University of Colorado Dental Program: A Comprehensive Guide to Requirements and Preparation

Are you considering a career in dentistry? Do you have a passion for science, an artistic eye, and a desire to work with your hands? If so, a career in dentistry might be the perfect fit for you. Dentists have the opportunity to work in private practice, maintain standard business hours, and provide compassionate care to patients. The University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine (CU SDM) offers a comprehensive program for aspiring dentists. This article provides a detailed overview of the requirements, preparation, and what to expect from the CU SDM dental program.

Is Dentistry Right for You?

Before diving into the specifics of the University of Colorado dental program requirements, it's essential to consider whether a career in dentistry aligns with your interests and strengths. Aspiring dentists often share several key characteristics:

Interest in Science: A strong foundation in science, particularly biology and chemistry, is crucial for understanding the complexities of oral health and treatment.
Artistic Ability: Dentistry requires a keen eye for detail and an understanding of aesthetics to create natural-looking and functional restorations.
Manual Dexterity: Dentists need excellent hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills to perform precise procedures.
Compassion: Many patients experience anxiety when visiting the dentist, so empathy and the ability to provide reassurance are essential.
Business Acumen: For those planning to work in private practice, understanding business principles is vital for managing finances, marketing, and patient relations.

University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine: An Overview

The University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine, established in 1973, is the only dental school in Colorado. It is located on the Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora, Colorado. As part of the University of Colorado, the school is committed to excellence in dental education, research, and patient care. The school receives funding from the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) and conducts research in areas such as cancer biology, 3D modeling, and craniofacial developmental biology.

Degrees Offered

CU SDM offers a variety of combined degrees in addition to the traditional Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) program:

B.A./B.S.
M.B.A.
M.P.H.
M.S.
Ph.D.

International Dental Graduate Programs

The school also offers programs for international dental graduates:

Traditional Predoctoral Program for IDGs
Advanced Standing Program for IDGs

Contact Information

University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine

13065 E. 17th Ave.

Aurora, CO 80045

(303)724-7120

Prerequisite Coursework

Academic preparation is a cornerstone of a successful dental school application. CU SDM, like most dental schools, has specific course requirements that applicants must fulfill. While these requirements are relatively standard, it is the applicant's responsibility to verify the prerequisites for each school they plan to apply to, as policies can vary. A grade of C or higher is typically required for all prerequisite courses. Retaking courses with unsatisfactory grades is highly recommended to demonstrate content mastery and improve application competitiveness.

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The basic requirement for admission to the University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine is the completion of at least 90 semester hours or the equivalent, with at least 30 hours of upper-division for a letter grade. Credit hours from a community/junior college are limited to no more than 60 semester hours. High School Advanced Placement (AP) courses will be counted for prerequisite course work, and will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. All coursework must be completed at the conclusion of the spring term of the year accepted.

Here's a breakdown of the typical prerequisite courses:

Biology

Generally, two courses with associated labs in general biology are required, equivalent to 8 semester hours.

General Biology 1 and Lab (EBIO 1210 and EBIO 1230), 4 credits
General Biology 2 and Lab (EBIO 1220 and EBIO 1240), 4 credits

Some schools may require additional courses in Microbiology.

Consider EBIO 3400 - Microbiology and the corresponding lab EBIO 3410 - Microbiology Lab in such cases.

Chemistry

Two courses with associated labs in general (inorganic) chemistry and at least one course with an associated lab of organic chemistry are typically required. Some schools may also require Organic Chemistry 2 and Biochemistry. General chemistry lectures and labs should be equivalent to 8 semester hours, and organic chemistry should be 4-8 semester hours, depending on the school's specific requirements.

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General Chemistry 1 and Lab (CHEM 1113 and CHEM 1114), 5 credits
General Chemistry 2 and Lab (CHEM 1133 and CHEM 1134), 5 credits
Organic Chemistry 1 and Lab (CHEM 3311 and CHEM 3321), 5 credits
If needed: Organic Chemistry 2 and Lab (CHEM 3331 and 3341), 5 credits
Principles of Biochemistry (BCHM 4611), 3 credits

Physics

Two courses in physics with associated labs are generally required. At CU Boulder, students can choose between an algebra-based or calculus-based sequence. The algebra-based sequence is usually recommended unless the student's major requires calculus.

