School of Dentistry
Professional Programs

Doctor of Dental Surgery

The Doctor of Dental Surgery (D.D.S.) curriculum provides students opportunities to learn the fundamental principles significant to the entire body of oral health. Students (approximately 63 per class) learn the basic health sciences, attain proficiency in clinical skills, develop an understanding of professional and ethical principles, and develop reasoning and critical decision-making skills that enable implementation of the dental knowledge base. The first year is divided among lecture, laboratory, and preclinical activities in basic sciences, dental anatomy, occlusion, and dental materials. There are also early clinical experiences in preventive dentistry and periodontics. In the second year, students develop additional preclinical skills, learn how basic science principles are applied to the clinical setting, and begin clinical patient treatment. In the third and fourth years, students primarily concentrate on providing clinical treatment and attend lectures that refine diagnostic and technical skills. Additionally, students are required to participate in elective clinical and didactic courses. Students choose elective courses offered by all departments, including opportunities in independent study, research, seminars on various topics, and specialty clinical topics.

The D.D. S. curriculum extends for 42 months or 14 quarters, including two summer quarters. Twelve of the academic year quarters are ten weeks of instruction and one week of examination, while the two required summer quarters following years two and three are each nine weeks long. If needed, students may be allowed additional time to complete required coursework beyond 42 months.

Admission

Requirements include: Courses listed below; Dental Admission Test; personal interview. The Admissions Committee encourages diversity in majors. Courses in the social sciences and the humanities are also considered by the committee, as are noncognitive factors, including community service.

The School of Dentistry is a state supported institution and participates in the student exchange program provided by the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE) which supports students from western states without dental schools. Although all applications are carefully reviewed, preference in admission is given to residents of Washington and WICHE states, followed by residents of other states.

Required courses: general chemistry - two quarters or one semester; organic chemistry - two two quarters or one semester; general biochemistry - two quarters or one semester; general physics - three quarters or two semesters; general biology or zoology - three quarters or two semesters; general microbiology - two quarters or one semester.

Transfer Applicants: The school rarely, and only under exceptional circumstances, admits transfer students from other dental schools.

Foreign Applicants: The school does not provide a special program for foreign-trained dentists.

Health Sciences Minority Student Programs: To increase diversity of students, the school participates in the Health Sciences Minority Student Program. In addition to advising and career counseling, this office works with Health Sciences schools to provide student development and support programs, networking opportunities, and summer research programs. The HSMSP office activities include participation on several health sciences and campus-wide committees for purposes of collaborating and exchanging strategies on effective methods for recruiting and retaining a diverse student body, as well as promoting and celebrating diversity.

Regional Initiatives in Dental Education (RIDE) is a strategic expansion of the University of Washington School of Dentistry in conjunction with Eastern Washington University, designed to help meet the oral health needs of rural and underserved communities in the Northwest. RIDE creates regional training sites in areas lacking dental schools by partnering with regional universities, dentists and dental associations, community health centers, and others. Student admission to the RIDE program in Spokane is limited to residents of Washington state.

The School belongs to the American Association of Dental Schools Application Service (AADSAS). November 1 is the AADSAS priority filing deadline. Only applications received in the AADSAS Washington, D.C. office by the priority filing date are forwarded to the UW for consideration by the Admissions Committee. There are no exceptions. AADSAS applications are available online at www.adea.org. Information regarding the Dental Admission Test may be found at http://www.ada.org/prac/careers/dat-01.html.

For information on admission to the UW School of Dentistry, contact either the Office of Student Admissions, School of Dentistry, University of Washington, Box 356365, Seattle, WA 98195-6365, 206-543-5840, fax 206-616-2612, askuwsod@u.washington.edu, or www.dental.washington.edu. University of Washington undergraduates may contact the Predental Advising Office, University of Washington, 171 Mary Gates Hall, Box 353760, Seattle, WA 98195-3760.

Once the AADSAS application has been received, a preliminary screening determines if an applicant meets the Admissions Committee's criteria to receive a supplemental application and request for the following materials:

1. A supplementary application which includes a short personal statement
2. A non-refundable application fee of $35.
3. Three letters of recommendation. Letters of recommendation must include one from a science instructor who can evaluate the applicant's academic and intellectual qualifications, a second from a dentist who is familiar with the applicant's knowledge of and motivation toward the dental profession, and the third (character reference) from someone who can indicate the applicant's contribution to fellow man, community, etc. If a predental committee exists on the applicant's campus, a combined recommendation from that committee may be used to replace all three recommendations. The School of Dentistry accepts letters of recommendation processed by AADSAS, or directly from recommenders.
4. Dental Admission Test scores. Test must be taken by October 31 of the year prior to entry.
5. Transcripts from all higher education institutions attended.
6. A list of current and future courses.
7. Acknowledgment of having read, understood, and being able to meet, with or without reasonable accommodation, the Essential Requirements of Dental Education at the University of Washington School of Dentistry (to be sent with the supplemental application form).
8. Conviction/criminal history information. Washington state law requires that all faculty, students, and staff disclose background information concerning crimes and offenses against vulnerable populations. A complete copy of the law is available from the School's Office of Student Services and is forwarded upon request. Applications are not considered until completed disclosure forms have been returned to student admissions.

