Dental Schools That Require CASPer in Canada and the US
Dental school admissions is built around academic performance, DAT scores, clinical experience, and interviews. For applicants targeting programs that require the CASPer test, there is one more critical component to plan for. A growing number of DDS and DMD programs in Canada and the United States now require CASPer as a standardized measure of the non academic competencies that define effective dental practice, which is empathy, communication, ethical reasoning, and professionalism.
Which dental schools require CASPer? How do DDS and DMD programs use CASPer scores alongside DAT results? And how should dental applicants prepare differently from medical school applicants? This guide answers all three questions with a list of dental programs requiring CASPer, an explanation of how scores are used in dental admissions, and a preparation framework built around the competencies dental programs weight most heavily.
Applicants confirmed for dental programs requiring CASPer can begin structured preparation immediately through MYLS Interview, which covers all nine official CASPer competencies with AI powered feedback on every practice response. Nine CASPer competencies include collaboration, communication, empathy, fairness, ethics, motivation, problem solving, resilience and self-awareness.
Do Dental Schools Require CASPer?
Yes. A growing number of dental schools require CASPer as part of their admissions process. CASPer adoption in dentistry has followed a similar trajectory to medical school adoption, starting with Canadian institutions and expanding to US programs over subsequent cycles. According to (https://acuityinsights.app/), dental program adoption of CASPer has grown significantly over the past three admissions cycles. Also, dental program adoption of CASPer has grown significantly over the past three admissions cycles, with Canadian and US DDS and DMD programs increasingly incorporating it as a standardized non academic assessment tool. Dental programs require CASPer because patient communication, ethical decision making, and professional empathy are as central to dental practice as they are to medicine, and these qualities are not captured by DAT scores or GPA alone.
Dental applicants sit the same CASPer test type as medical school applicants in their respective country. Canadian dental applicants take the Canadian Medical test type; US dental applicants take the US Medical test type. The nine competencies assessed are identical across all professional program test types. Dental specific scenarios may appear within the test, but CASPer evaluates general professional competency rather than dental knowledge.
Canadian Dental Schools That Require CASPer
Canadian dental programs requiring CASPer represent some of the most competitive DDS programs in the country. As of the 2026 admissions cycle, confirmed Canadian dental schools that require CASPer include:
| Dental School | University | Program | Province | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Faculty of Dentistry | University of Toronto | DDS | Ontario | Required for all applicants |
| Faculty of Dentistry | University of British Columbia | DMD | British Columbia | Required for all applicants |
| Faculty of Dentistry | Dalhousie University | DDS | Nova Scotia | Required for all applicants |
| Faculty of Dental Medicine and Oral Health Sciences | McGill University | DMD | Quebec | Required for all applicants |
| School of Dentistry | University of Alberta | DDS | Alberta | Confirm for current cycle |
| College of Dentistry | University of Saskatchewan | DMD | Saskatchewan | Confirm for current cycle |
Ontario and Quebec
The University of Toronto Faculty of Dentistry is the largest dental school in Canada. Canadian dental applicants should follow this preparation sequence:
- Confirm CASPer requirements for each target dental program
- Register for the Canadian Medical test type at Acuity Insights
- Schedule your test between March and May
- Complete four weeks of structured CASPer scenario practice
- Sit the test and designate all target programs for score distribution Canadian dental applicants should follow this preparation sequence:
- Confirm CASPer requirements for each target dental program
British Columbia and Atlantic Canada
The University of British Columbia DMD program uses CASPer as part of its holistic admissions process, which emphasizes patient centred care and community health values alongside academic excellence.
