D.M.D. Dental Program

Accredited by the American Dental Association (ADA) Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA), our progressive four-year curriculum is designed to prepare students to practice the science and art of dentistry while introducing the various aspects of specialty care.

The early curriculum focuses on preparing the student for the supervised delivery of dental care through our holistic approach of integrating the behavioral, biomedical, and clinical sciences. We believe that early clinical activities are essential for student development. As such, our students participate in clinical activities beginning with their first term. In addition, our biomedical science education is among the top in the nation. It is organized by organ system to better help students make the vital connection between biomedical science knowledge and clinical practice. Major time is devoted to the biomedical sciences with an emphasis on integrating this knowledge into clinical care as well as the preclinical dentistry laboratory where students master the hands-on component of dental care.

As students progress, our curriculum focuses on preparation for the independent practice of dentistry through robust clinical experiences. Dental care is based on a comprehensive care model. This means that each student is responsible for treating the total needs of the patient, typically involving several disciplines. Emphasis is placed on appropriate treatment planning, noninvasive interventions where possible, and compassionate, person-centered care. We take pride in the quality of clinical work our dental students produce. By having all major dental specialties within the school and through our diverse and abundant patient population, our students are afforded a tremendous quality and variety of clinical experiences.

Located within a vibrant and expansive urban campus in the heart of a leading academic medical center, UAB School of Dentistry blends the rich tradition of a school founded in 1948 with cutting-edge technology and contemporary programs and facilities.

The school comprises 7 academic departments and a variety of educational programs that span the major dental specialties. Guided by a comprehensive strategic plan, we promote diversity of thought and embrace a diverse faculty, staff, and student body who enrich the UAB experience.

Our goal is to educate a progressive oral health workforce and advance science to optimize oral health throughout our state, the nation, and the world. We offer a premier learning experience, abundant lifelong learning opportunities, and a cadre of auxiliary programs supported by internationally recognized faculty and a strong network of alumni and community partners. Students are exposed to both depth and breadth of clinical experiences, while students and faculty are able to participate in both clinical and laboratory research within areas like craniofacial development/genetics, biomaterial science, oral microbiology, and infection/host response, oral cancer, and clinical outcomes/implementation science. Through our comprehensive clinical operations and robust community collaborations, we provide high-quality patient care for residents of Alabama and surrounding areas.