Doctor of Dental Medicine
Accredited by the American Dental Association (ADA) Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA), the UAB Doctor of Dental Medicine (D.M.D.) program combines rigorous clinical training, scientific discovery, and specialty exposure within a progressive four-year curriculum.
Why UAB
At UAB School of Dentistry, students learn alongside nationally and internationally recognized faculty, care for diverse patient populations, participate in research, and explore the many paths a career in dentistry can take within a collaborative academic health sciences environment.
As part of a Carnegie R1 research university and one of the nation’s leading academic health sciences centers, the D.M.D. program connects dental education with specialty training, oral health research, community engagement, organized dentistry, and comprehensive patient care.
At a glance
- Part of a Research 1 (R1) university
- Top tier NIDCR supported dental research environment
- Administrative home of the National Dental Practice-Based Research Network
- Multi-specialty clinical training environment
- Research and presentation experience for every D.M.D. student
- D.M.D./M.D., D.M.D./Ph.D., and D.M.D./M.B.A. pathways
- Faculty recognized nationally and internationally for excellence in education, research, and patient care
Built for practice
- Clinical experiences begin early and continue throughout the four-year dental curriculum.
- Students participate in simulation-based learning, preclinical training, hands-on clinical experiences, and comprehensive patient care across a broad range of settings.
- Clinical education takes place in specialty clinics, hospital dentistry settings, community-based experiences, and with diverse patient populations.
- The curriculum emphasizes evidence-based dentistry, patient-centered care, diagnosis, treatment planning, and patient management within a comprehensive care model.
Succeed together
Dental school is demanding, but many students describe UAB as a place where classmates support one another, share knowledge, and celebrate each other’s success.
Peer support, collaboration, and community are recurring themes in student conversations about UAB School of Dentistry. Many students point to the relationships they build with classmates as one of the most meaningful parts of their experience.
Student culture
- Peer Support.
- Collaboration.
- Community.
Hear from our students
Learn in a research-rich environment
Top-tier funding. Research for every student. A tradition of leadership.
Located within a Research 1 university, UAB School of Dentistry ranks among the nation's leading dental schools in National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research funding and has maintained a top-tier NIH-funded research profile for decades. UAB also serves as the administrative home of the National Dental Practice-Based Research Network, one of the nation's largest oral health research collaborations.
Research is central to the UAB experience and integrated throughout the D.M.D. curriculum. Every D.M.D. student completes and presents research while learning in an environment shaped by oral health, craniofacial, clinical, translational, and biomaterials research.
UAB also has a longstanding tradition of developing student researchers and scientific leaders. Since 2009, five UAB dental students have served as president of the AADOCR National Student Research Group.
Connect with the profession
Student organizations, organized dentistry, conferences, leadership opportunities, outreach, service, and alumni engagement provide ways for students to connect with the profession throughout dental school. Through nationally affiliated organizations, specialty interest groups, community initiatives, and professional activities, students expand their view of dentistry beyond the classroom and clinic.
Opportunities include:
- More than 20 student organizations
- Leadership opportunities
- Conferences
- Outreach and service
- International exchange and mission opportunities
- Engagement with alumni and organized dentistry
Discover new possibilities in dentistry
Students learn alongside residents and fellows in specialty programs, research programs, and graduate study in biomaterials. Specialties include the General Practice Residency, pediatric dentistry, orthodontics, periodontology, prosthodontics, endodontics, oral and maxillofacial surgery, and maxillofacial prosthetics.
D.M.D. degree pathways include the D.M.D./Ph.D. for students interested in research and the D.M.D./M.B.A. for students interested in business, leadership, and practice management. Exposure to specialty care, research, and advanced training helps students explore interests and gain perspective on the many paths within dentistry.
Live and learn in Birmingham
The best of city life and green space | A vibrant and diverse city | Growing food, arts, and entertainment scene | Affordable place to live and study
Located on UAB's tree-lined urban campus, students learn within a major academic health sciences center in the heart of Birmingham. UAB's campus is home to more than 4,400 trees and has been designated a Tree Campus Higher Education institution by the Arbor Day Foundation for more than a decade.
Birmingham offers the opportunities of a growing metropolitan area, including a vibrant food scene, outdoor recreation, arts and entertainment, and a relatively affordable cost of living.
Your path starts here
Whether your interests include research, leadership, business, rural oral health, or early pathways into dentistry, the UAB School of Dentistry offers programs and opportunities to help you explore your interests and shape your dental education experience.
Explore your path
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Research and academic dentistry
Students interested in the academic side of dentistry can explore the D.M.D./Ph.D. program, an integrated clinician-scientist pathway for those considering research, academic dentistry, and discovery-focused careers.
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Leadership and business in dentistry
The D.M.D./M.B.A. program allows students to pair dental education with business, leadership, and practice management training.
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International Dentist Program
The International Dentist Program offers non-US trained dentists the opportunity to earn a D.M.D. degree from the UAB School of Dentistry and prepare for practice in the United States.
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Rural dentistry pathways
Students interested in serving rural and underserved communities can explore several scholarship and enrichment opportunities designed to address oral health needs across Alabama.
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Early assurance pathways into dentistry
UAB offers pathways that help qualified students begin planning for dental school earlier in their academic careers.
Learn More
Quicklinks
Learn more about admissions, visit campus, connect with current students, or discover what life is like at UAB School of Dentistry.
Your UAB journey might look like this
The D.M.D. curriculum integrates biomedical sciences, behavioral sciences, preclinical training, evidence-based dentistry, and clinical care. Coursework and clinical experiences are designed to connect scientific knowledge with patient care throughout the program
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Year 1: Biomedical science, simulation and early clinical exposure
The first year builds a foundation in biomedical science, dental science, communication, ethics, and early clinical concepts. Students begin developing preclinical skills through simulation and laboratory experiences while being introduced to the clinical environment.
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Year 2: Preclinical training and clinical skills development
The second year expands preclinical training and clinical skills development. Students continue to connect biomedical science with clinical application while preparing for greater involvement in patient care.
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Year 3: Comprehensive patient care and specialty exposure
The third year places greater emphasis on comprehensive patient care, diagnosis, treatment planning, and clinical management. Students participate in patient care under faculty supervision and gain exposure to specialty areas and coordinated care across disciplines.
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Year 4: Advanced clinical experiences, community-based care and transition to practice
The fourth year emphasizes clinical care, patient management, community-based experiences, and continued preparation for the next stage of professional practice. Students continue to participate in comprehensive care, specialty exposure, and practice-focused experiences.
A synopsis of the curricular themes for each term can be found in our current course catalog found in the DMD Program Resources.
Quickfacts
63,000+ patient visits each year
500+ students and residents in training
4,450+ alumni worldwide
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