International Dental Program (IDP)

The International Dental Program (IDP) offers non-US trained dentists the opportunity to earn a D.M.D. degree from the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Dentistry. Following an intensive 6-month preparatory term, qualified students merge with traditional students to complete the final two years of the D.M.D. curriculum.

In the first term, students are introduced to the UAB patient care philosophy and dental techniques. Students who participate in this program will represent a great diversity of training, background, and experience levels. For this reason, some standardization is necessary. Students will spend time in preclinical training, classroom sessions, and small group seminars.

Qualified students are then integrated with traditional D3 students to complete the final two years of the D.M.D. a curriculum which is spent primarily in clinical activities.

The major focus of the D3 year is on patient care. Students work in treatment teams providing comprehensive dental care. Rotations in community clinics, emergency care, endodontics, geriatrics, hospital dentistry, orthodontics, pediatric dentistry, periodontology, prosthodontics, & treatment planning ensure exposure to all aspects of dental care including advanced procedures and special patient populations. The evidence-based didactic curriculum is designed to offer companion courses to 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.