Creighton University School of Dentistry: A Comprehensive Guide to Programs and Requirements

Creighton University School of Dentistry is committed to developing future leaders in dentistry, emphasizing clinical excellence, service, and social justice. The school is recognized for its strong clinical training, service-learning opportunities, and a supportive network of over 4,000 alumni. This article provides a detailed overview of the programs offered, admission requirements, and what prospective students can expect from the Creighton experience.

Programs Rooted in Excellence and Compassion

As one of the largest Catholic health professions educators in the United States, Creighton University offers dental programs designed to produce well-trained and confident practitioners. The School of Dentistry offers several programs, including:

Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS): A four-year program combining basic sciences with extensive clinical experience.
Post-Baccalaureate Pre-Dental Program: A four-semester program for students needing additional preparation for dental school.
Master of Science in Oral Biology: An advanced program for those interested in academic or scientific careers in oral health.

Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) Program

Creighton’s four-year DDS program provides foundational training in basic sciences and extensive clinical experience. The curriculum starts with courses in anatomy, physiology, pathology, and microbiology. Students then advance to hands-on instruction in diagnostics, pain management, and patient care. Clinical training begins early and increases in complexity each year, with students eventually providing comprehensive dental care in Creighton’s campus-based clinic. The program emphasizes professional communication, ethical practice, and service to underserved populations, preparing graduates for general dentistry or future specialization. The program also utilizes advanced tools and technologies to enhance the learning experience for students.

Post-Baccalaureate Pre-Dental Program

This four-semester post-baccalaureate program is designed for individuals who need additional academic preparation before entering dental school, especially those who have already obtained a bachelor's degree. This track is designed to help students strengthen their science background-especially in biology, chemistry, and physics-and demonstrate their readiness for dental school. Participants receive support through faculty mentorship, academic advising, and a curriculum tailored to the admissions expectations of the School of Dentistry.

Applicants to the Creighton University Predental Postbaccalaureate Program must submit:

Read also: A Guide to Creighton Academics

The application for the Predental Postbaccalaureate Program, including a personal statement.
A copy of the Associated American Dental Schools Application Service (AADSAS) application to dental school.
Transcripts of all academic work not reported on your AADSAS application (optional).
Three letters of reference from professors and/or community leaders that speak to your commitment to the study of dentistry, potential for success, empathy and compassion for humankind and rationale for lack of success to date in gaining entry into a school of dentistry.

Master of Science in Oral Biology

The MS in Oral Biology program offers advanced graduate education in areas such as oral anatomy, physiology, and dental materials. It also includes research training for students interested in academic or scientific careers. The program is ideal for future dental educators or researchers who want to contribute to innovation in oral health. Academic performance, clinical exposure, service activities, and professionalism are all reviewed together.

Admissions Requirements

To be considered for admission to Creighton University School of Dentistry, applicants must meet several requirements, including academic prerequisites, DAT scores, shadowing experience, and letters of recommendation. The Admissions Committee conducts a holistic review of the entire application. This includes the applicant’s score on the DAT, courses taken, leadership ability, shadowing and service activities - to name a few.

Academic Prerequisites

All applicants must have graduated from an accredited four-year high school. At the time of application, all applicants must have earned at least two years’ worth of credits from an accredited college of arts and sciences. This includes a required 64 semester hours (or 96 quarter hours) in academic courses exclusive of physical education and military science. The Admissions Committee pays special attention to grades earned in the predental sciences.

Required coursework includes:

Biology (General): 2 semesters including lab
General Chemistry: 2 semesters including lab
Organic Chemistry: 2 semesters including lab
Physics: 2 semesters including lab
English: 2 semesters (Certified Writing and/or Intensive Writing Courses are also accepted)

The School of Dentistry has found that successful students have completed advanced level courses in anatomy, biochemistry, physiology, histology, and/or equivalent. Additionally successful students have experiences that improved dexterity and perceptual ability including, but not limited to, fine arts, wood working, knitting, etc. All prerequisite courses must be successfully completed prior to matriculation. All prerequisite courses must be completed at an accredited institution within the United States or Canada. All degree course work must be completed prior to matriculation. It is highly recommended that prerequisite science courses are completed at a four-year institution. Any prerequisite course completed at a community college must have been validated and accepted as an equivalent course by the accredited four-year institution from which you complete your bachelor’s and/or master’s degree. Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) credits will be accepted, provided the credits are accepted by the undergraduate degree granting institution. Students who have earned AP or IB credits for prerequisite courses are encouraged to take additional, advanced level courses.

