Dalhousie (Dal Dentistry)
Dalhousie University Faculty of Dentistry
Dalhousie University
School Information
Mission Statement
To promote oral health as an integral component of overall health through outstanding experiential and evidence-based learning and patient treatment, grounded in a culture of care for the diverse communities we serve, and driven by innovation, impactful research, and strong interprofessional collaboration.
Combined Degree Programs
- MD/MSc in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
A six-year joint program providing extensive surgical training at the Faculty of Dentistry and affiliated hospitals in Halifax, including a thesis requirement.
- DDS/PhD or DDS/MSc
While formal joint DDS/PhD tracks are less common, the faculty offers opportunities for DDS students to engage in advanced research (RIOH) that can lead to graduate studies in Biomedical Engineering or other sciences.
International Student Programs
Other Paths:
- DDS Qualifying Program - A three-year program designed for graduates of non-accredited international dentistry programs to become certified to practice in Canada.
- Bridge Training to Dental Practice in Canada - An up-to-eight-month program offered in partnership with the ACFD to help internationally trained dentists acquire a dental license.
Degree Requirements
Coursework Requirements
| Subject | Credits (Sem) | Lab Required | Min Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| biology | 6 | Yes | - |
| general chem | 6 | Yes | - |
| organic chem | 6 | Yes | - |
| physics | 6 | Yes | - |
| biochem | 3 | No | A- |
| microbiology | 3 | No | A- |
| physiology | 6 | No | A- |
| english | 6 | No | - |
| other | 12 | No | - |
Credit Policies
Experience Requirements
Letters of Recommendation
Required Types:
- science professor (1)
- supervisor (1)
Test Requirements
Application Logistics
Admissions Cycle
2024-2025
Mean Age
23
Class Size
46
GPA Statistics
Cumulative GPA
3.70
Science GPA
4.00
Last 60 Credits
4.00
DAT Scores
Primary Scores
Academic Average
20.0
Total Science
20.0
PAT
20.0
Section Breakdowns
RC
20.0
Applicants & Enrollees
| Category | Applicants | Enrollees | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| overall | 500 | 44 | 8.8% |
| in state | - | 20 | - |
| out of_state | - | 6 | - |
| international | - | 18 | - |
Class Composition
Academic Year
2026-2027
Tuition & Fees (Program Total, In-State)
$93,380.8
Cost by Program Year
Detailed Cost Breakdown
| Year | In-State Tuition | Out-of-State | Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| D1 | $22,485.69 | $45,005.91 | $859.51 |
| D2 | $22,485.69 | $45,005.91 | $859.51 |
| D3 | $22,485.69 | $45,005.91 | $859.51 |
| D4 | $22,485.69 | $45,005.91 | $859.51 |
| Total (4 Years) | $89,942.76 | $180,023.64 | $3,438.04 |
Research Opportunities
Research Themes:
Clinical Experiences
The curriculum emphasizes clinical patient treatment starting as early as the first year, with students treating patients in the student dental clinic, hospitals, and outreach sites by their second year. There is a strong focus on interprofessional and team-based care.
Clinical Rotations:
- Victoria General Hospital (VGH) - Mandatory one-week rotation in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery for third-year students (optional second week in fourth year).
- IWK Health Centre (IWK) - Clinical rotations in paediatric dentistry involving treatment of children and adolescents.
- Outreach Clinics - Community rotations at sites such as Harbour View Elementary School and Nelson Whynder Elementary School.
- Emergency and GAP Clinics - Clinical rotations focused on emergency care and comprehensive patient management.
- North Preston Dental Clinic - Community-based clinical outreach providing services to marginalized populations.
Postdoctoral Programs
- General Practice Residency (GPR)
- Paediatric General Practice Residency
- Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Internship
Graduate Programs
- MSc in Periodontics
- MD/MSc in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery