Best Dental Schools in Tennessee 2024 | All You Need to Know

Explore our comprehensive guide to the best dental schools in Tennessee in 2023. Find all the information you need to know about the top-rated institutions offering dental education and training in Tennessee. Discover the perfect dental school to shape your future career at the best dental schools in Tennessee.

Schools of dentistry in TN are spread across counties such as Nashville and Knoxville, and knowing how much each school costs before enrollment is key to making an informed decision.

Dental schools are opened to train you strategically on all you need to become a dentist.

Courses offered in schools of dentistry are categorized at different stages to give you a fitting to explore the profession upon graduation.

However, a lot depends on the school that trained you.

Hence the essence of this article.

Here in this guide, we have leveraged quality information to detail the best dentistry schools in Tennessee.

Also, we have specified how much each dental school will cost for tuition and other expenses.  

We have also referenced some of the TN dental schools in Nashville and Knoxville, some of the popular counties in Tennessee.

Let’s get started!!!

ALSO READ: Top 10 Best Dental Hygiene Schools in Tennessee

What is Dentistry and What Does a Dentist Do?

A dentist is trained professionally to treat oral health by attending to the teeth and gums. 

Dentists are at the frontline of good oral health. 

Dentists work with communities to prevent and treat dental/oral disease, correct dental irregularities, and treat dental/facial injuries.

They remove decay, repair damaged teeth, and examine x-rays to diagnose problems.

Because there is a dental hygienist who does the superficial work of oral care, most people think that the job of a dentist is limited to the extraction and insertion of teeth. 

Dentistry goes beyond that.

Dentistry is the medical study of teeth and oral health. 

It involves the treatment of diseases and other conditions that affect the teeth and gums, especially the repair and extraction of teeth and the insertion of artificial ones.

Dentistry involves studying, diagnosing, preventing, and treating diseases, disorders, and oral conditions.

This course has a wide variety of branches.

Hence anyone interested in becoming a dentist should consider the aspects of dentistry in which they want to specialize.

And outside of practicing dentistry, dentists can go into research or teach students.

Is Tennessee a Good Place to Study Dentistry? 

Tennessee is an excellent place to study in the USA.

Tennessee institutions offer a variety of outstanding ESL Programs, large universities, and community and private colleges with numerous extracurricular activities that interest both local and international students.

If you’re looking to pursue a degree, gain experience, and learn about the US southern culture, Tennessee is an excellent place for international studies.

However, in dentistry, Tennessee has just one private not-for-profit college and one public university offering dentistry education.

And as with its custom, the dental schools in Tennessee offer quality education, but each school has much of its dental program cost.

What is the Job Outlook for Dentists in Tennessee?

Dentists are highly in need across the United States, Tennessee inclusive.

There are over 2,500 dental practices and around 6,800 practitioners in Tennessee.

The demand for dentists will continue to increase as the population ages and research links oral health to overall health.

Are there Schools of Dentistry in Tennessee?

Their dental schools in Tennessee are spread across Nashville, Memphis, Knoxville, and other counties in TN.

These schools focus on dental research and clinical so that students can get a hands-on education, preparing them to become licensed dental practitioners.

In the whole of Tennessee, prospective dental students have just two school options to choose from.

You will find the list below;

Whatever the case, you will find the best schools for dental programs in Tennessee.

ALSO READ: 10 Best Dental Schools in Missouri | All You Need To Know

What Courses Will I Study in TN Dental Schools?

As we stated earlier, the course: dentistry cuts across many areas and specializations.

Before you enroll for Dentistry in any of the TN dental schools in Nashville or Knoxville, Tennessee, you should know what path of the dental professional you want to specialize in.

Knowing what path to take in dentistry will help you choose a school tailored to your academic and career needs. 

Here are some of the career paths in dentistry you should know before you specialize;

1. Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery focus on researching, identifying, and diagnosing mouth, teeth, and diseases surrounding such regions.

2. Dental Public Health 

This course promotes good dental health and the prevention of dental diseases in specific communities.

3. Dental Anesthesiology

Dental anesthesiology is a specialty of dentistry that deals with the advanced use of general anesthesia, sedation, and pain management to facilitate dental procedures.

4. Oral Medicine Dentistry

This dentistry specialty focuses on providing oral health care to patients with chronic, recurrent, and medically related disorders of the oral and maxillofacial region and with their diagnosis and non-surgical management.

5. Orofacial Pain Dentistry

Orofacial pain describes symptoms of pain or dysfunction in the head and neck region as it affects oral health.

6. Periodontics

This aspect of dentistry involves diagnosing and treating diseases of gum tissue and bones supporting teeth.

7. Prosthodontics

This involves restoring natural teeth or replacing missing teeth or oral structures with artificial devices like dentures.

8. Endodontics

Endodontics is one of the courses you will take in the School of Dentistry in Tennessee.

This course involves preventing and treating diseases and injuries of the dental pulp and surrounding tissues; performing root canals.

9. Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology

Diagnosing and managing oral diseases and disorders using x-rays and other forms of imaging.

10. Pediatric Dentistry

Diagnosing and treating the oral health care needs of infants and children through adolescence. 

Read Also: The Best Dental Schools In New York City

Important Factors You Must Consider When Choosing Dental Schools in Tennessee.

Although you don’t have too many options to choose from when it comes to schools of dentistry in Tennessee, you still have to know what you are looking for or apply to other dental schools in other states of the US.

If the school of dentistry in TN cannot provide you with the best education for your career, then you can look for other options in other states of the US.

So, to assist you in making an informed decision, we have compiled a few pieces of information that will serve as a reference while selecting a dental school.

Here are some things to think about when looking for dental schools in Tennessee in cities such as Nashville and Knoxville TN;

1. Type of Dentistry Program 

Most dental schools offer bachelor’s degrees at the undergraduate level and a doctorate program at an advanced level.

There are also certificate programs in dentistry that serve as an alternative to diploma and degree programs in dentistry.

So, you must find out what degree the school offers and if that suits your academic needs.

2. The School Academic Reputation

You should look out for a school that has been in good academic standing over the years.

When it comes to selecting colleges, a high academic reputation is a crucial thing to consider.

You can judge a school’s reputation from rankings and its ability to deliver an excellent education that prepares you for your job.

Therefore, you must check through the years what the school represents in dentistry. 

3. Cost Of Dental Education

How much does a dental school cost in Tennessee?

The tuition costs of dental schools should be the first thing in consideration when selecting a school from the list of dental schools in Tennessee.

You should know how much it will cost you to attend dental school in TN from the beginning to completion.

4. Duration of Dental Program 

As we have earlier stated, dentistry programs last 8- years, with 4 years earning a bachelor’s degree as an undergraduate and 4 years earning a DDS or DMD in dentistry schools.

This is a crucial consideration when selecting a school for dental training because it also impacts how much you can spend on tuition.

ALSO READ: Best Schools For Dental Hygienist In Missouri

Best Dental Schools in Tennessee 2023

Without further ado, here is the list of dental schools in Memphis, Nashville and Knoxville, Tennessee (TN);

#1. University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Dentistry.

• Founded: 1878
• Location: Memphis, TN

In the southern United States, the University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Dentistry is the oldest dental college and one of the first nationwide. 

University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Dentistry has a track record in providing top-tier professional, graduate, and post-graduate education. 

Dentistry in the University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Dentistry is laced with practical experiences in state-of-the-art dental research and public service.

Dental Courses Offered in University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Dentistry

In the first year at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Dentistry, students study basic sciences such as!

• Anatomy.
• Pathology
• Histology
• Biochemistry
• Microbiology

 In the following years, students will learn more advanced topics, such as

• Pain control
• Oral radiology
• Clinical courses

Many love the University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Dentistry because of the outstanding curriculum and how students can provide dental services to patients under faculty supervision. 

This allows students to develop essential technical and interpersonal skills. 

Also, students learn using the latest technology, such as DentSim, an advanced dental simulator.

Furthermore, dental students at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Dentistry work in 40 workstations containing high-speed handpieces, suction tips, and patient mannequins. 

Students who need financial aid can apply for various financial resources. 

The University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Dentistry has over 75 student awards, need-based and otherwise. 

#2. Meharry Medical College School of Dentistry

• Location Nashville, TN

Meharry Medical College School of Dentistry in Nashville, TN, is one of Tennessee’s two best dental schools. 

The school is dedicated to excellence in teaching, research, and service, putting them at the forefront of the quest for quality healthcare for everyone. 

Each year, the dental program at Meharry Medical College School of Dentistry receives nearly 2,000 applications and admits just 60 students. 

This means that Meharry Medical College School of Dentistry’s dental program is highly competitive.

As an extension to studies, every Meharry student has opportunities and an encouraging environment, faculty, and campus who are dedicated to their success. 

Dental Courses Offered in Meharry Medical College School of Dentistry

In the first year at Meharry Medical College School of Dentistry, students study basic sciences such as!

Anatomy.

• Pathology
• Histology
• Biochemistry
• Microbiology

 In the following years, students will learn more advanced topics, such as

• Pain control
• Oral radiology
• Clinical courses

While studying, the dental students at Meharry Medical College School of Dentistry learn using a practical approach to come to terms with how to perform surgery, etc.

At Meharry’s Nashville campus, there are patient clinics, research laboratories, teaching facilities, and educational programs; that ready students to provide oral health care for many Tennessee residents.

The good news about Meharry Medical College School of Dentistry is the availability of funding for Endodontics, orthodontics, pediatric dentistry, restorative dentistry, oral and maxillofacial surgery, and oral diagnostic sciences research.

Read Also: Best Dental Hygienist Schools in Chicago

Frequently Asked Questions About Dental Schools in Tennessee

References

• https://learn.org/ – Which Dental Schools Are in Tennessee?
• https://collegegazette.com/ – The Best Dental Schools in Tennessee