Harvard University has a Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) degree, which takes four to five years to complete. The program operates with the mindset that dentistry is a core part of general health care. As such, for the program's first two years, dental students take classes with others in Harvard's medical school. The program's first year covers the basic sciences and how they relate to health care, while the second year is spent learning about human systems and pathophysiology (changes in human systems because of disease). The final two years are focused entirely on dentistry, consisting of principal and advanced clinical experiences. Students also must complete a final research project.
Harvard School of Dental Medicine
188 Longwood Ave
Boston, MA 02115
617-432-1443
hsdm.harvard.edu
The University of Michigan’s School of Dentistry has one of the top-rated dental hygiene programs in the United States. The program has been running since the school was established in 1875. It teaches the dental hygiene practice and allows students to perform research in the following fields: Periodontal disease progression; quality of life related to oral health; and educational research in care-based instruction. The program's first year consists of general education classes required by the university. Students’ sophomore, junior and senior years are spent entirely in the university's school of dentistry. In addition to working for a baccalaureate degree in dental hygiene, students have the opportunity to join Sigma Phi Alpha, the national dental hygiene honors society, and the Student American Dental Hygiene Association.
University of Michigan School of Dentistry
1011 N. University
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1078
734-763-6933
dent.umich.edu
The New Jersey Dental School has a number of specialized programs, such as the postdoctoral program in pediatric dentistry. The program's goal, according to the school's website, is to teach students to “evaluate, improve, and maintain the oral health of infants, children, adolescents, and persons with special care needs.” This 24-month program begins July 1st of every year, with only five positions open annually. The program is taught in university classrooms and through hospital internships, in which students learn firsthand the techniques necessary to succeed as a specialist in pediatric dentistry.
University of Medicine & Dentistry of New Jersey
New Jersey Dental School
Office of Admissions
P.O. Box 1709, Room B-830
Newark, NJ 07101-1709
(973) 972-3636
dentalschool.umdnj.edu