What you will learn

You will learn to perform a wide variety of procedures and functions including prevention/public education, detection and management of oral conditions, esthetic improvement, restoration, correction, reconstruction and surgery.

Why study here?

Reputation and accreditation

The college is fully accredited by the Canadian Dental Association, and is recognized by the American Dental Association. Graduates who successfully complete the Doctor of Dental Medicine degree are eligible to take all North American board exams.

Hands-on and clinical experience

Early in the program, you will learn basic dental procedures and current techniques in a pre-clinical teaching area that includes a state-of-the-art clinic simulation facility.

During the clinical training phase of the program, when you are a senior student, you will provide direct patient care through the Student Dental Clinic that accommodates over 10,000 visits every year.

Small class size

The small class size of 34 ensures you'll have attention from our team of approximately 22 full-time and 61 part-time faculty.

Most dentistry graduates go into private practice but opportunities also exist in teaching and research, careers with government agencies or in industry.

• Private practice - A large majority of dentistry graduates go into private practice, either solo or in partnerships with other dentists, allowing a great deal of professional flexibility
• Academic dentistry - A career in academic dentistry career combines teaching, research, community service and patient care. Faculty members work in an intellectually stimulating academic environment.
• Public health dentistry - This career focuses on community settings rather than private practice. Promoting dental health, developing health policy and preventing disease are the major roles of a public health dentist.
• International health care - Dentists provide services to populations abroad and work for such agencies as the World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), and the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations (FAO).
• Research - Research careers offer opportunities to contribute to advancements in dentistry that ultimately impact patient care.

As a guideline, below are the estimated expenses for students registered in Year 1 of the DMD program. Please note these are estimates only (2023-2024 rates) and subject to change from year to year.

• Tuition and Fees
• Residence

If you have already completed a dentistry degree from an academic institution not recognized by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of Canada (CDAC), you may be interested in our International Dental Degree Program, which will allow you to complete a Canadian Doctor of Dental Medicine in two years.

• International Dental Degree Program

Although we have staff available to assist applicants who seek counsel regarding admission to the College of Dentistry, it is the college’s policy not to instruct applicants as to a specific course of action they should follow, but rather provide the information needed for applicants to make their own choice with respect to the alternatives available.

Potential applicants should note:

• Admission is determined by the Admissions Committee on the basis of an annual competition.
• There is no provision for considering or accepting transfer applicants.
• Applications from international students are no longer accepted.

 In addition to completing the required pre-dentistry courses, applicants must be working towards an undergraduate degree and choose courses that meet the requirements of the degree. This will ensure alternate career choices if dentistry is no longer a viable option. It is recommended that applicants pursue a degree in the life sciences or health studies.

Required pre-dentistry courses

*Please note these are examples and there may be other courses equivalent.

Scheduling pre-dentistry courses

Applicants may schedule their pre-dentistry courses as they wish (i.e. in the summer) provided a 30-credit unit course load is maintained per academic year. All pre-dentistry course work must be completed by April of the year in which admission is being sought.

Pre-dentistry overall average below 70%

If the pre-dentistry overall average is below 70%, students may improve their average by taking approved higher-level courses, which must be completed no later than the end of the previous academic year prior to application. Approved courses are higher-level courses that have the applicable pre-dentistry courses as a prerequisite.

Course equivalents for pre-dentistry courses completed outside of Saskatchewan

Applicants whose pre-dental education was completed outside of Saskatchewan are eligible for consideration provided they have completed the equivalent of the listed required pre-dentistry courses. View a list of course equivalents. A course syllabus which includes a course description, list of course topics, list of assessments, and required texts/readings may be required to determine equivalency.

Eligibility requirements

1. Academic requirements

1. Completion of THREE (3) 30 credit-unit academic years of university level course work towards the requirements of an undergraduate degree. An academic year is defined as TWO standard academic terms consisting of eight (8) consecutive months (September – April). 
   
   
2. A cumulative weighted average of 75% over the TWO best academic years of study. 
   
   
3. Completion of 39 credit units of required pre-dentistry courses with a minimum overall average of 70%.

Applicants must maintain BOTH of the following conditions for any course work during the year of application: a minimum overall academic average of at least 75% AND a minimum 70% average on any pre-requisite course. 

2. Dental Aptitude Test

All applicants are required to take the Dental Aptitude Test (DAT) administered by the Canadian Dental Association.

• Results are valid for a period of three (3) years up to November of the year of application. Valid DAT scores for admission for 2024–2025 include the period of February 1, 2021 to November 30, 2023.
• If an applicant has taken the DAT more than once, the single best overall score will be used.

Applicants must achieve the following in their best DAT score:

• A minimum Academic Average score of 15 and
• A minimum Perceptual Ability score of 14 and
• A minimum Reading Comprehension score of 14

Over the past three years, the minimum accepted DAT averages for applicants considered for an interview were as follows:

• Saskatchewan residents: 17.33 (2018), 17.00 (2017) 17.67 (2016)
• Out of Province applicants: 18.00 (2018), 21.00 (2017) 19.67 (2016)

3. Interview

All eligible applicants seeking admission are required to interview as part of the selection process. Interviews are granted based on the academic average of the applicant's TWO best years and the best overall DAT score. Courses taken during the application year will NOT be included in academic average calculation.

