What is the difference between the D.M.D. and D.D.S. degrees?

There is no difference between the two degrees. D.D.S. (Doctor of Dental Surgery) and D.M.D. (Doctor of Dental Medicine) are equivalent degrees and are both dental diplomas. Some schools choose to award a D.D.S. while others award a D.M.D.

OHSU offers a D.M.D.

Back to the top

Is there a statute of limitations on coursework accepted by OHSU?

OHSU currently does not have a statute of limitations on coursework. We do highly recommend that applicants who have been out of school for an extended period of time enroll in additional science courses, which will strengthen their foundation of basic science, as well as familiarize themselves with contemporary scientific principles.

Back to the top

Is there a limit to how may courses can be taken pass/no pass or on how many times one can withdraw from courses?

As a general rule, applicants should minimize the number of courses completed for pass/no pass credit. Prerequisite coursework must be completed for a letter grade, unless a letter grade option is unavailable.  In addition, you should avoid withdrawing from courses if at all possible.  Minimal course withdrawals on your academic record will be tolerated. However, keep in mind that admissions officers look for patterns (i.e. if the applicant is consistently withdrawing from one course per term, or only in courses in a certain subject area). 

Back to the top

Is there a limit on the number of community college credit hours OHSU accepts?

OHSU does not limit the number of credit hours taken from community colleges. Because applicants apply to approximately 9-10 dental schools, we advise that you become familiar with the community college recommendations of each program you are considering in order to allow you to plan your academic program accordingly. Rigorous full-time basic science enrollment is strongly preferred. 

Back to the top

Is a baccalaureate degree required to gain admission to OHSU?

OHSU does not require a baccalaureate degree for admission, however preference is given to those applicants that indicate the completion of a degree prior to matriculation.

Back to the top

As a post-bacc student, I need to return to school to complete OHSU’s prerequisites. Where can I take post-bacc courses?

Applicants to OHSU can take post-bacc prerequisite courses at community colleges or at one of the formal post-bacc programs across the country, some of which grant bachelor’s or master’s degrees.

Because applicants apply to approximately 9–10 dental schools, we advise that you become familiar with recommendations with regard to post-bacc academic preparation for each program you are considering in order to allow you to plan your academic program accordingly. Rigorous full-time basic science enrollment is strongly preferred.

Back to the top

Does OHSU accept prerequisite courses taken online?

OHSU highly recommends that applicants complete prerequisite courses in a traditional classroom setting versus online.

Back to the top

Are labs required in my prerequisite science courses?

OHSU requires that you take all labs that correspond with basic science prerequisite courses with the exception of Biochemistry, in which a lab course is highly recommended. All lab courses must be completed for a letter grade unless a letter grade option is unavailable.

Back to the top

Is there a statute of limitations on Dental Admission Test scores?

OHSU does not consider American Dental Association Dental Admission Test scores older than three years.

Back to the top

Does OHSU have a limit on the number of times an applicant can take the Dental Admission Test?

Most applicants to dental school take the Dental Admission Test no more than twice. If you take it more than once, it is important that your scores consistently improve with every take.

The American Dental Association’s Council on Dental Education has established a policy limiting the number of opportunities the Dental Admission Test can be taken to no more than three. However,  applicants who have had three or more Dental Admission Test attempts can apply for permission to test again.  From that point forward, applicants may retest only once per 12-month period.

Back to the top

Does OHSU accept the Canadian Dental Admission Test?

OHSU does not accept the Canadian Dental Admission Test.

Back to the top

If I take the Dental Admission Test more than once, which set of scores does OHSU consider?

OHSU considers the most recent set of Dental Admission Test scores.

You will find that every dental school is different in this regard. Some schools take an average of all scores, while others take the highest score per Dental Admission Test category or take only the most recent scores.

Back to the top

In addition to grades and Dental Admission Test scores, what makes my application competitive?

Factors contributing to a competitive application include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Extracurricular activities
• Community service
• Volunteerism
• Leadership
• Research experience
• Experience in a dental field/dental career exploration
• Letters of evaluation
• Work and life experience

Back to the top

How many hours does OHSU require in exploring dentistry as a career?

Prior to application, applicants must have a minimum of 50 documented clinical hours of dental observation.

At least 25 of the 50 hours should be spent in one or more general practice settings for the reason that you will be exposed to all aspects of operating a general practice and observing the wide variety of procedures performed by a general dentist.

The remaining 25 hours can continue to come from a general practice, a dental specialty office, or a public health clinic.  While we appreciate the added value of observation in a dental school setting or participating in a mission related experience, we will not count that toward your initial 50 hours of required observation.

Back to the top

What is a “letter of evaluation”?

Rather than use the terminology “letter of recommendation”, we choose to use the terminology “letter of evaluation”. We prefer that applicants attain letters from faculty and dental professionals who are able to do more than solely recommend an applicant to our program, but who can also thoroughly evaluate an applicant’s many inherent qualities.

Back to the top

How many “letters of evaluation” are required to complete my application?

OHSU requires:

• one pre-professional committee letter, or
• two letters of evaluation from natural basic science faculty and one from a dentist or dental specialist.

If your pre-professional committee letter does not include an evaluation from a dentist, we ask that you send a supplemental letter of evaluation from a dentist under separate cover.

Back to the top

Does OHSU give preference to Oregon residents?

OHSU is considered a state assisted institution. Therefore, OHSU does give preference to Oregon residents. Although there is no set number, or quota of Oregon residents that we are required to admit each year, the majority of our incoming class will be Oregon residents.

Back to the top

How do I establish residency in the state of Oregon to be considered an Oregon resident at the time of application?

Your purpose for establishing residency in Oregon should not be primarily for educational reasons. Generally, you should reside and be employed in the state of Oregon at least one year prior to matriculation. If you are enrolled in classes in the state of Oregon, you should not be enrolled in more than eight (8) semester or quarter hours.

Any applicant in the process of establishing Oregon residency during the application cycle will not be considered an Oregon resident for the purpose of admission and/or tuition assessment until we have been able to confirm that Oregon residency requirements, according to OHSU’s residency policy, have been satisfied.

For more information, see Oregon Residency for In-State Tuition.

Further questions regarding residency requirements can be directed to the Office of the Registrar.

Back to the top

Does OHSU accept international applicants?

OHSU does accept applications from international students (F-1 visa holders) and permanent residents that have completed their undergraduate education at a regionally accredited college or university in the United States or Canada.

Back to the top

Does OHSU accept foreign coursework towards the fulfillment of admissions requirements?

Courses taken abroad will not fulfill admissions requirements. This also applies to prerequisite courses completed as part of semester/quarter abroad programs sponsored by U.S. and Canadian colleges and universities.

There are few exceptions that would need to be addressed by an admissions officer.

Back to the top

Does OHSU have an advanced standing program for foreign dental school graduates?

OHSU does not offer an advanced standing program. Visit The American Dental Education Association for information on programs throughout the country.

Back to the top