The Stony Brook School of Dental Medicine selects highly qualified students who are representative of a variety of backgrounds, experiences and interests. Selection is based on an overall appraisal of the applicant's suitability for a career in dentistry.
Applicants should demonstrate academic achievement, competence in the sciences, excellent interpersonal skills and a strong interest in the profession of dentistry, as demonstrated through experience (e.g. shadowing/assisting). These factors, as well as performance on the DAT, a pre-health committee letter, character reference, personal interview and engagement in enrichment activities (e.g. research, community service, teaching assistant experience) are considered in the admissions process. A pre-health committee letter is required. However, if your college or university does not provide a committee letter, three recommendation letters from science professors will be accepted.
All applicants who meet the minimum criteria are invited to complete an online Kira Talent Assessment. This enables the applicant an opportunity to provide us with additional information about your potential match with our rigorous and innovative educational program. The Admissions Committee uses the Kira Talent Assessment and our ADEA AADSAS application to select applicants for an interview.
Interview invitations will be offered to highly desirable applicants who have submitted all application materials, which include completion of prerequisite courses, the Kira Talent Assessment, and submission of the supplemental application fee by December 1. 2023. Students who complete prerequisite courses during the Fall 2023 semester may be considered for interview beginning January 2024 once final grades are submitted, pending space in the class, and submission of all other materials by December 1, 2023.
For the most up-to-date information concerning admissions and the application process to the Stony Brook School of Dental Medicine Doctor of Dental Surgery program, please contact the Office of Education at (631) 632-3033, email sdm_admissions@stonybrookmedicine.edu or visit dentistry.stonybrookmedicine.edu/student/admissions.
Application
The School of Dental Medicine participates in the centralized American Association of Dental Schools Application Service (AADSAS). All candidates must apply through AADSAS. The deadline for submission of applications to AADSAS is December 1. Since acceptances are made on a rolling basis, applicants are urged to apply as early as possible. Applications are accepted beginning June 4 of the year prior to matriculation.
AADSAS
American Dental Education Association
655 K Street NW, Suite 800
Washington, DC 20001
Telephone: (800) 353-2237 or (202) 289-8123
adea.org
Application Fee
A $100 non-refundable application fee is required and should be submitted online after an AADSAS identification number is assigned. You must use your AADSAS ID# to submit payment. Applications will not be reviewed until your verified AADSAS application, all supporting documents and the supplemental application fee have been received.
Click here to make the Supplementary Application Payment Fee of $100
The school will acknowledge receipt of all applications from AADSAS and advise candidates directly of any additional information required.
Requirements
In light of the changes being made on college campuses due to COVID-19, the School of Dental Medicine will be flexible in the graded requirement for prerequisite coursework if an applicant attends a school that made system-wide grading changes. For example, we will consider pass/fail grades and online courses for Spring 2020 — Summer 2021.
Applicants are required to have completed three years of college before matriculation (90 credits); however, it is highly desirable that applicants possess a baccalaureate degree.
A Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.0 or greater is preferred.
A DAT score of 17 or greater is preferred in all subsections.
Prerequisite Coursework
Admissions requirements for the School of Dental Medicine require completion of specific courses prior to application as listed below:
- Biology: 2 semesters with labs (8 credits)
- General Chemistry: 2 semesters with labs (8 credits)
- Organic Chemistry: 2 semesters with labs (8 credits)*
- Physics: 2 semesters with labs (8 credits)
- English: 2 semesters writing intensive (6 credits)
- Biochemistry: 1 semester (3 credits)
- Calculus I and Calculus II or Calculus I and Statistics (6 credits)
*Some universities and colleges have instituted a three-semester combined General and Organic Chemistry course sequence with laboratories (with intensive contact hours or for advanced students). Such three-semester course sequences will be considered. Questions regarding whether a three-semester course sequence meets SDM requirements should be posed with the Director of Admissions.
Dental Admissions Test (DAT)
The American Dental Admissions Test (DAT) is mandatory. Only a current DAT score obtained after June 1, 2019 will be accepted for the 2023-2024 admissions cycle. For additional information regarding the DAT, contact:
Dental Admissions Testing Program
Suite 1846
211 East Chicago Avenue
Chicago, IL 60611-2678
(800) 621-8099 or (312) 440-2500
ada.org
Please note that Canadian DAT scores are not accepted at this time.
