University of Louisville School of Dentistry: A Comprehensive Overview of Programs

The University of Louisville School of Dentistry (ULSD) is an exceptional choice for pre-dental students who are starting their journey to become dental professionals. Founded in 1887, ULSD has over 130 years of experience in dental education. ULSD provides aspiring dentists with an enriching and rewarding educational experience, challenging them academically and providing ample opportunities for hands-on learning and community engagement.

Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) Program

ULSD offers a comprehensive Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) program that integrates biomedical sciences, clinical skills, and professional development. The University of Louisville School of Dentistry offers a comprehensive dental education that balances academic rigor with practical experience.

Curriculum Overview

The DMD program follows a structured curriculum spanning four years, designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary for a successful career in dentistry. Here's a breakdown of the course structure by year:

First Year (D1)

Fall Semester: Integrated Biomedical Sciences I & II, Dental Anatomy and Occlusion (Lecture & Lab), Foundations of Behavioral Science in Dentistry I, Evidence-Based Decision Making, Professionalism & Ethics Fundamentals, Infection Control, Correlated Sciences.
Spring Semester: Pharmacology and Dental Therapeutics, Integrated Biomedical Sciences III, Preclinical Operative Dentistry (Lecture & Lab), Introduction to Clinical Dentistry I, Introduction to Preventive Dentistry, Growth and Development, Oral Radiology I, Periodontics I.

Second Year (D2)

Summer Session (S1): Microbiology and Immunology, Pain and Anxiety Control, Oral Radiology II.
Fall Semester: Preclinical Occlusion and TMD, Preclinical Complete Denture (Lecture & Lab), Pediatric Dentistry I, General Pathology, Periodontics II, Introduction to Indirect Restorations (Lecture & Lab).
Spring Semester: Preclinical Operative Dentistry II (Lecture), Introduction to Clinical Dentistry II, Preclinical Treatment Planning, Removable Partial Dentures (Lecture & Lab), Foundations of Behavioral Science in Dentistry II, Preclinical Pediatrics (Lecture & Lab), Oral Pathology, Clinical Oral Radiology, Periodontal Modular Learning, Principles and Techniques of Orthodontics, Preclinical Fixed Prosthodontics (Lecture & Lab), Introduction to Implant Dentistry.

Third Year (D3)

Summer Session (S2): Endodontics I (Root Camp).
Fall Semester: Operative Dentistry III, Complete Dentures I Lecture, Pediatric Dentistry II, Oral Medicine, Periodontics III, Principles of Oral Surgery I, Implant Dentistry.
Spring Semester: Clinical Operative Dentistry I, Clinical Treatment Planning I, Clinical Removable Partial Dentures I, Clinical Complete Dentures I, Integrated Clinical Sciences I, Clinical Preventive Dentistry I, Care of the Pediatric Special Needs Patient, Concepts in Special Patient Care, Ethical Issues in Dentistry, Practice Management I, Advanced Radiologic Interpretation, Endodontics II, Clinical Endodontics I, Dental Clinical Pharmacology, Clinical Periodontics I, Principles of Oral Surgery II, Clinical Oral Surgery I, Assessment, Diagnosis and Mgmt of Temporomandibular Disorders, Clinical Fixed Prosthodontics I.

Fourth Year (D4)

Summer Session (S3): National Board Review.
Fall Semester: Clinical Behavioral Science in Dentistry, Community Service, Practice Management II, Clinical Oral Surgery II, General Medicine in Dentistry, Clinical Orthodontics.
Spring Semester: Clinical Operative Dentistry II, Clinical Treatment Planning II, Clinical Removable Partial Dentures II, Clinical Complete Dentures II, Integrated Clinical Sciences II, Clinical Preventive Dentistry II, Clinical Pediatric Dentistry, Clinical Endodontics II, Clinical Diagnosis, Clinical Periodontics II, Clinical Assessment, Diagnosis and Management of TMD Disorders, Clinical Fixed Prosthodontics II.

Elective courses are also available in the third and fourth years, allowing students to specialize in areas of interest.

Advanced Standing Program (ASP)

The University of Louisville School of Dentistry offers an Advanced Standing admission option into the DMD program for selected individuals who have received a dental degree from an institution outside the United States or Canada. ULSD does not admit advanced standing students every year as the program is depending on space available in the D2 class. We do not reserve spaces for internationally trained dentists. The CAAPID application for Spring 2026 enrollment opens March 2025.

The number of ASP students accepted each year is variable and depends on the number of available positions in the second year class of the traditional DMD program at ULSD. Typically this number ranges from 0-3. Accepted ASP students begin studies in January of the year following the application cycle (i.e., if you apply in 2022 and are accepted, you begin classes in January, 2023).

Application Requirements for ASP

CAAPID Application: All application materials are submitted ONLY to CAAPID. ULSD does not accept additional documents from applicants.
TOEFL/IELTS: Applicants whose native language is not English are required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS). We accept the TOEFL home edition. This requirement may be waived if an applicant has completed 90 college credit hours or a master’s degree in the United States. Applicants should indicate their qualifications for a waiver in the "Custom Questions" portion of the CAAPID application. Only internet-based TOEFL (iBT) scores are accepted. Submit to ADEA CAAPID®. Preference is given to those scoring at or above a total score of 100 and 26 in speaking and listening or IELTS scores at or above 7.5.
NBDE/INBDE: Program requires passing NBDE Part I and Part II or INBDE to be considered for admission. Submit official results to ADEA CAAPID.
Application Fee: Pay $65 application fee to program online only AFTER requested to do so by program - do NOT send payments to ULSD.

