10 Best Dental Schools in the US in 2026

Choosing the right dental school is important because it shapes the clinical skills, hands-on experience, and professional network you build before treating your first patient. Top programs combine rigorous training with research opportunities and strong connections to hospitals, health systems, and the broader dental community.

That investment pays off in a field with steady and growing demand. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of dentists is projected to grow 4% from 2024 to 2034, with about 4,500 openings for dentists projected each year on average over the decade.

This list highlights the best dental schools in the US in 2026 using two major ranking systems: the QS World University Rankings by Subject for Dentistry and EduRank’s Best Dental Schools in the World.

• What Are the Best Dental Schools in the US?
• University of Michigan
• University of California, San Francisco
• Harvard University
• University of Washington
• University of Pennsylvania
• University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
• New York University
• University of California, Los Angeles
• University at Buffalo
• Columbia University
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Takeaways

What Are the Best Dental Schools in the US?

The schools below consistently rank among the best for dentistry. The table shows each school’s QS World University Dentistry ranking, EduRank Dentistry ranking, and dental school admit rate so you can compare them at a glance.

Note: Our ranking equally weights national and global dental school rankings, averaging each school’s positions into a composite score and ordering them from lowest to highest. Dental school admit rate data is for the 2024–2025 entering class and was sourced from DiscoDent.

Each school also has different strengths, whether that’s research funding, clinical training, specialty programs, or community-based care. Let’s discuss each school one by one.

1. University of Michigan

Rankings: #4 (QS World University), #2 (EduRank)

Key Strengths: Orthodontics, prosthodontics, restorative dentistry, oral surgery, dental research

Acceptance Rate (Overall): 13.22%

Founded in 1875, the University of Michigan School of Dentistry is the second-oldest dental school in the nation and one of the most consistently top-ranked programs in the country. 

Michigan’s four-year Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) program combines biomedical science training with extensive clinical experience. Early coursework includes classes such as 521 Dental Anatomy and Occlusion and 533 Infection and Immunity before students transition into hands-on patient care using clinical simulation labs and digital radiography suites.

A major feature of the program is its Pathways Program, which allows students to explore focused interests within dentistry. Current pathways include:

• Oral Surgery
• Orthodontics
• Pediatrics
• Prosthodontics
• Public Health
• Research
• Impact Projects

Michigan also offers dual-degree options, including a combined DDS/MBA program with the Ross School of Business for students interested in practice management and healthcare leadership. The school also offers a DDS/PhD program that combines dental training with research through clinical experiences, laboratory work, and advanced coursework.

2. University of California, San Francisco

Rankings: #6 (QS World University), #12 (EduRank)

Key Strengths: Oral biology, craniofacial sciences, oral and dental diagnostics, dental public health

Acceptance Rate (Overall): 7.395%

The UCSF School of Dentistry is one of the most research-intensive dental schools in the United States. In both 2024 and 2025, UCSF was the top recipient of National Institutes of Health (NIH) research grant funding among all U.S. dental schools, reflecting its leadership in oral health research and craniofacial sciences.

UCSF’s four-year Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) curriculum emphasizes evidence-based dentistry, interdisciplinary care, and clinical decision-making. Early coursework includes classes such as BMS 116 Structure of Cells, Tissues and Organs and Dent Sci 116 Oral Structure and Development, giving students a strong foundation in oral biology and disease diagnosis before transitioning into patient care.

That clinical experience is reinforced through the UCSF Dental Center, which sees more than 125,000 patient visits annually and exposes students to a wide range of cases and patient populations. UCSF also offers an International Dentist Pathway (IDP), a three-year DDS program for internationally trained dentists seeking to practice in the U.S.

3. Harvard University

Rankings: #13 (QS World University), #5 (EduRank)

Key Strengths: Biomedical sciences, oral and systemic health, hospital-based dentistry, oral health research

Acceptance Rate (Overall): 3.472%

Harvard School of Dental Medicine (HSDM) was established in 1867, making it the oldest university-based dental school in the United States. With a class size of around 35 students and more than 1,000 applicants each year, the program offers a highly selective and close-knit learning environment.

One of HSDM’s defining features is its integration with Harvard Medical School. During the first two years, students in the Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) program study biomedical sciences alongside Harvard medical students, taking courses in anatomy, histology, biochemistry, and pathology through a shared curriculum. This approach emphasizes the connection between oral health and overall health.

In the third year, students begin the Principal Clinical Experience (PCE), transitioning into patient care at the Harvard Dental Center while also rotating through affiliated hospitals such as Brigham and Women’s, Massachusetts General, and Boston Children’s Hospital.

The school also offers the Advanced Standing International Dentist (ASID) Track, which enables internationally trained dentists to earn a DMD degree and continue their careers in the U.S.

