UCLA (UCLA School of Dentistry)
University of California, Los Angeles, School of Dentistry
University of California, Los Angeles
School Information
Mission Statement
To improve the oral and general health of the people of California, the nation, and the world through education, research, patient care, and public service.
Combined Degree Programs
- DDS/PhD in Oral Biology
A unique 7-year program for students seeking careers in academic dentistry and research.
- DDS/MBA
Offered in conjunction with UCLA Anderson School of Management; students typically apply during their 3rd year of dental school.
- DDS/MPH
Integrates clinical dental training with public health principles for careers in population health and policy.
- Dental Specialty/PhD
Offers dual training in a clinical specialty certificate and a PhD in Oral Biology.
International Student Programs
Other Paths:
- Advanced Clinical Training Programs (ACTP) - Hands-on experience in nine specialties for foreign-trained dentists, ranging from 1 to 3 years.
- Preceptorship Programs - Observer-based experiences for international dentists, lasting 1 to 4 academic quarters.
- Residency for International Dentists - CODA-accredited residency programs available for graduates of non-CODA accredited dental schools.
Degree Requirements
Coursework Requirements
| Subject | Credits (Sem) | Lab Required | Min Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| biology | 8 | Yes | C |
| general chem | 8 | Yes | C |
| organic chem | 6 | Yes | C |
| physics | 8 | Yes | C |
| english | 6 | No | C |
| biochem | 3 | No | C |
| other | 3 | No | C |
Credit Policies
Experience Requirements
Letters of Recommendation
Required Types:
- other (3)
Test Requirements
Application Logistics
Admissions Cycle
2023-2024
Mean Age
23
Class Size
88
GPA Statistics
Cumulative GPA
3.87
Science GPA
3.84
DAT Scores
Primary Scores
Academic Average
23.1
Total Science
23.3
PAT
21.5
Entering Class Percentile Ranges
Reported 5th, median, and 95th percentile values for the entering class. Missing points were not reported.
DAT Academic Average
Entering-class percentile
- 5th
- 20
- 50th
- 23.1
- 95th
- 26
Lower
Median
Upper
Cumulative GPA
Entering-class percentile
- 5th
- 3.67
- 50th
- —
- 95th
- 4.00
Lower
Median
Upper
Science GPA
Entering-class percentile
- 5th
- 3.61
- 50th
- —
- 95th
- 4.00
Lower
Median
Upper
Applicants & Enrollees
| Category | Applicants | Enrollees | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| overall | 1,681 | 85 | 5.1% |
| in state | 891 | 74 | 8.3% |
| out of_state | 680 | 10 | 1.5% |
| international | 110 | 1 | 0.9% |
Class Composition
Out-of-State Enrollee Origins
Home states represented by enrolled students from outside the school's local state.
10 students reported
Academic Year
2026-2027
Tuition & Fees (Program Total, In-State)
$227,441
Cost by Program Year
Detailed Cost Breakdown
| Year | In-State Tuition | Out-of-State | Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| D1 | $52,880 | $65,125 | - |
| D2 | $58,187 | $70,432 | - |
| D3 | $58,187 | $70,432 | - |
| D4 | $58,187 | $70,432 | - |
| Total (4 Years) | $227,441 | $276,421 | $0 |
Research Opportunities
Research Themes:
Clinical Experiences
UCLA features a 4-year curriculum with early clinical exposure beginning in the first year with observations, moving to preclinical simulation in the second year and comprehensive patient care in the final two years.
Clinical Rotations:
- Community-Based Clinical Education (CBCE) - A required 6 to 8-week rotation for 4th-year students at affiliated community clinics across multiple states.
- Oral Surgery Rotation - Dedicated clinical blocks during the 3rd and 4th years focused on surgical procedures.
- Urgent Care Rotation - Hands-on experience in managing emergency dental cases and acute patient needs.
- Patient Assessment Rotation - Focused on diagnosis, treatment planning, and medical risk assessment in clinical settings.
Postdoctoral Programs
- Advanced Education in General Dentistry (AEGD)
- Endodontics
- Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery
- Orthodontics
- Pediatric Dentistry
- Periodontics
- Prosthodontics
- Orofacial Pain & Dysfunction
Graduate Programs
- MS in Oral Biology
- PhD in Oral Biology