The interview is conducted using the multiple mini interview (MMI) format. The MMI exposes applicants to a series of stations each 10 minutes in length. Applicants are provided with a question at each station and given two minutes to read the question and prepare an answer. After two minutes, the applicant discusses their response with the interviewer for eight minutes before moving on to the next station.

5. Criminal record check

Self-declaration of an adult criminal record is required of all applicants on the application form. Applicants accepted into the program are required to complete and submit a Criminal Record Check with Vulnerable Sector Screening after the date of offer and no later than orientation date. There are currently some Canadian provinces that will not license a dentist to practice if they have a criminal record. Applicants are encouraged to contact the respective provincial dental association for further information.

6. Immunization requirements

Successful applicants must comply with the University of Saskatchewan’s policy on immunization, which states that all students attending a Health Science College must provide documented proof of immunization. Immunization records for accepted applicants must be received by the date stated in the letter of offer.

The College of Dentistry admits 34 students to the program each year. Applicants must designate their category on the online application form.

Application fee

A non-refundable application fee in the amount of $170 CAD is required and MUST be paid online via credit card at the time the application is submitted. The application fee may be paid by Visa, MasterCard or Discover. 

How to apply

Be sure to read the complete admissions guide before you begin your application.

• Begin an application

If you have any issues with the online application process, consult the application guide.

Required documentation

Applications are not complete until ALL required documents are received.  It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that all required documentation is received. Applicants can check the status of their application online by logging in to their application. Please ensure that the Admissions Office, College of Dentistry has a current address, telephone number, and email address.

Please refer directly to specific policies when confirming required documentation.

All of the following required documentation must be received no later than December 15:

1. Completed online application with payment of $170 CAD application fee

2. One set of official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended other than the University of Saskatchewan (including distance education classes) forwarded DIRECTLY from the appropriate institution(s) to: 

Admissions 
105 Wiggins Rd
College of Dentistry
University of Saskatchewan
Saskatoon, SK S7N 5E4

• Applicants who previously or are currently attending the University of Saskatchewan are not required to submit official transcripts as their official record resides with this institution.
• Transcripts issued directly to students or photocopies are not acceptable.
• Final marks for all course work completed during the year of application, including all deferred examinations, MUST be reported on this transcript.
• If transcripts/documents are in a language other than English, submit an official notarized, word for word, English translation together with original documents. Calendars and/or course descriptions covering the completed courses must also be submitted.
• Previous applicants should know that transcripts are kept on file for up to 2 years. Updated transcripts must be requested if there is continued attendance at any institution since the last application.

3. Official DAT report of your best overall DAT score within the last 3 years (no older than February 2021 for the 2024–2025 application cycle).

• November 2023 DAT scores are due as soon as they become available available (please note this may be after the December 15 document deadline).
• If re-applying for admission, DAT scores already submitted do not need to be re-submitted.

Send DAT scores and required proofs to:
Admissions, College of Dentistry
University of Saskatchewan 
105 Wiggins Road 
Saskatoon, SK S7N 5E4

4. Official CASPer test scores

Official CASPer test scores are sent directly to University of Saskatchewan.

5. The following supporting documents (if applicable):

• Proof that you have resided in Saskatchewan for at least 4 years immediately prior to September 1 of the year in which admission is being sought
• Verification of Indigenous membership/citizenship in accordance with the processes developed to enact the deybwewin | taapwaywin | tapewin: Indigenous Truth policy.
• Proof of permanent residence
• Proof of English proficiency
• Confirmation of enrolment if you are currently enrolled in any required pre-requisite courses in Term 1 of the year of application. If you are completing required prerequisite courses in Term 2 of the year of application, confirmation of enrolment must be submitted by February 1.

Applicants will be informed in writing, via email, of their application status by mid-April. To accept an offer of admission, applicants must pay a non-refundable deposit of 15% of tuition by the deadline stated in the offer letter. The deposit will be applied towards tuition fees at the time of registration. Applicants who withdraw their admission acceptance after paying the fee forfeit the deposit.

If offered admission, applicants are required to submit the following documentation to:

Admissions, College of Dentistry
University of Saskatchewan
105 Wiggins Road
Saskatoon, SK S7N 5E4

1. ONE set of official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended other than the University of Saskatchewan forwarded DIRECTLY from the appropriate institution(s) due no later than June 5.
   
   Final marks for all course work completed during the year of application, including all deferred examinations, MUST be reported on this transcript.
   
   All offers of admission are conditional upon the successful applicant maintaining BOTH of the following conditions for any course work during the year of application:
   
   
   • A minimum overall academic average of at least 75% AND
   • A minimum 70% average on any pre-requisite courses
     
     
2. Criminal Record Check with Vulnerable Sector Screening due no later than August 1.
   
   The Criminal Record Check with Vulnerable Sector Screening must be completed AFTER the date of the offer of admission.
   
   
3. Successful applicants must purchase any dental equipment supported by the College of Dentistry.

The Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) degree in dentistry is offered by the University of Saskatchewan's College of Dentistry.

The College of Dentistry is a dynamic college with a reputation for excellence in both teaching and research. Established in 1965, the College of Dentistry was the first institution in the province of Saskatchewan to offer a fully accredited dental program. The college strives to serve as a leader in innovative scholarly pursuits, research, interdisciplinary collaboration, community outreach and engagement.

• College of Dentistry