Dental summer programs for high school students offer an exciting introduction to the world of dentistry through hands-on learning, lab activities and real-world clinical exposure. In these programs, you may explore topics such as oral anatomy, tooth structure, gum health, and common dental conditions while discovering how dentists diagnose and treat patients. You could also learn how procedures such as fillings, impressions, and restorations are performed through simulation-based practice using typodont models, and modern dental tools such as dental drills, X-ray imaging systems, and digital scanners. You may also analyze case studies and understand how treatment plans are developed based on patient diagnosis, and see how dentistry integrates biology, materials science, and clinical precision.
Why should you choose a dental summer program?
Dental summer programs are hosted by universities, dental schools and healthcare institutions, and provide exposure to real clinical and academic environments. These programs may include lab demonstrations, clinical observations, and sessions on preventive care, infection control, and patient communication. You also gain insights into dental education pathways and the skills required for careers in dentistry. To help you get started, we’ve put together a list of 15 dental summer programs for high school students.
1. HMS MEDscience — MEDscienceDental Summer (Harvard Medical School)
Location: Harvard Medical School, 210 Longwood Ave, Boston, MA (non-residential; commuter only)
Cost/Stipend: $2,800; limited scholarships available for Boston-area students
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; small cohort
Dates: 1 week in summer; Monday 8:30am–3:30pm, Tuesday–Thursday 9am–3:30pm, Friday 9am–2pm
Application Deadline: Applications open January 1; deadline March 15; notifications April 8
Eligibility: Students currently in grades 9–12; alumni may only apply to programs they have not previously completed; open nationally; no prior dental or science prerequisites required
MEDscienceDental is a 5-day, full-day program at Harvard Medical School for high school students in grades 9–12 who are interested in exploring dentistry and oral healthcare. You work in HMS’s high-tech simulation lab on lifelike patient mannequins, learning to evaluate, diagnose, and treat oral health conditions in realistic clinical scenarios. The program introduces you to hands-on skills including placing IVs, suturing, taking impressions, digital intraoral scanning, and filling simulated tooth cavities. You’ll also spend a day at Harvard School of Dental Medicine with faculty and dental residents, and attend case-based workshops on how oral health connects to systemic medicine. The program is non-residential, so housing is not provided. Scrubs and all materials are included in the program fee.
2. Tufts University — Mini Dental School: Explorations in Dental Medicine
Location: Tufts Health Sciences Campus, Boston, MA (commuter and residential options)
Cost/Stipend: residential and commuter options available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; limited seats
Dates: June 23–27 (commuter, 1 week); additional sessions available
Application Deadline: Rolling from December
Eligibility: Students entering grades 10–12 or recently graduated; residential students must be at least 15 and no older than 19 upon program completion; international students welcome
Tufts’ Mini Dental School is a 1-week (commuter or residential) program hosted on Tufts’ Boston Health Sciences Campus, led by faculty from the Tufts University School of Dental Medicine (TUSDM). During the program, you’ll build hands-on clinical skills by practicing procedures such as cavity preparations, plaque removal, and suturing in TUSDM’s dental labs, work through real patient case studies, and explore dental specialties including orthodontics, oral surgery, and pediatric dentistry. The program concludes with a capstone project, where you’ll apply your learning to develop a dental health solution or proposal. Residential students must carry valid U.S.-based health insurance for the program’s duration.
3. Stony Brook University School of Dental Medicine — Discover Dental School Summer Program
Location: Stony Brook University School of Dental Medicine, Stony Brook, NY (residential)
Cost/Stipend: $2,375 (residential; all-inclusive)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; small cohort
Dates: 6 days in summer
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors (completed grade 9+); open to students from across the U.S.; no prerequisites required
Stony Brook’s Discover Dental School is a 5-day residential pre-college program that gives high school students an inside look at dental education and clinical training at the Stony School of Dental Medicine. You’ll work at the school’s advanced preclinical laboratory using real dental equipment, including high-speed dental handpieces and instruments, make typodont impressions and pour stone models, practice cavity preparations, fabricate athletic mouthguards, and watch live demonstrations in the state-of-the-art Center for Implant and Dental Technology (CIDT). Faculty and current Stony Brook dental students guide all lab sessions. Outside of class, you’ll experience campus life at Stony Brook University and take social excursions across Long Island. The program also introduces you to Stony Brook’s Scholars for Dental Medicine Program, a combined BS/DDS pathway for students planning long-term careers in dentistry.
