Dental Education & Research

Top 10 Dental Colleges Across The World

Best Dental Schools in the World Making the decision to attend dental school is an important step on the path to becoming a dentist. Another aspect is deciding...

Dr. Rockson Samuel

Dr. Rockson Samuel

Founder & Chief Dentist · Indira Dental Clinic; DentalReach

12 min read110,724 views
  • dental degree recognition
  • dental schools worldwide
  • dental research
  • dental education
  • international dental colleges
  • critical appraisal
  • dental schools
  • dentistry admission guide
  • world university rankings
  • study dentistry abroad

Best Dental Schools in the World

Making the decision to attend dental school is an important step on the path to becoming a dentist. Another aspect is deciding which dental school to attend. A full-fledged dentist requires approximately 8 years of education. A bachelor's degree in dentistry. Then you must earn a Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry (DMD) or a Master of Dental Surgery (MDS) in any subject is required. There are also national level exams that you must pass. A solid foundation is required for this. A top-tier dental school will help a dental student gain the knowledge, skills, and expertise needed to become a dentist. The QS World University Rankings are among the three best-known university ranking data sets worldwide. The other two are the Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU), also known as the Shanghai list, and the Times Higher Education (THE). The Sweden’s University of Gothenburg took the top slot, followed by the University of Michigan in second place, the Academic Centre for Dentistry Amsterdam and the University of Hong Kong tied for third, and King’s College London and Tokyo Medical and Dental University both in fifth.

1. University of Gothenburg:

Box 100, Göteborg, SE, Gothenburg Sweden
It is one of the major universities in northern Europe. The University’s roughly 40 different Departments cover most scientific disciplines, making it unusually comprehensive, with cutting-edge research in a number of dynamic areas. Here students and teachers from all over the world come together in a friendly and informal environment.

2. University of Michigan-Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor Campus, Ann Arbor the United States
Ranked as the best dental school in the United States, it provides state-of-the-art facilities for teaching dental students, serving patients from around Michigan, and conducting world-class research that advances the dental profession.

3. Academic Centre for Dentistry Amsterdam (ACTA)

CTA is a collaborative venture involving the Faculties of Dentistry at the University of Amsterdam and VU University Amsterdam. ACTA conducts scientific research, provides educational programs, and delivers patient care in the field of dentistry. In international circles, ACTA ranks among the leaders in teaching and research. Besides training students to be dentists, ACTA provides postgraduate courses for dentists. ACTA has a workforce of approximately 500, and approximately 800 students are enrolled in its Dentistry program.

4. The University of Hong Kong

HKU MBA Campus, Hong Kong Hong Kong SAR China
The University of Hong Kong (HKU), is Hong Kong’s oldest tertiary institution, with a history stretching back over a hundred years. HKU's exceptional academic standards and pioneering research attract many top-performing scholars in Hong Kong, Mainland China, and overseas. HKU's exceptional academic standards and pioneering research attract many top-performing scholars in Hong Kong, Mainland China, and overseas.

5. King's College London

Ranked 1st in the UK, it offers evidence-based and research-led degree courses with a high level of clinical experience in all areas. It is the largest dental school in the UK graduating around 150 dentists a year. It also has partnerships with the world-famous hospitals: Guy's, King's College, and St Thomas.

6. Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU)

The Faculty of Dentistry was established in 1928 and since that time it has actively contributed to the development of dental medicine in Japan. Their mission is to train global leaders who can develop cutting-edge modern dental care in the highly globalized and aging society. They have introduced a curriculum that integrates medical and dental education; the "Medicine/Dentistry Integrated Undergraduate Curriculum".

7. University of California, San Francisco

The UCSF School of Dentistry has striven to educate the leading practitioners, scholars, and faculty members of the next generation. As a leading institution of oral and craniofacial health, their educational programs have grown to include, in addition to our DDS programs, an array of Ph.D., post-graduate, and residency programs and is also home to several leading translational research programs.

8. Harvard University

The Harvard School of Dental Medicine develops and fosters a community of global leaders dedicated to improving human health by integrating dentistry and medicine.The innovative curricula offer students many opportunities to work with faculty mentors who have extensive expertise in their specialties and value their role as educators of the next generation of professionals in dental medicine and beyond.