Option 1 (Algebra-based)

General Physics 1 (PHYS 2010), 5 credits, lab included
General Physics 2 (PHYS 2020), 5 credits, lab included

Option 2 (Calculus-based)

General Physics 1 (PHYS 1110), 4 credits
General Physics 2 (PHYS 1120), 4 credits
Experimental Physics 1 (PHYS 1140), 1 credit

Statistics

Although not always required, a statistics course is tested on the Dental Admission Test (DAT) and can strengthen an application.

Psychological Science 1: Statistics (PSYC 2111), 4 credits
Introduction to Statistics (IPHY 2800), 4 credits - no longer offered
Introduction to Data Science & Biostatistics (IPHY 3280), 4 credits
Introduction to Statistics (MATH 2510), 3 credits
Biological Statistics (EBIO 4410), 4 credits

Writing/English Composition

Most schools require one to two semesters of writing or English Literature/Composition courses. Any WRTG or ENGL course, or a course on scientific writing offered through EBIO or IPHY, can fulfill this requirement.

Additional Classes to Consider

Most dental schools recommend additional coursework in at least one or two of the following subjects:

General Psychology (PSYC 1001), 3 credits
Introduction to Sociology (SOCY 1001), 3 credits
Calculus 1 (MATH 1300), 5 credits
Genetics: Molecules to Populations (EBIO 2070), 4 credits OR Principles of Genetics (MCDB 2150), 3 credits OR Physiological Genetics and Genomics (IPHY 4200), 3 credits
Microbiology (EBIO 3400), 3 credits
Cell Biology (MCDB 3145), 3 credits
Introduction to Human Anatomy (IPHY 3410), 3 credits and lab (IPHY 3415), 2 credits
Human Physiology (IPHY 3430), 4 credits and Physiology Lab (IPHY 3435), 2 credits
Immunology (IPHY 4600 OR MCDB 4300), 3 credits

Suggested Electives

Courses to consider include anatomy, cell biology, histology, immunology, physiology, business management/finance, psychology and communications. Courses may be in a single area with a general background in many areas, or may group together several related areas in the sciences or humanities.

The Dental Admission Test (DAT)

The Dental Admission Test (DAT) is a standardized exam required for admission to dental schools in the United States and Canada. It assesses a candidate's general academic ability, scientific knowledge, and perceptual ability.

DAT Sections

The DAT consists of four sections:

Natural Sciences: Covers general biology (including some genetics), general chemistry, and organic chemistry.
Reading Comprehension: Evaluates the ability to read, organize, analyze, and remember new information in dental and basic sciences.
Quantitative Reasoning: Tests mathematical skills, including algebraic equations, fractions, conversions, percentages, exponential notation, probability, statistics, geometry, trigonometry, and math.
Perceptual Ability: Assesses spatial visualization skills, including angle discrimination, form development, cubes, orthographic projections, apertures, and paper folding.

DAT Scoring

The DAT is scored on a scale of 200 to 600, with 600 being a perfect score. The University of Colorado will accept the current two digit scoring until February 2030. The average DAT score for students accepted at University of Colorado Dental School in 2025 was 420 (600 perfect). For the old DAT scores, the 2024 entering classâs average was 20 (30 is perfect).

DAT Preparation

Adequate preparation is crucial for achieving a competitive DAT score. It is advisable to:

Start Early: Begin studying well in advance of the test date to allow ample time to review and practice.
Use Practice Tests: Take numerous timed practice tests to familiarize yourself with the test format and identify areas for improvement.
Review Scientific Concepts: Thoroughly review the fundamental concepts in biology, chemistry, and organic chemistry.
Develop Perceptual Ability Skills: Practice spatial visualization exercises to improve your performance on the Perceptual Ability section.

