Western University of Health Sciences College of Dental Medicine in Pomona offers a four-year DMD emphasizing interprofessional education and clinical experience. Applicants complete ADEA AADSAS and a separate WesternU application. The program requires a U.S. DAT, Casper, prerequisite coursework and dental experience.
- Program
- Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD)
- Credential
- DMD
- Location
- Pomona, California, United States
- Casper
- Required
- Next deadline
- December 1, 2026 (AADSAS application, materials and fees (11:59 PM EST))
- Interview
- Interview
- Seats
- 69 enrolled
- Length
- four-year
Casper Requirement for Western University of Health Sciences Dentistry
Western University of Health Sciences Dentistry requires Casper for the 2026-2027 cycle.
- Languages
- English
Check available Casper test dates in your Acuity Insights account at takecasper.com.
Complete Casper and select Western University of Health Sciences to receive your results.
Casper format
Casper is an online, open-response situational judgment test run by Acuity Insights. The current format has 11 scenarios (4 video-response and 7 typed-response) with 2 questions each and takes about 65 to 85 minutes, including optional breaks. Typed-response scenarios allow 3.5 minutes to answer both questions.
Practice with Bright Doctor's Casper Question Bank, featuring 100+ scenarios and 300+ expert responses.
Western University of Health Sciences Dentistry Application Deadlines 2026-2027
- Apply through
- AADSAS
- Applications open
- June 2, 2026 (AADSAS soft opening May 12, 2026)
- Application fee
- $60 nonrefundable WesternU secondary application fee; AADSAS fee is separate
| What | When |
|---|---|
| AADSAS application, materials and fees (11:59 PM EST) | December 1, 2026upcoming |
| WesternU secondary application, materials and fee (11:59 PM EST) | December 1, 2026upcoming |
| Complete required coursework by the end of spring term before matriculation | June 30, 2027upcoming |
Apply to the four-year DMD through ADEA AADSAS and submit WesternU's separate online secondary application. WesternU reviews completed applications on a rolling basis. Its International Dentist Program is a separate advanced-standing program with a CAAPID application.
Western University of Health Sciences Dentistry Admissions Statistics
Period: Fall 2025 entering class
- Seats / class size: 69 enrolled
- Applicants: 2,627 AADSAS applications
- Interviewed: 320 interviews
- Average GPA: 3.65 overall; 3.36 science among admitted students
- Average test score: Average AA DAT 430; PA DAT 430; TS DAT 430 among admitted students
WesternU reports these figures for its entering class.
Eligibility Requirements for Western University of Health Sciences Dentistry
- Degree / credits
At least 90 semester or 135 quarter units of undergraduate coursework.
Admission pathways
- International Dentist Program (DMD-IDP): A separate advanced-standing pathway for internationally trained dentists; apply through CAAPID, not through the four-year DMD application.
Provide official transcripts reflecting minimum coursework units.
Selection Factors Western University of Health Sciences Considers
Prerequisites
| Course | Requirement |
|---|---|
| General Biology with lab | 8 semester or 12 quarter units C or better |
| General or Inorganic Chemistry with lab | 8 semester or 12 quarter units C or better |
| Organic Chemistry with lab | 8 semester or 12 quarter units C or better |
| General Physics with lab | 8 semester or 12 quarter units C or better |
| College English/English Composition | 6 semester or 9 quarter units C or better |
GPA
No published minimum GPA beyond general undergraduate benchmarks. Competitive GPAs align with holistic review.
Admissions tests
- U.S. Dental Admission Test (DAT) (required): Take by December 1, 2026; official scores must be received. For fall 2027 entry, scores from tests taken before May 11, 2023 are not accepted. Canadian DAT scores are not accepted.
Experience and volunteer hours
Required.
At least 30 hours of dental experience or shadowing, reported in ADEA AADSAS; WesternU recommends 300 or more hours to increase competitiveness.
Supplementary application
Complete WesternU's online secondary application and submit the required letters through ADEA AADSAS: one undergraduate pre-professional committee letter, or three individual letters, two from science professors and one from a dentist or another professor.
How applicants are ranked
WesternU considers GPA, academic preparation, DAT scores, dental experience, community involvement, interpersonal skills, recommendations and commitment to compassionate care. Qualified candidates are invited to interview; completed applications and admission decisions are reviewed on a rolling basis.