4. Texas A&M College of Dentistry — SPEP 10 & 11 (Bridge to Dentistry)
Location: Texas A&M College of Dentistry, Dallas, TX (in-person)
Cost/Stipend: Free (HRSA-funded)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; committee-based review
Dates: Summer
Application Deadline: February 27
Eligibility: Rising 10th and 11th graders who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents in the Dallas area; GPA 2.75+; must have completed at least two Hepatitis B doses before attending; priority for students from underserved communities
SPEP 10 & 11 is a free summer pre-dental enrichment program for rising 10th and 11th graders in the Dallas area, funded by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). Over several weeks, you’ll explore topics such as dental anatomy, practice hands-on clinical techniques, attend seminars on preparing for dental school, and attend academic enrichment activities designed to strengthen your science knowledge and study skills for the pre-dental track. SPEP 10 & 11 especially encourages applications from students belonging to underserved backgrounds with demonstrated potential to work in communities with limited access to dental care. Applicants should note that two letters of recommendation and a completed Hepatitis B vaccination series are required before the program begins.
5. VCU School of Dentistry — Dental Careers Exploration (DCE)
Location: VCU School of Dentistry, 520 N. 12th St., Richmond, VA (in-person; commuter; no housing provided)
Cost/Stipend: Free (lunch provided daily; no program fee); students from outside Richmond responsible for their own housing
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; small local cohort
Dates: July 13–17 (9:30am–3:30pm each day)
Application Deadline: May 2 (application opens November 18)
Eligibility: Rising 10th graders through graduating seniors; Richmond area students prioritized (out-of-area students may apply); GPA 3.0+; U.S. citizens or permanent residents only; must have completed 9th grade before the program begins
VCU’s DCE is a free 5-day program at Virginia Commonwealth University’s School of Dentistry for high school students in the Richmond area interested in exploring careers in dentistry and oral healthcare. Daily sessions from 9:30am–3:30pm introduces you to topics such as dental anatomy, oral healthcare and professional pathways including careers as dentists, dental hygienists, and dental specialists. In VCU’s clinical labs, you’ll gain practical experience through activities such as tooth carving, dental impressions, suturing technique, and explore digital dentistry tools used in modern dental care. The program is completely free and lunch is provided daily. Students from outside the Metro Richmond area can apply but must arrange their own housing.
6. Rutgers School of Dental Medicine — Decision for Dentistry (High School Program)
Location: Rutgers School of Dental Medicine, Newark, NJ (in-person)
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 45 students total (across 3 cohorts)
Dates: Three visits during the academic year (not a summer program)
Application Deadline: Reopens April 2026 for the next cycle
Eligibility: High school students; New Jersey area students prioritized
Rutgers’ Decision for Dentistry is a structured, three-phase year-long program that introduces high school students to dental careers through three campus visits. Day 1 includes an orientation and hands-on typodont impression activity with faculty. Day 2 involves chairside clinical observation of dental students in a real clinical setting, helping you understand how patient care and dental training work in practice. Day 3 is a formal admissions symposium designed for both you and a family member or counselor, where you’ll learn about dental school prerequisites, applications, and the admissions process. You’ll receive mentorship from current Rutgers dental students throughout the program.