DAT Timing

It is recommended to take the DAT in the spring of your junior year. This allows sufficient time for the results to be submitted to dental schools and provides an opportunity to retake the exam after 90 days if necessary.

DAT Retakes

A candidate may take the DAT exam 3 times but must obtain permission to retest additional times.

Application Process

The application process for CU SDM involves several key steps:

ADEA AADSAS Application: Applicants must apply through the American Dental Education Association (ADEA) application service. Applications may be filed beginning June 1 of the year preceding admission. The latest filing date is November 15.
Supplemental Application: After applying through ADEA, selected applicants will receive a supplemental application from CU SDM. A supplemental application fee of $100 is required for all applicants.
Letters of Recommendation: CU SDM requires two letters from science instructors and one from a non-science instructor, dentist, or employer.
Transcripts: Submit official transcripts from all undergraduate institutions attended.
TOEFL: All applicants must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). CU SDM ISP does not make any exceptions for this criteria even for those who are citizens or those who did schooling in an English-speaking country. Beginning January 21, 2026, TOEFL iBT score reports will feature a new 1â6 scale, in half-point increments. If you are submitting a TOEFL score taken on or after January 21, 2026, our minimum requirement will be 5 on the new 1â6 scale. We will continue to accept TOEFL iBT scores taken prior to January 21, 2026, provided the score is within two years.
Interview: Qualified applicants will be invited to interview. Interviews are conducted in person and typically include two one-on-one interviews with an admissions committee member.

Application Timeline

June 1: ADEA AADSAS application opens
November 15: ADEA AADSAS application deadline
December: Acceptances begin to be offered
August-November (possibly extending into January and February): Interviews are conducted

Rolling Admissions

CU SDM utilizes a rolling admissions process, which means that applications are reviewed and acceptances are offered on an ongoing basis. Applying early is strongly encouraged, as acceptances are offered as early as December.

Additional Requirements and Desired Traits

Beyond academic achievements and test scores, CU SDM seeks applicants with specific qualities and experiences:

Shadowing Experience

A minimum of 50 hours of dental shadowing is required. Shadowing provides valuable insight into the daily life of a dentist and demonstrates a commitment to the profession.

Letters of Recommendation

Option 1: Pre-Health Committee Letter

Option 2: Three letters of recommendation: two from science professors (biology, chemistry, physics, biochemistry, microbiology) and a third from another professor, dentist, or employer. Note that science letters should include the course name and number. A fourth letter is optional.

Personal Attributes

Dental schools seek well-rounded, compassionate, creative, bright, service-minded individuals. Developing and demonstrating personal attributes that will enable you to be an effective healthcare provider is essential.

Experiences

Experiences like shadowing and direct patient interaction are right for you.

Admissions Statistics

Understanding the admissions statistics can provide valuable insight into the competitiveness of the CU SDM program. Here are some key statistics from the 2024 applicant and entering class data:

Mean Age of First-Time, First-Year Enrollees: 24
Average cumulative GPA: 3.6
Average science GPA: 3.6
Average DAT score: 20 (30 is perfect) - old DAT scores
Average DAT score: 420 (600 perfect) - new DAT scores

Finances and Application Logistics

Financial Estimations for students starting Fall 2025:

Year	In-State Tuition	Out-State Tuition	Additional Fees	Estimated Living Expenses
D1	$46,057	$72,344	$9,264	$36,252
D2	$46,057	$72,344	$9,264	$36,252
D3	$46,057	$72,344	$10,109	$36,252
D4	$46,057	$72,344	$10,109	$36,252

What If You Are Not Accepted?

Rejection from dental school can be disheartening, but it is not the end of the road. It is essential to:

Seek Feedback: Contact the dental schools to which you applied and ask for specific feedback on your application.
Strengthen Weak Areas: Identify the weakest aspects of your application and take steps to improve them.
Retake the DAT: If your DAT score was low, consider enrolling in a prep program and retaking the exam.
Gain More Experience: Consider pursuing a Masterâs Program or Post-Bac Program, gaining applied experience in dentistry, shadowing experiences, science research, volunteer work, community outreach, internships and leadership activities.

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