US Dental Schools That Require CASPer
US dental school adoption of CASPer has grown significantly in recent cycles. DDS and DMD programs across the United States are increasingly incorporating CASPer as a standardized non academic assessment tool alongside DAT scores, GPA, and interviews.
| Dental School | University | Program | State | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| School of Dentistry | Marquette University | DDS | Wisconsin | Required for all applicants |
| College of Dentistry | University of Illinois Chicago | DMD | Illinois | Required for all applicants |
| School of Dental Medicine | East Carolina University | DMD | North Carolina | Required for all applicants |
| School of Dental Medicine | Roseman University | DMD | Nevada and Utah | Required for all applicants |
| College of Dental Medicine | Midwestern University | DMD | Arizona and Illinois | Confirm for current cycle |
| Additional US programs | Various | DDS and DMD | Various | Requirements expanding each cycle |
Midwest and East Coast US Dental Programs
US dental programs requiring CASPer span Wisconsin, Illinois, North Carolina, Nevada, Utah, and Arizona. US dental applicants apply through AADSAS (Associated American Dental Schools Application Service). The American Dental Education Association publishes annual dental school admission requirements including CASPer requirements. CASPer scores must be available before the program application review begins. Confirm the submission deadline for each program directly, as dental school deadlines vary more widely than medical school deadlines.
How Dental Schools Use CASPer Scores
Dental programs use CASPer in ways that reflect the specific competency demands of dental practice. Patient communication and professional empathy are particularly central to dental admissions because dentistry requires sustained, trust based relationships with patients who may be anxious, vulnerable, or in pain.
Pre interview screening: Some dental programs use CASPer as a filter before extending interview invitations. Applicants below a threshold quartile may not receive an interview regardless of DAT score or GPA.
Composite admissions score: Many programs incorporate CASPer as one weighted component of a composite score alongside DAT, GPA, personal statement quality, and reference letter strength.
Interview preparation insight: Some programs use CASPer results to inform interview questions, directing interviewers to probe areas where an applicant CASPer responses raised questions or showed inconsistency.
CASPer for Dental vs Medical School: Key Differences
Dental and medical school applicants sit the same CASPer test type and face the same nine competencies. However, the application context differs in ways that shape how dental applicants should think about their responses.
| Factor | Medical School Context | Dental School Context |
|---|---|---|
| Patient relationship | Broad, multi speciality | Sustained, often anxiety focused |
| Team dynamics | Large clinical teams | Smaller practice teams |
| Ethical focus | Clinical ethics, research | Patient autonomy, informed consent |
| Communication emphasis | Diagnosis, treatment plans | Patient education, anxiety management |
| CASPer test type | Canadian Medical or US Medical | Same type as medical applicants |
Dental applicants benefit from reflecting on patient communication and anxiety management scenarios in their preparation. While CASPer does not test dental knowledge, responses that draw on patient centred values and interpersonal communication tend to align well with what dental programs look for in non academic assessment.
Dental School CASPer: Answers to the Questions Applicants Ask Most
Who needs to take CASPer for dental school?
Applicants to dental programs that list CASPer as a required admissions component must complete it through Acuity Insights. In Canada, confirmed programs include University of Toronto, UBC, Dalhousie, and McGill. In the US, confirmed programs include Marquette, University of Illinois Chicago, East Carolina, and Roseman. Always confirm requirements directly on each program admissions page, as the list expands each cycle.
What CASPer test type do dental applicants take?
Canadian dental applicants take the Canadian Medical test type. US dental applicants take the US Medical test type. The test type is determined by the country of the program you are applying to, not the discipline. If you are applying to both dental and medical programs in the same country, your single sitting covers both. You do not need to sit separately for dental and medical applications of the same test type.
When should dental school applicants take CASPer?
Canadian dental applicants should aim to sit CASPer between March and May, aligning with Canadian dental school application deadlines that typically fall in autumn. US dental applicants should confirm their specific program deadlines through AADSAS and sit CASPer early enough that scores are available before file review begins. Register early as popular spring test dates fill several weeks in advance.
Where do dental applicants register for CASPer?
Dental applicants register through the Acuity Insights platform at Acuity Insights. Select the test type that matches the country of your programs, choose a date, complete payment, and designate which programs receive your scores.
Why do dental schools require CASPer when they already conduct interviews?
