- Bachelor's degree preferred
- Minimum overall GPA of 3.0 preferred
- Minimum BCP science GPA of 3.0 preferred
- Approximately 50 semester hours or 80 quarter hours of prerequisite course work
- DAT academic average score of 18 or higher desired
- Two letters of recommendation
Build a successful career
At CDMI, you will learn from faculty leaders who are committed to excellence in education and patient care. In the classroom and at our dental clinic, you'll benefit from a technology-rich environment designed to enhance your education. As a CDMI student, you will be a valuable part of a team providing patient-centered, comprehensive oral care founded on the principles of ethical practice, scientific research, and evidence-based decision-making. Throughout your education, our faculty will mentor you and help you gain the skills you need to build your future as a qualified, well-trained dentist.
Program
Doctoral
Location
Downers Grove, IL
Duration
4 Years, Full-Time
Class Size
130
Graduation Rate
100%
Midwestern University's College of Dental Medicine - Illinois (CDMI) is part of an outstanding University with a long tradition of providing exceptional educational experiences to students in medicine, pharmacy, and other health-related disciplines. CDMI students will learn the interprofessional roles that are a part of the delivery of optimal oral health as a component of overall general health. Midwestern University's CDMI administration and faculty are leaders committed to excellence in education and patient care, who also strive to contribute to the future of the dental profession. The faculty provides a collegial and positive environment for student learning in one of the most worthy and needed professional disciplines of our healthcare system.
- Basic, behavioral, and clinical sciences
- Preclinical simulation studies
- Practical clinical dentistry
- Community clinical rotations
The Midwestern University College of Dental Medicine-Illinois is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation. The Commission is a specialized accrediting body recognized by the United States Department of Education. The Commission on Dental Accreditation can be contacted at (312) 440-4653 or at 211 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611. The Commission’s web address is: http://www.ada.org/en/coda.
Midwestern University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission (HLC), 230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500, Chicago, IL 60604-1413.
- General dental practice
- Graduate education in any of the dental specialties
- Armed services (military)
- Public Health Service or Indian Health Service
- Dental industry
- Dental education
- Dental administration
To be competitive, an applicant should have earned a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and possess both a science (biology, chemistry, and physics) and total GPA of 3.00 or more on a 4.00 scale.
Students seeking admission to CDMI must submit the following documented evidence:
- Completion of the prerequisite coursework.
- Grades of "C" or better (grades of "C-" are not acceptable)
- Submit competitive exam scores on the Dental Aptitude Test (DAT).
- All candidates must submit results from the US DAT to AADSAS.
- A total DAT score (summative scores less Total Science and Academic Average) should be 110 and above to be competitive
- Scores in the area of 18 or higher will be expected for the Academic Average, Reading Comprehension, Perceptual Ability, and Total Science sections
- Only DAT exam scores earned from tests taken no more than 3 years prior to matriculation are acceptable
- Submit two letters of recommendation.
- One must be from either a predental advisory committee or a science professor
- The other preferentially should be from either someone with a D.O./M.D. or D.D.S./D.M.D. degree and/or someone who can testify to the integrity and ethical standards of the applicant
- Letters written by immediate family members are not acceptable
- All letters of evaluation must be submitted directly by the evaluators to AADSAS.
- Demonstrate a sincere understanding of, and interest in, the humanitarian ethos of healthcare and particularly dental medicine.
- Reflect a service orientation through community service or extracurricular activities.
- Reflect proper motivation for and commitment to health care as demonstrated by previous salaried work, volunteer work, or other life experiences.
- Possess the oral and written communication skills necessary to interact with patients and colleagues.
- Agree to abide by the Midwestern University Drug-Free Workplace and Substance Abuse Policy.
- Pass the Midwestern University fingerprinting and criminal background check.
Prerequisite Courses
Courses |
Sem Hrs |
Qtr Hrs |
Biology with lab |
8 |
12 |
General Chemistry with lab |
8 |
12 |
Organic Chemistry with lab |
4 |
6 |
Anatomy* |
3 |
4 |
Microbiology |
3 |
4 |
Physics |
8 |
12 |
Physiology* |
3 |
4 |
Biochemistry |
3 |
4 |
English Composition/Technical Writing |
6 |
9 |
All science prerequisites must be courses designed for science majors. No survey courses will count to fulfill science requirements. |
No grade lower than a C will be accepted for any prerequisite courses (i.e. a grade C– will not be acceptable).
*The Anatomy and Physiology requirements may also be fulfilled by taking Anatomy and Physiology I and Anatomy and Physiology II, as some universities offer combined courses.
$158,940
Median
Salary
100%
Graduation Rate
99%
National Board I Pass Rate
General Requirements
Class of 2024 Profile
- Female: 65%
- Male: 35%
- Average BCP GPA: 3.17
- DAT TS: 19.0
AA: 19.4
RC: 21.0
PA: 19.5 - Top 3 states in order: Illinois, California, Florida/Michigan (tie)
Board Statistics (Class of 2020)
Exam | Pass Rate |
NBDE Part II Pass Rate | 100% (131/131) |
NBDE Part I Pass Rate | 99% (131/132) |
Note: Candidates who passed the INBDE are considered to have passed both Parts I and II in above statistics.
Career Plans/Residency Placements (Class of 2020)
- 2 accepted into GPR program
- 1 accepted into Oral Surgery program
- 5 accepted into Orthodontics program
- 4 accepted into Pediatric Dentistry program
- 87 entered a full or part-time position
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
- General dental practice
- Graduate education in any of the dental specialties
- Armed services (military)
- Public Health Service or Indian Health Service
- Dental industry
- Dental education
- Dental administration
US Employment Projections and Median Salary
US Employment Projections through 2029
Overall employment of dentists is projected to grow 3 percent from 2019 to 2029, about as fast as the average for all occupations. The demand for dental services will increase as the population ages and as research continues to link oral health to overall health.
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Dentists, on the Internet at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/dentists.htm (visited May 26, 2021).
Median Salary (2020)*
- General Dentist: $158,940
- Specialist: $183,300-$208,000+
* Most recent data.
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Dentists, on the Internet at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/dentists.htm#tab-5 (visited May 26, 2021).