Reviewed by:
Third-Year Medical Student, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University
Reviewed: 5/8/24
To select the best dental residency program for you, you must first explore each program in the US.
After graduation, dental students undergo a residency program before they can begin their dental practice. You can expand your dentistry knowledge and skills during residency in an intensive hospital-based training program. Below are some of the top dental residency programs in the US.
The top US dental residency programs are built to accept the brightest and most skilled dentists worldwide. These advanced postgraduate training programs also allow them to share knowledge among the graduates and the faculty.
Here is a list of the top 10 dental residency programs in the US.
Graduates consider Harvard School of Dental Medicine one of the best programs to offer a Doctor of Dental Medicine degree. The Harvard School of Dental Medicine started running a world-class curriculum and training opportunities for dental graduates in 1867.
Located in the Longwood Medical Area in Boston, this school provides a robust research component, with nine research labs for students to learn in.
Also, you gain hands-on patient experience during clinical rotations at the Harvard Dental Center, which caters to more than 25,000 patients yearly.
The University of California San Francisco School of Dentistry was founded in 1881. The UCSF School of Dentistry is a leading institution producing over 100 graduates yearly.
If you specialize in oral and craniofacial health, residency at UCSF School of Dentistry is for you. Foreign-trained dentists have a chance here via the UC San Francisco International Dentist Program (IDP).
The school is dedicated to groundbreaking discoveries through dental research programs. You will encounter clinical experiences at the school’s dental center, which address disparities in children's oral health. They cater to about 120,000 patients annually.
With a rich history dating back to 1916, Columbia College of Dental Medicine allows dental graduates to learn in various settings, including Orthodontics, Implants and Periodontics, and Endodontics. It is one of the best pediatric dental residency programs in the US.
Graduates who specialize in pediatric residency work on kids in the Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital of the NewYork-Presbyterian Kids. You undergo three major curriculums during a Columbia University College of Dental Medicine residency.
The first is a general curriculum that includes all topics obligatory for developing a competent pediatric dentist. Additionally, the experimental curriculum and the didactic curriculum cover core domains in your selected areas of specialization.
The University of Michigan School of Dentistry is among the top five NIH-funded research institutions. Established in 1875, it runs one of the best dental residency programs in the US.
It comprises 120 full-time faculty members active in 15 different programs. You can specialize in endodontics, oral health sciences, endodontics, pediatric dentistry, periodontics, prosthodontics, and restorative dentistry.
The University of Michigan in Ann Arbor is affiliated with several clinics that allow students to offer community dental care and oral health services. The school allows you to pursue a master's or MBA alongside your residency program.
The University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine was founded in 1878. They offer DDS (Doctor of Dental Surgery) and DMD (Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry or Doctor of Dental Medicine) programs that require extensive training and education in dentistry.
The residency program provides DMD students with exceptional education, clinical care, and research opportunities. The education includes study across bioethics, nutrition science, law, and public health.
The University of Washington’s School of Dentistry UWSOD has a long-standing tradition of producing skilled dental professionals since 1945. Residency at UWSOD is a two-and-a-half-year program that takes the form of a standard clerkship predoctoral program.
Dental graduates go through clinical rotations at a mobile geriatric clinic, a specialty clinic for persons with disabilities, and a specialty clinic for people with psychological conditions and significant dental fears.
Also, you gain clinical experience in places such as the Harborview Medical Center, Seattle Children’s Hospital, and the School of Dentistry’s specialty clinics. The school offers one of the best pediatric dental residency programs in the US.
The UT Health Science Center School of Dentistry is one of the best dental schools in Texas. Dental graduates undergo studies across hospital dentistry, interceptive orthodontics, and pediatric dentistry programs.
The 24-month pediatric dentistry residency program provides a supportive learning environment where residents can access the best facilities and technology.
Through hands-on clinical experiences, didactic education, and research opportunities, residents are prepared to excel in their chosen specialty and contribute to the advancement of dentistry.
The Tufts University School of Dental Medicine is one of the best dental residency programs that offers a comprehensive dental education.
The school accepts graduates from within and outside the US. Tufts School has a sterling reputation for research and clinical experience. The school has nine separate academic departments to undergo research across the board.
It also has 17 different dental clinics focused on various dental specialties and sub-specialties for hands-on experience.
The University of California Los Angeles School of Dentistry offers a world-class dental residency program. At different points, the school has over 100 active graduates treating patients in the clinics alongside our world-class faculty.
They continue to gain clinical experiences through rotations in various community service projects and specialty clinics. While doing this, they receive stipends in addition to a benefits packet.
UCLA offers 13 CODA-accredited residency programs, including Maxillofacial prosthetics, Oral and maxillofacial radiology, Endodontics, Orofacial pain and dysfunction, Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, and cosmetic dentistry.
The UConn School of Dentistry is a state-funded institution that was established in 1968. Residency at UConn runs for one year with an optional second year. residency. Graduates that come here receive training in clinical general dentistry.
The residency program accepts eighteen first-year residents who practice and learn in a modern medical setting.
It refines and enhances your scientific knowledge base to improve general dentistry practice. You also undergo clinical experience through its community dental clinics, providing dental healthcare in the state.
Getting into residency programs requires a procedure similar to getting into dental school. You must go through an admission process, but first, you will choose a dental school.
Whether you work at a private practice or are an associate dentist at a corporate office, choosing one of the top dental residency programs will aid your journey. These are some other factors to consider when selecting a dental school.
If you’re still not sure which school is best for you, take our quiz to help you make up your mind!
If you are applying to a top dental school, your GPA and DAT scores must be high. However, the admission requirements usually do not specify target scores for these tests, as the school reviews all applications holistically.
Regardless, ensure you prepare adequately for dental school interview questions.
Ensure your GPA or DAT score is above the average indicated in each table. Strong scores will demonstrate your commitment, competence, and ability to handle the rigors of a residency program. Lastly, ensure your application documents are complete and up to date.
Shadowing involves observing the interaction between patients and physicians, and it’s a major requirement for the best dental programs. The exact number of required hours varies by school; some programs ask for 75 hours, while others require at least 40 hours with a general dentist.
Shadowing a dentist boosts your application and gives you a passive learning experience. You’ll be in contact with a practicing dentist daily, giving you insight into the day-to-day activities.
For other frequently asked questions, here is additional information about the dental residency programs in the US.
The #1 dental schools in the US include the Harvard School of Dental Medicine, the University of Michigan School of Dentistry, and the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine.
Among the best dental programs offered in the US, factors such as faculty expertise, research opportunities, clinical facilities, and student satisfaction vary. However, the schools included in the article have the best dental programs.
Dental school admissions can be competitive across the board. Acceptance rates for some schools are as low as 5%, with pretty high GPA and DAT requirements.
Schools like Harvard School of Dental Medicine, University of California, San Francisco School of Dentistry, and University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine are known for their selective admissions processes.
The ease of getting into a dental specialty program also varies. Factors such as demand, available positions, and competitiveness make some schools easier to enter than others.
Some specialties, such as general and public health dentistry, may have lower competition than highly specialized fields like oral and maxillofacial surgery or orthodontics.
For a great experience, select one of the best dental residency programs here. Whether you choose Harvard School of Dental Medicine or UCLA School of Dentistry, stay on the lookout for their application deadlines.
Residency at these schools assures professional training, fosters academic excellence, and contributes to advancements in medicine. You will also learn to work in multidisciplinary teams with different personnel to provide quality healthcare.
If you need more information about residency applications, contact our dental school consulting service, and we will answer all your questions.
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