Doctor of Dental Surgery Program

• Admission Requirements
• Admissions Advice
• Selection Factors
• Admissions FAQ
• Application Procedures
• DAT and AADSAS
• Advanced Standing
• Background Checks
• Curriculum
• First Year Class Schedule
• Tuition and Fees

The curriculum in the dental school is organized into a four-year program leading to the Doctor of Dental Surgery (D.D.S.) degree. The academic year begins in July and extends through May. The program emphasizes study in three broad areas: basic sciences, clinical sciences, and social sciences.

Curriculum Notes:

• As part of students' course of study and community education within the school's preceptorship program, travel to off-campus sites is expected. Students will be required to provide their own transportation to agencies used for clinical and community health rotation experiences.
• Licensing/Certification: It is important for every student to understand that, while certain curricula are designed for the purpose of achieving registration or certification by an outside agency, completion of such an academic program in no way assures the student of successful registration or certification. No employee, agent, or representative of this university is authorized or empowered to provide such assurances either directly or by implication.
• Individuals who have a felony or misdemeanor conviction may not be eligible for licensure in Virginia. The Virginia Board of Dentistry makes this decision. For questions regarding this issue, call the Virginia Board of Dentistry at (804) 662-9906.

Policy on Blood Borne and Infectious Diseases:

By the nature of the profession, oral health care providers are routinely exposed to blood and body fluids during the treatment of patients in a clinical environment. In accordance with Section 32.1-45.1 of the Code of Virginia, the School of Dentistry requires that if a health care provider is exposed to body fluids in a manner that may transmit blood borne or infectious disease, both the health care provider and the patient will be tested for disease.

Additional Information

To obtain a hard copy of the VCU Graduate and Professional Programs Bulletin, contact the Virginia Commonwealth University MCV Campus Bookstore, P. O. Box 980013, Richmond, VA 23298-0013, (804) 828-0336. The Dental Bulletin can be viewed online.

To contact the School of Dentistry regarding admissions, write by email to denadmit@vcu.edu or call (804) 828-9196.