Please note that the admission policy is reviewed annually and the admission requirements from previous years may not apply. The University reserves the right to review and change the admission requirements at any time, without notice.

Admission to Dentistry is based on academic ability and personal qualities, as evidenced by scholastic records, aptitude test results, autobiographical sketch and presentation at interview. Because facilities for preclinical and clinical instruction are limited, it is necessary to restrict enrolment to applicants who are best qualified to meet the mental and physical demands of the curriculum, and are most likely to successfully complete the full course of study. The presentation of the minimum requirements for admission will not assure guaranteed acceptance.

Internationally-trained dentists are not eligible to apply or enter into the 4-year Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) Program.

For more detailed information on all of the below Admission Requirements, visit the DDS Admission webpage.

Effective the application cycle beginning on October 1, 2017, applicants must meet the following criteria:

Competitiveness
In order to be considered, candidates must have achieved at least 80% or higher in each of the two best undergraduate years with a full course load of 5.0 full or equivalent courses (30 credit hours) taken between September and April. Each of the two best years used for GPA consideration must also have at least 3.0 full course equivalents whose published level is at or above the year level of study. Past class statistics have indicated that most successful applicants have a mid to high 80s average over their two most competitive years. Although primary consideration will be given to the most competitive two academic years and the DAT scores, overall academic performance (consistency, trend) and graduate education can also be used as selection criteria.

For applicants who have completed an undergraduate degree and who are in the final year of (or who have recently completed) a subsequent undergraduate degree, grades earned during the previous degree(s) will not be considered. The most recent degree must be equivalent to a four-year degree. Courses taken during the application cycle are not considered towards GPA.

Applicants are ranked on a compiled score representing academics, DAT score, and interview. The quality of the applicant pool in which one is considered for entry could raise the minimum academic competitive level, and will determine the minimum DAT score.

A limited number of positions are available for international students who maintain their international status at graduation. Please see the International Applicants webpage for further details.

Special consideration will be given to applicants self-identify as Indigenous. One position is set aside each year for competitive applicants with official documentation of indigenous status or ancestral Indigenous origin. For more information, please visit the Indigenous Applicants webpage.

Scholastic Records
To be eligible for admission to Dentistry, applicants must

be in the final year of, or have successfully completed, an undergraduate degree program leading to a four-year undergraduate degree at a recognized university. Applicants in this category are advised that the following courses are mandatory: at least 0.5 laboratory course in organic chemistry and at least 0.5 course in biochemistry, and 1.0 course in human or mammalian physiology. Successful completion of prerequisite courses for Dentistry Admissions requires a minimum grade of B or 74.5% based on the Ontario Medical Schools Application Services (OMSAS) scale for applicants studying at a Canadian university. Western will convert grades and averages for applicants who are not studying in a Canadian university based on grading practices and grading scale interpretation of institutions attended. It is also to their advantage to have successfully completed 1.0 laboratory course in biology, chemistry and physics.

OR

be in the final year of, or have successfully completed, a graduate degree program at a recognized university. Graduate degree candidates must complete all requirements for their graduate degree (including a successful thesis defense, if applicable) by June 30th of the year of entry. It will be the students' responsibility to assure confirmation by their Faculty of Graduate Studies no later than June 30th that all requirements for the degree have been met. No deferred admission will be granted. Applicants in this category are advised that the following courses are mandatory: at least 0.5 laboratory course in organic chemistry, at least 0.5 course in biochemistry, and 1.0 course in human or mammalian physiology. Successful completion of prerequisite courses for Dentistry Admissions requires a minimum grade of B or 74.5% based on the Ontario Medical Schools Application Services (OMSAS) scale for applicants studying at a Canadian university. Western will convert grades and averages for applicants who are not studying in a Canadian university based on grading practices and grading scale interpretation of institutions attended. It is also to their advantage to have successfully completed 1.0 laboratory course in biology, chemistry, and physics.

Dental Aptitude Test Results
The Canadian Dental Aptitude Test (DAT), administered by the Canadian Dental Association (CDA), taken within two years prior to the December 1 application deadline is a requirement for admission. The DAT is conducted on two occasions each academic year: February and November. Scores must come directly from the CDA to Schulich Dentistry to be considered valid. Schulich Dentistry utilizes the results of the last test written in the eligible time period.

Please note: only Dental Aptitude Tests incorporating the reading comprehension section fulfill Schulich Dentistry admissions requirements. It is this sectional score that is used in the decision concerning invitations for interview. For the past several years, a score of 18/30 or higher has been required in combination with competitive academic grades in applicants’ two most competitive years. This minimum score on the DAT is subject to change depending on the quality of the applicant pool in the given cycle.

Schulich Dentistry uses the Academic Average in its final selection process. This score is based on the scores achieved in the Reading Comprehension, Biology and Chemistry sections of the test.

Specific information and registration materials concerning the Canadian DAT are available on-line on the Canadian Dental Association website.

For Canadian and international students residing outside Canada, the results of the American Dental Association (ADA) Test (DAT) will be treated as equivalent to the results of the CDA DAT if the applicant has not been in Canada to write the CDA DAT in the two years prior to the application deadline. For information and application forms visit the American Dental Association’s website. DAT transcripts are kept on file for the duration of their eligibility.

Autobiographical Sketch & Personal Statement
Students are required to submit an autobiographical sketch & personal statement to identify and expand on academic and non-academic strengths, achievements, significant successes and disadvantages.

Interview
Selected applicants will be invited to attend a personal interview in order to be considered for admission. Interview invitations are based on an assessment of undergraduate academic achievement and the DAT Reading Comprehension sectional score. Interviews are usually held during a weekend in March or April each year. Applicants will be interviewed by a panel of three, consisting of a dentist, a senior dental student and a community member.

English Language Proficiency
All students must satisfy Western's requirements for proficiency in English. Students whose mother tongue (first language) is not English may be required to write the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), and the Test of Written English (TWE), or equivalent. Additional information on this can be found on the International Applicants webpage.

Police Record Check and Vulnerable Sector Screening
All dental students will interact with vulnerable populations through the course of their academic programs. In recognition of the requirements of clinical agencies to ensure that dental students do not place vulnerable populations at risk, the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry requires that all students provide, as a condition of their admission into the DDS and ITD programs, a current Police Records check and a Vulnerable Sector (Position) Screening.

Dental Clinician Scientist Program
Deferred Admission to the undergraduate dental program may be offered to candidates who are accepted to a dentally-oriented graduate program leading to a PhD degree, at the commencement of that graduate program, following a determination of acceptability by the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies and Schulich Dentistry. For more information, please visit the DCS webpage or contact the Admissions Coordinator at 519-661-3744.

Policy on Admission to Second Year
These regulations apply to students currently enrolled in approved undergraduate dental programs.

1. Admission beyond the second dental year is not permitted and admission to second dental year will be considered only if a vacancy exists for that year.
2. Applicants must be Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Canada.
3. All students applying for admission to Dentistry whose mother tongue (first language) is not the English language will be required to prove their understanding of the English language. See "Proof of English Proficiency" in the Admission Requirements section.
4. Applicants to second dental year are not required to take the Dental Aptitude Test administered by the Canadian Dental Association.
5. Applicants who have been required to withdraw by a dental school for academic or other reasons will usually be ineligible for admission to second year.
6. Applicants to second year must satisfy the general admission requirements of Western and/or the transfer regulations adopted by Senate.
7. Applicants may be required to be present for an interview and/or submit letters of reference.
8. Graduates of non-accredited dental programs should consider taking the Internationally Trained Dentists Program.