College of Dentistry

The College of Dentistry admitted its first students in the fall of 1972. Today the college is a leader in advancing dentistry through educational excellence, scientific research and discoveries, modern clinical services and commitment to the community.

• Overview
• Undergraduate Preparation
• Programs of Study
• Student Organizations

Contact Information

Location: Health Science Center, D3-5
Phone: 352-273-5955

Academic Advising and Admissions:
D3-5 Health Science Center
352-273-5955

Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 100445
University of Florida
Gainesville, FL 32610-0445

Website: www.dental.ufl.edu/admissions

Overview

The UF College of Dentistry’s departments are Community Dentistry and Behavioral Science, Endodontics, Oral and Maxillofacial Diagnostic Sciences, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Oral Biology, Orthodontics, Pediatric Dentistry, Periodontology and Restorative Dental Sciences.

The college’s primary aim is to develop graduates who possess an orientation to the biological sciences. They will be sensitive to the needs of others, skillful in preventive, diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, and will be aware of new knowledge through research and activities.

The college is Florida's only public dental school and one of the top dental institutions in the country. It has a statewide network for community oral health with four UF-owned dental centers and 10 partnership centers located throughout Florida. The college provides training opportunities for students and residents while providing dental care to Florida residents, many of whom are underserved and lack access to dental care.

The college is one of six at the UF academic Health Science Center. The 12-story facility includes dental outpatient clinics and postgraduate and specialty clinics. The high-tech, multi-media simulation laboratory contains 94 workstations equipped with mannequins, monitors and other items found in a dental office. Laboratory simulation of clinical practice is designed to enhance students’ learning and their development of clinical skills.

Through active recruitment, a broad representation of the ethnic mixture of the state is represented in the student body. The college adheres to the principles of ethnic, racial, sexual, religious and social equality among its student body and faculty.

Undergraduate Preparation for Dentistry

The College of Dentistry seeks students of the highest caliber for its many programs. A strong record of scholastic achievement, high moral character and strong motivation is expected of the applicant. Because of the vast amount of science that must be mastered by the dentist, a dental student must have aptitude and adequate academic preparation in the sciences. The highly personal relationship between patient and dentist places the latter in a position of trust, which demands maturity, integrity, intellectual honesty and responsibility.

Pre-professional students can major in any department or college of the university; however, an in-depth background in biological sciences is necessary to maste​r the dental curriculum. Health and Legal Professions Advising in the Academic Advising Center and the Office of Admissions' pre-professional admission sites offer information and resources to help students prepare for admission to a professional program in dentistry.

General education requirements for admission to the College of Dentistry are fully described in the dentistry catalog. Registration in dentistry (DEN) courses is restricted to students admitted to the College of Dentistry with 0DN to 8DN classifications.

The application process is described on the college website or you can email the admissions office at DMDAdmissions@dental.ufl.edu.

Programs of Study

• The Doctor of Dental Medicine (D.M.D.) program is a four-year doctorate program in general dentistry.
• The honors combined B.S./D.M.D. program allows the student to complete both the B.S. and D.M.D degrees in seven years instead of eight. UF students submit applications at the conclusion of the freshman year at UF. Accepted students enroll in a carefully sequenced series of courses that meet both baccalaureate degree requirements and the College of Dentistry’s admissions requirements. The student completes three years of undergraduate work before transferring to the first year of dental school. The B.S. degree is awarded at the end of the first year of dental school. This program is jointly offered with the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences.
• The College of Dentistry offers an integrated dental and graduate research training program culminating in the awarding of both a D.M.D. and a Ph.D. in Biomedical Science. The joint D.M.D./Ph.D. program is offered in collaboration with the College of Medicine Interdisciplinary Program in Biomedical Sciences and prepares students for a career in the dental academic setting using skills acquired in clinical practice and clinical education as well as basic and/or translational research. This program will typically take 7-8 years to complete.
• The College of Dentistry also offers several Master of Science in Dental Science (M.S.) degree programs as well as joint degree programs resulting in M.S., Ph.D. or M.D. degrees.
• In conjunction with the Department of Materials and Science and Engineering in the College of Engineering, the Department of Dental Biomaterials offers a program leading to an M.S. or Ph.D. in materials science.
• The college’s Department of Oral Biology, in conjunction with the College of Medicine, offers a program leading to a Ph.D. in medical sciences with a specialization in oral biology.
• In conjunction with the College of Medicine, the College of Dentistry offers a six-year program that awards an M.D. degree and a certificate in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery.

Student Organizations

• Dental Ambassadors
• Dental College Council
• American Student Dental Association
• Student National Dental Association
• Hispanic Student Dental Association
• Christian Dental Society
• Student Chapter of the American Association for Dental Research
• Florida Association for Women Dentists (LH Taylor Society)
• Psi Omega (Dental Fraternity)
• Delta Sigma Delta (Dental Fraternity)
• Alpha Omega (Dental Fraternity)