Dental schools require CASPer because it provides a standardized measure of non academic competencies that can be applied consistently across all applicants before the resource intensive interview stage. Interviews assess similar qualities but are subject to interviewer variability and are only conducted for shortlisted applicants. CASPer helps programs identify applicants with strong professional competency profiles before investing in the interview process.
How should dental applicants prepare differently from medical applicants?
Dental applicants sit the same CASPer test type and face the same nine competencies as medical applicants. The core preparation approach is identical. The main difference is in the personal experience library dental applicants draw on: scenarios involving patient communication, anxiety management, informed consent, and dental practice ethics are particularly relevant for dental applicants to include in their preparation.
How MYLS Interview Helps Dental School Applicants Prepare for CASPer
Dental school applicants face a highly competitive admissions process where CASPer is an increasingly important differentiator. MYLS Interview is an AI powered mock interview platform supporting applicants to prepare competitive professional university programs, including DDS and DMD programs across Canada and the United States.
About MYLS Interview
MYLS Interview is a dedicated mock interview and admissions preparation platform offering over 190 interview programs and 24,000 practice questions. It covers CASPer preparation for dental school applicants with AI powered feedback scored against the official nine competency framework.
Our Features
- 190+ interview programs covering CASPer for Canadian and US dental program applicants
- 24,000+ practice questions spanning all nine competencies and all three CASPer question types
- AI powered response feedback identifying which competencies were demonstrated clearly and which need work
- Timed mock tests replicating dental school CASPer conditions with typed and video sections in sequence
- Video response practice with playback and delivery feedback
- Flexible preparation schedule compatible with DAT preparation timelines
How We Can Help Dental School Applicants
For dental school applicants, CASPer preparation is an opportunity to demonstrate the patient centred values and communication strengths that define effective dental practice. MYLS Interview AI feedback system identifies the specific competencies dental programs weight most heavily, ensuring that every practice session targets the qualities that move the needle on quartile placement. Applicants preparing for DDS or DMD programs can practice the full mock CASPer Test and begin scored practice immediately.
Start Preparing for Dental School CASPer Today
For dental programs that use CASPer as a pre interview filter, your quartile result determines whether your application moves forward regardless of your DAT score or GPA. For programs using it as a composite score component, a Q3 or Q4 result can differentiate you from applicants with identical academic metrics.
Applicants targeting DDS or DMD programs who want scored, AI powered CASPer preparation can start immediately with CASPer Test
Start for FREE CASPer Test Practice
Frequently Asked Questions
Do all dental schools require CASPer?
No. CASPer is required by a growing but still partial list of dental schools. In Canada, confirmed programs include University of Toronto, UBC, Dalhousie, and McGill. In the US, confirmed programs include Marquette, University of Illinois Chicago, East Carolina, and Roseman, among others. Many dental schools do not currently require CASPer. Always confirm requirements for each specific program in the cycle you are applying in.
Is the CASPer test the same for dental and medical school?
Yes. Canadian dental applicants take the Canadian Medical test type; US dental applicants take the US Medical test type. The same versions taken by medical school applicants in their respective countries. The format, competencies, scoring model, and score reporting are identical. A single sitting covers both dental and medical school programs of the same test type.
What is a good CASPer score for dental school?
Dental school applicants should target Q3 as the minimum and Q4 as the preparation goal, consistent with targets for medical school applicants. Q4 represents the top 25% of test takers for that test type and cycle. Programs using CASPer as a pre interview filter may set Q3 or Q4 as the threshold. Applicants do not receive their own score, it is sent directly to designated programs.
How long does CASPer preparation take for dental school applicants?
Most dental school applicants benefit from three to four weeks of structured preparation to perform consistently in Q3 or Q4. This timeline is the same as for medical school applicants because the test type, format, and competencies are identical. Applicants juggling DAT preparation alongside CASPer preparation should schedule CASPer for a separate four week window rather than attempting to prepare for both simultaneously.