Are you considering a career in dentistry? If you’re looking for the best dental schools in the Midwest, you have plenty of options.
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In this article, we’ll look at some of the best dental schools in the Midwest, so you can make a well-informed decision about where to pursue your dental education.
We’ll discuss some of the top dental schools and what they have to offer students. From renowned research facilities to state-of-the-art clinics, these institutions are preparing the next generation of dental professionals for success.
5 Best Dental Schools In The Midwest
Below, we have listed the best dental schools in the Midwest (in no particular order). One is bound to catch your interest!
1. Indiana University School Of Dentistry (Indianapolis)
Indiana University offers the only dental school in Indiana. The university is located in downtown Indianapolis.
Students can expect to study for four academic years, with 121 requisite courses, which amount to 173.5 credit hours
The dental school was established in 1879, making it the oldest dental school in the nation. They pride themselves in producing the best oral health experts.
They have educated and graduated many soon-to-be oral health professionals who deem the Indiana University School of Dentistry the best in the Midwest.
Indiana university graduates are deemed the most esteemed in dental education and organized dentistry worldwide.
Indiana University School of Dentistry offers various undergraduate programs:
- Certificate in Dental Assisting
- B.S. in Dental Hygiene
- B.S. in Public Health Dental Hygiene
- Indiana University Fort Wayne Dental Assisting Program
- Indiana University Fort Wayne Dental Hygiene Program
- Indiana University Fort Wayne Dental Technology Program
The advanced dental education programs include:
- M.S. in Dental Materials
- M.S. in Dentistry
- Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Residency
- Ph.D. in Dental Sciences
Dual degree programs consist of the following:
- D.D.S and M.P.H (Master of Public Health)
- D.D.S and Ph. D (Ph. D. in Dental Sciences)
D.D.S. programs:
- (D.D.S) Doctor of Dental Surgery
- (IU-IDP) International Dentist Program
The Indiana University School Of Dentistry has an acceptance rate of 5.58%.
2. University Of Michigan School of Dentistry (Ann Arbor)
The University of Michigan School of Dentistry was established in 1875 and is located in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
This dental school in the midwest focuses on patient care, community service, research, and oral and craniofacial health care education.
The overall acceptance rate of the University of Michigan is 5.84%.
The six dental programs the university offers are:
- Dual Degree Programs (The School of Dentistry also provides D.D.S./Ph.D. and DDS/MBA programs in addition to O.H.S. Ph.D.)
- Dental Hygiene (Those interested in dental hygiene have three options at the School of Dentistry; to pursue a Bachelor’s or Master of Science degree)
- Internationally Trained Dentist Program (A full-time, two-year program for international dental school graduates to obtain a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree)
- Graduate Programs (For dentists seeking specialized training, master’s degree programs and non-degree certificates are offered)
- Oral Health Sciences Ph.D. and Master’s Program (These programs’ main goal is to develop exceptional students into leaders in academic research in the field of oral health science)
- Doctor of Dental Surgery (Four-year, full-time D.D.S. program that incorporates patient care, health sciences, and biomedical sciences)
3. University Of Iowa College of Dentistry (Iowa City)
Iowa College of Dentistry ranks third in the number of hours dental students must spend in the clinics.
Since its establishment in 1882, the university has had a comprehensive and competitive D.D.S. process and programs.
According to Iowa College of Dentistry, 78% of dentists in the state are dentist graduates of this university.
Students gain training in new knowledge, ethics, technical excellence, and practice management, focussing on problem-solving and critical thinking.
Every one of these specializations is included in the dentistry curriculum, which at the college has more recognized A.D.A. dental specialties than any other dental school in the nation.
The university has an acceptance rate of 9.26% and provides students with various specialties they can choose from.
Here are the specialties offered at the Iowa College of Dentistry:
- Geriatric And Special Needs Dentistry
- Dental Public Health
- General Practice Residency (Oral Medicine)
- Oral And Maxillofacial Radiology
- Oral And Maxillofacial Surgery
- Oral And Maxillofacial Pathology
- Orthodontics
- Endodontics
- Paediatric Dentistry
- Periodontics
- Prosthodontics
- Operative Dentistry
4. Midwestern University College Of Dental Medicine (Downers Grove)
Midwestern University College of Dental Medicine has a 99% national board pass rate and 100% graduation rate, making it an outstanding dental school.
This private dental medicine college was founded in 1900 by J. Martin Littlejohn, PhD., D.O., M.D. (1865-1947).
This College of Dental Medicine is located in Downers Grove, Illinois; however, they have another campus in Glendale, Arizona.
Like all dental schools, Midwestern University’s academic program lasts four years and is generally full-time. They have an acceptance rate of 6%.
The Midwestern University College of Dental Medicine only offers a Doctoral degree in Dental Medicine.
The curriculum comprises basic, behavioral, and clinical sciences, preclinical simulation studies, practical clinical dentistry, and community clinical rotations.
Furthermore, this degree can provide you with opportunities such as:
- General Dental Practice
- Armed Services (Military)
- Graduate Education In Dental Specialties
- Public Health Service / Indian Health Service
- Dental Industry
- Dental Education
- Dental Administration
5. University Of Illinois At Chicago College Of Dentistry (Chicago)
Although founded in 1891, the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Dentistry only became an official college of the University of Illinois in 1913.
They have top-notch academic programs to fully educate and prepare dental students as professionals.
The university also sees an increase in competitiveness for admission in the last five years. Admission to U.I.C. dental school is becoming more competitive.
University of Illinois, Chicago received 1,051 applications for 52 spots in the first-year class during the prior admissions process in 2019.
The college has an acceptance rate of 5.13%, and the programs they offer are:
- Oral Biology
- Endodontics
- Oral Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences
- Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
- Pediatric Dentistry
- Orthodontics
- Periodontics
- Restorative Dentistry
Tips For Getting Into Dental School
There are several ways you can boost your chances of getting accepted into a dental school, including:
- Research the specific criteria needed by each school. Some schools will require many extracurricular activities, while others have more open admission policies.
- Once you have researched and compiled an application, list your extracurricular activities, awards and honors, and other noteworthy accomplishments on your resume.
- Try to get a strong letter of recommendation (two), so the university can deduce how dedicated and hardworking you are.
- Take part in community service and volunteer programs. There is a higher chance of acceptance if the university reads that you participated in improving homeless shelters, libraries, soup kitchens, etc. This helps you gain leadership skills, and you are exposed to our diverse world.
- Attempt job shadowing at your dentist or local dentist’s practice to gain insight and knowledge into how to operate with patients and what dentists do daily. The university will be impressed that you have in-person experience.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the right dental school is a big decision. There are many factors to consider, and we hope this list will assist you in finding the perfect dental school that will provide you with the expertise and skills to become a successful dental expert.
Always be prepared before applying for dentistry because you can enhance your application, such as job shadowing, researching the dental school, a strong letter of accommodation, participating in community service, and listing accomplishments and extracurricular activities.
The Indiana, Michigan, Iowa, Midwestern, and Illinois universities are some of the best dental schools in the Midwest. It would be amazing to receive an acceptance letter, considering the competitiveness.
This post was all about the best dental schools in the midwest.
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