DMD Program Specifics

The DMD program prepares students to meet the requirements for state licensure. If you plan to pursue professional licensure, first determine the state’s criteria for examination and licensure to better understand how UofL's program meets those requirements.

Key Features of ULSD

Modern Facilities: The school boasts modern facilities equipped with cutting-edge technology, ensuring students have access to the latest advancements in dental education and patient care. ULSD is at the forefront of digital dentistry education.
Hands-on Learning: ULSD believes in hands-on learning from the start, providing students with early clinical experiences to develop their skills and confidence.
Research Opportunities: For students interested in dental research, ULSD provides numerous opportunities to engage in groundbreaking studies, contributing to the advancement of dental knowledge and practice.
Community Engagement: ULSD is committed to improving oral health in Kentucky and beyond, offering students opportunities to participate in community outreach programs and provide care to underserved populations.
Interprofessional Collaboration: Located within the University of Louisville Health Sciences Center, dental students have opportunities to collaborate with students from other health professions, fostering a holistic approach to patient care.
Diverse Patient Population: Louisville’s diverse population provides students with exposure to a wide range of dental conditions and patient demographics, preparing them to treat a variety of patients in their future practice.
Strong Alumni Network: Graduates of ULSD join a vast network of successful alumni who are leaders in various fields of dentistry, providing mentorship and career opportunities.

Admission Requirements and Process

Academic Background

Applicants must have completed a minimum of 60 semester hours of college course work, including 38 hours of science courses. Applicants who attended an international institution must provide an officially evaluated transcript and must meet all requirements. The Admissions Committee reserves the right to modify admission requirements on a case-by-case basis.

Required Courses:

General Chemistry: 2 semesters with labs (8 credit hours minimum)
Organic Chemistry: 2 semesters with labs (8 credit hours minimum)
Physics: 1 semester (3 credit hours)
Biochemistry: 1 semester (3 credit hours)
Biology: 4 semesters (16 credit hours minimum)

Recommended Biology Courses:

Human Anatomy or Comparative Anatomy (strongly recommended)
Histology
Physiology
Cellular Biology
Microbiology
Immunology
Other upper-level biology courses

It is expected that all applicants will also have received a broad exposure to the humanities and social sciences. Additional courses that students have found helpful include fine arts, business, psychology, and communications.

Dental Admission Test (DAT)

The Dental Admission Test is required of all entering students. Applicants may take the test, at a date and time of their choosing, but are encouraged to take the test no later than September prior to their anticipated enrollment for the following fall.

Read also: History of the Block 'M'

Application Process

The School of Dentistry participates in the American Association of Dental Schools Application Service (AADSAS). Students are encouraged to initiate the application process during the summer or early fall to insure sufficient time for processing. Kentucky, out-of-state, and international residents are considered for admission. The Admissions staff and the Admissions Committee strive to recruit, admit, and retain a class that seeks to fulfill the goal of achieving the educational benefits of diversity. Workforce demands of the local, state and national levels may be considered. All applicants seriously considered for admission must participate in an interview. These individuals are provided information regarding the School’s goals, strengths, expectations, and student performance. Financial considerations are also discussed. Applicants meet with faculty and interact with students. Applications from the American Association of Dental Schools Application Service (AADSAS) are accepted from June 1 through December 31. The application deadline is December 31 of each year. Approximately 400-450 applicants are interviewed each year to fill a class. Classes in recent years have had 120 students. Letters of acceptance are offered beginning December 15 in accordance with AADSAS policy. A non-refundable deposit is required to reserve a place in the class. The deposit is applied to the cost of registration for the first semester of enrollment. All acceptances are granted contingent upon the satisfactory completion of any college work in progress at the time of acceptance and clearance on an official Certiphi background check. The School of Dentistry reserves the right to limit enrollment on the basis of scholarship, recommendations, interviews, background checks, and any other factors affecting the admission process.

Application and Acceptance Timelines

Filing of formal application Earliest date: June 1 Latest date: December 31
Application fee: $65.00
Notification of Acceptance Earliest date: December 15 Latest date: Varies
Applicant Response to Acceptance
- If accepted between December 15 and January 31: 30 days
- If accepted between February 1 and May 15: 15 days
- If accepted after May 15: varies
An advanced tuition fee holds a place in the class. The deposit is non-refundable if applicant cancels acceptance.

Admission Policy

The Committee on Admissions selects students based on academic proficiency in pre-dental studies, performance on the Dental Admissions Test, recommendations, and nonacademic factors assessed in a personal interview.

Mission of the Admissions Committee: The University of Louisville School of Dentistry Admissions Committee shall identify, evaluate, and recommend applicants to the Dean who demonstrate the academic, cultural, social and personal abilities to become competent practitioners. Applicants are evaluated on academic and nonacademic factors utilizing a holistic scoring model. Dental students require both cognitive and technical skills to succeed in the curriculum. With this in mind, applicants must be able to meet the minimum technical standards for admission and matriculation with or without reasonable accommodation. Candidates for the study of dentistry must have sound ethical and moral character and possess the ability to grow professionally. Applicants for the first-year class of the University of Louisville, School of Dentistry are considered on their own merits, without prejudice regarding race, religion, sex, age, handicap, color, or national origin. Dentistry is the practice of applied biological science and requires precision in technical competence. Since members of the profession have many civic and social responsibilities, a highly developed sense of social awareness is required. An understanding of human nature and human relationships is of utmost importance. In selecting courses in preparation for the study of dentistry, a student should include courses in the natural/physical sciences and in the social sciences and humanities which are the foundations of a liberal arts education. Additional courses in business, mathematics, and communication skills have proven advantageous to our graduates.

Read also: Legacy of Fordham University

tags: #university #of #louisville #dental #school #programs