11 Dental Summer Programs for High School Students

If you are a high school student interested in dentistry, dental summer programs can be a smart, convenient way to explore the field!

These programs offer hands-on learning in a professional setting, introduce you to foundational dental science, and often simulate aspects of college-level academics. Many of them also offer on-campus/residential experiences, offering you a glimpse into college life and the chance to connect with like-minded peers. 

Dental summer programs for high school students tend to be accessible in terms of time commitment, as they do not interfere with your schoolwork. They can also be low-cost, fully funded, or financial-aid-based options, making them viable summer experiences.

If you are curious about a career in dentistry, these programs can be super valuable. As a participant, you can get early exposure to clinical environments, develop skills like dental impression-taking or patient communication, and/or receive mentorship from practicing dentists or dental school faculty. 

To help you get started, we have narrowed down 11 dental summer programs for high schoolers. Each is selective, often fully funded, and hosted by a respected academic institution or dental organization. We have also prioritized programs that are rigorous, offer real networking opportunities, and carry prestige within the field.

1. Lumiere Research Scholar Program: Dentistry Track

Location: Remote

 Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective

Dates: Summer cohort is held between June and August | Fall, winter, and spring sessions are also available.

Application deadline: Varies according to the cohort. Summer application deadlines are usually in March, April, and May.

Eligibility: High school students with a minimum 3.3 out of 4 GPA

The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a rigorous research program tailored for high school students. The program offers extensive 1-on-1 research opportunities for high school students across a broad range of subject areas that you can explore as a high schooler. The program pairs high school students with Ph.D. mentors to work 1-on-1 on an independent research project. At the end of the 12-week program, you’ll have developed an independent research paper! You can choose research topics from subjects such as medicine, biology, neuroscience, and more. You can find more details about the application here.

2. Horizon Academic Research Program (HARP)

Location: Virtual 

Cost: Varies depending on program type

Dates: The spring and fall cohorts run 15 weeks, while the summer cohort runs 10 weeks (June-September).

Application Deadline: Multiple deadlines throughout the year for the Spring, Summer and Fall cohorts. 

Eligibility: High school students with good academic standing (>3.67/4.0 GPA) can apply. Most accepted students are 10th/11th graders! A few tracks require prerequisites, see here.

Horizon offers trimester-long research programs for high school students across subject areas such as data science, machine learning, political theory, and more! Horizon is one of the few research programs for high school students that offers you the choice to engage in either quantitative or qualitative research. 

Once you select a particular subject track, Horizon pairs you with a professor/PhD scholar who acts as a mentor throughout your research journey. As a participant, you will be expected to develop a 20-page research paper that you can send to prestigious journals for publication as a high school student. The program also provides a letter of recommendation for each student and detailed project feedback that you can use to work on future projects. 

3. Harvard Medical School MEDscienceDental

Location: Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; small cohort

Dates: July 21 – 25

Application deadline: March 25

Eligibility: Students in grades 9 – 12 at the time of application; not open to alumni of other Harvard MEDscience programs

Cost: $2,800 with limited scholarships available for Boston-area students

Harvard’s MEDscienceDental is a chance to immerse yourself in the clinical side of dentistry through hands-on simulations and problem-based learning at Harvard Medical School. This one-week program gives you the opportunity to practice real-world clinical techniques like suturing, taking impressions, digital scanning, and tooth carving, while working in a team to diagnose and treat life-like patients in a high-tech simulation lab. You will also spend some time with dental students and faculty from Harvard School of Dental Medicine, gaining insights into dental careers and educational pathways. Beyond clinical skills, the program emphasizes curiosity, collaboration, and professional communication, which are core skills for any future healthcare practitioner.

4. Tufts University Mini Dental School

Location: Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, Boston, MA

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; limited seats

Dates: June 23 – 27

Application deadline: May 1

Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors, as well as recent high school graduates who are at least 16 years old and have completed 1 year of biology

Cost: $3,525; limited need-based scholarships available.

Tufts University’s Mini Dental School is a one-week opportunity to explore the world of dentistry through a rigorous week of clinical workshops, lectures, and collaborative projects. Here, you will practice real dental procedures, such as cavity filling, plaque removal, and suturing, and learn about dental anatomy and technology currently used in dental clinics. The program is designed to deepen your understanding of how oral health connects to broader wellness and features case-based learning and exposure to multiple dental specialties. Your experience culminates in a capstone project, where you will apply your learning to propose solutions or innovations in oral healthcare and present them at a final showcase event. The program can help you develop technical skills and critical thinking in a professional academic setting.

5. Stanford STaRS Internship Program

Location: Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; small cohort

Dates: June 23 – August 8

Application deadline: Typically late March

Eligibility: U.S. residents who are at least 16 years old by the program start date

Cost: Free | Stipend support is available for eligible students.

The Stanford STaRS Internship Program is an opportunity to explore careers in healthcare and research through a seven-week immersive experience at Stanford Medicine. As an intern, you will work closely with clinician-scientist mentors in active laboratory settings, gaining exposure to the research process and the intersection between science and medicine. While not dentistry-exclusive, the program often incorporates themes related to oral healthcare and equity, primarily through its RAMP UP pathway, which seeks to introduce students from underrepresented backgrounds to biomedical research. You will be part of a collaborative cohort, contributing to ongoing projects and developing skills in teamwork, critical thinking, and scientific inquiry. 

