School of Dentistry

A dental school with
Unlimited possibilities

In a world of the common, we are uncommon. As the only dental school in Virginia and located at a comprehensive academic health sciences center, VCU School of Dentistry combines cutting-edge, skills-based education with research and community service to advance oral health for all.

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Prospective students

Programs offered at VCU School of Dentistry

Researchers

VCU Philips Institute for Oral Health Research

Dental professionals

We provide resources, including continuing education courses

Success begins with our students

VCU School of Dentistry is committed to helping its students succeed.

Through hands-on education and peer and faculty mentorship, we advance our students quickly into our fully specialized, on-site dental practice equipped with leading-edge digital dentistry technology to ensure they are clinic ready upon graduation.

Our admissions team is here to answer your questions and connect you with the resources to launch your career in oral health. We offer advising sessions as well as tours of our school to all prospective candidates.

Explore

White Coat Ceremony

White Coat Ceremony 2025

Graduation

Graduation 2025

Giving

Help support the school

Our academic programs

Dental students practicing at VCU School of Dentistry

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VCU School of Dentistry student and professor performing dental care services to a community member

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A VCU School of Dentistry researcher in the lab

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Pre-dental program students sitting around and listening to current VCU School of Dentistry student

Why become a VCU Ram?

A Culture of Care

We are committed to fostering a Culture of Care that embraces several core values that we have summarized as "CARE," our acronym for Compassion, Accessibility, Respect and Excellence.

Cutting-edge technology

We are at the forefront of digital dentistry technology, ensuring our students graduate with the skills to work in the most advanced practices.

Versatile city life

Richmond, VA offers a lot for a town its size. This medium-sized state capital on America's founding river offers vibrant city culture, an affordable cost of living and lots of outdoor adventures like day trips to beaches or mountains.

Clinic early, clinic ready

At the heart of our school is our robust fully specialized dental practice which provides our students unparalleled opportunities for learning and affordable, high-quality dental care to the Richmond community and surrounding areas.

Commitment to community

Collaborations with 15 community practices throughout the state provide unique service-based learning opportunities while local and international charitable partnerships provide care to communities in need.

Groundbreaking research

We are advancing oral health to improve society, from researching the mechanisms underlying cancer to testing new dental materials and technologies in the lab and clinic. Research is engrained throughout our school.

95% boards pass rate

Approximately 95% of our D.D.S. students
pass their clinical board exams.

90% match rate

Approximately 90% of our students who apply to
advanced education and residency programs are accepted.

#9 in research funding

VCU ranks among public dental schools in National
Institutes of Health research funding.

The great thing about VCU is their emphasis on clinical education. I feel like I’ve gotten to do a lot of procedures, like implants, that you don’t get to do at other schools.

Dr. Mina Ibrahim
Class of 2022

Read Dr. Ibrahim's full testimonial

Answering the call: How VCU’s health sciences campus is unlike any other

Dean Lyndon Cooper, D.D.S., Ph.D., was recently featured in a VCU News and VCU Health article highlighting VCU’s health sciences campus! Discover how our health sciences is unlike any other. Cooper and health science leaders across our campus share insights on academic excellence, collaborative innovation, and compassionate care that benefit students, patients and the community.

Continuing education

The Office of Continuing Education provides an educational curriculum that actively engages the learner in acquiring new information and skills. Our faculty respond proactively to changing and advancing technology in dentistry by offering education programs which provide the skills needed to maintain and enhance clinical competency. Our office serves the public interest by providing educational opportunities for dental health care professionals which meet remediation requirements set by the Virginia Board of Dentistry.

Our online registration and payment website allows participants to manage their continuing education quickly and easily.

VIEW UPCOMING COURSES

Discover VCU School of Dentistry

Community outreach

How we are making a difference

Strategic Plan 2022-2027

Learn about our strategic plan

Departments

Learn about our departments

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