Boston University School of Dental Medicine: A Comprehensive Overview of Admissions, Curriculum, and Costs
Boston University's Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine (GSDM) offers a comprehensive Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) program alongside various combined degrees and programs for internationally-trained dentists. This article provides a detailed overview of the school, covering admissions requirements, academic offerings, clinical experiences, and the financial aspects of attending.
Academic Programs
Boston University GSDM offers a wide array of academic programs, catering to diverse interests and career goals within the field of dentistry. These include:
- Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD): The flagship program, providing comprehensive training in all aspects of dental medicine.
- Combined Degrees: Opportunities to pursue combined degrees such as:
- B.A./B.S. + DMD
- MBA + DMD
- MPH + DMD
- MS + DMD
- Ph.D. + DMD
These combined programs allow students to broaden their expertise and career prospects by integrating dental medicine with other disciplines like business, public health, or research.
- International Dental Graduate Programs: Tailored programs for dentists trained outside of the United States, including:
- Traditional Predoctoral Program for IDGs
- Advanced Standing Program for IDGs
Pre-Dental Opportunities:
- MS in Oral Health Sciences
- Boston University Metropolitan College Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Pre-Medical Studies
- Boston University MMEDIC-Dental (Modular Medical Integrated Curriculum - Dental Track) is available to sophomore pre-dental students enrolled in an undergraduate degree at BU
Admissions Information
Admissions Statistics
Understanding the admissions statistics can provide valuable insights for prospective students. (Data from the 2024 application cycle):
- Mean Age of First-Time, First-Year Enrollees: 24
- Acceptance Rates: (Specific numbers not provided, but understanding the ratio of applicants to enrollees is crucial)
- Number of Applicants
- Number of Enrollees
- Enrollment Rate
- Class Breakdown by Residency:
- Number of Enrollees
- Percentage of Incoming Class
- Academic Averages for Acceptance:
- DAT Academic Average
- DAT Natural Science
- DAT Perceptual Ability
- Cumulative GPA
- Science GPA
- Range of Academic Averages for Acceptance:
- 5th Percentile of Enrollees
- 95th Percentile of Enrollees
Prerequisites
Meeting the prerequisite requirements is essential for a successful application. Boston University GSDM specifies the following:
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- Required Coursework:
- Required Course Credits (Semesters/Quarters)
- Required Lab
- Upper-level coursework in subject(s) above (6 / 9 credits)
- Recommended courses include: Additional upper-level courses in Biology, Biochemistry, General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, or Physics
- Community College Coursework and Advanced Placement Credit:
- AP Credit Accepted: Yes
- Community College Coursework Accepted: Yes
- Maximum number of Community College Credit Hours: Of the 45 prerequisite credit hours, 30 must be completed at a four-year institution, including at least one sophomore-level (or higher) course in each science discipline.
Shadowing and Recommendations
- Required Shadowing Hours: 0 Hours Required. Competitive applicants must have ample in-person experience with a general dentist (paid or volunteer).
- Letters of Recommendation:
- Option 1: One pre-health committee evaluation
- Option 2: Three letters, two from faculty and one additional academic or personal reference
Dental Admissions Test (DAT)
- Mandatory DAT: Yes
- Canadian DAT Accepted? Yes
- Applicants Evaluated Before Official DAT Submission? Yes. Interview consideration may be based on self-reported DAT scores, but official DAT scores are required for admission. Only the most recent score
Supplemental Information
- Mandatory Casper Participation: No
- Participation in ADEA AADSAS Required: Yes
- Supplemental Application: Yes
- Supplemental Application Fee: Yes: $75 fee for all students
- Interview Format: Remote, open file interview with an admission committee member between September and March.
Finances and Application Logistics
Financial Estimations
Understanding the financial implications of dental school is crucial for prospective students. Here's a breakdown of the estimated costs for students starting Fall 2025:
| Year | In-State Tuition | Out-State Tuition | Additional Fees | Estimated Living Expenses |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| D1 | $99,680 | $99,680 | $13,716 | $36,900 |
| D2 | $99,680 | $99,680 | $19,399 | $33,965 |
| D3 | $99,680 | $99,680 | $10,263 | $30,750 |
| D4 | $99,680 | $99,680 | $10,263 | $30,750 |
Important Notes:
- These are estimated costs and are subject to change.
- Tuition is the same for in-state and out-of-state students.
- Living expenses can vary based on lifestyle and location within Boston.
Research Opportunities
Boston University GSDM places a strong emphasis on research, offering numerous opportunities for students to engage in cutting-edge studies. Research focuses span from stem cell biology and tissue regeneration to public health issues related to periodontal disease progression
- Pre-doctoral Research Program: Allows dental students to participate in formal research training for course credit
- Intensive Research Elective courses (IREC): Create structure though the research experiences within D1-D3 curriculum
- Pre-doctoral Research Program and the Student Research Group: Allow students to participate in research under faculty mentors
Clinical Experiences
The clinical curriculum at Boston University GSDM is designed to provide students with extensive hands-on experience, preparing them for successful careers in dentistry.
- D1: Foundational biomedical and behavioral science courses. Preclinical courses and patient-centered experiences through chairside assisting. Students gain knowledge of dental terminology and techniques. Ends with an eight week dental practice internship called Applied Professional Experience (APEX)
- D2: Simulation lab helps students develop patient care skills. Problem-based learning (PBL) challenges help students to experience the business and patient-ethics aspect of dentistry.
- D3: Students get assigned to Group Practice teams in which faculty members guide students towards taking on greater responsibility in patient treatment.
- D4: Continued patient care.
Advanced Standing Program Clinical Training
The D.M.D. Advanced Standing Program at Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine (GSDM) is a 24-month course of study for internationally-educated dentists, leading to a Doctor of Dental Medicine degree.
- D.M.D. Advanced Standing students pursue highly intensive clinical training while simultaneously following a rigorous academic curriculum.
- The Admissions Committee takes into account the applicant’s academic preparation, grades and marks; passage of the Integrated National Board Dental Examination (INBDE) or passage of NBDE Parts I and II; and English language proficiency as demonstrated by the TOEFL iBT® (Test of English as a Foreign Language).
- Letters of evaluation are important in the Committee’s assessment. The Committee invites selected applicants to interview; an interview is required for admission, but does not guarantee acceptance. Interviews are conducted remotely via Zoom unless applicants are otherwise informed.
- Applicants may be foreign nationals, United States citizens, or hold United States Lawful Permanent Resident status ("green card").
- Submit your ECE dental school transcript “course-by-course” evaluation directly from ECE to ADEA CAAPID.
- All applicants must submit official TOEFL iBT® scores to ADEA CAAPID® (institution B451) directly from the Educational Testing Service (ETS). The CV should focus on your professional education, experience and achievements.
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