University Of The Pacific Dental School

Last Updated on December 20, 2022

Dugoni School of Dentistry

The Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry is a nationally renowned institution of higher learning. We are committed to providing a world-class dental education for our students and comprehensive, affordable patient care for adults and children in a humanistic environment.

Our school is highly regarded for its:

  • Humanistic model of education that respects the dignity of each individual and fosters limitless potential for growth;
  • Accelerated year-round predoctoral program where students are able to complete four academic years of instruction in three calendar years; and
  • Innovation in dental curriculum, including comprehensive patient care and competency-based education.

Dugoni School at a Glance

Founded in San Francisco in 1896 as the College of Physicians and Surgeons, the Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry is committed to providing a student-centered educational program and the highest quality oral health care in the Bay Area.

The magic of the Dugoni School is in its people

  • 653 students and residents
  • 507 faculty (69 full-time; 217 part-time, 221 adjunct)
  • 221 staff/administrators
  • 8,000+ living alumni

A program dedicated to excellence

  • The only dental school in the United States offering a year-round, accelerated three-year DDS program
  • Nationally-renowned for its humanistic model of education that respects the dignity of each individual and fosters limitless potential for growth
  • Offering degrees or certificates through seven academic programs:
    • Doctorate of Dental Surgery program
    • International Dental Studies program
    • Graduate Orthodontic program
    • Advanced Education in Endodontology
    • Advanced Education in General Dentistry
    • International General Dentist Educator program
    • Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene program

Commitment to quality patient care

  • University-run clinics in San Francisco and Union City as well as extramural sites throughout Northern California
  • Provides approximately $500,000 of uncompensated dental care on an annual basis and another $10 million of care at substantially-reduced prices to assist the culturally and socio-economically diverse population of the San Francisco Bay Area
  • Approximately 118,000 patient visits per year; 28,000 active patients

Purpose, Vision & Values

Purpose

Our Purpose is to Help People Lead Healthy Lives

We grow and inspire a diverse community of learners through our humanistic culture. Building on a distinguished tradition, we provide exceptional education; offer personalized quality patient care; support collaborative research; and foster commitment to service.

Vision

Improving Health and Wellness through Innovation in Programs, Partnerships and People

The Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry is an innovative and renowned leader in health and wellness. As a leader, our programs prepare healthcare providers for current, future and evolving practice models. The Dugoni School integrates inter-professional education with patient care, keeping humanism at its core. We educate beginning and established healthcare professionals for an array of career paths.

Signature partnerships support our programs and enhance health, education, research, and service. Partnerships reduce tuition dependence and create opportunities for students, faculty, and staff development.

Powered by its people, the Dugoni School sets the standard for humanistic education and leadership that serve the needs of its students, patients, alumni, the organized profession, and the public.

Core Values

We commit to the following values to support the defining characteristic of our education model — Humanism.

By accentuating the positive, setting high standards and respecting the individual, we provide the best possible learning, working and healthcare environment for every member of our community.

Courage — being willing to take risks, doing what is right not easy

Empowerment — supporting and inspiring individuals to fulfill their potential

Excellence — achieving the highest quality in all that we do

Innovation — imagining and applying bold, creative approaches

Integrity — exemplifying the highest personal and professional ethical principles

Leadership — inspiring through vision and challenging others to effect positive change

Learn more about how the school’s purpose, vision and values are reflected in the Dugoni School’s strategic plan, Transforming the Future of Oral Health Education.

Defining Humanism

Our view of humanism is based upon honest communication of clear expectations along with positive support for diligent effort. Although kindness is valued, humanism is not interpreted to mean softness, weakness, or superficial niceness. In fact, humanism places great responsibility on each member of the dental school community. In order for this approach to work, faculty members must be models of the profession’s highest standards, and they must teach in a way that encourages and energizes students. Students, in turn, are expected to set very high standards, to work hard, and to take personal responsibility for their own learning process.