Interview Format at Western University of Health Sciences
Format: Interview
WesternU's admissions timeline calls for on-campus interviews. Its interview page describes a 25-30 minute interview with general and behavioral questions, conducted by faculty, administrators, clinicians and/or a student; bring government-issued identification.
- Who is invited
- Qualified candidates invited on a rolling basis
- When
- September-February
Practice under timed, realistic conditions with Bright Doctor's AI Interview Simulator.
Prepare for Casper and Your Interview
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Start Practicing FreeCurriculum at Western University of Health Sciences Dentistry
- Program length
- four-year
- Structure
Hybrid model with online didactics and hands-on preclinical simulation. Years integrate Basic and Biomedical Sciences with Dental Sciences, progressing to Comprehensive Patient Care and Community Oral Health.
- Campuses
- Pomona
The four building blocks are Basic and Biomedical Sciences, Dental Sciences, Comprehensive Patient Care, and Community Oral Health, fostering interprofessional collaboration. Students train in the WesternU dental clinic, emphasizing patient-centered approaches and oral-systemic links. Interprofessional education occurs alongside other health professionals. For advanced standing or IDP tracks, the Essentials of Clinical Dentistry course calibrates prior learning. Competency-based progression with state-of-the-art equipment.
Campus and facilities
Located in Pomona, California. On-site patient-centered dental clinic and cutting-edge simulation labs for preclinical work. Access to diverse clinical opportunities in Southern California. Innovative facilities designed for student-centered learning.
Tuition and Funding at Western University of Health Sciences
- 2026-2027 annual DMD tuition, each year: $98,950
- 2026-2027 estimated first-year tuition and fees: $117,842
WesternU's published student budget is an estimate, subject to change; books and living expenses are additional.
Western University of Health Sciences's Mission and Values
The program focuses on student-centered learning with innovative facilities and a hybrid delivery model for didactic content. The curriculum integrates four building blocks: Basic and Biomedical Sciences, Dental Sciences, Comprehensive Patient Care, and Community Oral Health, fostering interprofessional collaboration in a region rich with clinical opportunities. This approach positions the program as community-outreach oriented, aligning with applicants who demonstrate strong volunteer commitment.
WesternU CDM curriculum and facilities are designed to incorporate innovative ideas and state-of-the-art equipment in a student-centered learning environment.
What Applicants Are Saying
Matriculated students describe a supportive environment where preclinical simulation, oral-systemic connections, and patient-centered care prepare them for comprehensive practice. Students report enjoying the innovative setup, which uses state-of-the-art equipment for competency-based progression. Applicants report preparing for interviews via Student Doctor Network forums and mock sessions with peers or family.
Shared by applicants and students on forums and communities. It is anecdotal, not official program information.
How to Prepare Your Western University of Health Sciences Dentistry Application
- Complete at least 30 hours of dental experience or shadowing; WesternU recommends 300 or more hours for competitiveness.
- Complete AADSAS and WesternU's secondary application, including materials and fees, by their deadlines.
- Arrange mock interviews using general and behavioral questions.
- Use Bright Doctor's practice tools if helpful.
Frequently Asked Questions About Western University of Health Sciences Dentistry
Does WesternU DMD require Casper?
Yes. Complete Casper and select Western University of Health Sciences to receive your results.
What is the minimum GPA?
WesternU's published admissions information does not specify a minimum GPA; its entering class had a 3.65 average overall GPA among admitted students.
What DAT scores does WesternU report?
WesternU reports an average AA DAT score of 430 among admitted students in its entering class.
Is an interview required?
Qualified candidates are invited to interview on a rolling basis.
What does WesternU DMD cost?
WesternU's estimated annual DMD tuition is $98,950; estimated first-year tuition and fees total $117,842, before books and living expenses.
Can international students apply?
The four-year DMD uses ADEA AADSAS. WesternU's separate advanced-standing International Dentist Program uses CAAPID.
How many dental experience hours are required?
At least 30 hours of dental experience or shadowing; WesternU recommends 300 or more hours for competitiveness.
How long is the DMD?
The DMD is a four-year program.
Sources
- WesternU DMD: Start an Application
- WesternU DMD: Application Checklist (2026)
- WesternU DMD: Competitive Class Stats
- WesternU DMD: Your Interview
- WesternU DMD: Student Budget
- WesternU CDM: 2025-2026 Catalog
- WesternU IDP: Start an Application
- WesternU: Doctor of Dental Medicine
Last updated: September 26, 2026