In the United States, students typically enter dental school for their first professional degree after at least two years of undergraduate study. Many complete a full four-year bachelor’s degree. They can major in any field but need to complete course work in English, biology, organic and inorganic chemistry, and physics. A limited number of universities offer combined degree programs where both a bachelor’s degree and an  initial degree in dentistry can be earned through a total of seven years of study.  

Basic dental education programs include at least four academic years of instruction and lead to one of two equivalent degrees, the Doctor of Dental Surgery (D.D.S.) or the Doctor of Dental Medicine (D.M.D.).  Curriculum varies among schools.  Generally the first and second year focus on courses in the biomedical sciences.  Instruction in dental sciences, supplemented by work with patients under faculty supervision, begins in the second year and is the primary focus of the third and fourth years.

Admission to first professional degree programs is very competitive with about two times as many individuals applying as existing programs can accept.  It is uncommon for international students to be admitted without having completed at least two years of undergraduate study in the United States. Private dental schools generally admit more international students than do public ones, which may give preference to residents of the state where they are located.

The entry test for U.S. first professional degree dental programs is the Dental Admissions Test (DAT), administered by the American Dental Association (ADA). The DAT is generally administered in the United States. It is also possible to take it internationally (though not currently within Iran) if a U.S. admissions officer or pre-dental adviser submits a request for the student to the ADA at least three months before the test date.  The DAT assesses proficiency in mathematics, biology, organic and inorganic chemistry, reading, and perceptual motor skills.

Other dental school admissions requirements include English language tests such as the TOEFL for international applicants, a strong undergraduate record, recommendation letters, and an interview. Most U.S. dental schools take part in the centralized Associated American Dental Schools Application Service (AADSAS), administered by the American Dental Education Association.