University of Florida College of Dentistry (2026 Guide)

The University of Florida College of Dentistry (UFCD) is one of the most respected public dental schools in the United States, located in Gainesville, Florida. Founded in 1972, it is part of the University of Florida Health Science Center and offers the Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) degree. The school is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) and is known for its strong research programs, diverse patient population, and excellent clinical training.

University of Florida dental school (UF College of Dentistry) is known for its strong clinical training, research opportunities, and commitment to serving Florida's diverse communities.

Admissions Overview

UF College of Dentistry is highly competitive, particularly for out-of-state applicants. As a public institution, the majority of seats are reserved for Florida residents. Successful applicants typically present competitive DAT scores, solid GPAs, and meaningful dental shadowing experience. If you are building your study plan, start with our free DAT preparation resources to understand what materials top scorers use.

Typical Admitted Student Profile:

DAT Academic Average (AA): 20–22
DAT Total Science (TS): 20–22
Overall GPA: 3.5–3.8
Science GPA: 3.4–3.7
Dental shadowing: 100+ hours recommended
Florida residency: strongly preferred

DAT Requirements

UF College of Dentistry requires all applicants to submit DAT scores through AADSAS. There is no published minimum score, but competitive applicants typically score well above the national average of 19–20 AA.

The DAT now also uses a 3-digit scoring scale (200–600), with 400 representing the national average. Understanding both DAT scoring scales is important when evaluating your score and setting your target for dental school admissions.

Sections tested on the DAT:

Biology
General Chemistry
Organic Chemistry
Perceptual Ability (PAT)
Reading Comprehension
Quantitative Reasoning

Strong performance in Biology, General Chemistry, and Organic Chemistry is especially important for University of Florida dental school applicants.

How to Prepare for the DAT for University of Florida

Scoring competitively for UF College of Dentistry requires mastering the science sections of the DAT. For more than 35 years, pre-dental students have relied on the DAT Destroyer series to build the depth of knowledge needed to score above the national average. If you are comparing prep options, read our honest breakdown: DAT Bootcamp vs DAT Booster vs DAT Destroyer (2026).

Before starting your preparation, review our complete DAT Study Guide (2026) and DAT score conversion chart to understand how your performance translates on both scoring scales.

Recommended DAT Prep Books:

DAT Destroyer — comprehensive science review for Biology, General Chemistry, and Organic Chemistry
Math Destroyer — Quantitative Reasoning mastery
General Chemistry Destroyer — focused General Chemistry review
Organic Chemistry Odyssey — in-depth Organic Chemistry preparation
Dr. Jim Romano Biology Review Book — Biology deep dive for DAT and OAT

Application Process

UF College of Dentistry participates in AADSAS (Associated American Dental Schools Application Service). The application cycle typically opens in May and the school uses rolling admissions — applying early is strongly recommended, especially for out-of-state applicants.

Application checklist:

AADSAS application
DAT scores (taken within the last 3 years)
Official transcripts
Letters of recommendation (3 required)
Personal statement
Dental shadowing documentation
Florida residency documentation (if applicable)

Tuition and Fees (2026)

Tuition at UF College of Dentistry is approximately $25,000–$35,000 per year for Florida residents and $55,000–$65,000 per year for out-of-state students. As a public institution, UF offers exceptional value for Florida residents. Financial aid and scholarships are available through the university.

Location and Campus

The University of Florida College of Dentistry is located in Gainesville, Florida, on the main UF campus as part of the UF Health Science Center. Gainesville is an affordable college town with a strong academic community. Students benefit from access to UF Health, one of the largest academic health centers in the Southeast, providing a diverse and high-volume patient base for clinical training.

The University of Florida dental school benefits from being part of a major public research university, providing students with access to extensive clinical resources and interdisciplinary training.

Is University of Florida a Good Dental School?

UF College of Dentistry is consistently ranked among the top public dental schools in the United States. The school is particularly strong in research and offers students early clinical exposure through its extensive patient care clinics. INBDE pass rates are strong and graduates are highly competitive for residency programs and private practice across Florida and the country.

University of Florida dental school is especially known for its early clinical exposure, large and diverse patient pool, and outstanding value for Florida residents.

For in-state students, UF offers exceptional value. For out-of-state applicants, a DAT score of 21+ AA and a strong GPA are important for remaining competitive in a pool that heavily favors Florida residents.

Start Your DAT Preparation

Whether you are applying to the University of Florida or building your dental school list, strong DAT scores open doors. The DAT Destroyer series has helped thousands of pre-dental students reach their target scores.

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