Current-cycle decision support
Turn confirmed information into a first practice
Clinic appointment access and fairness
Practise making a fair decision when access is limited. Review whether you identify missing information, weigh both patients' needs, and explain the next step clearly; then record the scenario again with one improvement.
Quick facts
- Degree: Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS), four years.
- Location: Salt Lake City, Utah.
- Application: ADEA AADSAS; qualified applicants complete a $100 supplemental fee.
- School deadline: October 15; all required materials must be complete by that date.
- Academic floor: U.S. bachelor's degree and 3.0 cumulative and science GPAs.
- Tests: DAT with at least 380 in every section, plus United States Casper 2 for the 2026-27 cycle.
- Experience: at least 100 shadowing hours.
- Interview: invitation only and in person; no virtual option. Current DDS requirements
Admission requirements
Applicants must earn a bachelor's degree from an accredited U.S. college or university before enrollment. Required semester hours are three anatomy, three biochemistry, six biology, eight general chemistry, six organic chemistry, six physics, three physiology, three microbiology plus one microbiology laboratory, and six English or technical writing. Courses older than ten years must be repeated. Current DDS requirements
The school publishes minimum 3.0 cumulative and science GPAs; applications below either are denied. Every DAT section must be at least 380 on the current three-digit scale, and results must be no more than three years old. The 2026-27 cycle also requires the United States Casper 2 assessment. Applicants complete at least 100 shadowing hours, with exposure to four dentists recommended.
Three evaluations are required through AADSAS and an optional fourth is permitted. Two must come from science instructors who taught and graded the applicant. The third may be from a committee, non-science instructor, dental professional, employer, supervisor or clergy member. Only U.S. citizens and permanent residents are eligible; transfer and advanced-standing admission are not offered.
Important dates
ADEA AADSAS opened May 12, 2026 and accepted first submissions June 2. Utah's current annual deadline is October 15, when the application, supplemental fee, DAT, Casper and other required materials must be complete. Dental schools may begin acceptance notifications December 15, 2026. Current DDS application page ADEA AADSAS dates
Qualified applicants receive instructions for the $100 supplemental payment after initial review. The current sources do not publish exact 2026-27 interview dates, decision waves or the Fall 2027 matriculation date.
How selection works
Initial review considers cumulative and science GPAs, DAT performance and completion of required experiences and coursework. Utah also identifies compassion, trustworthiness, excellence, innovation and equality as values within a humanistic culture, and highlights service to underserved communities. Current DDS programme
The school does not publish a state-resident admissions preference, numerical factor weights beyond its eligibility floors, academic ranking formula, Casper or interview cutoff, committee voting rules or wait-list order. Resident, nonresident and WICHE tuition categories do not by themselves establish an admission preference.
Interview details
Confirmed
Selected applicants are invited to an in-person interview. The school explicitly states that interviews are conducted only in person and that no virtual option is available. Current DDS interview page
Not published
The current 2026-27 sources do not publish interview dates, number or duration, individual, panel or station structure, interviewer identities or file access, prompts, rubric, scoring scale, interview weight, accommodations or travel support.
Who this program may suit
Utah presents a humanistic programme centred on compassion, trust, excellence, innovation, equality and service to underserved communities. Applicants should connect shadowing and service to a specific insight about patients and to how they would learn and work within that culture. Current DDS programme This page covers the regular predoctoral DDS in Salt Lake City, not Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine, transfer, advanced-standing or postgraduate dental routes.
Practice and next step
Record a response about an experience that tested your compassion, reliability or willingness to serve. Ask a reviewer whether the example shows your decisions and their effect on another person rather than only naming a value. Make one adjustment, record a second attempt and compare specificity and trustworthiness.
Frequently asked questions
Is a bachelor's degree required?
Yes. Utah requires a bachelor's degree from an accredited U.S. institution before enrollment.
Is Casper required?
Yes. The school's current cycle page requires United States Casper 2 for 2026-27.
Can I interview virtually?
No. The current interview page states that interviews are in person only.
Does Utah publish a resident-admission preference?
No current official DDS source reviewed publishes one. Tuition categories should not be interpreted as an admissions preference.
Sources
Verified August 12, 2026. Current official sources: DDS requirements, application process, 2026-27 Casper requirement, interview policy, programme and selection values, accreditation and ADEA AADSAS dates.
Recommended preparation
Structured Interview Essentials
Build a repeatable spoken-answer loop across five common structured-interview skills: fair decisions, ethical reasoning, using feedback, teamwork under pressure, and explaining your motivation. Record each response once, choose the weakest one, review one observable weakness, and answer it again with one deliberate adjustment.
Page history
- Published