Barry PhilipsIf you are planning to study dentistry in Texas, one of the first things you need to understand is that the state has a relatively small number of dental schools compared with its large population. Texas currently has four dental schools offering professional dental education: Texas A&M University School of Dentistry, UT Health Houston School of Dentistry, UT Health San Antonio School of Dentistry, and Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso Woody L. Hunt School of Dental Medicine.
These schools train students for careers as dentists and award professional dental degrees. Admission is highly competitive, and prospective students generally need strong academic records, prerequisite science coursework, Dental Admission Test (DAT) scores, extracurricular experiences, evaluations and other application materials.
This guide examines the major dental schools in Texas, their locations, degrees and important admission requirements.
Top Dental Schools In Texas
1. Texas A&M University School of Dentistry
Texas A&M University School of Dentistry is located in Dallas and is one of the oldest and most established dental education institutions in Texas.
The school offers a four-year Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) program.
According to its current admissions information, applicants must take the Dental Admission Test and complete at least 90 semester hours. A bachelor’s degree is recommended. The application deadline listed by the school is October 1.
Texas A&M Dental School Requirements
Applicants should generally expect to need:
- DAT
- At least 90 semester hours
- Required prerequisite coursework
- Competitive academic performance
- Application through TMDSAS
- Letters/evaluations as required
- Extracurricular and dental-related experiences
- Personal/interview components as required by the admissions process
Texas A&M also has specific prerequisite requirements that applicants should review before applying.
The school’s additional coursework expectations include anatomy with laboratory and physiology, making it particularly important for applicants to verify their course selections before submitting an application.
2. UT Health Houston School of Dentistry
The University of Texas School of Dentistry at Houston is located in Houston and is another major dental education institution in Texas.
The school offers professional dental education leading to the DDS degree.
As a public Texas dental school participating in TMDSAS, applicants should familiarize themselves with both the school’s requirements and the centralized Texas application process.
UT Health Houston Dental School Requirements
Applicants should generally prepare for:
- A bachelor’s-level undergraduate education or substantial undergraduate coursework as required
- Required science prerequisites
- DAT
- Competitive GPA
- Letters or evaluations
- Extracurricular activities
- Dental exposure and service
- Personal statement/application essays
- Interview requirements
- TMDSAS application
Because individual prerequisite policies can change between admission cycles, applicants should verify the current requirements before applying.
3. UT Health San Antonio School of Dentistry
The UT Health San Antonio School of Dentistry is located in San Antonio and offers a four-year Doctor of Dental Surgery program.
Its admissions process is highly competitive. The school says successful applicants demonstrate consistent academic performance as well as extracurricular interests and achievements. The admissions process considers undergraduate and graduate GPAs, DAT scores, evaluations, extracurricular achievements and the personal interview.
UT Health San Antonio Dental School Requirements
Applicants must complete at least 90 semester hours, or 134 quarter hours, at a regionally accredited U.S. or Canadian college or university. The school’s admissions information also states that prerequisite coursework must be completed at an eligible U.S. or Canadian institution and that each required course must be completed with a grade of C or better.
Important requirements include:
- Minimum 90 semester hours
- Required prerequisite coursework
- C or better in required courses
- DAT
- Competitive GPA
- Evaluations
- Extracurricular achievements
- Personal interview
- TMDSAS application
The school also explains that foreign coursework does not satisfy its prerequisite requirements, even if the coursework has subsequently been transferred for credit to a U.S. or Canadian institution.
This point is particularly important for international students and applicants who completed undergraduate education outside the United States or Canada.
4. Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso Woody L. Hunt School of Dental Medicine
The fourth dental school in Texas is the Woody L. Hunt School of Dental Medicine at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in El Paso.
The school is part of the Texas public dental education system and participates in TMDSAS.
Texas Tech Dental School Requirements
Prospective students should prepare for the standard components associated with Texas dental school admissions, including:
- Undergraduate prerequisite coursework
- DAT
- Competitive academic performance
- Evaluations or letters
- Extracurricular experiences
- Community involvement
- Dental exposure
- Application essays
- Interview
- TMDSAS application
Because admissions requirements can change, applicants should consult the current admissions information for the exact prerequisite courses, documentation and deadlines applicable to their entry year.
Dental Admission Test Requirement
The Dental Admission Test (DAT) is a major requirement for admission to dental schools in Texas.
TMDSAS states that the DAT is required for dental applicants. The examination should generally be taken before the application cycle is too far advanced because dental schools begin making admission offers during the admissions season.
A strong DAT result can strengthen an application, particularly when combined with a competitive undergraduate GPA and substantial academic preparation.
Applicants should also make sure their DAT scores remain within the validity period specified for their application cycle.
General Requirements for Dental School in Texas
Although each dental school has its own admissions policies, applicants should expect to complete a series of undergraduate prerequisite courses.
Common prerequisites for Texas dental schools include biological sciences, general chemistry, organic chemistry, biochemistry, microbiology, physics, statistics and English or composition.
The University of Texas at Austin’s Health Professions Office summarizes the general Texas dental prerequisites as follows:
- Biological sciences
- General chemistry
- Organic chemistry
- Biochemistry
- Microbiology
- General physics
- Statistics
- English or rhetoric/composition
Texas A&M has additional requirements involving anatomy and physiology.
Applicants should always check the current requirements of each school before registering for prerequisite courses because requirements can change.
GPA Requirements for Texas Dental Schools
There is not one universal minimum GPA that guarantees admission to every Texas dental school.
Instead, dental schools evaluate applicants using several factors, including undergraduate GPA, science GPA, DAT performance, prerequisite coursework, extracurricular activities, evaluations and interviews.
