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DMD Applicant Evaluation and Decisions

Selection of applicants is made on a competitive basis without regard to background (more here). Decision and consideration is given to cognitive and non-cognitive components.

Mississippi residency

For admission purposes, the School of Dentistry gives preference to residents of the State of Mississippi; in recent years, nonresidents have not been admitted. As such, the School of Dentistry currently accepts admission applications only from individuals who are U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents. The School of Dentistry may choose to not accept applications from students who cannot demonstrate residency as defined by Miss. Code § 37-103-7 and 37-103-13.

Residency determination is not based solely on information provided in an AADSAS application; it is based on information provided in the UMMC Secondary Application and, when requested, a Request for Review of Residency Classification form and supporting documentation. Questions regarding residency classification should be addressed to the Office of Student Records and Registrar.

Cognitive and non-cognitive components

Decision and consideration is given to cognitive and non-cognitive components. Cognitive components include overall GPA, science GPA, overall DAT, and overall science DAT. Non-cognitive components include honesty/integrity, ethics/values, respect for others, critical thinking, communication skills, altruism, motivation for dentistry, accountability,  maturity, participation in Health Careers program, leadership, self-appraisal, research, campus involvement in leadership, and interviews.

Dental Admission Test (DAT)

Usually completed after junior year in college, the DAT covers the following areas:

• Survey of natural sciences – Biology, General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry
• Perceptual ability – Angle Discrimination, Form Development Cubes, Orthographic Projections, 3-D Format
• Reading comprehension – Reading and Analysis of Information
• Quantitative reasoning – Algebra, Trigonometry, Geometry, Numerical Calculations, Probability and Statistics

Applicants for admission to the School of Dentistry must take the American Dental Association Dental Admission Test (DAT). The test may be scheduled to be taken by computer at Prometric Testing Centers. Information regarding the American Dental Association Dental Admission Test may be obtained from the pre-dental advisor in most colleges. Information and application forms also may be secured from the Division of Educational Measurements, American Dental Association, 211 E. Chicago Ave., Chicago, IL 60611, or from the Office of Student Affairs at the School of Dentistry, or by going to ADA DAT information.

By following a well-planned schedule, the pre-dental student should be ready to take the test at the end of the second full year of college work. It is strongly recommended that this test be taken in the spring, but no later than in the fall of the year preceding the desired date of admission. DAT scores more than three years old are not acceptable. Candidates seeking to re-take the DAT must wait 90 days before a re-test is allowed.

Experiences

Effective June 1, 2025, applicants must complete a minimum of 70 hours of clinical shadowing with at least four (4) licensed dental providers.

• Clinical shadowing experiences may be paid or unpaid.
• Employment in a dental practice may be counted toward clinical shadowing hours, provided the experience includes meaningful exposure to patient care, clinical workflows, and the delivery of dental services.
• Each practice or clinical site counts as one shadowing experience, regardless of the number of providers at that location.
• Shadowing multiple providers within the same practice will be counted as a single experience.
• At least one shadowing experience must be with a general dentist.
• Shadowing hours should reflect direct observation of patient care and active engagement with the clinical environment, not solely administrative or clerical duties.

Examples of Experiences That May Count Toward Clinical Shadowing Hours:

• Working as a dental assistant, chairside assistant, or dental aide, when the role includes direct exposure to patient care and clinical procedures.
• Employment as a sterilization or clinical support technician with regular observation of clinical treatment and operatory workflow.
• Paid or unpaid observation of a dentist during patient care, treatment planning, and interprofessional collaboration.
• Participation in clinical settings where the applicant observes infection control protocols, patient interactions, and practice operations.

Examples of Experiences That Do Not Count Toward Clinical Shadowing Hours:

• Roles limited exclusively to front-desk, scheduling, billing, insurance, or other administrative functions without clinical exposure.
• Experiences lacking direct observation of patient care or interaction with clinical providers.
• General office work in a dental practice that does not provide insight into clinical practice or patient treatment.

Community Service 

Effective June 2024, applicants must complete a minimum of 100 hours of community service, completed with a single organization or across multiple organizations.

• A minimum of 30 hours must involve service to vulnerable or disadvantaged populations.
• Community service should reflect consistent, sustained, and meaningful civic engagement, rather than one-time or episodic participation.
• Service experiences must demonstrate a commitment to addressing community needs and contributing time and effort beyond personal or academic benefit.
• Hours must represent active service; passive participation or attendance alone does not qualify.

Definition of Vulnerable and Disadvantaged Populations
For admissions purposes, vulnerable and disadvantaged populations are individuals or groups who experience barriers to accessing essential resources, services, or opportunities, which may adversely affect health, education, economic stability, or overall well-being. These barriers may be social, economic, geographic, physical, or structural in nature.

