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US Dentistry · 2027 Entry

Penn Dental Medicine (DMD) Dental School2027 Entry Requirements & Interview Format

Location Philadelphia, PA, United StatesEstablished 1878Interviews October–FebruaryDecisions Rolling, final decisions March
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Full guide

How to get into Penn 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 Penn 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 Penn Dental Medicine (DMD)

Penn Dental Medicine (University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine), founded in 1878, is one of the oldest dental schools in the United States and consistently ranked among the top dental programs globally. Located in University City, Philadelphia, Penn Dental is closely affiliated with Penn Medicine and the University of Pennsylvania's broader research enterprise. The school is renowned for its periodontics, oral medicine, and dental research programs.

What makes it different

Applications via ADEA AADSAS. Penn Dental's connection to Penn Medicine creates genuine medical-dental integration opportunities. The school's Philadelphia location provides access to diverse patient populations across Ivy League and public health clinical settings.

Course & teaching

Integrated curriculum. 4-year DMD curriculum. Penn Dental's curriculum integrates clinical skills training from Year 1 via simulation labs. Clinical training at Penn's flagship dental clinic and affiliated community health sites in Philadelphia. Strong connections to Penn Medicine for interprofessional education.

Research strengths

Penn Dental Medicine (DMD) has notable research strength in Periodontal biology, Oral microbiome, Craniofacial genetics, Dental implant science, Oral cancer.

Interview

Penn Dental Medicine (DMD) interviews via Traditional one-on-one and/or panel interview.

Intake

Approximately 110–120 students per year.

At a glance

Founded in 1878, based in Philadelphia, PA. Programmes offered: Periodontics, Oral Medicine, Prosthodontics, Orthodontics, Dental Research.

Entry requirements

What you need to apply to Penn Dental Medicine (DMD)

Admission overview
Bachelor's degree and DAT required. Applications via ADEA AADSAS. Strong academic record, dental healthcare experience (shadowing/assisting), community service, and research interest expected.
GPA median
3.76 overall / 3.72 science (BCPM)
Acceptance rate
4.0%
Class size
115
In-state preference
None
CASPer
Not required
Holistic review emphasis
Dental experience, academic achievement, research interest, community service.
Notes
GPA medians hedged. DAT Academic Average median approximately 21–23 (hedged). Acceptance rate approximate.
Specialities offered
Periodontics, Oral Medicine, Prosthodontics, Orthodontics, Dental Research
Interview

How Penn Dental Medicine (DMD) interviews applicants

Format
Traditional one-on-one and/or panel interview
Interview window
October–February
Decision date
Rolling, final decisions March
Post-interview chances
Approximately 30–40% post-interview acceptance rate (estimated).
Tutor insight
Penn Dental interviewers look for clear, mature motivation for dentistry, significant dental shadowing/assisting experience, and intellectual engagement with the field. Research experience is valued but not strictly required. Demonstrate genuine enthusiasm for Penn's curriculum model and Philadelphia patient population diversity.
Practice

Practise for your Penn Dental Medicine (DMD) interview

PrometheusQuestion Bank485 dentistry questions inside

Interview questions matched to Penn Dental Medicine (DMD)

Two questions our tutors flagged as a strong fit for Penn Dental Medicine (DMD)’s interview style. Try answering them out loud, then open Prometheus for the model answers and follow-up tips.

MediumMMI · PanelQ1

The Science-and-Art Pull: Why Restorative and Esthetic Work Motivates You

Dentistry is sometimes described as the meeting point of health science, surgery, and visual art, restoring not only function but appearance and a patient's confidence. If part of your motivation is this fusion of the clinical and the esthetic, explain it honestly, and address how you keep that motivation patient-centered rather than purely cosmetic.

Likely follow-up · Where, in your view, is the ethical line between restoring or enhancing a smile and overtreating a healthy mouth for purely cosmetic reasons?

3 expert tips in Prometheus
HardMMI · PanelQ2

A Colleague Whose Clinical Work Falls Below Standard

You are a dental student on a clinical rotation at a community health center. Over several weeks you notice that another student consistently rushes restorations, skips parts of the periodontal exam, and has produced two crowns with open margins that were nonetheless cemented. Patients are not obviously being harmed yet, but you are worried the quality is below an acceptable standard. How would you respond?

Likely follow-up · How do you weigh patient safety against the risk of unfairly damaging a peer's reputation?

3 expert tips in Prometheus
Open Prometheus for Penn Dental Medicine (DMD)Browse 1,106 free questions →
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DAT & Admissions

Plan your DAT prep and AADSAS application strategy for Penn Dental Medicine (DMD).

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Interview preparation

Practise the Traditional interview format with students who interviewed at Penn Dental Medicine (DMD).

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Personal statement help

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FAQ

Penn Dental Medicine (DMD) — frequently asked questions

Apply to Penn Dental Medicine (DMD) with confidence

We've helped students turn their DAT, personal statement and interview prep into offers from Penn Dental Medicine (DMD) and other US dentistry schools.

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