The University of Puerto Rico School of Dental Medicine, founded in 1957, is the primary dental school in Puerto Rico and the training institution for the island's dental workforce. Located at UPR's Medical Sciences Campus in San Juan, the school trains dentists for Puerto Rico's diverse communities across the island through a comprehensive 4-year DMD curriculum. UPR Dental is a public institution with a core mission to address Puerto Rico's dental access disparities, particularly in rural municipalities and underserved communities.
What makes it different
Applications via ADEA AADSAS. UPR Dental is one of very few US dental schools where Spanish is the primary language of instruction and patient care, making it uniquely positioned to train culturally competent dentists for Puerto Rico and the broader Latino community. Its location in San Juan and clinical exposure across the island provide a distinctive training context.
Course & teaching
Integrated curriculum. 4-year DMD curriculum with integrated biomedical sciences and early patient contact. Clinical training at UPR's dental clinic on the Medical Sciences Campus in San Juan and affiliated community health sites across Puerto Rico. Instruction is primarily in Spanish with English as a secondary language.
Research strengths
University of Puerto Rico School of Dental Medicine (DMD) has notable research strength in Community oral health, Oral biology, Dental public health, Tropical oral diseases, Preventive dentistry.
Interview
University of Puerto Rico School of Dental Medicine (DMD) interviews via Traditional one-on-one and/or panel interview (bilingual). UPR School of Dental Medicine conducts traditional one-on-one and/or panel faculty interviews at its San Juan, Puerto Rico campus, typically October through February. Interviews are conducted in Spanish and/or English — Spanish proficiency is strongly advantageous given the patient population. Interview days assess motivation for dentistry, oral-systemic health knowledge, commitment to serving Puerto Rico's communities, and ADA ethics. Candidates tour UPR's dental clinic and simulation facilities and interact with current DMD students. The school has a very strong preference for Puerto Rico residents and students with genuine Puerto Rico ties. Post-interview rolling decisions are typically issued within 4–8 weeks.
Intake
Approximately 30–40 students per year.
At a glance
Founded in 1957, based in San Juan, PR. Programmes offered: General Dentistry, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Orthodontics, Community Oral Health, Pediatric Dentistry.
