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US Dentistry · 2027 Entry

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

Location Richmond, VA, United StatesEstablished 1893Interviews October–FebruaryDecisions Rolling admissions, final decisions March
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Full guide

How to get into VCU 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 VCU 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 VCU School of Dentistry (DDS)

Virginia Commonwealth University School of Dentistry (VCU Dental), located in Richmond, is Virginia's only dental school and one of the largest dental programs on the US East Coast. Founded in 1893, VCU Dental is known for its high clinical volume — the school operates one of the busiest dental clinics in the region — and its strong research enterprise. As Virginia's sole public dental school, VCU carries a significant mission to train dentists for communities across the Commonwealth.

What makes it different

Applications via ADEA AADSAS. VCU Dental is Virginia's only dental school — it bears the responsibility of training dentists for the entire Commonwealth, including rural Appalachian communities and urban Richmond. The school's large clinical volume provides exceptional patient exposure across a diverse socioeconomic and ethnic spectrum.

Course & teaching

Traditional curriculum. 4-year DDS curriculum with preclinical simulation training in Years 1–2 and comprehensive patient care in Years 3–4. VCU Dental operates a large dental clinic in Richmond with high patient volume. Extramural rotations at community health centers and rural Virginia sites available.

Research strengths

VCU School of Dentistry (DDS) has notable research strength in Craniofacial biology, Oral implantology, Periodontal disease, Oral cancer, Dental biomaterials.

Interview

VCU School of Dentistry (DDS) interviews via Traditional one-on-one or panel interview with faculty. VCU School of Dentistry conducts traditional faculty interviews at its Richmond campus, typically 30–45 minutes. The interview evaluates motivation for dentistry, dental experience, manual dexterity awareness, academic record, and commitment to Virginia communities. Interviewers probe ADA ethical principles, patient communication approach, and oral-systemic health awareness. VCU's urban Richmond location and diverse patient base are discussed. The interview day includes clinic tours and meetings with current students.

Intake

Approximately 100–110 students per year.

At a glance

Founded in 1893, based in Richmond, VA. Programmes offered: Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Orthodontics, Periodontics, Prosthodontics, Pediatric Dentistry.

Entry requirements

What you need to apply to VCU School of Dentistry (DDS)

Admission overview
Bachelor's degree and DAT required. Applications via ADEA AADSAS. Virginia residents have significant preference as the state's only public dental school. Dental experience, manual dexterity evidence, and community involvement expected.
GPA median
3.60 overall / 3.54 science (BCPM)
Acceptance rate
5.5%
Class size
105
In-state preference
Strong — primarily in-state
In-state matriculants
68%
CASPer
Not required
Holistic review emphasis
Virginia residency, dental experience, academic record, community service.
Notes
Estimates from ADEA AADSAS and school data; verify current cycle. DAT Academic Average median approximately 19–22 (hedged). Strong in-state preference as sole public VA dental school.
Specialities offered
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Orthodontics, Periodontics, Prosthodontics, Pediatric Dentistry
Interview

How VCU School of Dentistry (DDS) interviews applicants

Format
Traditional one-on-one or panel interview with faculty
Interview window
October–February
Decision date
Rolling admissions, final decisions March
Post-interview chances
Approximately 30–45% post-interview (estimated; strong for Virginia residents).
Tutor insight
Virginia residents have a strong advantage at VCU — demonstrate intent to practice in Virginia, especially in underserved areas. Research oral health disparities in rural Virginia and Richmond's underserved communities. VCU's high clinical volume is a selling point — emphasize your commitment to building strong clinical skills through patient contact. Apply early via ADEA AADSAS.
Practice

Practise for your VCU School of Dentistry (DDS) interview

PrometheusQuestion Bank485 dentistry questions inside

Interview questions matched to VCU School of Dentistry (DDS)

Two questions our tutors flagged as a strong fit for VCU School of Dentistry (DDS)’s interview style. Try answering them out loud, then open Prometheus for the model answers and follow-up tips.

EasyPanelQ1

Reflecting on Your DAT Preparation Journey

The Dental Admission Test covers natural sciences, perceptual ability, reading comprehension, and quantitative reasoning — a range of cognitive skills tested under strict time pressure. Reflect on your DAT preparation process: what study strategies were most effective, where did you struggle, and what did the experience of preparing for a high-stakes standardized test teach you about your own learning style and resilience that you will carry forward into dental school and clinical training?

Likely follow-up · The Perceptual Ability Test (PAT) is unique to the DAT and requires spatial reasoning skills that many pre-dental students have not developed through coursework. How did you approach this section, and what does your performance on it tell you about your ability to adapt to novel cognitive demands?

3 expert tips in Prometheus
HardPanel · MMIQ2

Informed Consent for a Complex Surgical Case in a Medically Complex Patient

A 67-year-old patient on bisphosphonate therapy (alendronate) for osteoporosis for the past seven years presents requiring extraction of an unrestorable maxillary molar. Communicating a risk of roughly 0.1-0.5% (the AAOMS estimate for MRONJ after tooth extraction in patients on oral bisphosphonates is approximately 0.5%; observational series report lower): contextualizing statistical risk is a known communication challenge. The most useful approaches pair the percentage with a concrete comparison ('Roughly 1 in 200 to 1 in 1,000 extractions in patients on your medication are associated with this complication') and explain what the outcome means in human terms ('It would mean a slow-healing wound at the extraction site that requires specialist management — it is serious but manageable when caught early'). Note that this extraction-specific figure is much higher than the background rate of this complication in everyone taking the drug, which is what the low headline numbers usually refer to. Do not minimize but do not catastrophize — the goal is calibrated understanding. of dental extractions in patients on long-term bisphosphonate therapy — particularly intravenous bisphosphonates, though oral bisphosphonates also carry risk after long-term use. The patient is not aware of this risk. How do you conduct the informed consent conversation for this procedure, and what clinical steps would you take to minimize risk?

Likely follow-up · The patient asks: 'How likely is this to happen to me?' You know the absolute risk of BRONJ from oral bisphosphonates is low but not zero — Communicating a risk of roughly 0.1-0.5% (the AAOMS estimate for MRONJ after tooth extraction in patients on oral bisphosphonates is approximately 0.5%; observational series report lower): contextualizing statistical risk is a known communication challenge. The most useful approaches pair the percentage with a concrete comparison ('Roughly 1 in 200 to 1 in 1,000 extractions in patients on your medication are associated with this complication') and explain what the outcome means in human terms ('It would mean a slow-healing wound at the extraction site that requires specialist management — it is serious but manageable when caught early'). Note that this extraction-specific figure is much higher than the background rate of this complication in everyone taking the drug, which is what the low headline numbers usually refer to. Do not minimize but do not catastrophize — the goal is calibrated understanding.. How do you communicate this probability in a way that is accurate and useful to the patient rather than creating disproportionate alarm or false reassurance?

3 expert tips in Prometheus
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