Detroit Mercy Dental (UDM School of Dentistry)
University of Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry
University of Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry
School Information
Mission Statement
The University of Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry, in the Jesuit and Mercy tradition, through the integration of scholarly activity, evidence-based teaching, and service, fosters a forward thinking, inclusive learning environment committed to developing competent, socially and ethically sensitive healthcare professionals who are committed to patient care and community wellness.
Combined Degree Programs
- 7-Year BS/DDS Program
An accelerated academic program for high school students to earn both a baccalaureate and DDS degree in seven years instead of eight; students complete pre-dental studies at the McNichols Campus before entering the School of Dentistry.
- DDS/MBA
Listed as a combined degree offering at the university level for dental students.
- DDS/MPH
Combined Master of Public Health offering available to dental students.
- DDS/MS
Combined Master of Science offering, frequently integrated with specialty residency programs.
- DDS/PhD
Combined doctoral degree path for students interested in academic and research careers.
International Student Programs
Other Paths:
- Faculty/Qualified Foreign Graduate Path - Opportunity for qualified graduates of foreign dental schools to earn a DDS while serving under a part-time faculty contract within the School of Dentistry.
- Advanced Standing Eligibility Note - Unique requirement: Applicants must typically have an ADA-accredited post-graduate specialty degree or certificate (minimum 2 years) from a U.S. or Canadian program to be eligible for the Advanced Standing path.
Degree Requirements
Coursework Requirements
| Subject | Credits (Sem) | Lab Required | Min Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| biology | 8 | Yes | C |
| general chem | 8 | Yes | C |
| organic chem | 8 | Yes | C |
| physics | 8 | Yes | C |
| biochem | 3 | No | C |
| microbiology | 3 | No | C |
| english | 6 | No | C |
Credit Policies
Experience Requirements
Letters of Recommendation
Required Types:
- science professor (2)
- dentist (1)
Test Requirements
Application Logistics
Admissions Cycle
2024-2025
Mean Age
24
Class Size
145
GPA Statistics
Cumulative GPA
3.68
Science GPA
3.61
DAT Scores
Primary Scores
Academic Average
20.4
Total Science
20.3
PAT
19.3
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
- 18
- 50th
- —
- 95th
- 24
Lower
Median
Upper
Cumulative GPA
Entering-class percentile
- 5th
- 3.24
- 50th
- —
- 95th
- 3.98
Lower
Median
Upper
Science GPA
Entering-class percentile
- 5th
- 3.09
- 50th
- —
- 95th
- 3.97
Lower
Median
Upper
Applicants & Enrollees
| Category | Applicants | Enrollees | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| overall | 2,155 | 145 | 6.7% |
| in state | 420 | 81 | 19.3% |
| out of_state | 1,353 | 36 | 2.7% |
| international | 382 | 28 | 7.3% |
Class Composition
Out-of-State Enrollee Origins
Home states represented by enrolled students from outside the school's local state.
36 students reported
Academic Year
2026-2027
Tuition & Fees (Program Total, In-State)
$343,770
Cost by Program Year
Detailed Cost Breakdown
| Year | In-State Tuition | Out-of-State | Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| D1 | $85,130 | $85,130 | $841 |
| D2 | $85,130 | $85,130 | $803 |
| D3 | $85,130 | $85,130 | $803 |
| D4 | $85,130 | $85,130 | $803 |
| Total (4 Years) | $340,520 | $340,520 | $3,250 |
Research Opportunities
Research Themes:
Clinical Experiences
A four-year patient-centered curriculum that integrates biomedical, clinical, and behavioral sciences; clinical exposure begins as early as the first year (DS1) with full comprehensive care in the later years.
Clinical Rotations:
- Detroit Mercy Dental Vermont Track - A unique expansion allowing D3 and D4 students to complete clinical education at a newly developed clinic in Burlington, Vermont.
- Community Based Dental Education - Mandatory rotations at partner safety-net clinics throughout Michigan, including Flint and Grand Rapids.
- Titans for Teeth Mobile Clinic - Outreach rotations using a mobile dental coach to provide care to K-12 children in Detroit and Wayne County.
- Hospital-Based Rotations - Rotations at Detroit Medical Center, University Health Center, and VA Hospital for experience with medically complex patients.
Postdoctoral Programs
- Advanced Education in General Dentistry (AEGD)
- Endodontics
- Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics
- Periodontics
Graduate Programs
- Master of Science in Dentistry
- Graduate Certificate in Business Fundamentals