100 years ago, at around the turn of the century, Japan did not have any formal educational institutions for dentistry. Those who desired to pursue the profession had to obtain their licenses on their own by studying under an experienced doctor. Dental medicine including dental education had yet to be recognized as a field independent from medicine. The following years saw the spread of public hygiene and the development of dental medicine. This brought about an increase in applicants for dentistry. Private tutorship had its limits and prominent figures in dentistry began to establish training schools for dental education throughout the nation.

Like other regions of Japan, Osaka had its share of private schools and seminars by the end of the 19th century. Ichitaro Fujiwara, later the founder of Osaka Dental School, was a promoter of one of these small schools. He realized the necessity to establish a dental school and immediately began preparations with the help of many supporters. Fujiwara's efforts finally bore fruit in December 1911 when the governor of Osaka authorized Osaka Dental School located at Nishinodaohno-cho, Kita-ku, Osaka. The school was the third of its kind to be founded at the time. Financial support came not from a single source but from a multitude of dental practitioners residing in the Osaka area. This founding spirit remains the pride and joy of our school. In January of the following year, under Rokuji Ogata (the first dean), the institution started as a night school offering intensive training courses to pass the license examination. The following years saw Fujiwara at work trying to improve the educational environment of the school. Daytime courses were introduced and efforts were made to promote Osaka Dental School to "Senmongakko" (college status) only to be given up due to financial limitations. Following a consultation about the future of the school, Fujiwara's duties were taken over by a wealthy individual deeply concerned about education. The person, Kenji Furukawa, provided his private funds to help establish an incorporated foundation and promote the school to college status in September, 1917. The college started by offering a three year curriculum. Courses were added expanding it to three and a half years in 1918 and then on to four years by 1924. Being the only dental school in the Kansai area, many practitioners of the region focused their attention on the trends of the institution and generously cooperated with the education. The foundation of the long standing tradition of our dental education was formed then. Later in 1929, Hirakata Campus was completed. The framework of the modern dental school we have today was completed with the 1935 construction of the hospital in Kyobashi.

In the years following World War 2, nationwide educational reforms were conducted under the supervision of General Headquarters (GHQ). The school was authorized as a college under the University Act (the old system) which led to the establishment of Osaka Dental College in June 1947. In August of the same year, a three-year preliminary course was established and the School of Dentistry was formed in 1949. Further reforms in 1951 changed the organization to an incorporated educational institution. Under the new education system of the National Education Reform Bill in February 1952, Osaka Dental College was re-established. In March of the same year, the "Senmongakko" was closed after a history of 35 years. The three-year preliminary course was changed to a two-year general education course in January 1955. It was combined with a four-year professional education course finally becoming the 6 year curriculum that is offered now. Over the next several years, the school took up the task of constructing its facilities: in October 1956, the Makino Campus lecture hall; April 1960, the expansion of the hospital; June 1961, the main building of the Temmabashi Campus. Starting from September of 1961, the general education course was held at Makino Campus while the professional education course opened at Temmabashi Campus.

In November 2011, Osaka Dental University celebrated its 100th anniversary. Graduates, faculty, guests, and representatives from our sister schools participated in the gala held at the Osaka International Convention Center and Rihga Royal Hotel in downtown Osaka. To commemorate this historic event, the 100th Anniversary Hall, a 4- storey complex featuring lecture halls and seminar rooms was completed in March 2013 at Temmabashi Campus.
The university entered a new era with the establishment of the Faculty of Health Sciences in April 2017 followed by the opening of the Graduate School of Health Sciences (Master's Course in 2018 and Doctoral Course in 2020).