UCLA School of Dentistry (DDS) Dental School - 2027 Entry Requirements & Interview Format
UCLA School of Dentistry, founded in 1964, is one of the top-ranked dental schools in the United States and part of UCLA Health — a major academic medical centre in Los Angeles. Located on the UCLA main campus in Westwood, the school is renowned for its research programmes in craniofacial biology, dental public health, and digital dentistry. The school serves one of the most diverse patient populations in the country through its main clinic and affiliated community health sites across Los Angeles.
Entry Requirements
What you need to apply to UCLA School of Dentistry (DDS).
Admission overview
Bachelor's degree and DAT required. Applications via ADEA AADSAS. CASPer required. California residents have strong preference. Research experience, dental exposure, community health involvement, and strong academic record expected.
GPA median
3.87 overall / 3.85 science (BCPM)
Acceptance rate
5.0%
Class size
88
In-state preference
Strong — primarily in-state
CASPer
Required
Holistic review emphasis
California residency, dental experience, research, diversity, community health.
Notes
GPA medians hedged. DAT Academic Average median approximately 21–23 (hedged). Strong in-state preference.
Specialities offered
Orthodontics, Oral Biology, Prosthodontics, Dental Public Health, Periodontics
Interview Format
How UCLA School of Dentistry (DDS) interviews applicants.
Format
Traditional one-on-one and/or MMI
Interview window
October–February
Decision date
Rolling admissions
Post-interview chances
Approximately 30–40% post-interview (estimated).
What makes UCLA School of Dentistry (DDS) different
Applications via ADEA AADSAS. UCLA's location in Los Angeles provides exposure to one of the most diverse urban patient populations in the US. The school's research profile and UCLA Health integration offer genuine academic medicine opportunities for dental students interested in research careers.
Tutor insight
California applicants should emphasise dental community service experience — LA's diverse population makes cultural competence a central value at UCLA Dentistry. Research experience, even in non-dental fields, is valued. The UCLA brand and LA location attract very competitive OOS applicants; California residents should not take admission for granted.
PrometheusQuestion Bank
405 dentistry questions inside
Interview questions matched to UCLA School of Dentistry (DDS)
Two questions our tutors flagged as a strong fit for UCLA School of Dentistry (DDS)’s interview style. Try answering them out loud, then open Prometheus for the model answers and follow-up tips.
Hard·MMI · CASPerQ1
Resource Allocation: Triage During a Mass Dental Emergency Event
Your city has experienced a major natural disaster, and a dental school clinic has been activated as an emergency dental relief site. Hundreds of displaced patients arrive in a single day with acute dental complaints, far exceeding your clinic's capacity. You are asked to help develop a triage protocol to prioritize care. What ethical framework guides triage decisions in a resource-limited emergency, and how would you apply it to dental emergencies specifically?
Likely follow-up · Two patients arrive simultaneously: a 9-year-old with a traumatic avulsion of a permanent incisor that occurred 45 minutes ago, and a 65-year-old with a dental abscess with early facial swelling. You can treat only one immediately. How do you decide?
3 expert tips in Prometheus
Medium·Panel · MMIQ2
ADA Code of Ethics: Justice and Treating Patients Who Cannot Afford Recommended Care
The ADA principle of justice requires dentists to treat patients fairly and without discrimination, including delivering care without prejudice based on a patient's ability to pay. A new patient — a 35-year-old uninsured construction worker — presents with significant decay across multiple teeth. You outline a comprehensive treatment plan estimated at $4,800 out-of-pocket. The patient says he can afford perhaps $600 over the next year. How do you apply the principle of justice in structuring care for this patient, and what are the limits of what an individual dentist can reasonably be expected to provide?
Likely follow-up · How would you prioritize and sequence treatment for this patient given his financial constraint, balancing pain relief, preventing further deterioration, and long-term oral health?
UCLA School of Dentistry (DDS) - Frequently asked questions
Bachelor's degree and DAT required. Applications via ADEA AADSAS. CASPer required. California residents have strong preference. Research experience, dental exposure, community health involvement, and strong academic record expected.
Traditional one-on-one and/or MMI
UCLA School of Dentistry (DDS) typically interviews in October–February.
Decisions are released Rolling admissions.
Applications via ADEA AADSAS. UCLA's location in Los Angeles provides exposure to one of the most diverse urban patient populations in the US. The school's research profile and UCLA Health integration offer genuine academic medicine opportunities for dental students interested in research careers.