9. University of Bern

Temple University Maurice H. Kornberg School of Dentistry has more than 150 years of history in dental education. The school has been involved in all phases as the field of dentistry has developed, from the invention of the first dental chair to today’s state-of-the-art digital technology. It has the advantage of unparalleled access to a patient population that has dental needs with a wide range of oral health conditions. Even beyond the classroom, there is a wealth of alumni-run private practices in the region that often invite students to see firsthand how private practices operate.

10. Karolinska Institutet

The Department of Dental Medicine (Dentmed) creates dental care for the future through state-of-the-art education and meaningful research. In addition, the University Dental Clinic offers a student clinic open to the public where students practice supervised by experienced instructors. As you can see, there are top-tier options for studying dentistry all over the world, but when choosing an institution, always consider what is best for you – not what is best for everyone else. Best wishes! Source : QS World University Rankings

FQAs

What are the best dental schools in the world?

The best dental schools in the world are those that offer comprehensive dental education and training programs, innovative research opportunities, and exceptional clinical experiences. Some of the top dental schools in the world include the University of Michigan School of Dentistry, Harvard School of Dental Medicine, and the University of California Los Angeles School of Dentistry.

What is the ranking of the top 10 dental schools in the world?

The ranking of the top 10 dental schools in the world may vary depending on the criteria used to evaluate them. However, according to the QS World University Rankings 2022, the top 10 dental schools in the world are:
  • University of Michigan School of Dentistry
  • Harvard School of Dental Medicine
  • University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) School of Dentistry
  • Karolinska Institute
  • University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Dentistry
  • King's College London
  • University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine
  • Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU)
  • University of Hong Kong
  • University of Bern

What is the best dental school in the world?

The best dental school in the world may vary depending on the criteria used to evaluate it. However, according to the QS World University Rankings 2022, the University of Michigan School of Dentistry is currently ranked as the best dental school in the world.

Where is the number 1 dental school in the world located?

The number 1 dental school in the world, according to the QS World University Rankings 2022, is located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA, and is known as the University of Michigan School of Dentistry.

What is the top dental school in the world?

The top dental school in the world may vary depending on the criteria used to evaluate it. However, according to the QS World University Rankings 2022, the University of Michigan School of Dentistry is currently ranked as the top dental school in the world.

What are the best colleges for dentistry in the world?

The best colleges for dentistry in the world are those that offer comprehensive dental education and training programs, innovative research opportunities, and exceptional clinical experiences. Some of the best colleges for dentistry in the world include Harvard School of Dental Medicine, King's College London Dental Institute, and Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU).

What are the best dental schools in the US?

The best dental schools in the US are those that offer comprehensive dental education and training programs, innovative research opportunities, and exceptional clinical experiences. Some of the best dental schools in the US include the University of Michigan School of Dentistry, Harvard School of Dental Medicine, and the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) School of Dentistry.

What are the best dental schools in Europe?

The best dental schools in Europe are those that offer comprehensive dental education and training programs, innovative research opportunities, and exceptional clinical experiences. Some of the best dental schools in Europe include King's College London Dental Institute, Karolinska Institute, and the University of Bern.

What are the best dental schools in Canada?

The best dental schools in Canada are those that offer comprehensive dental education and training programs, innovative research opportunities, and exceptional clinical experiences. Some of the best dental schools in Canada include the University of British Columbia Faculty of Dentistry, University of Toronto Faculty of Dentistry, and the University of Alberta School of Dentistry.

What are the criteria used to rank dental schools?

The criteria used to rank dental schools may vary depending on the ranking organization. However, some common criteria used to rank dental schools include academic reputation, research output, employer reputation

What are the top-ranked dental schools in the US?

The top-ranked dental schools in the US include the University of Michigan School of Dentistry, Harvard School of Dental Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Dentistry, and the University of California, Los Angeles School of Dentistry. Other highly ranked dental schools include the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine, the University of Washington School of Dentistry, and the University of Maryland School of Dentistry.

How are dental schools ranked?

Dental schools are ranked based on various factors such as research output, academic reputation, faculty-to-student ratio, student selectivity, clinical training opportunities, and student outcomes. These rankings are usually published by organizations such as U.S. News & World Report, QS World University Rankings, and Academic Ranking of World Universities.

Which universities offer dental courses in the US and Europe?

In the US, universities that offer dental courses include the University of Michigan, Harvard University, University of California, Los Angeles, and New York University. In Europe, some of the top universities offering dental courses are the University of Amsterdam, University of Copenhagen, University of Manchester, and King's College London.

