What Makes a US Dental School "Canadian-Friendly"?
Of the 68 accredited dental schools in the United States, not all accept Canadian applicants — and those that do vary significantly in how they evaluate you. The clearest marker of a Canadian-friendly dental school is whether it accepts the Canadian DAT (CDAT) in lieu of the American DAT.
This matters because Canadian dental schools have very high rejection rates — some programs reject over 90% of applicants. Many qualified Canadian pre-dents apply to US schools in parallel. The key is identifying which schools genuinely welcome Canadians rather than technically accepting applications and screening them out early.
If the school accepts the Canadian DAT (CDAT), it is Canadian-friendly. Schools that require only the American DAT typically do not admit Canadian applicants and are not worth pursuing unless you are also writing the American DAT.
Nearly all US dental schools use ADEA AADSAS for their primary application. Texas dental schools use TMDSAS separately. The AADSAS application opens in mid-May each year — submit by August for rolling admission cycles.
Canadian DAT vs. American DAT
The CDAT and American DAT are different examinations. Understanding which test each school accepts is the first filter when building your list.
| Feature | Canadian DAT (CDAT) | American DAT |
|---|---|---|
| Administered by | NDEB (National Dental Examining Board of Canada) | American Dental Association (ADA) |
| Unique sections | Chalk Carving (manual dexterity) | Quantitative Reasoning |
| Required for Canadian dental schools | Yes — primary test | No |
| Accepted at all 15 core US schools | Yes | Yes |
If applying to both Canadian and US dental schools, write the CDAT first — it is required for all Canadian schools and accepted at all 15 core Canadian-friendly US schools. If you need a broader US list beyond these 15, you may need to write both exams. Confirm each target school's policy before registering.
Standard Prerequisite Courses for US Dental Schools
Dental schools require two semesters each of biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry, and physics — all with labs. Canadian coursework at accredited universities is accepted at all 15 Canadian-friendly schools.
| Course | Standard Requirement | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Biology (General) | 2 semesters + lab | Core requirement at virtually all schools |
| General Chemistry | 2 semesters + lab | Core requirement universally |
| Organic Chemistry | 2 semesters + lab | Core; some schools accept 1 semester + biochem |
| Physics | 2 semesters + lab | Life sciences or general physics both accepted |
| Biochemistry | 1 semester (many schools now require) | Increasingly standard — check each school |
| Microbiology | 1 semester (NYU, Case Western, U of Minnesota) | Only 3 of the 15 core schools require this |
| English / Writing | 1–2 semesters (private schools) | BU, others — verify per school |
All science prerequisites must include in-person lab components. Online lab courses are generally not accepted at dental schools. Verify each school's policy on online coursework before relying on it.
Canadian-Friendly US Dental Schools That Accept the CDAT
All 15 schools below accept the Canadian DAT and have established track records of admitting Canadian applicants. Click any card to expand details and prerequisites.
One of the most consistently cited Canadian-friendly schools. Private institution with a strong track record of admitting Canadians. Holistic review — does not screen Canadians at a higher standard.
The largest dental school in the US by enrollment. Known for diverse, international, and Canadian cohorts. GPAs of 3.4–3.5 can be competitive here with strong DAT scores and ECs.
Private institution with a strong reputation for clinical training. Regularly admits Canadian applicants. Holistic review process.
Private institution in Fort Lauderdale. Good option for applicants with slightly lower GPAs who have strong DAT scores and ECs. Rolling admissions — apply early.
Private research university with strong academic reputation. More academically competitive among the 15 Canadian-friendly schools.
State-related university. More accessible tuition than private schools. Consistently admits Canadian applicants.
Private historically Black university in Washington, DC. Mission-driven institution with a holistic review process.
Catholic Jesuit university with a well-regarded clinical program. Strong community service emphasis in the application.
Two campuses: Glendale, AZ and Downers Grove, IL. Both accept Canadians. Apply separately to each campus via AADSAS.
Located in Hawthorne, NY. Focus on underserved community dentistry. Canadian-friendly and holistic in review.
One of the most internationally recognized private dental schools in the US. Strong Canadian cohort history. Competitive but consistently welcoming to Canadians.
One of the best-regarded public dental schools in the US. Notable for accepting the CDAT — unusual for a public institution.
One of the highest-ranked dental schools in the US. Competitive but with a strong history of admitting Canadians. Private university in Los Angeles.
Private institution in San Francisco. Known for an accelerated 3-year curriculum (no summer breaks). Strong Canadian-friendly West Coast option.
Public institution in Richmond, VA. Notable for accepting the CDAT — rare for a public school. Lower tuition than private schools for out-of-state students.
The 15 Canadian-Friendly US Dental Schools at a Glance
The yield on Canadian applicants at any individual US dental school is not high even at the most Canadian-friendly programs. A broad list significantly improves your overall odds of at least one acceptance.
| State | School | Type | CDAT | Micro Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MI | University of Detroit Mercy | Private | Yes | No |
| NY | New York University | Private | Yes | Yes ⚠ |
| MA | Boston University | Private | Yes | No |
| FL | Nova Southeastern University | Private | Yes | No |
| OH | Case Western Reserve University | Private | Yes | Yes ⚠ |
| PA | Temple University | Public (state-related) | Yes | No |
| DC | Howard University | Private | Yes | No |
| WI | Marquette University | Private | Yes | No |
| AZ/IL | Midwestern University (2 campuses) | Private | Yes | No |
| NY | Touro College of Dental Medicine | Private | Yes | No |
| MA | Tufts University | Private | Yes | No |
| MN | University of Minnesota | Public | Yes | Yes ⚠ |
| CA | University of Southern California | Private | Yes | No |
| CA | University of the Pacific | Private | Yes | No |
| VA | Virginia Commonwealth University | Public | Yes | No |
Licensure and Practicing Back in Canada
If your goal is to practice dentistry in Canada, graduating from a US dental school creates additional steps that many applicants do not anticipate.
Even as a Canadian citizen, graduating from a CODA-accredited US dental school means you must complete the NDEB equivalency process to practice in Canada — which includes additional examinations and potentially a bridging program.
Graduating from a CODA-accredited US dental school and passing the NBDHE/OSCE/regional boards qualifies you to practice in the United States directly.
Applying to US dental schools is legitimate and often wise for qualified Canadian applicants who cannot get into a Canadian program and are open to US practice. But it requires entering with clear eyes about the NDEB equivalency pathway if Canada is your long-term goal. Do not treat US schools as a guaranteed back door to Canadian dental practice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I write the CDAT or American DAT?
If you are applying to Canadian dental schools (which require the CDAT), write the CDAT first. All 15 schools on this list accept it. If you want to apply to a broader list of US schools beyond these 15, you will also need the American DAT.
What GPA do I need as a Canadian applicant?
Competitive Canadian applicants typically have GPAs in the 3.5–3.8 range. Schools like NYU, Nova Southeastern, and University of Detroit Mercy have historically admitted Canadians with GPAs in the 3.4–3.5 range when DAT scores and ECs are strong.
What DAT score do I need?
Most Canadian-friendly US dental schools target an AA of 18–20+ (old scale) or 360+ (new scale, post-March 2025). Check each school's website for their stated minimums.
How much shadowing do I need?
US dental schools typically expect 100+ hours of shadowing at general dentists, with additional specialty exposure valued. Being Canadian does not exempt you from this requirement.
What about financial aid?
Canadian applicants are not eligible for US federal financial aid. Canadians typically rely on Canadian bank professional lines of credit and personal savings. Budget approximately CAD $90,000–$100,000 per year in tuition alone.