Empowering Aspiring Dentists
At the College of Dental Medicine-Arizona (CDMA), we empower aspiring dentists to craft successful careers within a nurturing student-focused environment that emphasizes professionalism, teamwork, mutual respect, and immersive hands-on experiences.
Comprehensive Training
In the initial two years, our dental students collaborate closely with seasoned preclinical faculty to develop critical-thinking abilities and hone dental procedural skills on lifelike mannequins within the state-of-the-art CDMA Simulation Clinic.
Clinical Experience
As students progress into their third and fourth years, they work in D3/D4 pairs under the guidance of experienced clinical faculty, delivering comprehensive oral healthcare to patients at the Midwestern University Dental Institute.
Ready for Dental Practice
Upon completing our rigorous four-year program, you'll emerge fully equipped to seamlessly transition into dental practice, armed with competence, confidence, and competitiveness as a skilled clinician, poised to embark on your journey as an integral member of tomorrow's healthcare team.
Why Our Program is Exceptional
- Our Location: We are a small, safe campus located near Phoenix-area dental practices. The Arizona climate offers great weather for most of the year.
- Our Reputation: Students gain hands-on experience at our MWU community-based dental clinic, working with patients from start to finish. They will get to perform a variety of dental procedures many times over, including implants, orthodontics, crowns, and more.
- Our Faculty: are here because they love teaching and connecting with students. Even during the interview process, applicants get a personalized touch during a day-long event, which includes getting to see our campus facilities and informal conversations with members from the department.
- What We Care About: Above all, we value relationships. Not just student-to-faculty or student-to-patient, but mentorships, too. Third- and fourth-year students are paired together each year, which helps them learn from each other, whether they are the mentee or the mentor.
- What Sets Us Apart: We offer an experience that goes above and beyond the average dental school, allowing students to obtain multiple certifications in addition to their degree. In addition to MWU’s personal touch, we always stay up to date with the latest technology, including virtual reality training to simulate working on teeth. We also offer a Bridges Pathway for students in our Biomedical Sciences program.
Learn More
Learn more about the requirements and find quick links to relevant catalog content to guide you in your application process.
- 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 coursework
- DAT academic average score of 18 or higher desired
- Two letters of recommendation
*Subject to change
Application Deadline
Admissions decisions are made on a rolling basis. Applicants are required to submit their application to AADSAS by January 1st. Students may access the via the Midwestern University website or through the AADSAS website. Students are advised to complete their application files as early as possible to ensure timely consideration.
Transfer Information
The Dental Medicine-Arizona may elect to accept transfer students from other dental schools as long as these students remain in good academic standing and have an acceptable reason(s) for seeking transfer.
To be considered for transfer, candidates must meet the College's general requirements for admission.
*Subject to change
The Technical Standards set forth the nonacademic abilities considered essential for students to achieve the level of competence required by the faculty to obtain the academic degree awarded by the CDMA. Candidates must be able to perform the following abilities and skills.
Observation: The candidate must be able to accurately make observations at a distance and close at hand, including those on a computer screen or electronic device. Observation necessitates the functional use of vision and sense of touch and is enhanced by the functional use of all of the other senses.
Communication: The candidate must be able to communicate in English, proficiently and sensitively, in verbal and written form, and be able to perceive nonverbal communications.
Motor: Candidates must be able to coordinate both gross and fine motor movements, maintain equilibrium and have functional use of the senses of touch and vision. The candidate must possess sufficient postural control, neuromuscular control and eye-to-hand coordination to perform profession-specific skills and tasks. Candidates must be able to lift 20 lbs.
Intellectual, Conceptual, Integrative and Quantitative Abilities: The candidate must be able to problem solve, measure, calculate, reason, analyze, record and synthesize large amounts of information in a timely manner. The candidate must be able to comprehend three-dimensional relationships and understand spatial relationships.
Behavioral and Social Attributes: The candidate must possess the emotional health required for full utilization of their intellectual abilities, the exercise of good judgment, the consistent, prompt completion of all responsibilities, and the development of mature, sensitive and effective communication. The Candidate must be able to tolerate physically, mentally and emotionally taxing workloads and to function effectively under stress. The candidate must be able to adapt to changing environments, to display flexibility, and to learn to function in the face of uncertainties. Compassion, integrity, concern for others, effective interpersonal skills, willingness and ability to function as an effective team player, interest and motivation to learn are all personal qualities required during the educational process. The candidate must agree to participate in touching/palpating on the skin and being touched/palpated on the skin by individuals regardless of gender in all academic settings, including dental head/neck exams, including intra- and extra-oral examinations. These activities will take place in large and small group settings as directed in the College's curricular requirements.
Class of 2023
ADEX Overall Pass Rate by Graduation Date: 99%
INBDE First-Time Pass Rate: 100%
Students no longer take the NDBE or WREB.
Class of 2022
- ADEX Overall pass rate by graduation 99%
- INBDE First-time pass rate 99%
Class of 2019
ADEX /WREB/NBDE I&II Overall Pass Rate by Graduation Date: 100%
ADEX Exam First-Time Pass Rate: 98.8% (81/82)
WREB Exam First-Time Pass Rate: 96.5% (56/58)
NDBE Part II Pass Rate: 92.2% (130/141)
NDBE Part I Pass Rate: 95.0% (134/141)
Mission
The mission of the Midwestern University College of Dental Medicine-Arizona is to graduate well-qualified general dentists and to improve oral health through research, scholarly activity, and service to the public.
Vision & Goals
In pursuit of its mission, the CDMA is guided by this set of abiding and unchanging core values:
- Maintaining a student-friendly environment
- Encouraging broad and encompassing diversity
- Advocating collegiality and teamwork
- Integrating multidisciplinary coursework
- Focusing on a general dentistry curriculum
- Ensuring competence for general practice
- Basing decisions on scientific evidence
- Delivering ethical, patient-centered care
- Engaging the university community
- Serving the profession and the public
- Promoting ethics and professionalism
- Aspiring everyday to peak performance
- Female: 42%
- Male: 58%
- Scores
- Average BCP GPA: 3.41
- TDAT: 121 (Sum of PA, QR, RC, BIO, GCHEM, OCHEM)
- AA: 20
- RC: 21 QR: 19 GCHEM: 20
- PA: 21 BIO 20 OCHEM: 20
- Top 3 feeder states in order: Arizona, California, Utah
The Midwestern University College of Dental Medicine-Arizona 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: .
Midwestern University is accredited by 230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500, Chicago, IL 60604-1413.
Academic Course Catalog
Explore details regarding your specific College/Program (subject to change).
Hear Our Stories
Athens Graves, College of Dental Medicine-Arizona, Class of 2025
"There is a small community of people that share the same experiences getting here as I did, and I want people to know that and feel inspired by it."
Martin Romero, College of Dental Medicine-Arizona
"Being here at Midwestern, more than anything, it felt like I was being part of a family."