What are the best colleges for dentistry in the US?

The best colleges for dentistry in the US include the University of Michigan School of Dentistry, Harvard School of Dental Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Dentistry, and the University of California, Los Angeles School of Dentistry. Other top colleges for dentistry in the US are the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine, the University of Washington School of Dentistry, and the University of Maryland School of Dentistry.

What is the ranking of Harvard dental school?

Harvard School of Dental Medicine is one of the top-ranked dental schools in the US and the world. In the 2021 QS World University Rankings by Subject, it was ranked as the third-best dental school in the world. In the US, it is also consistently ranked among the top dental schools by organizations such as U.S. News & World Report.

What is the acceptance rate for NYU dental school?

The acceptance rate for NYU dental school varies from year to year and depends on factors such as the number of applicants, the quality of the applicant pool, and the number of available seats in the program. However, in recent years, the acceptance rate for NYU dental school has been around 10-15%.

What is the largest dental school in the US?

The largest dental school in the US is the University of California, San Francisco School of Dentistry. It has a student body of around 500 students and is known for its research and clinical training programs.

What is the first dental college in the world?

The first dental college in the world was the Baltimore College of Dental Surgery, which was founded in 1840. It was later merged with the University of Maryland School of Dentistry in 1923.

What are some good dental schools and colleges in the US?

Some good dental schools and colleges in the US include the University of Michigan School of Dentistry, Harvard School of Dental Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Dentistry, University of California, Los Angeles School of Dentistry, and the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine.

What is the world ranking of dentistry schools?

The world ranking of dentistry schools varies depending on the organization publishing the rankings and the criteria used to rank the schools. However, some of the top-ranked dental schools in the world include the University of Hong Kong, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Karolinska Institutet in Sweden, and the University of Michigan School of Dentistry.

Applicant guide: selecting a dental school worldwide

The institutions in the original list reflect its publication context and should not be presented as a current universal “top 10.” For live annual ranking intent, consult the dedicated QS Dentistry update. This page instead helps applicants assess whether an international programme is professionally and personally suitable.

International programme checklist

  • Confirm institutional and programme accreditation in the country of study.
  • Ask the regulator where you intend to practise whether the degree is recognised and what additional assessment will be required.
  • Compare clinical patient exposure, simulation, faculty supervision and language used with patients.
  • Review entry requirements, duration, internship, visa, tuition, living expenses and insurance.
  • Examine student support, safety, accommodation, graduate outcomes and complaint procedures.
  • Understand that ranking, accreditation and professional registration are different decisions.

In the QS Dentistry 2026 subject ranking, Karolinska Institutet is listed first, but a high research ranking does not by itself establish the best undergraduate clinical pathway for every applicant.

Frequently asked questions

Is a globally ranked dental school recognised everywhere?

No. Each professional regulator determines registration eligibility.

Can graduates return to practise in India automatically?

Do not assume so; verify current Indian recognition and registration requirements before enrolment.

Should applicants choose by ranking alone?

No. Recognition, clinical education, cost, language and licensing pathways are essential.

Why does teaching language matter?

Students must communicate safely with patients, teams and assessors during clinical training.

What is the biggest financial risk?

Underestimating total study and living costs or discovering later that additional licensing education is required.

References

  1. [1]QS Quacquarelli Symonds. QS World University Rankings by Subject: Dentistry QS Rankings. 2026. Available at: source
  2. [2]ShanghaiRanking Consultancy. Global Ranking of Academic Subjects: Dentistry and Oral Sciences ShanghaiRanking. 2025. Available at: source

Written by

Dr. Rockson Samuel

Dr. Rockson Samuel

Founder & Chief Dentist · Indira Dental Clinic; DentalReach

Dr. Rockson Samuel is a dental surgeon, healthcare content strategist, and Founder and Chief Dentist of Indira Dental Clinic in Vellore, Tamil Nadu. He provides comprehensive general and family dental care with professional interests in endodontics, implant dentistry, clear aligner therapy, digital dentistry, preventive care and patient education. A graduate of K.G.F. College of Dental Sciences and Hospital under Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, he also has formal training in management and digital marketing. As Community Leader at DentalReach, he contributes to dental publishing, professional education, international media partnerships and the development of evidence-informed resources for dentists.