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US Dentistry · 2027 Entry

UCLA School of Dentistry (DDS) Dental School2027 Entry Requirements & Interview Format

Location Los Angeles, CA, United StatesEstablished 1964Interviews (2027 entry) October 2026–February 2027Decisions (2027 entry) Rolling admissions
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Full guide

How to get into UCLA School of Dentistry (DDS) 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 UCLA School of Dentistry (DDS) interview

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

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Overview

About UCLA School of Dentistry (DDS)

UCLA School of Dentistry was founded in 1964. It is one of the top-ranked dental schools in the United States, and part of UCLA Health, a major academic medical center in Los Angeles. It sits on the UCLA main campus in Westwood. The school is known for research in craniofacial biology, dental public health, and digital dentistry.

Through its main clinic and affiliated community health sites across Los Angeles, it serves one of the most diverse patient populations in the country.

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.

UCLA School of Dentistry (DDS) course & teaching

Integrated curriculum. 4-year DDS curriculum at UCLA's integrated health sciences campus. Early clinical exposure through UCLA's dental simulation lab in Year 1; patient care from Year 2 at the UCLA Dental Center and affiliated community sites. Research integration throughout with a required scholarly project.

UCLA School of Dentistry (DDS) research strengths

UCLA School of Dentistry (DDS) is strong in these research areas:

  • Craniofacial biology
  • Digital dentistry
  • Oral cancer
  • Dental public health
  • Biomaterials

How the UCLA School of Dentistry (DDS) interview runs

Format: Traditional one-on-one and/or MMI

UCLA School of Dentistry (DDS) intake

Approximately 88 students per year.

UCLA School of Dentistry (DDS) at a glance

Founded in 1964. Based in Los Angeles, CA.

Programmes offered:

  • Orthodontics
  • Oral Biology
  • Prosthodontics
  • Dental Public Health
  • Periodontics
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 is not 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
Not 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

MCAT, GPA, acceptance-rate and class-size figures are taken from UCLA 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 UCLA School of Dentistry (DDS) interviews applicants

Format
Traditional one-on-one and/or MMI
Interview window (2027 entry)
October 2026–February 2027
Decision date (2027 entry)
Rolling admissions
Post-interview chances
Approximately 30–40% post-interview (estimated).
Tutor insight
California applicants should emphasize 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.
Practice

Practise for your UCLA School of Dentistry (DDS) interview

PrometheusQuestion Bank485 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.

MediumPanelQ1

Navigating the ADEA AADSAS Application Pathway

Almost all U.S. dental schools use the ADEA AADSAS centralized application. Describe what you understand about how the AADSAS pathway works, and talk us through how you approached building your own application through it. What did navigating that process teach you about your commitment to dentistry?

Likely follow-up · AADSAS opens in mid-May and dental schools admit on a rolling basis. How did the timing of the cycle shape your strategy, and what would you advise a future applicant about submitting early?

3 expert tips in Prometheus
MediumPanel · MMIQ2

Host-Microbe Biology in Periodontal Disease

Periodontal disease is no longer understood as simply 'bacteria eating away at the gums.' Contemporary models describe it as a dysbiotic, host-mediated inflammatory disease. Explain the biology of how gingivitis can progress to periodontitis, including the role the patient's own immune response plays, and reflect on why this shift in understanding matters for how we treat patients.

Likely follow-up · If much of the tissue destruction is driven by the host's inflammatory response, what does that imply about why some patients with heavy plaque stay stable while others deteriorate?

3 expert tips in Prometheus
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DAT & Admissions

Plan your DAT prep and AADSAS application strategy for UCLA School of Dentistry (DDS).

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Interview preparation

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Personal statement help

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Sources

Where UCLA School of Dentistry (DDS)'s figures come from

Compiled from UCLA 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.

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

UCLA School of Dentistry (DDS) — frequently asked questions

Bachelor's degree and DAT required. Applications via ADEA AADSAS. CASPer is not required. California residents have strong preference. Research experience, dental exposure, community health involvement, and strong academic record expected.

Apply to UCLA School of Dentistry (DDS) with confidence

We've helped students turn their DAT, personal statement and interview prep into offers from UCLA School of Dentistry (DDS) and other US dentistry schools.

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