How to Become a Dentist in Maryland

Bydentalicenses

Maryland occupies a unique place in the history of dentistry — it is home to the University of Maryland School of Dentistry, the oldest dental school in the world, founded in Baltimore in 1840. That history is not merely a footnote; it reflects a state with deep roots in dental education and a long tradition of producing skilled practitioners. Today, Maryland offers dental professionals a dynamic and varied practice environment — from the dense healthcare ecosystem of Baltimore and the affluent suburbs surrounding Washington, D.C., to rural communities on the Eastern Shore and in the western mountains where access to care remains a genuine challenge. This guide walks you through every step of the path to becoming a licensed dentist in the Old Line State.

Step 1: Complete Your Undergraduate Education

Your journey begins with a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. No specific major is required, but a strong foundation in the sciences is essential for both dental school admission and success once you arrive. Core coursework to prioritize includes:

  • Biology and microbiology
  • General and organic chemistry
  • Physics
  • Mathematics and statistics
  • English and communication

Dental school admissions are highly competitive, and your undergraduate GPA carries real weight in the process. Aim for a 3.5 or higher. Use your time outside the classroom deliberately — shadow practicing dentists, pursue research opportunities, and engage in community health or volunteer settings. Maryland’s concentration of universities — including the University of Maryland, Johns Hopkins, Towson, and others — gives aspiring dentists strong in-state options for pre-dental preparation and academic mentorship.

Step 2: Take the Dental Admission Test (DAT)

The DAT is a standardized examination required by all accredited U.S. dental schools. It assesses scientific knowledge, academic reasoning, and perceptual ability. Most applicants sit for the DAT during their junior year of undergraduate study, leaving time for a retake before dental school applications are due.

Prepare with a structured, consistent approach — dedicated prep courses, quality review materials, and regular timed practice. A score of 19 or above on the Academic Average is generally considered competitive, though Maryland’s dental school and the surrounding region’s programs attract strong applicant pools that often score above that benchmark. Give the perceptual ability section sustained, deliberate practice — it is a learnable skill that improves significantly with repetition.

Step 3: Apply to Dental School

Applications are submitted through the ADEA AADSAS (Associated American Dental Schools Application Service), the centralized platform managed by the American Dental Education Association. A complete application includes:

  • DAT scores
  • Official transcripts
  • Letters of recommendation
  • A personal statement
  • Supplemental materials required by individual schools

AADSAS opens in the spring, and submitting early is important — earlier applications tend to receive earlier consideration. Maryland has one in-state dental school, and while it is among the most storied institutions in the country, seats are limited and competition is real. Apply to a thoughtful mix of in-state and out-of-state programs to give yourself the broadest range of options. Maryland’s location in the Mid-Atlantic corridor puts several outstanding dental schools within easy distance.

Step 4: Earn Your Dental Degree

Dental school is a rigorous four-year program leading to either a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) degree. Both credentials are fully equivalent — the difference is simply one of institutional naming convention. The curriculum typically covers biomedical sciences in the first two years, then transitions into intensive clinical training during years three and four, where you treat real patients under faculty supervision and develop the practical skills that will define your career.

Step 5: Pass the National Board Dental Examinations

Maryland requires passage of the national board examinations administered by the Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations (JCNDE). Traditionally, Part I is taken after the second year of dental school, covering biomedical sciences, and Part II is taken during the fourth year or after graduation, focusing on clinical dental sciences. Confirm the current examination format requirements with the Maryland State Board of Dental Examiners before you sit, as national board structures have been evolving and staying current on requirements is important.

Step 6: Complete a Clinical Examination

Alongside the national boards, Maryland requires a clinical examination approved by the Maryland State Board of Dental Examiners. Confirm the current list of accepted examinations and testing agencies directly with the Board before registering, as accepted agencies are subject to change and you want to be certain your results will be recognized for Maryland licensure.

Step 7: Apply for Your Maryland Dental License

With your degree and examination scores in hand, you’re ready to apply for licensure through the Maryland State Board of Dental Examiners. Your application will require:

  • Proof of dental school graduation
  • National board examination scores
  • Clinical examination scores
  • A background check
  • Required fees and any additional documentation specified by the Board

The Maryland State Board of Dental Examiners’ website is the authoritative source for current requirements, fees, and application instructions. Submit your application well ahead of your intended start date, as processing timelines can vary.

A note on licensure by credentials: Maryland allows experienced dentists who are already licensed in other states to apply for licensure by credentials. This pathway can significantly streamline the process for out-of-state practitioners looking to bring their practice to Maryland — a meaningful advantage given the state’s competitive healthcare labor market and proximity to major metropolitan areas.

Step 8: Consider Residency or Specialization (Optional)

While a residency is not required for general practice licensure in Maryland, completing a General Practice Residency (GPR) or Advanced Education in General Dentistry (AEGD) program can significantly expand your clinical range — particularly valuable in a state with complex patient populations and high expectations for clinical quality.

If you’re interested in a dental specialty — orthodontics, periodontics, oral and maxillofacial surgery, endodontics, pediatric dentistry, or others — you’ll need to complete an accredited postdoctoral residency program and earn any additional certifications your specialty requires. Residencies typically run two to six years depending on the field. Maryland’s academic medical environment and its proximity to Washington, D.C., provide access to some of the strongest residency programs in the country.