Examples of humanistic student-faculty interaction at the Dugoni School:

Includes

  • Good work ethic
  • Constructive feedback
  • Maintaining confidentiality
  • Addressing the issue
  • Celebrating achievement
  • Excellence
  • High ethical standards
  • Professional responsibility
  • Increasing independence
  • Attainment of competence

Excludes

  • Minimum effort
  • Authoritarian behavior
  • Public criticism
  • Ignoring the problem    
  • Dwelling on the negative
  • Expedience
  • Ethical compromise
  • Avoiding responsibility
  • Continued dependence
  • Tolerance of inability

Three-Year DDS Program

The Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry is the only dental school in the United States where you can complete a four-year academic curriculum in just three calendar years. Our challenging, year-round academic program prepares graduates to provide excellent quality dental care to the public and to enter a changing world that will require them to be lifelong learners.

The 36-month curriculum leading to the degree of doctor of dental surgery begins in July and is divided into 12 quarters, each consisting of 10 weeks of instruction, one week of examinations and a vacation period of varying length (between one and four weeks). Our DDS program combines basic biomedical, preclinical, and clinical science subjects with applied behavioral sciences, offering students the opportunity to grow into well-rounded doctors who treat patients with skill and compassion.

Clinical Excellence

The Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry prides itself on producing excellent clinically trained dentists. Our graduates develop the tools they need to adapt to an ever-changing world, where new skills and knowledge will be required to keep pace with advancing technology and the challenges faced by an increasingly diverse population.

Our students begin their clinical instruction on their first day of dental school. The students learn from the beginning that excellent patient care involves technical skills, communication skills and a humanistic viewpoint. Because of this approach to education, our graduates are in very high demand by both practicing dentists and graduate programs.

Our school is a pioneer in competency-based dental education — an approach that replaces the traditional system of clinical requirements with experiences that ensure graduates possess the skills, understanding and professional values needed for the independent practice of general dentistry. The school’s comprehensive patient care program is based on the concept of private dental practice where the student assumes responsibility for assigned patients’ treatment, consultation and referral for specialty care.

The competency-based clinical model consistently produces one of the highest pass rates on initial licensure examinations and there is a sense of community that honors the potential in all individuals. The outstanding clinical training our students receive has earned our school national prominence.

Dentists from all over the country come to the Dugoni School to learn advanced techniques and to further their understanding of dentistry. Every year, the dental school hosts many continuing education programs for practicing dental professionals. Even the best dentists come to our school to become better.

university of the pacific dental school requirements

COVID-19 Admissions Updates

You are preparing to apply to dental school at a particularly challenging time, as we are all working through disruptions this year. Please know that you are joining a profession that is respected and essential to the well-being of our country, and healthcare providers are needed now more than ever. We are ready to assist you in your application process.

  • The SF Campus is closed and has suspended on-campus events and tours until further notice. The Office of Admissions continues to work remotely, as well as accept and process applications. 
  • The DDS 2020-21 application cycle opened June 1, 2020. The application deadline has been extended to March 31, 2021.
  • The Dugoni School will not disadvantage any application impacted by changes outside of the applicants’ control (e.g. testing center closures and changes in university grading policies) and will be flexible with deadlines for the 2020-2021 application cycle.
  • DATs are still required; however, applications will continue to be reviewed holistically. 
  • The Dugoni School will accept pass/no credit grades and online courses, including labs, to fulfill DDS admissions requirements. This is a special exception for courses taken in Spring and Summer 2020. Undergraduates in the University of the Pacific’s accelerated pre-dental program are not eligible to take any pass/no credit courses.
  • Interviews for positions in the class will be held virtually (admissions orientation/presentations on select Mondays and virtual 1-1 interviews with faculty and dental students will be held on subsequent days)

ADEA AADSAS COVID-19 Updates (DATs and 2020-2021 Application)

  • Dental Admissions Test (DAT) Update: Prometric has begun reopening testing in phases. Check Prometric’s website for the latest information. Testing capacity will be at 50% to allow for proper social distancing between test-takers. This 50% capacity could be extended into July and August. 
  • A new optional question will be added to the application: how COVID-19 has affected preparation to apply for dental school.
  • New date for dental school acceptance notifications: December 15. 
  • For updates on how the pandemic affects the application, please refer to the text listed in the Program Materials section of ADEA AADSAS. 