Read also: Creighton Prep Affordability

Dental Admission Test (DAT) Requirements

All applicants must complete the Dental Admissions Test (DAT) administered by the American Dental Association (ADA), preferably no later than June of your final year of college. Creighton requires a minimum score of 17 in three key areas: Academic Average, Total Science, and Perceptual Ability. DAT scores are valid only if taken between June 1, 2021, and December 31, 2024. Applicants who fall below the required minimums must retake the test for their application to be reviewed.

Shadowing Experience

The Creighton University School of Dentistry requires a minimum of 65 hours of shadowing in the dental profession. The shadowing can be with a general dentist as well as specialists. This experience may include time spent with general dentists or dental specialists. Shadowing should reflect meaningful exposure to the daily responsibilities of practicing dentists and show that the applicant understands the demands of the profession.

Letters of Recommendation

Applicants must submit either three letters of recommendation-two written by instructors in the sciences and one written by an instructor and/or mentor in a field other than the sciences (for example employer, spiritual leader, dentist)-or else one recommendation from their college’s recommending committee. Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit a letter from their institution’s recommending committee if available. All recommendations should testify to the applicant’s potential for success in the field of dentistry, as well as to his or her character.

International Applicants

International applicants (i.e., any applicant that is required to complete and submit A Form I-20 in order to enroll into the CUSOD) are required to show English proficiency. CUSOD accepts the TOEFL and IELTS tests. International applicants are required to achieve the following minimum scores to demonstrate English proficiency:

TOEFL: Score of 90 or higher
IELTS: Band score of 7 or higher

The English proficiency requirement may be waived if international applicants meet the following criteria: Completed an undergraduate and/or graduate degree at an accredited institution within the United States and/or Canada

The Application Process

The Creighton Dental School application process involves several phases, starting with the ADEA AADSAS application.

Key Dates and Deadlines

ADEA AADSAS Opens: May 14,
First Day to Submit Application: June 4,
Creighton Supplemental Application Opens: June 10,
Application Deadline: December 31,
Document & Supplemental Deadline: January 6,
Interview Season: September - February
First Acceptance Notifications: December 13,

Supplemental Application

Applicants who submit a verified ADEA AADSAS to Creighton will be invited to submit the supplemental application. Completion of the supplemental application process includes the submission of the following:

Supplemental application
Personal Photograph
$70 application fee

The admissions committee will not review any incomplete applications after this date.

Interview Process

Interviews are mandatory for acceptance into the Creighton University School of Dentistry. Interviews are by invitation only and consist of the following two required activities:

A virtual interview with a member of the admissions committee.
A mandatory in-person presentation at the Creighton University School of Dentistry. During the presentation applicants will learn about the Office of Student Affairs (the student support system of the School of Dentistry), the curriculum (how Creighton educates students to become dentists), and complete a tour of the School of Dentistry.

Tuition and Financial Aid

The cost of attendance for first-year dental students at the Creighton University School of Dentistry is among the highest expenses students will encounter in their academic careers. The total cost for the 2025 academic year is $94,982, which includes tuition, fees, and required educational materials. Tuition alone is $76,932 for the first year. Additional required costs include a $1,630 university fee, a $630 technology fee, and $10,874 for supplies, instruments, and materials-commonly referred to as the BSIM fee. Health insurance is mandatory for all students unless waived through proof of comparable coverage, and it is estimated at $3,916 for the year.

Creighton recognizes the financial burden of dental education and provides financial support through scholarships, grants, and loans. More than 125 scholarships are awarded each year to dental students. These awards are distributed based on both need and merit, with amounts ranging from $500 to $24,000. Students are automatically considered for scholarship funding through their application materials-no separate application is required. In addition to internal scholarships, students are encouraged to apply for federal financial aid by completing the FAFSA. Loans, including Federal Direct Unsubsidized and Graduate PLUS loans, are common options for covering remaining costs.