6. Rutgers School of Dental Medicine’s Decision for Dentistry Program

Location: Rutgers School of Dental Medicine, Newark, NJ

Acceptance rate/cohort size: ~45 students total across three cohorts

Dates: Held over three different days each year—Program 1: October 7, February 3, and April 21; Program 2: October 21, February 24, and April 21; Program 3: November 11, March 3, and April 21

Application Deadline: Reopens in April; early applications encouraged

Eligibility: High school students in New Jersey

Cost: Free

The Decision for Dentistry program at Rutgers School of Dental Medicine is a structured, three-phase experience designed to introduce high school students to careers in dentistry. During the three visits to the dental school during the academic year, you will take impressions on manikins, shadow dental students in clinical settings, and attend a detailed admissions symposium with your family or guidance counselor. The program also offers mentorship from current dental students and panels with practicing dentists across specialties, helping you understand the technical and personal aspects of a dental career. It's an opportunity to explore the dental profession in-depth before college, especially if you are seeking early exposure to academic expectations associated with the field and clinical environments.

7. OHSU School of Dentistry Research Internship Program

Location: Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; small cohort

Dates: Typically June–August (six-week program)

Application deadline: Mid-March

Eligibility: High school students who are 16+ enrolled in Oregon schools or from underrepresented/rural communities

Stipend: $15/hour or the current minimum wage

The Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) School of Dentistry offers high schoolers paid summer research internships focused on dental, oral, and craniofacial science. If selected, you will be paired with a research mentor and placed in a lab working on topics like biomaterials, tissue engineering, oral microbiome, or public health dentistry. The program includes presentations, lab training, and a final research showcase. During the program, you will gain experience in scientific communication, lab techniques, and the broader connections between oral health and systemic well-being. With a focus on supporting students from underserved or rural communities in Oregon, this program encourages early exposure to academic research careers in oral health.

8. VCU Dental Careers Exploration

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; small local cohort

Dates: July 14 – 18

Application deadline: May 2

Eligibility: Rising 10th–12th graders or graduating seniors who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents living in Richmond and have a GPA ≥ 3.0

Cost: Free

Location: VCU School of Dentistry, Richmond, VA

The Dental Careers Exploration (DCE) program at Virginia Commonwealth University offers a weeklong, hands-on introduction to the dental profession for high school students in the Richmond area. During the program, you will participate in interactive labs and workshops to practice skills like suturing, tooth carving, taking dental impressions, and exploring digital dentistry. You will also learn about the educational paths and responsibilities of various dental professionals—from general dentists to specialists and hygienists. The program is designed to provide early exposure to the field of dental and oral research.

9. Texas A&M College of Dentistry SPEP for High School Grade 12

Location: Texas A&M College of Dentistry, Dallas, TX

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; committee-based review

Dates: June 2 – 27

Application deadline: February 21

Eligibility: Rising 12th graders who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents in the Dallas area and have a GPA ≥ 2.75; applicants must have already completed two Hepatitis B doses

Stipend: Provided

The Summer Predental Enrichment Program (SPEP 12) at Texas A&M College of Dentistry is a four-week academic and career development program designed for rising seniors from Dallas-area high schools. Here, you will explore the field of dentistry through preclinical lab activities, lectures, and a research-based dental investigation project. The program also offers intensive SAT prep and workshops covering study skills, cultural competency, and college admissions strategies. You will also receive mentorship from dental professionals and benefit from resources like a stipend, lab materials, and guided discussions to build your competitiveness for college and eventually dental school. This program is worth considering if you are interested in the healthcare industry and committed to serving underserved communities.

10. S.M.I.L.E. Healthcare Pathway Program

Location: Howard University, Washington, DC, or Meharry Medical College, Nashville, TN

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; ~50 students per year

Dates: June 28 – July 3 (Howard University); July 20 – 25 (Meharry Medical College)

Application deadline: March 31

Eligibility: Rising 11th graders; priority given to economically disadvantaged students

Cost: Free

The S.M.I.L.E. Healthcare Pathway Program is meant for rising 11th-grade students who want to explore careers in oral health through a fully funded, weeklong residential experience. Here, you will participate in academic enrichment workshops, college prep sessions, and hands-on activities focused on careers such as dentistry, dental hygiene, and dental assisting. The program also emphasizes mentorship and community engagement—connecting you with professionals and peers who share your interests while helping you understand healthcare disparities. During the program, you will also complete a capstone project summarizing your experience and take part in guided discussions that explore real-world health inequities. 

11. Stony Brook University Pre-College Summer Program: Dive Into Dental Sciences

Location: Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; small cohort

Dates: July 6–11

Application deadline: May 30

Eligibility: Rising juniors or seniors between the ages of 15 and 17 in good academic standing; U.S. residents only

Cost: $2,250; discounts available

At Stony Brook University’s Dive Into Dental Sciences program, you get to step into the shoes of a dental student through a week of immersive, hands-on experiences. In the university’s preclinical lab, you will work with high-speed handpieces, practice cavity restoration, create dental impressions and stone models, and even try your hand at banana suturing. You will also tour the dental school and observe demonstrations at the cutting-edge Center for Implant and Dental Technology. A highlight of the program is meeting current dental students and faculty over lunch and learning about the Scholars for Dental Medicine program—a fast-track Bachelor’s/DDS option. The experience can help you explore both the science and artistry of dentistry while you build foundational skills relevant to the field.

Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a PhD student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program where students work 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.

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