The application is considered complete once all materials noted above (1-8) are returned. Upon receipt of the completed application, invitations for an interview are sent to applicants based on a preliminary screening of grades, DAT scores, and non-cognitive factors. The interview is an opportunity for an open, friendly discussion of the applicant's interests, background, and reasons for selecting dentistry as a profession, and allows the applicant to ask questions about the school, faculty, and student life. In addition to the interview, the applicant has an opportunity to hear information about financial aid, meet and have lunch with enrolled students, tour the school, meet one of the school's deans, and hear presentations about research and outreach opportunities.

The admissions committee, composed of faculty and community dentists, determines admission status after considering the following:

1. Grades. Overall GPA and GPA in required predental science courses. Committee members look for a strong, consistent GPA without withdrawals, incompletes, repeated courses, or non-graded options. Grade trends are reviewed.
2. DAT (Dental Admission Test). The test, sponsored by the American Dental Association, covers several areas: quantitative reasoning, survey of natural sciences (including biology, general, and organic chemistry), and perceptual ability (including form development, apertures, angles, cubes, and orthographic projections). At the UW scores are reviewed to identify an applicant's areas of strength. The test must be taken no later than October 31, one year prior to admission.
3. Level of Pre-professional Education. The majority of applicants have a baccalaureate degree by the time of entry. Admission may be offered to applicants without a baccalaureate degree, but only to those who have completed all predental requirements and have a highly competitive academic record. A minimum of three years' full-time coursework is required.
4. Dental Knowledge. Includes knowledge of the field of dentistry through volunteer experience in a dental setting (dentist's office, clinic, etc.), introductory dental coursework, and exploration of the dental literature. A qualified applicant will have a clear understanding of the profession, a demonstrated interest in the field, and a minimum of 100 volunteer hours in a dental setting.
5. Contribution to Diversity.
6. Unique Life Experiences. Among other things, research and teaching efforts, travel, and work experience are some of the life experiences considered.
7. Personal Attributes. In addition to motivation, the applicant's poise and communication skills are examined. Personal attributes such as integrity, responsibility, leadership, initiative, community service, perseverance, and diversity of interests are important.
8. Demonstrated Community Service.

Although interviews begin in October, the earliest the Admissions Committee notifies applicants is December 1. The school uses a "rolling admission" format, so interviews and committee decisions continue to be made between December and March.

The Admissions Committee makes one of three decisions:

1. Offer of Acceptance. Admission application has been accepted. The applicant has a specified time to reply to reserve enrollment in the entering first-year class. In addition, enrollment is contingent on timely submission of the following: registration deposit, transcripts showing completion of all required predental courses, registration for autumn quarter of the upcoming academic year, and completion of required immunizations.
2. Alternate Status. Applicant is offered a position on the alternate list. The applicant has a specified time to reserve a position on this list, maintained until the beginning of the school year.
3. Denial of Admission. The Committee has considered the application but cannot offer a position or alternate status.

Accepted applicants receive follow-up letters and information. Letters detailing registration procedures and providing financial aid information are sent in early summer. Also in summer, new students receive a packet of materials welcoming them to the school and describing the orientation program. Attendance is mandatory and provides an opportunity for the newly enrolled student to learn about the upcoming curriculum, student rights and responsibilities, financial aid information, student organizations, and to begin coursework. Orientation begins in late August. New students attend an off-campus student retreat to meet classmates and relax in an informal setting.

Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE): The school participates in a program administered by WICHE for students who reside in western states not served by a dental school (Alaska, Arizona, Hawaii, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota, and Wyoming). Such students should seek requests for certification and information about benefits of the program from the WICHE commission office in their state of residence.

Information on loans and scholarships may be obtained from the Director of Financial Aid, D323 Health Sciences, Box 356365. Information relating to student life, including the Academic Regulations Manual and Professional Ethics Code may be obtained from the Associate Dean for Student Services, D323 Health Sciences, Box 356365.

