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US Dentistry · 2027 Entry

Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine

2027 Entry Requirements & Interview Format

Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine is a US DMD program in Alton, IL that takes 2027-entry applications through ADEA AADSAS. Its published class profile lists a median GPA of 3.58, a 5.5% acceptance rate and a class of 52. The school holds a traditional interview: October 2026–February 2027.

Location
Alton, IL, United States
Established
1972
Interviews (2027 entry)
October 2026–February 2027
Decisions (2027 entry)
Rolling admissions; Illinois resident preference
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Full guide

How to get into Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine (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 Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine (DMD) interview

Format breakdown, school-specific sample questions, FAQs and prep tips from tutors who interviewed here.

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Overview

About Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine (DMD)

The Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine, located in Alton on the Mississippi River near St. Louis, is a public dental school with an explicit mission to serve the oral health needs of Southern Illinois — one of the most economically disadvantaged regions of the state.

Founded in 1972, SIU Dental trains approximately 50 DMD students per year with strong emphasis on community-based care, rural dentistry, and access to underserved populations.

What makes Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine (DMD) different

SIU Dental is one of three dental schools in Illinois, alongside UIC College of Dentistry and Midwestern University College of Dental Medicine–Illinois. Its mission is specific: to train dentists for underserved communities in Southern Illinois. The Alton campus is part of SIU's health sciences system. The school runs community dental clinics across Southern Illinois, which provide rural clinical rotations.

SIU Dental is also notable for relatively affordable in-state tuition and a community oral health focus.

Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine (DMD) course & teaching

Integrated curriculum. 4-year DMD curriculum. Community-based learning and clinical rotations in underserved Southern Illinois counties are integral from Year 2. On-campus clinic in Alton; community sites across the region in Years 3–4.

Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine (DMD) research strengths

Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine (DMD) is strong in these research areas:

  • Community oral health
  • Rural dentistry
  • Oral-systemic disease
  • Dental public health
  • Biomaterials

How the Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine (DMD) interview runs

Format: Traditional one-on-one faculty interview

SIU Dental's half-day, in-person interview visit consists of a writing exercise, an interview, a tour of the school, and a student panel session with lunch or refreshments. As a public dental school serving Southern Illinois, interviewers emphasize the applicant's commitment to underserved communities and willingness to practice in rural settings.

Questions probe manual dexterity experience, oral-systemic health knowledge, ADA ethics scenarios, and understanding of Southern Illinois' oral health challenges, including limited dental access in rural and low-income communities.

Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine (DMD) intake

Approximately 48–55 students per year.

Where Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine (DMD) is

Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine was founded in 1972 and is based in Alton, IL.

Programmes offered:

  • General Dentistry
  • Community Dentistry
  • Pediatric Dentistry
  • Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
  • Periodontics
Practise

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Entry requirements

What you need to apply to Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine (DMD)

Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine (DMD) at a glance

Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine Dentistry — 2027 entry at a glance
GPA (median)3.58
Acceptance rate5.5%
Class size52
In-state matriculants88%
Interview formatTraditional interview
IntakeApproximately 48–55 students per year
Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine Dentistry admissions profile — 2027 entry
Admission overviewBachelor's degree and DAT required. Applications via ADEA AADSAS. Strong Illinois resident preference as a public institution. Dental shadowing, community service, and letters of recommendation from a licensed dentist expected. Commitment to rural or underserved practice is valued.
GPA median3.58 overall / 3.52 science (BCPM)
Acceptance rate5.5%
Class size52
In-state preferenceStrong — primarily in-state
In-state matriculants88%
CASPerNot required
Holistic review emphasisIllinois residency, community health commitment, dental experience, academic achievement.
NotesEstimates from ADEA AADSAS data and public class profiles; hedged. DAT AA median approximately 18–21. Strong Illinois preference; small class size. DAT figure sourced 2026-09-12 from https://www.siue.edu/dental/about/academic-statistics.shtml (retired 1-30 scale).
Specialities offeredGeneral Dentistry, Community Dentistry, Pediatric Dentistry, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Periodontics

MCAT, GPA, acceptance-rate and class-size figures are taken from Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine's published admissions data. Class profiles are republished each year — confirm which entering class these numbers describe before you rely on them.

Interview

How Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine (DMD) interviews applicants

Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine Dentistry interview — 2027 entry
FormatTraditional one-on-one faculty interview
Interview window (2027 entry)October 2026–February 2027
Decision date (2027 entry)Rolling admissions; Illinois resident preference
Post-interview chancesApproximately 35–50% post-interview for Illinois residents (estimated).
Tutor insight
SIU Dental's community health mission is central to its identity — demonstrate genuine commitment to practicing in underserved or rural settings, not just lip service. Illinois residency is a significant advantage; out-of-state applicants face a very limited pool of seats. The Alton location is rural and the cost of living is low — consider how this shapes your clinical training and lifestyle expectations.
Practice

Practise for your Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine (DMD) interview

PrometheusQuestion Bank485 dentistry questions inside

Interview questions matched to Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine (DMD)

Two questions from our US bank that match Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine (DMD)’s panel format. Try answering them out loud, then open Prometheus for the model answers and follow-up tips.

MediumMMI · PanelQ1

The Biology of Dental Caries

Dental caries is one of the most common chronic diseases in the United States, yet it is fundamentally a biological and chemical process rather than simply 'tooth decay.'

Walk us through the science of how a carious lesion forms, from the dental biofilm through to a cavitated lesion, and explain why understanding this process changes how a modern dentist prevents and manages caries.

Likely follow-up · Caries is often called a sugar-driven disease, but the biofilm and the host's saliva matter just as much. How do those factors interact?

3 expert tips in Prometheus
HardMMI · PanelQ2

Diabetes and Periodontal Disease Link

Diabetes and periodontal disease have a bidirectional relationship: poorly controlled diabetes increases susceptibility to gum disease, and severe periodontal disease can worsen glycemic control. How would this shape your assessment, treatment planning and communication with a diabetic patient who presents with active periodontal disease, and how should dentists and physicians coordinate their care?

Likely follow-up · Your diabetic patient says their primary care doctor has never asked about their dental health. How do you address that gap as a student?

3 expert tips in Prometheus
Open Prometheus for Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine (DMD)Free dentistry interview question bank for Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine (DMD) applicants →
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DAT & Admissions

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Interview preparation

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Sources

Where Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine (DMD)'s figures come from

Compiled from Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine's published admissions material and checked for internal consistency. Not independently re-checked against the school's own website for 2027 entry — confirm the figures with the school before you rely on them.

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

Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine (DMD) — frequently asked questions

Bachelor's degree and DAT required. Applications via ADEA AADSAS. Strong Illinois resident preference as a public institution. Dental shadowing, community service, and letters of recommendation from a licensed dentist expected. Commitment to rural or underserved practice is valued.

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