Examples of Vulnerable and Disadvantaged Populations Include, but Are Not Limited To:

• Individuals with limited access to healthcare or preventive services, including uninsured or underinsured populations.
• Low-income individuals or families experiencing economic instability or food insecurity.
• Rural or geographically isolated communities with limited access to services and infrastructure.
• Children, older adults, or individuals with disabilities requiring additional support or assistance.
• Individuals experiencing housing instability or homelessness.
• Populations facing educational barriers, including under-resourced schools or limited access to academic support.
• Communities impacted by natural disasters or public health emergencies

Mission-Based and Service Trips

Mission-based or service-oriented trips may be applied toward the community service requirement with the following limitations:

• Service credit is limited to a maximum of 8 service hours per day.
• Travel time, cultural excursions, recreational activities, fundraising, orientation sessions, reflection sessions, and non-service-related programming may not be counted toward service hours.
• Only time spent performing direct, documented service activities may be applied.
• Applicants must be able to clearly document the nature of the service performed, daily service hours, and the supervising organization or sponsoring entity.

Examples of Mission-Based Activities That May Count Toward Service Hours:

• Providing direct community service such as health education, outreach, construction, food distribution, or community support activities.
• Participation in organized service programs with defined service objectives and oversight by a recognized organization.
• Clinical or non-clinical service activities that directly benefit the host community.

Examples of Mission-Based Activities That Do Not Count Toward Service Hours:

• Travel days, including flights, ground transportation, or transit between service sites.
• Cultural immersion, sightseeing, retreats, or recreational activities.
• Time spent in planning meetings, training sessions, or reflection activities unrelated to direct service delivery.
• Experiences lacking documentation of service hours or organizational oversight.

Additional Examples of Experiences That May Count Toward Community Service Hours:

• Volunteering with social service or nonprofit organizations (e.g., food banks, shelters, community health initiatives).
• Service through community-based or faith-based organizations focused on outreach, support, or education.
• Disaster relief and recovery efforts, when time is spent performing direct service activities.
• Mentoring, tutoring, or coaching youth or adults in structured programs.
• Ongoing service roles demonstrating regular participation and responsibility over time.

Examples of Experiences That Do Not Count Toward Community Service Hours:

• Activities that primarily benefit the applicant rather than the community.
• Paid employment, unless clearly separate from compensation and reflective of volunteer service.
• Attendance at meetings, services, or events without an active service component.
• One-time events lacking meaningful engagement or continuity.

Interviews

Applicant files are reviewed by the School of Dentistry Admissions screeners. Applicants whose credentials indicate potential for success in the dental school program are invited for an interview session which includes multiple mini-interviews with members of the Dental School Admissions Committee. Applicants must not present themselves for interviews until requested to do so by the Admissions Committee.

Pre-screening factors include but are not limited to metrics (GPA and DAT scores), shadowing experiences, research experience, commitment to community service, as well as professionalism, leadership, and other non-cognitive attributes. Interviews are scheduled during specific periods and applicants are notified in advance of such periods.

Letters of recommendation

Four (4) letters of recommendation must be submitted through AADSAS. These four letters should be as follows:

• College science faculty letters from biology, chemistry, or physics instructors (2)
• Master's degree program (1) only if you are enrolled in or have completed a master's program; this letter will fulfill one of the science faculty letters as noted above
• Dentist who you have shadowed (1)
• Community service/volunteer letter (1)

Admissions Committee deliberations

The authority to select applicants for admission to the UMMC School of Dentistry is vested in the Dental School Admissions Committee (DSAC) and the Dean of the School of Dentistry. The DSAC is appointed by the Dean of the School of Dentistry and includes clinical and basic science faculty of the School of Dentistry and the School of Medicine, representatives of the dental private practice, UMMC School of Dentistry students, and other administrative personnel in the various departments at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. All correspondence and records regarding the admissions process are filed in the Office of Student Records and Registrar, become the property of the University of Mississippi Medical Center and cannot be returned or forwarded to the applicant or another school. Applicants and Admission Committee members are required to sign a confidentiality agreement which grants the committee members authority to review all applicant information when making decisions on selection of candidates. All applicant information reviewed shall be confidential.

The DSAC reviews the entire file for every interviewed applicant. DSAC deliberations include a discussion of: where an applicant was raised and educated noting financial, educational and socioeconomic advantages and disadvantages; an applicant's life experiences and personal attributes including scores assigned by the screeners; personal attributes reflected in the written application; performance on multiple mini interviews rated by members of the Admissions Interview Committee; letters of recommendation; and academic metrics including trends in GPA's and DAT scores. Attention is given to applicants who in the opinion of the DSAC best fulfill the mission and interests of the School of Dentistry.