Prerequisites

Predental College Years: General minimum is three years (90 semester or 135 quarter units)

Limitation on Community College Work: Courses taken at a community college will be acceptable if they are transferable as equivalent to predental courses at a four-year college. 

Biological Sciences* (with laboratory)4 semesters or 6 quarters
Inorganic Chemistry (with laboratory)2 semesters or 3 quarters
Organic Chemistry (with laboratory)2 semesters or 3 quarters
Physics (with laboratory)2 semesters or 3 quarters
English, Speech, or Communication**2 semesters or 3 quarters

The following represents the minimum required number of courses for semester and quarter system-based universities.

Highly Recommended: anatomy, physiology, microbiology, biochemistry, histology/cell biology & research experience — practical or theory

* Note: The Admissions Committee requires that applicants complete either two semesters of organic chemistry or one semester each of organic chemistry and biochemistry.

** Note: One course in composition or technical writing is required. Other courses should develop written or verbal communication skills. English as a Second Language (ESL) course work does not meet this requirement.

Students may not elect pass/fail options in required course work unless a narrative transcript is provided by the college.

Letter of Recommendation: 2 letters from science professors and 1 of your choice (e.g., dentist, research or work manager/supervisor) OR 1 committee letter.

Dental Shadowing Experience: 40 hours minimum (minimum hours must be general dentistry).

Grade Point Average (GPA): Your overall and science GPA, the schools attended, and the difficulty of your course load are all assessed on an individual basis.

Dental Admissions Test (DAT): Preference is given to students who provide Dental Admissions Test scores no later than November.  June 1st update: Due to COVID-19 and reduced DAT testing capacity, DAT scores will now be valid to up to 3 years. Scores before June 15, 2018 will not be considered for the 2020-2021 admissions cycle. This does not apply to Univ. of the Pacific Pre-dental Advantage students – please refer to your contract and your pre-dental advisor. 

The committee reviews the most recent DAT scores in the application. For instructions on how to schedule a date for the DAT, please go online to American Dental Association (ADA).

No supplementary application is required, but there is a supplementary fee of $75. Link is provided in AADSAS.

Transfer Students/Advanced Standing

Only under unusual and compelling circumstances does the Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry accept transfer students. Incompatibility of dental education programs inhibits transition from another school to our program. Students requesting such classification usually matriculate with the first-year class. No student will be admitted to advanced standing beyond the second year. Special action regarding transfers is required.

Health Requirements, Medical and Disability Insurance

Prior to matriculation, health requirements must be met and documentation submitted to the Admissions Office, as follows:

  • Medical Examination: Submit our school’s “Health Requirement Examination Form,” signed by a health care provider confirming that a medical examination was completed within 6 months of the date of matriculation.
  • Measles, Rubella (German Measles) and Mumps: Documented vaccination (2 vaccines) with live attenuated Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) virus is adequate. A history of measles and rubella as childhood diseases is not sufficient. If documentation is not available, blood tests showing immunity will suffice.
  • Tuberculosis: Submit the report of a 2-step Mantoux tuberculosis skin test. (Commonly referred to as PPD) within 6 months of matriculation. With a history of tuberculosis OR a positive skin test, submit the provider’s report of a chest X-ray taken within 6 months prior to matriculation. Chest X-rays may be required at intervals, and suppressive medication may be recommended.
  • Hepatitis B: Every dental student is required to submit documented proof of presence of antibodies to the Hepatitis B virus AND complete the Hepatitis B vaccination series. It is recommended that this be done prior to matriculation; in all cases, however, it must be done before a student is allowed to treat patients. If a student does not have documented proof of having antibodies to this virus, the vaccination series is available at our dental school for a fee.

Medical and Disability Insurance: All enrolled students and residents participate in mandatory medical insurance and disability insurance programs selected by the Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry. Unless proof of current health insurance is provided to university specification, no one shall be exempt from the mandatory health insurance. Insurance premiums are assessed with tuition and other fees.

Reservation of Powers: The Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry reserves the right to modify or change admissions standards or requirements any time without prior notice. The information on this website is not to be regarded as creating a binding contract between the student and the dental school.

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