Universidad Ana G. Méndez School of Dental Medicine is a private dental school on the UAGM Gurabo Campus in Puerto Rico, part of the UAGM university system. It received CODA initial accreditation in 2024 and enrolled its inaugural DMD class in August 2024. The school trains dentists for Puerto Rico and the Caribbean with a focus on community-based dental care, underserved populations, and bilingual clinical practice. As a private institution, it has somewhat less restrictive residency requirements than UPR Dental but still strongly favors Puerto Rico and US-territory applicants with Spanish proficiency.
What makes it different
Applications via ADEA AADSAS. UAGM Dental provides an alternative to UPR Dental for Puerto Rico applicants, with a private school model and somewhat broader geographic admissions flexibility. Its community-based curriculum and Caribbean patient population give students distinctive exposure to tropical oral health conditions and socioeconomically complex cases.
Course & teaching
Integrated curriculum. 4-year DMD curriculum integrating biomedical sciences with early clinical exposure. Clinical training at UAGM's dental clinic and affiliated community health sites in Puerto Rico. Instruction is primarily in Spanish with English integration.
Research strengths
Universidad Ana G. Méndez School of Dental Medicine (DMD) has notable research strength in Community oral health, Preventive dentistry, Oral-systemic medicine, Caribbean oral health, Dental education.
Interview
Universidad Ana G. Méndez School of Dental Medicine (DMD) interviews via Traditional one-on-one and/or panel interview (bilingual). UAGM School of Dental Medicine conducts traditional one-on-one and/or panel faculty interviews at its Puerto Rico campus, typically September through February. Interviews are conducted in Spanish and/or English — Spanish proficiency is strongly advantageous given the patient population served. Interview days assess motivation for dentistry, commitment to Puerto Rico community health, oral-systemic awareness, and ADA ethics. Candidates tour the dental clinic and simulation facilities. Post-interview rolling decisions are typically issued within 4–6 weeks. The school emphasizes students with community health values and Puerto Rico or Caribbean ties.
Intake
Approximately 40–60 students per year.
At a glance
Founded in 2024, based in Gurabo, PR. Programmes offered: General Dentistry, Community Oral Health, Preventive Dentistry, Oral-Systemic Medicine, Pediatric Dentistry.