Step 9: Fulfill Continuing Education Requirements

Maintaining your Maryland dental license requires completing continuing education on an ongoing basis. Review the current CE requirements from the Maryland State Board of Dental Examiners, including any mandatory content areas within the required total. Beyond fulfilling the minimum, continuing education is one of the most effective ways to stay competitive in a state with a well-educated patient population and a dense, high-quality professional landscape.

Dental Schools in Maryland

Maryland is home to one accredited dental school — and it is one of the most historically significant institutions in the profession:

University of Maryland School of Dentistry — Baltimore, MD

Founded in 1840, the University of Maryland School of Dentistry holds the distinction of being the world’s first dental college. That heritage is matched by a modern commitment to clinical excellence, research, and community engagement. Located in Baltimore’s healthcare corridor alongside the University of Maryland Medical Center, the school offers students access to a large, diverse patient population and a richly collaborative academic health sciences environment. Its research programs span dental biomaterials, oral cancer, craniofacial biology, and health disparities, among other areas. For students drawn to a program with both deep historical roots and a forward-looking academic mission, UMD School of Dentistry is a compelling choice.

For students open to out-of-state options, Maryland’s location in the Mid-Atlantic makes several outstanding programs easily accessible:

  • Howard University College of Dentistry — Washington, D.C.
  • University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine — Philadelphia, PA
  • Temple University Kornberg School of Dentistry — Philadelphia, PA

Loan Repayment Programs for Maryland Dentists

Maryland offers loan repayment assistance for dentists who commit to practicing in underserved areas of the state. Given the scale of student debt most dental graduates carry, these programs can meaningfully alter the financial trajectory of the early career years while directing care to communities that need it most.

In addition to state programs, Maryland dentists practicing in federally designated Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs) are eligible to apply for the National Health Service Corps (NHSC) Loan Repayment Program, one of the most substantial federal incentive programs available to healthcare professionals in underserved communities.

Verify the current structure, award amounts, and eligibility requirements of both state and federal programs directly with the Maryland Department of Health and the Maryland State Board of Dental Examiners, as program details are updated periodically.

Practicing Dentistry in Maryland: Career Paths and Opportunities

Once licensed, Maryland offers a genuinely broad range of directions for your career:

Private Practice — Maryland’s high household incomes — particularly in the suburban counties surrounding Washington, D.C., including Montgomery and Howard Counties — create strong demand for high-quality dental care and a patient population willing to invest in comprehensive treatment. Whether you’re joining an established group practice or building your own, the economics of private practice in Maryland’s wealthier markets can be very favorable.

Community Health Centers — Maryland has an extensive network of Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) and community dental clinics serving low-income and underserved populations, particularly in Baltimore and on the Eastern Shore. These settings offer meaningful work, competitive benefits, and frequent eligibility for loan repayment programs.

Academic and Research Positions — The University of Maryland School of Dentistry maintains one of the most active dental research programs in the country. For dentists drawn to teaching, research, or academic leadership, UMD offers genuine pathways into those roles alongside a rich intellectual community.

Underserved and Rural Practice — Despite Maryland’s overall affluence, significant oral health disparities persist — particularly in Baltimore City, parts of the Eastern Shore, and rural Western Maryland. Several of these communities carry federal HPSA designations for dental care. Dentists who choose to practice in these areas will find strong patient demand, eligibility for loan repayment programs, and the kind of community connection that is harder to develop in more competitive urban markets.

What Makes Dentistry in Maryland Unique

A World-Historical Connection to Dental Education Practicing dentistry in the state that founded the world’s first dental college carries a certain weight. The University of Maryland School of Dentistry’s ongoing presence in Baltimore means that Maryland’s dental community is shaped by an institution that has been central to the evolution of the profession for nearly two centuries. That legacy informs the continuing education culture, the research output, and the professional standards that Maryland dentists are expected to uphold.

Proximity to Washington, D.C. Maryland’s adjacency to the nation’s capital is a meaningful professional asset. Access to federal health agencies — including the NIH, which funds enormous amounts of dental research, and HRSA, which administers the NHSC programs — is geographically immediate for Maryland-based practitioners and researchers. The D.C. metro area also provides access to a dense and sophisticated continuing education ecosystem and a professional network that extends well beyond state lines.

A Diverse and Demanding Patient Population Maryland is one of the most racially and ethnically diverse states in the country, and its population spans an extraordinary range of socioeconomic circumstances — from some of the wealthiest counties in the United States to communities with deep and persistent health disparities. Practicing dentistry here requires genuine cultural competence, clinical versatility, and the ability to meet patients where they are. It also makes for a richer, more challenging, and ultimately more rewarding professional experience.

A Strong and Organized Professional Community The Maryland State Dental Association (MSDA) is the state’s primary professional organization for dentists, providing continuing education, networking opportunities, practice management resources, and advocacy at the state legislative level. For new dentists establishing themselves in Maryland, early engagement with the MSDA is one of the most effective ways to build professional relationships and find your footing in one of the Mid-Atlantic’s most dynamic dental communities.

Final Thoughts

Maryland offers a dental career landscape shaped by history, institutional strength, and a patient population as diverse and complex as any in the country. The path to licensure demands real commitment, but what awaits on the other side is a practice environment that rewards clinical excellence and professional engagement in equal measure.

As you move through each stage of your training, connect with practicing dentists in Maryland for mentorship and honest perspective on what building a career in the state actually looks like. Engage with the Maryland State Dental Association, and maintain a close relationship with the Maryland State Board of Dental Examiners to stay current on any changes to licensure requirements.

The Old Line State has a deep and living tradition in dentistry — and your future practice here is part of a story that has been unfolding for nearly two hundred years.