The University of Texas at Austin Health Professions Office notes that a competitive GPA for Texas dental schools is around 3.80, although this should not be interpreted as a universal minimum requirement.
Students should therefore aim for consistently strong academic performance, particularly in science courses.
Common Prerequisite Courses for Texas Dental Schools
One of the most important steps in preparing for dental school is completing the correct prerequisite courses.
The commonly required Texas coursework includes approximately:
| Subject | Typical Requirement |
|---|---|
| Biological Sciences | 12 semester hours + labs |
| General Chemistry | 6 semester hours + labs |
| Organic Chemistry | 6 semester hours + labs |
| Biochemistry | 3 semester hours |
| Microbiology | 3 semester hours |
| Physics | 6 semester hours + labs |
| Statistics | 3 semester hours |
| English/Rhetoric | 6 semester hours |
These are general Texas requirements summarized by the University of Texas Health Professions Office. Individual schools can impose additional requirements.
For example, Texas A&M has additional anatomy and physiology requirements.
Students should therefore avoid assuming that taking the general science courses automatically satisfies every dental school’s requirements.
Application Process for Texas Dental Schools
The application process is another important consideration.
Texas residents applying to Texas public dental schools generally use TMDSAS. The service serves as the centralized application system for first-year dental applicants to participating Texas institutions.
The general process involves:
- Completing the required undergraduate coursework.
- Preparing for and taking the DAT.
- Creating a TMDSAS application.
- Submitting academic information and transcripts.
- Providing required evaluations or letters.
- Completing essays and other application components.
- Submitting the application before the applicable deadline.
- Completing school-specific requirements.
- Attending interviews when invited.
- Waiting for admission decisions.
TMDSAS currently lists a flat application fee of $235 for its application service.
Applicants should remember that application deadlines can vary by school and entry year.
Can International Students Apply to Texas Dental Schools?
International students can face additional challenges when applying to U.S. dental schools.
A major issue is whether undergraduate coursework completed outside the United States or Canada satisfies a particular school’s prerequisite requirements.
For example, UT Health San Antonio explicitly states that its prerequisite courses must be completed at a regionally accredited U.S. or Canadian institution and that foreign coursework does not count toward those prerequisites.
International applicants should therefore investigate individual school policies carefully before assuming that an overseas bachelor’s degree automatically satisfies all academic prerequisites.
Applicants with foreign qualifications may also need to consider credential evaluation, immigration status, English-language requirements and other institutional policies.
How Competitive Is Dental School Admission in Texas?
Admission to Texas dental schools is competitive.
The number of available seats is limited because there are only four dental schools in the state. UT Health San Antonio, for example, says approximately 100 students may be admitted to an entering class.
Applicants should therefore aim to build a well-rounded application rather than concentrating exclusively on their DAT score.
A strong application can include:
- Excellent science grades
- Competitive overall GPA
- Strong DAT performance
- Dental shadowing
- Community service
- Leadership experience
- Research experience
- Extracurricular involvement
- Strong evaluations
- A compelling personal statement
- Effective interview performance
The precise importance assigned to each component varies by institution.
How to Choose a Dental School in Texas
Since Texas has only four dental schools, students may be tempted to apply to all of them. However, each institution has its own admissions policies, curriculum, location and student experience.
When comparing schools, consider:
Location
Dallas, Houston, San Antonio and El Paso offer very different living environments and costs.
Curriculum
Review how each program structures its basic sciences, simulation training, clinical education and patient-care experience.
Tuition and Cost of Attendance
Look beyond tuition alone. Housing, transportation, supplies, insurance and other expenses can substantially affect the total cost of dental education.
Residency
Texas residency can have important implications at public institutions, so students should understand the relevant residency policies.
Clinical Opportunities
Consider the amount and type of clinical experience available to students.
Career Goals
Students interested in specialties, research, public health, community dentistry or private practice should investigate how each school supports those interests.
Comparison of Dental Schools in Texas
| Dental School | City | Degree | Application Service | Key Academic Requirement | DAT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Texas A&M University School of Dentistry | Dallas | DDS | TMDSAS | 90 semester hours minimum; bachelor’s recommended | Required |
| UT Health Houston School of Dentistry | Houston | DDS | TMDSAS | Required prerequisite coursework | Required |
| UT Health San Antonio School of Dentistry | San Antonio | DDS | TMDSAS | 90 semester hours minimum; required courses with C or better | Required |
| Texas Tech Woody L. Hunt School of Dental Medicine | El Paso | DDS | TMDSAS | Required prerequisite coursework | Required |
The four institutions listed above are the four Texas dental schools identified by TMDSAS and the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners.
Related
Conclusion
If you are searching for the top dental schools in Texas, it is important to know that there are currently only four dental schools in the state rather than 20 or more.
The four institutions are Texas A&M University School of Dentistry, UT Health Houston School of Dentistry, UT Health San Antonio School of Dentistry and Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso Woody L. Hunt School of Dental Medicine.
Admission generally requires completion of prerequisite science courses, a competitive academic record, the Dental Admission Test, application materials, evaluations, extracurricular experiences and, where applicable, an interview.
Students should not rely on a generic list of requirements alone. Dental school prerequisites can differ, and requirements can change from one admission cycle to another. TMDSAS specifically directs applicants to check individual school requirements for school-specific matters.
For the strongest application, prospective dental students should begin preparing well before the application deadline. Maintaining a high GPA, completing the correct prerequisite courses, preparing thoroughly for the DAT, gaining meaningful dental and community experience, and carefully completing the application can all form important parts of the journey toward dental school admission in Texas.