Letters of Recommendation for Dental School: Who to Ask and How

Why Letters of Recommendation Matter More Than You Think

Dental schools use letters of recommendation to answer one question: does someone who knows this applicant well think they belong in the profession? A generic "she got an A in my class" letter does almost nothing. A specific, credible letter from someone who watched you work on patients or struggle through a difficult research project does a great deal.

Most dental schools require 2–4 letters, though the exact mix varies. Some specify at least one science faculty letter and one from a practicing dentist. A few programs accept committee letters. Read each school's requirements carefully before you ask anyone.

Who to Ask

Science Faculty

Nearly every dental school wants at least one letter from a science professor — biology, chemistry, or a related discipline. The best science letter comes from a professor who can speak to more than your grade. Think about courses where you went to office hours, participated actively, or worked closely with the instructor in a lab or research context. A professor who taught 300-student lectures and knows you as a face is not your first choice. A lab director who watched you design experiments and troubleshoot failures is.

If you did undergraduate research, a research mentor letter is often more valuable than a second lecture-course professor. Research environments reveal how you think, how you handle failure, and whether you take initiative — all things dental schools want to know.

A Dentist Who Supervised Your Shadowing

This letter carries significant weight precisely because it's profession-specific. A dentist who let you observe their practice for 80 or 100 hours can speak directly to your understanding of dentistry, your professional demeanor with patients, and your manual aptitude. If you shadowed multiple dentists, choose the one who knows you best and who worked in a setting that genuinely interests you — general practice, oral surgery, or a specialty you're considering.

Don't ask a dentist you shadowed for one afternoon. The letter needs to be credible. Superficial shadowing produces superficial letters, and admissions committees know the difference.

A Research Mentor (If Applicable)

If you conducted meaningful research — dental, biomedical, or otherwise — a letter from your PI or supervisor adds a dimension that faculty letters often can't. Research experience is valued but not universally required in dental admissions (it matters more at research-intensive programs), so gauge whether this letter strengthens your particular application or just fills a slot.

Other Possible Recommenders

Some applicants include letters from employers in healthcare settings, dental assistants who worked alongside them, or community service supervisors. These work well as supplemental letters when you have a strong base of the required types. They should add new information — not repeat what your science faculty letter already covers.

Committee Letters vs. Individual Letters

Some undergraduate institutions offer a pre-health committee letter that compiles input from multiple faculty members into a single evaluated document. If your school offers a committee letter and has a strong track record placing students in health professional programs, use it — admissions committees give these significant weight because they represent an institutional endorsement. Ask your pre-health advisor whether your school's committee letter is well-regarded and what the process requires.

If your school does not offer a committee letter, submit individual letters as specified. Do not manufacture a "committee letter" by asking multiple faculty to co-sign a single document — that's not the same thing.

How to Ask Well

Asking for a letter is a professional interaction. Do it in person or by video call when possible — not by email. Come prepared to explain why you're applying to dental school, where you're applying, and why you're asking that specific person. Give them an easy out: "I want to make sure you can write me a strong letter — if you have any reservations, I completely understand." A hesitant recommender who feels cornered will write a weak letter. Let them decline.

When they agree, provide a clear packet of information:

• Your personal statement or a draft of it
• Your CV or resume
• A list of schools you're applying to and their deadlines
• Any specific experiences you shared with them that you'd like them to mention
• AADSAS submission instructions and your letter ID

Do not assume they remember every detail of your work. Make it easy for them to write specifically about you.

Timeline

AADSAS applications open in May for the following entering class. Letters submitted through AADSAS are held until your application is verified. The practical target: ask recommenders in February or March, give them materials by April, and aim to have all letters submitted to AADSAS by late June or early July. Early applications with complete letters move to schools faster. Late letters slow everything down.

Send a polite reminder two to three weeks before your target submission date if you haven't received confirmation. Recommenders are busy. A single professional follow-up is appropriate and expected.

AADSAS Letter Service

AADSAS manages letters centrally. Each recommender submits directly through the AADSAS letter portal. You assign a letter ID to each recommender and track status through your application portal. Letters are released to dental schools as part of your verified application.

A few dental schools accept letters through Interfolio or their own portals — confirm this for each school on your list. Most use AADSAS.

After the Letters Are In

Send a handwritten or typed thank-you note to each recommender after they submit. This is not optional — it's professional courtesy that takes five minutes. If you're admitted, let them know. Recommenders invest real time in students they believe in. Close the loop.