How to Become a Dentist in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania is one of the most historically rich and professionally dynamic states in the country for dental professionals. With three outstanding dental schools — including an Ivy League institution — a large and diverse patient population, and practice environments ranging from world-class urban medical centers to rural communities in genuine need of care, the Keystone State offers aspiring dentists an exceptionally broad foundation on which to build a meaningful career. Here’s a complete guide to getting there.

Step 1: Complete Your Undergraduate Education

Your path to dental school begins at the undergraduate level. While no single major is required, most successful applicants study biology, chemistry, biochemistry, or a related health science. Regardless of your major, you’ll need to complete prerequisite coursework in general biology, general and organic chemistry, physics, and mathematics — all with competitive grades.

Dental school admissions are selective, and a GPA of 3.5 or higher is generally expected. Beyond academics, use your undergraduate years to build a well-rounded application through dental shadowing, volunteer work, research experience, and involvement in pre-dental organizations. Pennsylvania’s extensive network of hospitals, academic medical centers, community health clinics, and dental practices makes it one of the best states in the country for gaining meaningful pre-dental exposure — take full advantage of what’s available to you.

Step 2: Take the Dental Admission Test (DAT)

The Dental Admission Test (DAT) is a standardized examination required for dental school admission nationwide. It assesses your knowledge across four core areas: natural sciences, perceptual ability, reading comprehension, and quantitative reasoning. Most applicants sit for the DAT during their junior year of undergraduate study, leaving time for a retake if needed before applications are submitted.

Your DAT score is one of the most heavily weighted components of your dental school application, so thorough and structured preparation is essential.

Step 3: Apply to Dental School

Dental school applications are submitted through the American Dental Education Association’s centralized platform, ADEA AADSAS. Your application will include official transcripts, DAT scores, letters of recommendation, and a personal statement. Given the competitive nature of dental school admissions, applying to multiple programs is strongly advisable.

Dental Schools in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania is exceptionally well-served when it comes to dental education, with three CODA-accredited programs offering distinct strengths, philosophies, and environments.

University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine — Philadelphia, PA Penn Dental Medicine is one of the most prestigious dental programs in the world, housed within an Ivy League institution with a global reputation for research and academic excellence. The school offers a four-year DMD program distinguished by its interdisciplinary approach to dental education, state-of-the-art clinical facilities, and access to a large and highly diverse urban patient population in Philadelphia. For students interested in academic dentistry, cutting-edge research, or building a foundation for a distinguished specialty career, Penn is a premier choice.

Temple University Maurice H. Kornberg School of Dentistry — Philadelphia, PA Temple’s Kornberg School of Dentistry offers a four-year DMD program with a strong and longstanding commitment to community service, public health, and the treatment of underserved populations. Students begin gaining hands-on clinical experience from the first year of the program, building the practical competency and patient management skills that define a capable clinician. The school’s advanced digital dentistry program also ensures that graduates are well-prepared for the technology-driven realities of modern dental practice.

University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine — Pittsburgh, PA Pitt’s School of Dental Medicine offers a four-year DMD program built around an integrated curriculum that connects foundational biomedical sciences with clinical training throughout the program. The school has a meaningful commitment to rural health initiatives — a reflection of western Pennsylvania’s significant rural dental access challenges — and benefits from a deep collaborative relationship with the UPMC health system, providing students with access to a comprehensive and medically sophisticated patient care environment. Research opportunities across a range of dental specialties are also available for students with scholarly interests.

Step 4: Complete Dental School

Dental school is a four-year, full-time commitment combining rigorous biomedical science coursework with extensive hands-on clinical training. Upon graduation, you’ll earn either a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) — both are equivalent credentials that fully qualify you for licensure and independent practice.

Step 5: Pass the National Board Dental Examination

Before applying for licensure, you must pass the Integrated National Board Dental Examination (INBDE), a comprehensive assessment of the biomedical and clinical knowledge required for safe and competent dental practice.

Step 6: Pass a Clinical Examination

Pennsylvania requires applicants to pass a clinical examination accepted by the Pennsylvania State Board of Dentistry. The Board accepts results from two examinations: the ADEX (American Board of Dental Examiners) and the CDCA (Commission on Dental Competency Assessments). These hands-on examinations evaluate your ability to perform clinical dental procedures to the standard required for independent practice.

Step 7: Apply for Your Pennsylvania Dental License

With your educational credentials and examination scores complete, you’re ready to apply for licensure through the Pennsylvania State Board of Dentistry. Your application will require proof of education, examination results, criminal background check documentation, and all applicable fees. Once your application has been reviewed and approved, you’ll be authorized to practice dentistry in the state.

Maintaining Your License

Pennsylvania dental licensees are required to complete 30 hours of continuing education every two years to maintain their license in good standing. Staying current with continuing education ensures both compliance with state requirements and the level of clinical knowledge and skill your patients deserve throughout your career.

Practice Opportunities in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania’s geographic and demographic diversity creates a wide and varied range of practice environments for dental professionals.

Urban Practice: Philadelphia and Pittsburgh are two of the most vibrant dental markets in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast regions. Both cities offer access to large and diverse patient populations, strong referral networks, opportunities for specialization, and proximity to major academic medical institutions. Philadelphia in particular, as one of the country’s largest cities, supports a broad spectrum of practice types — from elite cosmetic and specialty practices to community health centers serving some of the most underserved urban populations in the nation.

Rural Practice: Pennsylvania has a substantial rural population, and dental access in many of the state’s rural and small-town communities is significantly limited. For dentists motivated by community-focused care, rural Pennsylvania offers the opportunity to fill a critical need. The Pennsylvania Primary Care Loan Repayment Program provides financial incentives for healthcare providers — including dentists — who commit to serving in designated underserved areas, making rural practice a financially viable and professionally meaningful option.

Academic and Research Careers: With three dental schools in the state, Pennsylvania offers more opportunities than most states for dentists interested in academic careers, faculty positions, or dental research. Whether your interest lies in biomaterials, public health dentistry, clinical innovation, or dental education itself, Pennsylvania’s academic infrastructure provides a strong platform.

Community Health Centers: Pennsylvania’s network of Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) provides dental care to low-income and underserved populations throughout the state. For dentists driven by health equity and public service, these settings offer mission-aligned work within a stable and structured employment environment.

Professional Development: Pennsylvania Dental Association

Joining the Pennsylvania Dental Association (PDA) is a valuable step for any dentist entering practice in the state. The PDA offers access to continuing education, legislative advocacy, networking events, and a wide range of practice management resources. Staying engaged with Pennsylvania’s professional dental community is one of the most effective ways to grow as a clinician, remain current on regulatory developments, and build a sustainable and fulfilling long-term career.

The Outlook for Dentistry in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania’s dental profession is well-positioned for continued growth. A large and aging population, persistent rural provider shortages, expanding awareness of the connection between oral health and systemic wellbeing, and a strong base of academic and research institutions all point to sustained demand for skilled dental professionals across the state. Whether your vision is a specialty practice in Philadelphia, a research career at one of Pennsylvania’s three dental schools, or a community-based practice serving a rural region in genuine need, the Keystone State offers the patient base, the professional infrastructure, and the educational foundation to support a deeply rewarding dental career.

For the most current licensure requirements and application materials, contact the Pennsylvania State Board of Dentistry directly or visit their official website.