UTHealth Houston (UTSD)
UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry
The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
School Information
Mission Statement
To improve human health by providing high-quality education, patient care, service, and research in oral health for Texas, the nation, and the world.
Combined Degree Programs
- DDS/MPH
A concurrent dual-degree program in collaboration with the UTHealth Houston School of Public Health, focusing on population sciences and public health skills.
- BSDH/MPH
Concurrent enrollment for Dental Hygiene students to earn a Master of Public Health alongside their Bachelor of Science.
- MSDH/MPH
A dual-degree option for graduate dental hygiene students to integrate advanced clinical leadership with public health.
International Student Programs
Other Paths:
- International Dentist Education Program (IDEP) - A 27-month advanced standing pathway for foreign-trained dentists leading to a DDS degree, including a 3-month intensive Bridge Training.
- Advanced Education Preceptorships - Six-month preceptorship opportunities in AEGD and GPR programs for international dental graduates to gain exposure to U.S. clinical techniques.
Degree Requirements
Coursework Requirements
| Subject | Credits (Sem) | Lab Required | Min Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| biology | 14 | Yes | C |
| microbiology | 3 | No | C |
| general chem | 8 | Yes | C |
| organic chem | 8 | Yes | C |
| biochem | 3 | No | C |
| physics | 8 | Yes | C |
| english | 6 | Unknown | C |
| math | 3 | Unknown | C |
Credit Policies
Experience Requirements
Letters of Recommendation
Required Types:
- dentist (1)
Test Requirements
Application Logistics
Admissions Cycle
2024-2025
Mean Age
22
Class Size
106
GPA Statistics
Cumulative GPA
3.88
Science GPA
3.84
DAT Scores
Primary Scores
Academic Average
22.6
Total Science
22.2
PAT
20.9
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
- 19
- 50th
- 22.6
- 95th
- 26
Lower
Median
Upper
Cumulative GPA
Entering-class percentile
- 5th
- 3.63
- 50th
- 3.88
- 95th
- 4.00
Lower
Median
Upper
Science GPA
Entering-class percentile
- 5th
- 3.53
- 50th
- 3.85
- 95th
- 4.00
Lower
Median
Upper
Applicants & Enrollees
| Category | Applicants | Enrollees | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| overall | 1,656 | 106 | 6.4% |
| in state | 923 | 101 | 10.9% |
| out of_state | 703 | 5 | 0.7% |
| international | 30 | 0 | - |
Class Composition
Out-of-State Enrollee Origins
Home states represented by enrolled students from outside the school's local state.
5 students reported
Academic Year
2026-2027
Tuition & Fees (Program Total, In-State)
$175,486
Cost by Program Year
Detailed Cost Breakdown
| Year | In-State Tuition | Out-of-State | Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| D1 | $36,662 | $57,804 | $6,664 |
| D2 | $36,662 | $57,804 | $6,664 |
| D3 | $36,662 | $57,804 | $7,680 |
| D4 | $36,662 | $57,804 | $7,830 |
| Total (4 Years) | $146,648 | $231,216 | $28,838 |
Research Opportunities
Research Themes:
Clinical Experiences
The school utilizes a vertically integrated teaching model with digital integration, featuring CAD/CAM, 3D printing, and advanced scanning technologies throughout the predoctoral DDS curriculum.
Clinical Rotations:
- Extramural Community Rotations - Rotations at Harris Health and City of Houston-affiliated clinics to serve diverse underserved populations.
- Mobile Dental Van - A community outreach rotation providing dental care to remote or underserved areas in the Houston region.
- Specialized In-House Rotations - Rotations through the Special Patient Clinic, Urgent Care Clinic, and Assessment Clinic.
Postdoctoral Programs
- Advanced Education in General Dentistry (AEGD)
- General Practice Residency (GPR)
- Endodontics
- Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery
- Orthodontics
- Pediatric Dentistry
- Periodontics
- Prosthodontics
- Oral & Maxillofacial Pathology
Graduate Programs
- Master of Science in Dentistry (MSD)
- Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene (BSDH)
- Master of Science in Dental Hygiene (MSDH)