Skip to main content
US Dentistry · 2027 Entry

UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry

2027 Entry Requirements & Interview Format

University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston School of Dentistry is a US DDS program in Houston, TX that takes 2027-entry applications through ADEA AADSAS. Its published class profile lists a median GPA of 3.62, a 6.0% acceptance rate and a class of 105. The school holds a traditional interview: October 2026–February 2027.

Location
Houston, TX, United States
Established
1905
Interviews (2027 entry)
October 2026–February 2027
Decisions (2027 entry)
Rolling; TMDSAS uniform notification dates apply
UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry (DDS) — The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston

Photo: Zereshk · CC BY 3.0 · cropped

Photo: Riofriotex · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Photo: Yinan Chen · Public Domain · Photo: Michael Barera · CC BY-SA 4.0

Student life

Still deciding where to apply? Hear it from a student who's there

Student guides · Dentistry

Honest student guides to US dental schools

Current dental students at US schools are filming their guides right now: what the course and teaching are really like, the city they live in, the social side, and whether they'd pick it again.

Coming soon

Not on sale yet — we'll open these up as soon as the first US videos land.

Filming now

Start here
Overview

About UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry (DDS)

The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston School of Dentistry (UTHealth Houston), part of the Texas Medical Center — the world's largest medical complex — is one of the premier public dental schools in the South.

Founded in 1905, UTHealth Houston trains dentists for Texas and the nation, with access to extraordinary clinical volume and research resources through its Texas Medical Center location. The school is known for comprehensive clinical training and research in oral health.

What makes UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry (DDS) different

Applications via TMDSAS. UTHealth Houston's Texas Medical Center location is one of its biggest assets — dental students have access to the world's largest healthcare complex for interprofessional education. Houston's extraordinary ethnic diversity means clinical training exposes students to one of the broadest patient demographics of any US dental school.

UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry (DDS) course & teaching

Integrated curriculum. 4-year DDS curriculum with simulation training in Years 1–2 and comprehensive patient care in Years 3–4. Texas Medical Center location provides access to the world's largest medical complex for interprofessional training. Community clinic rotations available.

UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry (DDS) research strengths

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

  • Oral biology
  • Dental implantology
  • Periodontal regeneration
  • Oral health disparities
  • Biomaterials

How the UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry (DDS) interview runs

Format: Traditional one-on-one or panel interview with faculty

UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry's DDS pages do not describe the interview format, length or setting. Interviews cover motivation for dentistry, dental experience, manual dexterity, academic preparedness, and commitment to Texas communities. Interviewers probe awareness of Houston's diverse patient population, oral health needs in underserved Houston communities, and intent to practice in Texas.

UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry (DDS) intake

Approximately 100–110 students per year.

Where UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry (DDS) is

University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston School of Dentistry was founded in 1905 and is based in Houston, TX.

Programmes offered:

  • Orthodontics
  • Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
  • Periodontics
  • Prosthodontics
  • Pediatric Dentistry
Practise

Practise the UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry (DDS) interview with an AI interviewer

These are real recordings of the interviewers you would meet, from a panel of 19 photoreal faces. Speak your answers out loud, get pressed with follow-ups, and receive rubric-scored feedback about two minutes after you finish, with a replay of your answers.

Try the AI interviewer
Entry requirements

What you need to apply to UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry (DDS)

UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry (DDS) at a glance

University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston School of Dentistry Dentistry — 2027 entry at a glance
GPA (median)3.62
Acceptance rate6.0%
Class size105
In-state matriculants90%
Interview formatTraditional interview
IntakeApproximately 100–110 students per year
University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston School of Dentistry Dentistry admissions profile — 2027 entry
Admission overviewBachelor's degree and DAT required. Applications via TMDSAS. Texas residents have very strong preference — approximately 90% of seats for Texas residents. Dental experience, community service, and academic strength expected.
GPA median3.62 overall / 3.56 science (BCPM)
Acceptance rate6.0%
Class size105
In-state preferenceStrong — primarily in-state
In-state matriculants90%
CASPerNot required
Holistic review emphasisTexas residency, dental experience, academic record, Houston community engagement.
NotesEstimates from TMDSAS and school data; verify current cycle. DAT Academic Average median approximately 19–22 (hedged). TMDSAS application — ~90% Texas resident seats. DAT figure sourced 2026-09-12 from https://dentistry.uth.edu/news/story/by-the-numbers-dds-class-of-2030-dh-class-of-2028 (ADA 200-600 scale).
Specialities offeredOrthodontics, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Periodontics, Prosthodontics, Pediatric Dentistry

MCAT, GPA, acceptance-rate and class-size figures are taken from University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston 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 UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry (DDS) interviews applicants

University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston School of Dentistry Dentistry interview — 2027 entry
FormatTraditional one-on-one or panel interview with faculty
Interview window (2027 entry)October 2026–February 2027
Decision date (2027 entry)Rolling; TMDSAS uniform notification dates apply
Post-interview chancesApproximately 35–50% post-interview (estimated; strong for Texas residents).
Tutor insight
TMDSAS application is mandatory — Texas residency is critical. Houston's diversity is a genuine training asset; demonstrate awareness of this in your interview. Research UTHealth Houston's research programs and Texas Medical Center affiliations. Apply early in the TMDSAS cycle and demonstrate intent to practice in Texas.
Practice

Practise for your UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry (DDS) interview

PrometheusQuestion Bank485 dentistry questions inside

Interview questions matched to UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry (DDS)

Two questions from our US bank that match UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry (DDS)’s panel format. Try answering them out loud, then open Prometheus for the model answers and follow-up tips.

MediumMMI · PanelQ1

Geriatric Dental Care and an Aging America

The number of Americans aged 65 and older is growing rapidly, and more of them are keeping their natural teeth into old age than ever before. Traditional Medicare does not include routine dental coverage. What challenges does this demographic shift create for dentistry, and how should the profession and future dentists respond?

Likely follow-up · How do conditions like polypharmacy, dry mouth, and dementia complicate dental care for older adults?

3 expert tips in Prometheus
MediumMMI · PanelQ2

Special Care Dentistry First Encounter

Adults with physical, cognitive and developmental disabilities have some of the highest rates of dental disease and the lowest rates of dental care use in the United States. Barriers include inaccessible offices, patients who cannot tolerate routine procedures, limited special care training among general dentists, and dental curricula with minimal exposure to special needs patients.

You are a dental student starting a rotation at a special care dentistry clinic. How do you approach your first encounter with a patient who has moderate autism and significant dental anxiety?

Likely follow-up · His caregiver says he has previously needed general anesthesia for routine cleanings. What would a structured desensitization approach look like for him?

3 expert tips in Prometheus
Get support

Apply to UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry (DDS) with confidence

We've helped students into UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry (DDS) and other US dentistry schools — get tailored support for each stage of the application.

Sources

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

Compiled from University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston School of Dentistry's published admissions material and checked for internal consistency. Not independently re-checked against the school's own website for 2027 entry — confirm the figures with the school before you rely on them.

FAQ

UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry (DDS) — frequently asked questions

Bachelor's degree and DAT required. Applications via TMDSAS. Texas residents have very strong preference — approximately 90% of seats for Texas residents. Dental experience, community service, and academic strength expected.

Apply to UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry (DDS) with confidence

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