College of Dentistry
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Katherine Meyer

 Third-year dentistry student works on a research project testing the strength of new dental materials. Preparing to care: as a private practice dentist.

 Why chose UNMC:
 "I really like the small class size. Most classes are around 45 people, and you get a lot of one-on-one attention from faculty. Once you’re accepted into the college they work with you to help ensure you pass your classes and boards."

Spirit of community:
 "The college has a real spirit of community service. Each spring on Dental Day we treat underserved children from rural Nebraska for free. As a bilingual student, I translated for the Spanish-speaking children that day."

College of dentistry was better fit:
 Katherine comes from a family of physicians and was accepted to medical school too, but felt dental school was a better fit for her. "I like the way I can be creative and scientific in a hands-on kind of way."

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Dentistry: Art and science

The art and science of dentistry has come a long way since the UNMC College of Dentistry was founded in 1899. In that time, the college has built a reputation for academic excellence, individual attention and clinical experience. Students can pursue their doctor of dental surgery degree (DDS) or a bachelor of science (BS) in dental hygiene.

The College of Dentistry is located on the East Campus of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, but also offers dental hygiene classes at the West Nebraska Division in Scottsbluff, Nebraska. Dentistry graduates can continue their education at UNMC in pediatric dentistry, endodontics, orthodontics, periodontics, or in a general practice residency. Residency programs in pediatric dentistry and general practice residency are in Omaha.

Clinical & research experience

Like other UNMC programs, the college focuses on solid academic preparation and clinical experiences. That’s why we keep classes small and give students many opportunities for clinical experience, including externships and community service projects.

Undergraduate and post-graduate students treat more than 13,000 patients every year in the college clinics, the same buildings where classes are held. Dental hygienists, an integral part of the dental health team, learn to provide educational, clinical and therapeutic services to patients.

You’ll also find an emphasis on scientific research here. UNMC’s College of Dentistry is ranked 20th out of the 56 dental colleges around the country in National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding. You can work with other students or a faculty member on projects at the Cruzan Center for Dental Research. Or, you can study how signaling pathways work in cancer and neurodegenerative diseases or assist in a clinical trial on bone density.

In addition to a solid foundation of scientific knowledge and instruction in a variety of clinical skills and techniques, students learn how to manage the business and entrepreneurial aspects of a dental career.

The programs in dental hygiene, dentistry and dental specialties are accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation, a specialized accrediting body recognized by the Council on Post Secondary Accreditation and the U.S. Department of Education.

For seven of the past 11 years, our first-year students have had the highest entering GPA of the 56 dental schools in the country.

Tops in testing

UNMC dentistry graduates ranked in the top three nationally in National Board Examination results for five of the past eight years and rank among the best on their regional license tests, which evaluate scientific knowledge and clinical competence.