6 Best Dentistry Doctor of Medicine (MD) Degree Programs in United States of America (USA) for 2024

The Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree is a two-year (6-semester) advanced standing program for dentists who graduated from non-U.S. accredited dental schools. It enables dentists who were trained in non-U.S. accredited institutions to gain the skills and knowledge necessary to practice in the United States.

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.

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.

The four-year predoctoral program prepares students to provide basic health promotion and disease prevention, diagnose and develop treatment plans, analyze complex medical and dental cases, and achieve competency in all areas defined for general practitioners.

UTHealth School of Dentistry (UTSD) is located in the Texas Medical Center (TMC), the world's largest medical complex with 48 member institutions dedicated to the highest quality in patient care, research, and education. The most advanced equipment and educational technology are available in UTSD.

WesternU’s College of Dental Medicine is committed to establishing a quality, innovative program that prepares you for success, whether in private practice, community service, research or academics. Our four-year program will allow you to learn with an integrated team of health professionals in a part of the country with a wealth of clinical opportunities.