Harvard School of Dental Medicine
Last updated on April 4, 2025.

Harvard School of Dental Medicine

Program Size
2 (estimate)
Program Length
24 months
Application Deadline
January 1
Program Start
June 29

Program Contact

Admissions
Harvard School of Dental Medicine
188 Longwood Avenue
Boston, Massachusetts, 02115
Lisa Thompson DMD Program Director
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The Harvard School of Dental Medicine has offered a geriatric dentistry program since 1986. The program offers a certificate in geriatric dentistry (two years in length), a Master of Medical Sciences degree (MMSc—three years, or two years if the candidate holds a prior MPH or equivalent degree), and a Doctor of Medical Sciences degree (DMSc—four years). Students may also earn a combined degree with the Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, which requires a separate application.

The HSDM Advanced Graduated Education Program in Geriatric Dentistry is two-year multidisciplinary program that integrates dentistry, medicine, and mental/behavioral health. The program emphasizes the care of older adults, with a particular focus on underserved populations. The interdisciplinary program consists of four main components: coursework, clinical training, teaching/administrative training, and research. This program will prepare a specialist in geriatric dentistry to acquire the skills, experience, and knowledge to both treat patients in an institutional, community, and private setting and contribute to the academic and professional development of geriatrics.

For application information: please visit the HSDM AGE Admissions web page
 
For program specific information: please visit the HSDM Geriatric Dentistry web page.

 

Program Information

Accreditation This program is offered by a CODA-accredited institution
Program Type Geriatric Dentistry
Program Code GD4000
Degrees Offered Certificate, Masters, Other
Program Size 2 (estimate)
Program Length 24 months
Application Deadline January 1
Program Start Date June 29
Supplemental Application Yes
Supplemental Fee Yes
Stipend Offered No
Match Participating No
Program Website hsdm.harvard.edu

Application Requirements

Required Standardized Tests

  • INBDE
  • NBDE1
  • NBDE2
  • TOEFL
  • Passing the INBDE before matriculation into the advanced dental education program

Supplemental Requirements

  • Requires supplemental application
  • Requires supplemental fee

Transcript Evaluation and Instructions

Unofficial Degree Transcripts: applicants must upload, to the ADEA PASS application, unofficial transcripts for each undergraduate or graduate degree obtained, in addition to official dental school transcripts. Do not email or mail college transcripts directly to the Office of Admissions.

Letters of Evaluation Instructions

If you do not have an Institution Evaluation Form (IEF) from your Dean's office, we will accept an IEF from a program you did after dental school; such as a specialty program. The evaluation can also be from a Principal Investigator.

One of the Professional Evaluation Forms (PEF) must be from your most recent academic director and/or employer (if applicable).

TOEFL Requirement Instructions

Applicants (including native English speakers) who do not have BOTH the bachelor's degree and dental degree obtained in the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, or the United Kingdom must submit official TOEFL scores from a test taken within the past two years. Holding a bachelor's degree in dental medicine or surgery alone is not enough to be exempt from the TOEFL. 

The minimum acceptable overall score is 95, with subcategory score minimums in the following areas: 

  • Reading 21
  • Listening 17
  • Speaking 24 
  • Writing 25

*All subcategory minimum scores must be satisfied. 

Other Requirement Instructions

Official NBDE/INBDE scores are not required at the point of application, but must be submitted prior to matriculation for domestic applicants. Scores are recommended but not required for international candidates. 

Supplemental applications must be emailed directly to AGE Admissions.

The non-refundable HSDM Application Fee of $95 can be paid here. You may qualify for a fee waiver if you are a member or veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces. To apply for a fee waiver, please email AGE Admissions with proof of military service.

International Student Eligibility

This program will consider applicants who graduated, or plan to graduate, from a non-CODA accredited dental school: Yes

Applicants are eligible to enroll if they are:

  • US Citizen
  • US Permanent Resident
  • Canadian Citizen
  • Canadian Permanent Resident
  • Non-US Citizen/Resident (program offers sponsorship)
  • Harvard School of Dental Medicine offers visa sponsorship.

Additional Information

Applicants may apply to one program per academic year. HSDM will not consider applicants for multiple programs

NOTE: Please do not submit any of the following to HSDM: transcripts, resumes/CVs, letter of recommendation, portfolios, research papers, etc. All materials submitted to PASS will suffice for the application process.

For application information: please visit the HSDM AGE Admissions web page
 
For program specific information: please visit the HSDM Geriatric Dentistry web page.