (DMD)

Oregon Health and Science University School of Dentistry was founded in 1898, and joined the state university system in 1945 as the University of Oregon Dental School. It is the only dental school in Oregon, and a top-ranked public dental school in the Pacific Northwest. It sits on OHSU's academic health sciences campus in Portland.

The school runs a high-volume dental clinic serving a diverse urban and rural patient population. Research covers oral biology, dental public health, and biomaterials. OHSU Dentistry is known for strong specialty programs, and for training dentists to work in underserved communities across Oregon.

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.

Oregon Health and Science University School of Dentistry (DMD) 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.

Oregon Health and Science University School of Dentistry (DMD) research strengths

Oregon Health and Science University School of Dentistry (DMD) is strong in these research areas:

  • Oral biology
  • Biomaterials
  • Dental public health
  • Craniofacial development
  • Oral microbiome

How the Oregon Health and Science University School of Dentistry (DMD) interview runs

Format: 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) intake

Approximately 72–80 students per year.

Oregon Health and Science University School of Dentistry (DMD) at a glance

Founded in 1898. Based in Portland, OR.

Programmes offered:

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

MCAT, GPA, acceptance-rate and class-size figures are taken from Oregon Health and Science University School 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 Oregon Health and Science University School of Dentistry (DMD) interviews applicants

Format
Traditional one-on-one and/or MMI stations
Interview window (2027 entry)
October 2026–February 2027
Decision date (2027 entry)
Rolling admissions
Post-interview chances
Approximately 25–35% post-interview (estimated); Oregon residents have a meaningfully higher acceptance rate.
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.
Practice

Practise for your Oregon Health and Science University School of Dentistry (DMD) interview

PrometheusQuestion Bank485 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.

MediumPanelQ1

Walking Us Through Your Research Experience

Tell us about a research project you have been involved in, whether in dentistry, biology, public health, or another field. Take us from the question you were trying to answer through to what you concluded, and reflect on what the experience taught you about how scientific knowledge is actually generated.

Likely follow-up · What was your specific, individual contribution to the project, as opposed to what the wider team did?

3 expert tips in Prometheus
EasyPanelQ2

DAT Preparation Setback: Resilience After a Below-Target Score

You took the Dental Admission Test (DAT) for the first time and received a total science score of 17 — below the median score for admitted students at most dental schools. This score does not reflect the effort you invested in preparation, and you feel genuinely discouraged.

Describe how you would respond to this setback: what you would do in the immediate aftermath, how you would analyze the root causes of the result, how you would adjust your preparation strategy, and what this experience tells you about how you will handle clinical and academic challenges in dental school.

Likely follow-up · A pre-dental advisor suggests that with a 17 total science score, you should consider other healthcare careers. How do you weigh this feedback?

3 expert tips in Prometheus
Open Prometheus for Oregon Health and Science University School of Dentistry (DMD)Browse 1,106 free questions →
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DAT & Admissions

Plan your DAT prep and AADSAS application strategy for Oregon Health and Science University School of Dentistry (DMD).

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Interview preparation

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Personal statement help

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Sources

Where Oregon Health and Science University School of Dentistry (DMD)'s figures come from

Compiled from Oregon Health and Science University School 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.

Oregon Health and Science University School of Dentistry (DMD) — official course page →Entry requirements, interview format and deadlines published by the school itself. The primary source for everything on this page.
FAQ

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.

Apply to Oregon Health and Science University School of Dentistry (DMD) with confidence

We've helped students turn their DAT, personal statement and interview prep into offers from Oregon Health and Science University School of Dentistry (DMD) and other US dentistry schools.

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