Financial Estimations for students starting Fall 2025:

Year	In-State Tuition	Out-State Tuition	Additional Fees	Estimated Living Expenses
D1	$76,932	$76,932	$17,050	$23,490
D2	$76,932	$76,932	$15,474	$28,710
D3	$76,932	$76,932	$15,474	$28,710
D4	$76,932	$76,932	$15,474	$28,710

What to Expect in the DDS Program

Students enrolled in Creighton’s DDS program develop the skills and techniques to manage all phases of comprehensive oral healthcare.

Curriculum Overview

D1: Students take courses on behavioral science, dental anatomy, dental materials, and more. Field/clinic hours are about 35.
D2: Students focus on operative dentistry, prosthodontics, periodontics, and endodontics, including both lecture and lab components. Field/clinic hours are about 132.
D3-D4: Students continue lecture and lab courses while drastically increasing their field/clinic hours to over 1000 hours/year.

Clinical Experiences

At the heart of every Creighton dental school education is a hands-on, compassionate clinical experience. Students learn valuable skills by directly interacting with patients and services. Creighton students are dedicated to making a difference in their local community and in the world. They give their time and talents at OneWorld Community Health Centers in Omaha, ILAC, senior services, local health fairs, dental programs at elementary schools, and much more.

You’ll spend your first year primarily in the classroom and laboratory, focusing on the biological sciences and preclinical techniques. This year, as in all subsequent years, you’ll also take courses in dental ethics, to prepare you for a life of excellence not only in dentistry but also in compassion, service, and social justice. This year, you will continue your education in the basic and preclinical sciences with focus on more advanced patient procedures. To prepare for patient care, you’ll participate chairside and work in a simulated clinical lab. Creighton provides a dental program that trains students early on in computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) dentistry, the state-of the-art in dental restoration. Upon completion of your second year, you will be welcomed into full-time clinical studies by a special ceremony called the “Investiture of the White Coat”. In your third year at Creighton, you’ll continue your education in the dental specialties and also be responsible for the comprehensive care of your own family of patients. You can expect to spend seven half-days per week providing care in the adult, pediatric, and oral and maxillofacial surgery clinics. As a senior, you’ll continue to provide comprehensive care to your patients as well as take elective courses in subjects that are pertinent to your post-graduation practice. You will also have the opportunity to pursue externships in other facilities to gain experience in other forms of practice.

Research Opportunities

Students complete a research training course during their first semester. All D1s participate in group research projects which are presented to the school’s faculty and alumni. Students can get involved with basic science and clinical research under faculty mentorship. Highlighted research areas include:

Biomaterials
Atomic Force Microscopy
Biology of LPA In Periodontal Disease
Dental Materials to Combat Recurrent Decay
Auditory and Oral Tissue Regeneration
Caries Research and Oral Inflammation
Periostin’s Role in Dental Tissue Homeostasis

A Close-Knit, Collaborative Community

Creighton is known for its tight-knit community. The award-winning, field-defining faculty deliver personalized support and guidance. And, as a leader in interprofessional education, students benefit from team-based training with their peers in other health sciences programs at Creighton. The School of Dentistry believes a diverse student body enhances the educational opportunities for all members of the Creighton community and furthers the dental profession’s goal of educating culturally competent professionals who can work successfully with all segments of the population and improve access to care for underserved populations. For these reasons, the school seeks a diverse student body.

Tips to Strengthen Your Dental School Application

Prioritize Long-Term Service with Real Impact: Commit to long-term roles in clinics or nonprofits where you’ve seen the impact of oral health disparities firsthand.
Choose Recommenders Who Can Speak to More Than Academics: Ask for letters from people who’ve seen your work in clinical or professional settings-especially those who can vouch for your readiness to treat patients with empathy and responsibility.
Strengthen Key DAT Sections That Reflect Clinical Readiness: Boost scores in areas like Perceptual Ability and Total Science, which show your preparedness for hands-on work and science-heavy coursework.
Reflect on Shadowing With Depth, Not Just Hours: Describe specific patient encounters or ethical moments you observed.
Use the Campus Visit to Show Cultural and Mission Fit: Ask thoughtful questions, engage with faculty, and reference what you learn in follow-ups.

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