7. University of the Pacific — Dental Camp (Future Dentists Program)
Location: University of the Pacific, Stockton, CA (residential) + Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry, San Francisco, CA (excursion)
Cost/Stipend: 2-week residential program; housing and meals included
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly specified
Dates: 2 weeks in summer
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students
Pacific’s Dental Camp is a residential summer program for high school students hosted by the University of the Pacific, with excursions to the renowned Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry. On the Stockton campus, you’ll attend lectures and seminars with Dugoni faculty, alumni, and industry professionals, and participate in hands-on clinical simulations, where you’ll practice skills such as blood pressure measurement, suturing, and medical emergency management. A highlight of the program is a visit to the Dugoni School of Dentistry at The San Francisco, one of the most active dental school clinic environments in the U.S. The program also covers college preparation and strategies for building a competitive dental school application.
8. Texas A&M College of Dentistry — SPEP 12 (Bridge to Dentistry, Rising Seniors)
Location: Texas A&M College of Dentistry, Dallas, TX (in-person; 8:30am–3pm daily)
Cost/Stipend: Free (HRSA-funded)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; committee-based review
Dates: Approximately June 5–June 30
Application Deadline: February 27
Eligibility: Rising 12th graders (current 11th graders) who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents; GPA 2.75+; Dallas area preferred; must demonstrate potential to serve underserved communities; Hepatitis B doses required
SPEP 12 is a 4-week free pre-dental enrichment program for rising 12th graders who are serious about pursuing careers in dentistry and healthcare. Running 8:30am–3:00pm daily, the program covers dental anatomy, preclinical technique, academic skill development, and SAT preparation alongside hands-on dental lab activities. The program is specifically designed to increase readiness for dental school admission and to support students who are interested in serving underserved populations. Like SPEP 10/11, this program is HRSA-funded and requires completed Hepatitis B doses and two teacher recommendation letters.
9. USC Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry — Dental Science Summer Experience
Location: Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC, Los Angeles, CA (in-person, commuter)
Cost/Stipend: $50 registration fee; $5/day lunch voucher provided; no housing, transportation, or stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly specified
Dates: Typically June–July (multiple short sessions; 3–5 days each)
Application Deadline: Rolling; priority by April–May
Eligibility: High school students and early college students with interest in dentistry
USC Ostrow’s program is a multi-day structured experience designed for high school students interested in exploring dentistry through direct clinical exposure. Hosted by USC Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry, the program places pre-dental high school and early college students directly in one of the most highly regarded dental schools on the West Coast. You’ll participate in activities including team building exercises, chairside clinical observation, hands-on lab exercises, and attend lectures on current issues in dentistry. The program includes a nominal registration fee, does not provide stipends or housing, and participants are responsible for handling their own transportation. Lunch vouchers are provided for on-campus dining.
10. Indiana University School of Dentistry — IUSD Predental Summer Program (Explore Dentistry)
Location: Indiana University School of Dentistry, Indianapolis, IN (in-person)
Cost/Stipend: $200–$500 (varies by format; usually commuter, no stipend)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly specified
Dates: Summer
Application Deadline: Typically April–May
Eligibility: High school students with interest in dentistry
Indiana University School of Dentistry (IUSD) runs a structured pre-dental exposure program for motivated high school students interested in exploring dentistry. During the program, you’ll tour IUSD’s dental facilities, participate in hands-on simulations in preclinical labs, and have direct conversations with IUSD faculty and dental students. Activities cover the range of dental specialties, giving you a feel for preclinical coursework, and help you understand what makes a strong and competitive dental school applicant. IUSD is one of the largest dental schools in the U.S. by class size and offers a strong clinical training infrastructure. You should check for the current program format and availability, as programming has varied between one-day and multi-day formats in different years.
