The Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) is a four-year program in general dentistry culminating in a DDS degree. The program emphasizes study in the basic sciences, clinical sciences, and social sciences. For this program, the academic year starts in July and extends through June the following year. To apply, students must have completed at least 90 credit hours at the undergraduate level, but the program highly recommends an earned bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year institution before submitting an application. Applicants will also need eight semester hours in biology, 16 hours in chemistry and three hours in biochemistry at the undergraduate level. The university also recommends courses in microbiology, bacteriology, genetics and physiology.
Prospective students trained in dentistry from foreign universities may enter into the DDS program in the third year after completing a 15-week preparatory phase. The programs takes 25 months to complete including the 15-week preparatory program. Students may apply to the program before 15 July to gain consideration for the next year's class, which starts in March the following year. Prospective students must apply through the American Dental Education Association's (ADEA) Centralized Application for Advanced Placement for International Dentists (CAAPID). At the time of application, prospective students my also select to have their application and credentials submitted to the other 33 institutions in the United States and Canada that offer an international program.
Prospective students looking to enter the workforce as a dental hygienist can apply to the dental hygiene program culminating in a Bachelor of Science degree in Dental Hygiene. This program will require two years of liberal arts study, and two years of study in preparation to work as a dental hygienist. Courses will include dental hygiene science, theory, community health, pre-clinical and clinical experiences, along with basic and advanced scientific courses. Prospective students will need to have a high school diploma to submit an application.
For students who already have a DDS degree, the VCU School of Dentistry offers training programs in a variety of advanced dental studies. These programs include an Advanced Education Program in General Dentistry, Endodontics, a General Practice Residency in Dental Medicine, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Orthodontics, Pediatric Dentistry, and Periodontics. With the exception of the Advanced Education Program in General Dentistry, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and the General Practice Residency in Dental Medicine, students will earn a Master of Science in Dentistry degree in additional to the specialty certificate. These programs range from 12 to 36 months in duration and each program has its own unique requirements for admission.