4. University of Washington

Rankings: #21 (QS World University), #3 (EduRank)

Key Strengths: Rural and community dentistry, orthodontics, periodontics, pediatric dentistry, oral and maxillofacial surgery

Acceptance Rate (Overall): 11.372%

The UW School of Dentistry is the only dental school serving the five-state WWAMI region: Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana, and Idaho. This role shapes the school’s emphasis on rural dentistry, community health, and improving access to care across the Pacific Northwest.

The four-year Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) program combines biomedical sciences, preclinical training, and extensive clinical experience. Admissions to the DDS program are highly competitive, and the curriculum is designed to meet dental licensure requirements, particularly in Washington state.

The school also offers graduate and postdoctoral programs in areas such as orthodontics, pediatric dentistry, periodontics, and oral and maxillofacial surgery.

One of UW’s most distinctive features is the Regional Initiatives in Dental Education (RIDE) program, which prepares students specifically for practice in rural and underserved communities. In partnership with Eastern Washington University and the UW WWAMI medical program, RIDE students train across Seattle, Spokane, and community clinics throughout Washington, gaining hands-on experience in regions with limited access to dental care.

5. University of Pennsylvania

Rankings: #17 (QS World University), #7 (EduRank)

Key Strengths: Oral medicine, interdisciplinary dental care, community dentistry, special care dentistry, craniofacial research

Acceptance Rate (Overall): 12.802%

Founded in 1878, Penn Dental Medicine is one of the oldest dental schools in the United States. As part of Penn’s integrated health system, students have access to resources across medicine, nursing, veterinary medicine, and the Wharton School of Business.

Penn’s Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) program follows a flexible curriculum that prepares students for the Integrated National Board Dental Examination. During the first and second years, students complete preclinical coursework including classes such as 5821 Development, Anatomy and Occlusion and 6331 Systemic Health and Clinical Medicine. By the third year, much of the curriculum focuses on general patient care across a variety of clinical settings.

Penn Dental Medicine also emphasizes interdisciplinary and community-based care through dual-degree options in public health, business administration, and law, along with outreach programs throughout Philadelphia. The school is also home to the Care Center for Persons with Disabilities, which provides dental treatments for patients with physical and cognitive disabilities.

6. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Rankings: #18 (QS World University), #10 (EduRank)

Key Strengths: Evidence-based dentistry, community dentistry, pediatric dentistry, oral epidemiology

Acceptance Rate (Overall): 9.132%

The UNC Adams School of Dentistry was the first dental school in North Carolina, celebrating 75 years in 2025. The school enrolls around 500 students and houses classrooms, clinics, and labs inside state-of-the-art facilities such as Koury Oral Health Sciences.

UNC’s Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) program is built around its Advocate-Clinician-Thinker (ACT) curriculum, which integrates biomedical sciences, clinical and behavioral sciences, and health systems sciences across all four years. 

The curriculum progresses through four phases:

• Basecamp. Introduces foundational sciences, and the basics of dental education.
• Foundations of Practice. Builds core clinical knowledge and skills through early patient care experiences.
• Guided Advanced Clinical Practice. Focuses on advanced clinical training, patient care, and practice management.
• Individualization. Allows students to explore specialized interests through electives and shadowing opportunities.

The school also places a strong emphasis on Evidence-Based Dentistry (EBD) through the ACT curriculum, where students learn to combine scientific evidence, clinical expertise, and patient preferences when making treatment decisions.

7. New York University

Rankings: #25 (QS World University), #15 (EduRank)

Key Strengths: Implant dentistry, prosthodontics, periodontics, oral surgery, clinical dentistry

Acceptance Rate (Overall): 32.59%

Founded in 1865, NYU College of Dentistry (NYUCD) is the third-oldest and largest dental school in the United States, educating nearly 10% of the nation’s dentists. The school enrolls more than 1,900 students across its predoctoral and postdoctoral programs.

NYU’s Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) program combines biomedical and behavioral science coursework with early clinical experience. Students develop hands-on skills across specialties such as prosthodontics, periodontics, endodontics, orthodontics, and oral surgery. The school is also known for implant dentistry through the Ashman Department of Periodontology and Implant Dentistry, where students gain exposure to implant procedures and advanced prosthetics.

NYU’s location in Midtown Manhattan provides students with access to one of the most diverse patient populations in the world, along with strong connections to New York City’s health systems, specialty practices, and postgraduate residency programs. Its alumni network spans all 50 states and countries around the world, giving graduates strong professional connections across the dental field.

8. University of California, Los Angeles

Rankings: #26 (QS World University), #28 (EduRank),

Key Strengths: Community dentistry, implant dentistry, oral biology, craniofacial research, oral health research

Acceptance Rate: 7.924%

The UCLA School of Dentistry is among the top dental schools in the U.S. and is known for combining strong academics with community-based clinical training. The school admits a highly competitive class, with incoming Doctoral of Dental Surgery (DDS) students reporting an average GPA of around 3.87 and a Dental Admission Test (DAT) Academic Average of 23.