11. Midwestern University — College of Dental Medicine Pre-Dental Workshop (Glendale, AZ)
Location: Midwestern University College of Dental Medicine, Glendale, AZ (in-person, 1-day)
Cost/Stipend: Course fee: $145; materials kit fee: $165
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open enrollment (capacity-based; pay-to-attend)
Dates: 1-day workshop in summer
Application Deadline: Rolling until capacity is filled (typically closes 2–4 weeks before session)
Eligibility: Pre-dental students including high school students
Midwestern University’s pre-dental workshop is a 1-day hands-on experience that gives high school students an introduction to foundational clinical techniques using real dental materials and equipment commonly used in dental education. Throughout the program, you’ll participate in hands-on activities such as taking alginate impressions, pouring and trimming stone models, cavity preparations with an electric dental handpiece, waxing tooth anatomy, placing amalgam restorations, and performing hot wax carving for prosthetics. The workshop is structured around techniques that directly mirror first-year dental school preclinical coursework.
12. NYU College of Dentistry — Pre-College Dental Exploration Program
Location: NYU College of Dentistry, 345 E. 24th St., New York, NY (in-person)
Cost/Stipend: $300–$1,000 (varies by session length; no stipend)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly specified
Dates: June–July (multi-day sessions; typically 3–7 days)
Application Deadline: Rolling; priority by April
Eligibility: High school students with interest in dentistry; check dental.nyu.edu for current eligibility criteria
NYU’s College of Dentistry offers structured pre-college exposure programming for high school students interested in exploring careers in dentistry and oral healthcare. Located in the Kips Bay neighborhood of Manhattan, NYU Dental sees over 100,000 patient visits each year, making it one of the highest clinic volumes of any U.S. dental school. The pre-college programming includes lab sessions, faculty-led discussions on dental specialties, tours of clinic facilities and simulation labs, and exposure to NYU’s dental program infrastructure. You should check for current program availability, format, and dates, as programming varies by year.
13. University of Minnesota School of Dentistry — Pre-Dental Summer Experience
Location: University of Minnesota School of Dentistry, Minneapolis, MN (in-person)
Cost/Stipend: Free or low-cost ($0–$300 depending on funding year)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; small cohort
Dates: Summer
Application Deadline: Typically March–April
Eligibility: High school students; priority for underrepresented backgrounds
The University of Minnesota School of Dentistry runs a pre-dental experience for high school and early college students interested in exploring careers in dentistry and oral healthcare. Based in the Minneapolis area, the program provides access to one of the largest dental school clinical training facilities in the Midwest. During the program, you’ll shadow dental students in the school’s care clinic, attend faculty-led seminars on dental specialties and the path to dental school, and participate in hands-on simulations in the preclinical lab. The program gives priority to students from backgrounds that are underrepresented in the health professions. Check dentistry.umn.edu for current program offerings, as the program format has varied across years, between half-day and multi-day programs.
14. University of Pennsylvania — Penn Dental Medicine Summer Mentorship Program (SMP)
Location: University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA (in-person)
Cost/Stipend: Free (may include stipends depending on cohort year)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; small cohort (20–30 students)
Dates: Typically 4–6 weeks in summer
Application Deadline: Usually February–March
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors (primarily U.S.-based; priority for underrepresented backgrounds in healthcare)
The Summer Mentorship Program at University of Pennsylvania’s Penn Dental Medicine provides a pre-dental exposure experience for high school students. The program helps you explore both the clinical and academic environment of a top-tier dental school, combining structured learning with mentorship. You’ll engage in hands-on preclinical lab activities such as instrument handling and simulation work, while also shadowing dental students and faculty members in clinical settings. Faculty-led seminars introduce you to important topics such as oral health disparities, preventive care, and different dental specialties. The program also includes mentorship from current dental students and faculty, as well as professional development sessions on career pathways and admissions insights. Penn Dental Medicine especially aims to expand access to dentistry for students from underserved or underrepresented backgrounds.
One more option – Horizon Academic Research Program
If you’re looking for a competitive mentored research program in subjects like data science, machine learning, political theory, biology, and chemistry, consider applying to Horizon’s Research Seminars and Labs! This is a selective virtual research program that lets you engage in advanced research and develop a research paper on a subject of your choosing. Horizon has worked with 1000+ high school students so far and offers 600+ research specializations for you to choose from. You can find the application link here!
Image source: Tufts University