Letters of Evaluation
A pre-health committee letter is required. However, if your college or university does not provide a committee letter, three recommendation letters from science faculty members will be considered.
A professional character reference is also required. This recommendation must come from a non-family member who can speak your character, life experience and suitability as a healthcare professional. The letter writer should describe the nature of the relationship and the length of time in which they have known the candidate.
Professional Dental Experience
Dental assisting and/or shadowing – minimum 50 hours
Information Regarding Community College Work
It is preferable that all prerequisites are completed at a four-year college for baccalaureate or post-baccalaureate students. However, a maximum of 60 credit hours taken at a community college prior to your third year of study toward a baccalaureate degree may be accepted.
Online Courses
Non-prerequisite online courses, while not preferred, will be considered. Online courses must be taken at an accredited institution and, in addition, accepted at the institution where the degree is being conferred.
TOEFL Examination
An applicant who is not a native or primary speaker of English must present a minimum score for either the TOEFL or IELTS exams, as defined below. Students whose scores on either of these exams are more than two years old must retake the exam.
Minimum TOEFL and IELTS Exam scores required for admission to Stony Brook University:
- TOEFL: Paper-based exam: 550; Internet-based exam: 90
In addition to the minimum score of 90 on the internet-based exam, each subsection score must be at least a 22. Students who have scored lower than 22 on a subsection cannot be admitted to Stony Brook University. - IELTS: Overall score of 6.5, with no subsection, recommended to be below 6.
Advanced Placement Courses (AP Courses)
Applicants must score a four or above to receive AP credit (advanced placement credit) for prerequisite courses. When AP credit is substituted for a prerequisite course an additional course of an equal level or better should be taken to demonstrate scholastic ability at the college level.
Suggested Additional Preparation
Success in dental school is highly correlated with a student's competence in science. Applicants should gain familiarity with the fundamentals of the natural and social sciences that are relevant to the deliverv of health care. Virtually all candidates accepted into dental school have earned a baccalaureate degree in the arts and sciences. Although preference for admission is not based on a particular field of academic concentration, all candidates are required to demonstrate competence in biology, inorganic and organic chemistry. physics, mathematics, and English composition. It is strongly recommended that applicants also take classes in the social sciences and statistics, and upper- level sciences such as anatomy and physiology.
Application Fee
A $100 non-refundable application fee is required and should be submitted online after an AADSAS identification number is assigned. You must use your AADSAS ID# to submit payment. Applications will not be reviewed until your verified AADSAS application, all supporting documents and the supplemental application fee have been received.
Click here to make the Supplementary Application Payment Fee of $100
The school will acknowledge receipt of all applications from AADSAS and advise candidates directly of any additional information required.
Kira Online Assessment
Applicants who have submitted all application materials will be invited to complete an online assessment with priority invitation given to those who meet the preferred criteria.
Interviews
Interviews are an integral part of the admissions process, and all applicants under serious consideration will be notified if an interview is indicated.
Decision Process
An Admissions Committee is responsible for decisions regarding admission to the School of Dental Medicine. Students are accepted on a rolling basis starting on December 1st of the academic year prior to matriculation. All committee decisions are sent via mail.
| Admissions Time Table | Earliest Date | Latest Date | School Fees |
| Application Submission | 05/30 | 12/01 | $100.00 |
| Acceptance Notification | 12/01 |
Required Acceptance Response Time:
30 days if accepted between 12/1 and 1/31
15 days if accepted between 2/1 and 5/15
Applicants accepted after May 15 may be asked for an immediate response to an admissions offer.
Advanced Standing Program
Stony Brook University School of Dental Medicine is not considering applications for an advanced standing program at this time. We invite you to revisit our website in the future for new programs that might meet your needs.
Undergraduate Scholars for Dental Medicine Program
Questions
Please visit our Frequently Asked Questions for more information, or contact the Office of Education at (631) 632-8871 for additional questions.
Maps and Directions to the School of Dental Medicine
Contact
For information on applying to the Doctor of Dental Surgery program, please contact:
Office of Admissions
Email: sdm_admissions@stonybrookmedicine.edu
