UT Health San Antonio School of Dentistry (DDS) Dental School - 2027 Entry Requirements & Interview Format
The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio School of Dentistry (UT Health San Antonio), founded in 1969, is one of Texas's two major public dental schools and trains dentists primarily for San Antonio, South Texas, and the US-Mexico border region. Located within the UT Health San Antonio academic health science centre, the school benefits from close ties with the Long School of Medicine. San Antonio's large Hispanic and military population provides diverse and rich clinical training opportunities.
Entry Requirements
What you need to apply to UT Health San Antonio School of Dentistry (DDS).
Admission overview
Bachelor's degree and DAT required. Applications via TMDSAS. Texas residents have very strong preference — approximately 90% of seats for Texas residents. Dental experience, academic record, and service commitment expected.
GPA median
3.60 overall / 3.54 science (BCPM)
Acceptance rate
6.0%
Class size
95
In-state preference
Strong — primarily in-state
In-state matriculants
90%
CASPer
Not required
Holistic review emphasis
Texas residency, dental experience, South Texas and Hispanic community commitment, academic record.
Notes
Estimates from TMDSAS and school data; verify current cycle. DAT Academic Average median approximately 19–22 (hedged). TMDSAS application — ~90% Texas resident seats.
Specialities offered
General Dentistry, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Orthodontics, Pediatric Dentistry, Community Dentistry
Interview Format
How UT Health San Antonio School of Dentistry (DDS) interviews applicants.
Format
Traditional one-on-one or panel interview with faculty
Interview window
October–February
Decision date
Rolling; TMDSAS uniform notification dates apply
Post-interview chances
Approximately 35–50% post-interview (estimated; strong for Texas residents).
What to expect at a UT Health San Antonio School of Dentistry (DDS) interview
UT Health San Antonio School of Dentistry conducts traditional faculty interviews on its San Antonio campus, typically 30–45 minutes. The interview assesses motivation for dentistry, dental experience, manual dexterity, academic preparedness, and alignment with the school's mission. San Antonio's large Hispanic and military population is reflected in interview themes — interviewers probe awareness of oral health disparities in these communities and commitment to serving South Texas. The interview day includes clinic tours.
What makes UT Health San Antonio School of Dentistry (DDS) different
Applications via TMDSAS. UT Health San Antonio's location provides a distinctive training environment — San Antonio's large Hispanic community and significant active-duty military population mean dental students gain clinical experience with patient demographics rarely encountered at other schools. The proximity to the US-Mexico border reinforces border health awareness.
Tutor insight
TMDSAS application is mandatory — Texas residency is critical. San Antonio's Hispanic and military demographics are central to the school's identity; demonstrate awareness of oral health disparities in these communities. Research UT Health San Antonio specifically before your interview. Apply early in the TMDSAS cycle.
PrometheusQuestion Bank
405 dentistry questions inside
Interview questions matched to UT Health San Antonio School of Dentistry (DDS)
Two questions our tutors flagged as a strong fit for UT Health San Antonio School of Dentistry (DDS)’s interview style. Try answering them out loud, then open Prometheus for the model answers and follow-up tips.
Medium·PanelQ1
Oral Cancer Screening: Responsibility and Opportunity in the Dental Visit
Approximately 54,000 Americans are diagnosed with oral cavity or oropharyngeal cancer each year, and the five-year survival rate drops dramatically when diagnosis is delayed beyond Stage I or II. Dentists are often the first — or only — healthcare provider to perform a systematic head-and-neck examination, making them uniquely positioned to detect early-stage oral lesions. How do you think about the oral cancer screening responsibility that every dental visit represents, and what should a dentist do when a patient is reluctant to have a tissue biopsy recommended after an abnormal finding?
Likely follow-up · HPV-associated oropharyngeal cancers have surpassed tobacco-associated oral cancers in incidence in the United States. How does this epidemiological shift change what you ask patients about during a health history intake?
3 expert tips in Prometheus
Hard·PanelQ2
Holistic Review: Evaluating a Candidate With Criminal History
Dental licensure requires a finding of good moral character, and most dental school applications ask applicants to disclose criminal history. An applicant before your admissions committee is 29 years old. At age 21, he was convicted of a DUI resulting in an accident that caused minor injuries to another person. He served a 30-day sentence, completed three years of probation, paid restitution, and has had no subsequent legal issues in eight years. He was candid about this in his application and writes about it with evident reflection about the harm he caused and the changes he made in his life as a result. He has exceptional clinical preparation including four years as a dental assistant, strong letters, and a 3.7 GPA and 22 DAT. How should the committee evaluate his candidacy?
Likely follow-up · A committee member argues that someone who has caused harm to another person should never be admitted to a healthcare profession that requires trust. How do you engage with this position?
Apply to UT Health San Antonio School of Dentistry (DDS) with confidence
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UT Health San Antonio 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, academic record, and service commitment expected.
Traditional one-on-one or panel interview with faculty. UT Health San Antonio School of Dentistry conducts traditional faculty interviews on its San Antonio campus, typically 30–45 minutes. The interview assesses motivation for dentistry, dental experience, manual dexterity, academic preparedness, and alignment with the school's mission. San Antonio's large Hispanic and military population is reflected in interview themes — interviewers probe awareness of oral health disparities in these communities and commitment to serving South Texas. The interview day includes clinic tours.
UT Health San Antonio School of Dentistry (DDS) typically interviews in October–February.
Decisions are released Rolling; TMDSAS uniform notification dates apply.
Applications via TMDSAS. UT Health San Antonio's location provides a distinctive training environment — San Antonio's large Hispanic community and significant active-duty military population mean dental students gain clinical experience with patient demographics rarely encountered at other schools. The proximity to the US-Mexico border reinforces border health awareness.
