Ponce Health Sciences University School of Dental Medicine is a new private dental school located in Ponce, Puerto Rico, part of Ponce HSU's growing health sciences university alongside its medical school and doctoral programs. The school received CODA initial accreditation and enrolled its inaugural DMD class of about 50 students in August 2024. The school trains dentists for Puerto Rico — particularly the south and interior regions of the island, which have significant dental access gaps — through an interprofessional curriculum, early patient contact, and community-oriented training. Ponce HSU's medical school affiliation provides dental students with distinctive interprofessional education opportunities.
What makes it different
Applications via ADEA AADSAS. Ponce HSU Dental is one of the newest dental schools in Puerto Rico, offering an interprofessional training model alongside the medical school. Its location in Ponce — the second-largest city in Puerto Rico — provides access to underserved southern communities that UPR Dental in San Juan serves less directly.
Course & teaching
Integrated curriculum. 4-year DMD curriculum integrating biomedical and clinical sciences with early patient contact. Interprofessional education with Ponce HSU medical students is a core feature. Clinical training at Ponce HSU's dental clinic and affiliated community health sites in southern Puerto Rico. Instruction is primarily in Spanish.
Research strengths
Ponce Health Sciences University School of Dental Medicine (DMD) has notable research strength in Community oral health, Oral-systemic medicine, Preventive dentistry, Caribbean oral health, Interprofessional education.
Interview
Ponce Health Sciences University School of Dental Medicine (DMD) interviews via Traditional one-on-one and/or panel interview (bilingual). Ponce Health Sciences University School of Dental Medicine conducts traditional one-on-one and/or panel faculty interviews at its Ponce, Puerto Rico campus, typically September through February. Interviews are conducted in Spanish and/or English — Spanish proficiency is strongly advantageous given the patient population. Interview days assess motivation for dentistry, ADA ethics, oral-systemic knowledge, and commitment to serving Puerto Rico's southern communities. Candidates tour the dental clinic and simulation facilities and interact with current DMD students. Ponce HSU values interprofessional education and integration with its medical and biomedical science programs. Post-interview rolling decisions are typically issued within 4–6 weeks.
Intake
Approximately 40–60 students per year (newer school, class size growing).
At a glance
Founded in 2023, based in Ponce, PR. Programmes offered: General Dentistry, Community Oral Health, Oral-Systemic Medicine, Preventive Dentistry, Interprofessional Health Education.
