High Point University's Workman School of Dental Medicine: A New Era in Dental Education

High Point University (HPU) is poised to revolutionize dental education with the establishment of the Workman School of Dental Medicine. Fueled by a generous $32 million gift from the Rick and Angie Workman Foundation, the school is set to welcome its inaugural class of students in the fall of 2024. This initiative marks a significant step forward in addressing the oral healthcare needs of North Carolina and beyond, with a focus on innovation, comprehensive patient care, and community engagement.

A Groundbreaking Ceremony and a Vision for the Future

The groundbreaking ceremony in September marked a pivotal moment in the school's development. Dr. Nido Qubein, HPU's president, emphasized the historical significance of the occasion, highlighting the beginning of a new chapter in dental medicine education. Dr. Scott De Rossi, the dental school's founding dean, outlined the school's commitment to an innovative care curriculum, novel admissions processes, and an unprecedented network of oral health practices across the state.

The CARE Curriculum: Shaping Adaptable Professionals

The Workman School of Dental Medicine is built upon the CARE Curriculum, a groundbreaking approach designed to nurture adaptable professionals who excel as Clinicians, Advocates, Researchers, and Entrepreneurs. This curriculum goes beyond traditional learning, integrating courses that allow learners to immediately apply their knowledge to discussions, simulated experiences, and authentic patient care environments.

The CARE curriculum emphasizes person-centered patient care and utilizes frequent assessments to provide feedback and support learner growth. The entire curriculum operates on a pass/no pass system, prioritizing well-being and teamwork. Opportunities for honors designations are available through the completion of additional tasks.

Clinician

Students will hone their clinical skills through hands-on training and real-world experiences.

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Advocate

Students will lead oral health advocacy initiatives, promoting awareness and access to care within the community.

Researcher

Students will push research boundaries, contributing to the advancement of dental knowledge and practices.

Entrepreneur

Students will embrace entrepreneurial ventures, developing innovative solutions to address challenges in the field of oral healthcare.

HPU Health LLC: A Network of Cutting-Edge Dental Practices

One of the defining features of HPU's dental education model is HPU Health LLC, a network of university-owned and operated dental practices located throughout North Carolina, including High Point, Greensboro, and Chapel Hill. These practices are already serving patients and will provide invaluable clinical experience for dental students. HPU Health is committed to patient care, utilizing cutting-edge technology for timely and effective treatment. The network also focuses on research-based approaches and innovative studies to improve oral health within the community.

State-of-the-Art Facilities and Technology

The Workman School of Dental Medicine is located on HPU's Innovation Corridor, featuring state-of-the-art facilities designed to enhance the learning experience.

Haptic Simulation Lab

The school boasts the world's largest haptic simulation lab, equipped with SIMtoCARE dental simulation units to provide students with realistic training opportunities.

Analog and Digital Dental Production Lab

Students will gain expertise in both analog and digital dentistry, including 3D printing workflows, in the school's advanced production lab.

Admissions Information

The HPU Workman School of Dental Medicine seeks motivated, adaptive, and eager future oral healthcare providers with a passion for dentistry, a commitment to serving their communities, a curiosity for learning, and a desire to lead innovative practice spaces that promote better oral health.

Application Requirements

A D.M.D./D.D.S. degree, or equivalent.
Copy of dental diploma and dental school transcripts.
Three letters of recommendation, including one from the Dean or a Program Director.
TOEFL scores (minimum 90) for foreign applicants whose primary language is not English (IELTS not accepted).

The application will be available May 1st for the 2025-2026 Admissions cycle and is due December 1st, 2025 at 11:59 PM Eastern Time. The last available Casper test date is November 13th, 2025.

Holistic Review Process

The WSDM is committed to a holistic review of candidates and their capabilities. Each person brings unique knowledge, experiences, and attributes to their educational journey and it is not expected every candidate will be exceptional in every regard. Applications are reviewed with a strengths-based approach to determine a candidate’s potential for success within the CARE curriculum. All candidates are given an opportunity in the screening process and training is provided to mitigate implicit biases during the review process.

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GPA and Degree Requirements

A bachelor’s degree (B.S. or B.A) is required before matriculation. There is no required degree (i.e. Biology or Chemistry). Candidates from all majors are encouraged to apply.
A minimum cumulative 3.0 undergraduate GPA is required to apply. If the candidate possesses an undergraduate GPA below a 3.0, a 3.0 or greater Master’s degree GPA will also be considered.

DAT and Shadowing

The DAT (Dental Admission Test) is NOT an admission requirement.
While shadowing is encouraged, a standard number of shadowing hours is NOT required to apply. However, applicants with zero shadowing experience may be less likely to be considered "ready" for the WSDM.

Acuity Insights Assessment

The Acuity Insights assessment (Casper and Duet) must be completed for the current cycle, regardless of any previous attempts. The assessment is updated each year and must be re-taken during each admission cycle.

Interviews

Interviews will be available on select Fridays during the interview cycle, with approximately one interview date per month. Sign-up for interviews occurs on a first-reserved basis. The WSDM does not offer online or virtual interview options at this time.

Financial Information

Tuition inclusive of school-related fees is estimated to range $85,000 to $89,000 depending on the year in the program. Candidates are strongly encouraged to evaluate programs based on cost of tuition PLUS fees at programs for a reliable comparison to our program. For the 2025-2026 Admissions Cycle, admitted candidates to the DMD program will have scholarship opportunities. Various individual C.A.R.E (Clinician, Advocate, Researcher, Entrepreneur) scholarships will be awarded by the Admissions Committee to admitted learners that demonstrate alignment with the school’s mission and embody the CARE roles.

Accreditation

The Doctor of Dental Medicine program has received accreditation from the local accrediting agency (the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, SACSCOC), which makes students eligible for financial aid. National accreditation through the Commission of Dental Accreditation (CODA) requires multiple steps. Initial accreditation was received in August 2023. The next site visit will occur in 2026, and the school is on track to receive full accreditation upon graduating its first class.

A Loss and a New Beginning

The departure of Dr. Scott De Rossi, the founding dean, after his tenure since January 2021, marks a transition for the school. HPU expressed gratitude for his service in breaking down barriers and putting those who need care at the center of the mission.

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