Dental Schools in Illinois
3 DDS/DMD dental programs in our catalogue for Illinois. Compare DAT score requirements, GPA profiles, in-state preference and AADSAS application strategy.
About Illinois: Pop. ~12.5M; Chicago metro (~9.5M) dominates, with world-class academic medical centres including Northwestern and University of Chicago. UIC College of Medicine is one of the largest MD programs in the US.
In-state context: Private schools (Northwestern Feinberg, UChicago Pritzker) admit nationally. UIC College of Medicine and Loyola Stritch have strong preference for Illinois residents. Chicago COM (DO) also prioritises Illinois-region applicants.
Major health systems
- Northwestern Medicine
- University of Chicago Medicine
- Rush University Medical Center
- Advocate Aurora Health
- NorthShore University HealthSystem
- Cook County Health
DDS vs DMD — what is the difference?
Both DDS (Doctor of Dental Surgery) and DMD (Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry / Doctor of Dental Medicine) are equivalent degrees. The title used depends solely on the university, not on any difference in training, scope of practice, or licensure. All CODA-accredited programs lead to the same dental licence. Applications go through AADSAS (ADEA) for most schools. The DAT (Dental Admission Test) is required by virtually all programs.
3 Dental Programs in Illinois
- UIC College of Dentistry (DMD)
Chicago, IL
The University of Illinois Chicago College of Dentistry (UIC COD) was founded in 1913. It is the dental school of the University of Illinois Chicago, a major public research university with a large health sciences campus in the city. UIC COD is one of the most applied-to dental schools in the Midwest, and it serves one of the most diverse urban patient populations of any US dental school. Its community health mission runs deep: it serves Chicago's underserved neighborhoods through a large dental clinic and a set of community outreach programs.
DMD6.5% acceptanceStrong in-state pref. - Midwestern University College of Dental Medicine Illinois (DMD)
Downers Grove, IL
Midwestern University College of Dental Medicine Illinois, located in Downers Grove in the Chicago suburbs, offers a DMD program within MWU's multidisciplinary health sciences campus. Founded in 2009, the program benefits from co-location with MWU's osteopathic medical school, pharmacy, optometry, podiatry, and other health programs, providing integrated interprofessional dental education. The curriculum emphasizes evidence-based practice, patient-centered care, and the oral-systemic health connection.
DMD6.5% acceptance - Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine (DMD)
Alton, IL
The Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine, located in Alton on the Mississippi River near St. Louis, is a public dental school with an explicit mission to serve the oral health needs of Southern Illinois — one of the most economically disadvantaged regions of the state. Founded in 1972, SIU Dental trains approximately 50 DMD students per year with strong emphasis on community-based care, rural dentistry, and access to underserved populations.
DMD5.5% acceptanceStrong in-state pref.
Applying to dental school in Illinois?
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