U Tennessee (UTHSC College of Dentistry)
University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Dentistry
University of Tennessee Health Science Center
School Information
Mission Statement
Transforming lives and oral health through community engagement, educational excellence, developing professionals, patient care, and research discovery.
Combined Degree Programs
- DDS/PhD
A dual degree program offered in conjunction with the College of Graduate Health Sciences.
- Certificate/Master of Dental Science (MDS)
Postgraduate residents can pursue an MDS in areas like Endodontics, Orthodontics, Pediatric Dentistry, Periodontology, and Prosthodontics concurrently with their specialty certificate.
International Student Programs
Other Paths:
- ERASMUS International Exchange - A proposal and initiative to participate in the European Community Action Scheme for the Mobility of University Students for international exchange of students and staff.
- Global Oral Health Institute - Has hosted international dental students (e.g., from Bulgaria) for clinical experiences.
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 |
| english | 6 | No | C |
| biochem | 3 | No | C |
| other | 4 | Yes | C |
Credit Policies
Experience Requirements
Letters of Recommendation
Required Types:
- science professor (2)
- other (1)
Test Requirements
Application Logistics
Admissions Cycle
2024-2025
Mean Age
23
Class Size
128
GPA Statistics
Cumulative GPA
3.75
Science GPA
3.65
DAT Scores
Primary Scores
Academic Average
20.5
Total Science
20.1
PAT
20.2
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
- 3.34
- 50th
- —
- 95th
- 4.00
Lower
Median
Upper
Science GPA
Entering-class percentile
- 5th
- 3.16
- 50th
- —
- 95th
- 4.00
Lower
Median
Upper
Applicants & Enrollees
| Category | Applicants | Enrollees | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| overall | 1,291 | 128 | 9.9% |
| in state | 172 | 90 | 52.3% |
| out of_state | 1,116 | 38 | 3.4% |
| international | 3 | 0 | - |
Class Composition
Out-of-State Enrollee Origins
Home states represented by enrolled students from outside the school's local state.
38 students reported
Academic Year
2026-2027
Tuition & Fees (Program Total, In-State)
$159,268
Cost by Program Year
Detailed Cost Breakdown
| Year | In-State Tuition | Out-of-State | Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| D1 | $33,344 | $75,876 | $6,473 |
| D2 | $33,344 | $75,876 | $6,473 |
| D3 | $33,344 | $75,876 | $6,473 |
| D4 | $33,344 | $75,876 | $6,473 |
| Total (4 Years) | $133,376 | $303,504 | $25,892 |
Research Opportunities
Research Themes:
Clinical Experiences
A 4-year DDS program where the first two years focus on biomedical sciences and preclinical courses. Clinical groups and protocol introduction begin in the Spring of the second year, with the final two years dedicated to clinical rotations.
Clinical Rotations:
- Extramural Clinical Rotations - Off-site rotations across Tennessee including Union City, Bristol, Chattanooga, Crossville, and Knoxville.
- Interfaith Clinic Rotation (Knoxville) - Fourth-year students provide care to underserved urban populations and experience hospital-based dentistry at the UT Medical Center.
- Oral and Maxillofacial Clinical Rotations - Predoctoral students (POMS 301) gain experience in the full scope of oral and maxillofacial surgery under specialist supervision.
Postdoctoral Programs
- Advanced Education in General Dentistry (AEGD)
- Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
- Pediatric Dentistry
- Endodontics
- Orthodontics
- Periodontology
- Prosthodontics
Graduate Programs
- Master of Dental Science (MDS)
- Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene (BSDH)