Degree Requirements

285-333 credits minimum, as follows:

1. Year 1 (71 credits, plus electives): B STR 431 (2), B STR 530 (13), B STR 541 (4); DENT 610 (2); DPHS 510 (2); ORALB 510 (3, 3), ORALB 520 (3); ORALB 521 (2); ORALM 513, ORALM 514, ORALM 515 (1, 1, 1); ORALM 516, ORALM 517 (1, 2); P BIO 505; P BIO 506 (4, 4); PATH 544 (3, 2); PERIO 517 (2); RES D 510 (1, 2), RES D 511 (3), RES D 515 (3), RES D 516 (3), RES D 517 (3), RES D 519 (1)
2. Year 2 (86 credits, plus electives): DENT 520 (1); DENT 521, DENT 522 (3, 3); DENT 523 (1); ENDO 521 (4); O S 520 (2); ORALM 520 (2, 2, 2), ORALM 525 (1), ORALM 526 (2), ORALM 527 (1), ORALM 528 (1), ORALM 529 (4); ORTHO 520 (2), ORTHO 521 (3), ORTHO 522 (2); PEDO 520 (4), PEDO 525 (1); PERIO 525, PERIO 526 (2, 2); PERIO 620 (1); PHCOL 434 (2), PHCOL 435 (2); PROS 520 (3), PROS 523 (2), PROS 525 (4), PROS 620 (3, 1); RES D 520, RES D 521, RES D 522 (3, 3, 3); RES D 525, RES D 526, RES D 527 (3, 3, 3); RES D 620 (3)
3. Year 3 (74 credits, plus electives): DENT 533 (2), DENT 534 (1, 1), DENT 537 (1), DENT 543 (1); DENT 551, DENT 552, DENT 553, DENT 554 (1, 1, 1, 1); DPHS 535 (1), ENDO 534 (1), ENDO 535 (1), ENDO 630 (1, 1, 1, 1); O S 530 (1, 1, 1), O S 532 (2), O S 630 (2, 2); ORALM 531, ORALM 532, ORALM 533 (1, 1, 2); ORALM 630 (1, 1, 1, 2); ORTHO 630 (1); ORTHO 631 (1); PEDO 630 (1, 1, 1, 1); PERIO 530, PERIO 531 (2, 2); PERIO 630, PERIO 631, PERIO 632 (1, 1, 1); PERIO 639 (1); PROS 630 (1, 1, 1, 2); RES D 530, RES D 531, RES D 532 (2, 2, 2); RES D 535 (3), RES D 630 (2, 3, 3), RES D 635 (3)
4. Year 4 (55 credits, plus electives):DENT 547, DENT 548, DENT 549 (2, 2, 2); DENT 555, DENT 556, DENT 557 (1, 1, 1); DENT 640 (2), DENT 645 (2); DPHS 541 (1), DPHS 640 (1); ENDO 630 (1, 1, 1); O S 630 (2); ORALB 540 (2); ORALM 540 (2, 2), ORALM 545 (1, 1), ORALM 640 (1, 1, 1); PEDO 630 (1, 1, 1); PERIO 540 (1); PERIO 640, PERIO 641, PERIO 642 (1, 1, 1); PROS 640 (1, 1, 1); RES D 540 (2), RES D 541 (2), RES D 542 (1), RES D 640 (3, 3, 3)
5. Electives: A minimum of two elective courses must be taken during the course of the program. Elective credits may not exceed a total of 50 credits.

Facilities

School clinics, teaching laboratories, and lecture halls are up-to-date, well maintained, and periodically renovated. Clinical modules are assigned to students for use in patient treatment. The D-1 Simulation Clinic is a state-of-the-art teaching facility used for preclinical and laboratory courses.

School Accreditation and Licensure

The school is fully accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation, the recognized accrediting body for dentistry and the related dental fields. For information, write to the Commission on Dental Accreditation, 211 East Chicago Ave., Chicago, IL 60611-2678. Admission to the practice of dentistry in any state is conditional upon meeting the requirements of the individual state dental licensure requirement. In order to practice in the State of Washington, the candidate for licensure must have a dental degree from a U.S. or Canadian dental school, and have successfully completed the American Dental Association National Board Examinations and the Western Regional Examining Board Examination. Additional information about licensure requirements should be requested from the Washington State Department of Health, Dental Quality Assurance Commission, PO Box 1099, Olympia WA 98504-1099, 360- 586-6898.

Health Care and Immunization Policy

Enrolled students at the UW School of Dentistry are eligible for healthcare services provided by the Hall Health Primary Care Center. In addition, the University has arranged for an Accident and Sickness Insurance Plan specifically designed for students, their dependents, and their domestic partners for which the Hall Health Primary Care Center is the preferred provider. The UW Health Sciences Center requires that its students, staff, and faculty show documentation of protection against a number of vaccine-preventable diseases. Additional information is available via the Hall Health Primary Care Center Web site at http://depts.washington.edu/hhpccweb/index.php?ClinicID=1