UCLA’s Community Based Clinical Education (CBCE) program allows students to complete eight-week rotations across 21 community clinic sites throughout Southern California. These experiences expose students to diverse patient populations and real-world dental practice settings. Through the program, more than 40,000 patients in underserved communities have received nearly 97,000 dental procedures.

UCLA also offers a combined DDS/PhD program for students interested in academic dentistry and oral health research. Students complete PhD training in Oral Biology alongside graduate coursework and laboratory research before continuing into the DDS curriculum. UCLA’s Los Angeles location also provides access to major healthcare employers, specialty practices, and postgraduate residency programs across the region.

9. University at Buffalo

Rankings: #28 (QS World University), #31 (EduRank),

Key Strengths: Biomaterials, translational dentistry, craniofacial research, clinical dentistry, community dentistry

Acceptance Rate (Overall): 6.131%

The University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine has provided dental education and patient care since 1892. The school receives nearly $7 million in NIH funding, supporting research in areas such as oral biology, biomaterials, craniofacial anomalies, and translational dentistry.

UB’s Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) program begins clinical training in the first year, with coursework designed so lectures directly support laboratory and patient care experiences. The school’s faculty-to-student ratio, with 66 full-time and 113 part-time faculty teaching around 425 students, also allows for strong one-on-one instruction throughout the program.

Approximately 75% of graduating seniors continue into postgraduate training programs such as general practice residencies (GPRs).

UB also partners with organizations such as TeamSmile and the Buffalo Bills to provide free oral care to underserved children in the region. Located primarily in Amherst, a suburb of Buffalo, the school offers a research-focused dental education within a more affordable mid-sized city, with lower in-state tuition costs for New York residents.

10. Columbia University

Rankings: #38 (QS World University), #36 (EduRank),

Key Strengths: Interdisciplinary dental medicine, oral health education, clinical dentistry

Acceptance Rate (Overall): 8.232%

Columbia University College of Dental Medicine is one of the few Ivy League dental schools in the U.S. One of the school’s defining features is that Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) students complete preclinical coursework alongside medical students from Columbia’s Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, integrating dental and medical education from the start.

Columbia’s four-year DDS curriculum is designed to train students to approach dentistry as the oral health specialty of medicine. The program uses a pass/fail grading system that emphasizes learning and long-term skill development across all four years. Students also train in the Center for Precision Dental Medicine, a modern clinical and educational facility that uses technology and real-time feedback to support clinical and simulation training.

Located in Manhattan, Columbia gives students access to major academic medical centers, specialty practices, and postgraduate residency programs throughout New York City. The school also offers an Advanced Standing Program for Internationally Trained Dentists and dual-degree programs, such as DDS/MA in Science and Dental Education with Columbia Teachers College.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are the top dental schools in the US in 2026?

Some of the best dental schools in the US in 2026 include Michigan, Washington, UCSF, Harvard, Penn, UNC Chapel Hill, NYU, UCLA, Buffalo, and Columbia. These schools stand out for different strengths, including research funding, clinical training, specialty programs, and integration with major medical centers.

2. What should I look for when choosing a dental school?

When choosing a dental school, consider factors such as clinical training opportunities, research access, board exam preparation, specialty programs, patient volume, and location. You should also look at curriculum style, community outreach opportunities, and whether the school’s strengths align with your career goals.

3. Can I pursue dentistry and another field at these colleges?

Yes. Many top dental schools offer dual-degree options that combine dentistry with fields such as business, public health, law, or education. Examples include Michigan’s DDS/MBA and DDS/PhD programs, UCLA’s DDS/PhD program in Oral Biology, and Columbia’s DDS/MA in Science and Dental Education.

4. Which dentistry specializations are most in demand today?

Some of the most in-demand dentistry specializations today include orthodontics, oral and maxillofacial surgery, pediatric dentistry, periodontics, prosthodontics, and implant dentistry. There is also growing demand for specialists in community dentistry, oral health research, and craniofacial sciences.

5. What other careers can you pursue with a dentistry degree?

Beyond clinical practice, a dentistry degree can lead to careers in academic research, dental education, hospital administration, healthcare consulting, public health, and oral health policy. Some graduates also pursue careers in biomedical research, healthcare leadership, and dental technology development.

Takeaways

• The best dental schools in the US in 2026 include Michigan, UCSF, Harvard, Washington, Penn, UNC Chapel Hill, NYU, UCLA, Buffalo, and Columbia, each with different strengths in clinical training, research, and specialty education.
• Programs vary in focus. Schools like Harvard and Columbia emphasize integration with medical education, while NYU and UCLA are known for strong clinical exposure and large patient populations.
• Many dental schools also offer flexible pathways through dual-degree programs, research opportunities, and advanced standing programs for internationally trained dentists.
• When choosing a dental school, look beyond rankings. Consider clinical experience, specialty training, research access, board preparation, and how well the program fits your career goals.
• Working with an admissions expert can help you compare different dentistry programs and build a stronger dental school application.