Departments
The five academic departments within the College of Dentistry work together to advance its mission: to continually improve the oral health of the people of Nebraska and beyond through a humanistic approach to education, extraordinary patient care and innovative research.
Educational Highlights
Learn More About Our Departments
The UNMC Department of Adult Restorative Dentistry is a leader in dental education, patient care and research. The department boasts award-winning faculty, state-of-the-art digital dentistry technology and exceptional hands-on clinical training. Its unique learning environment fosters student success, outstanding patient care and groundbreaking research. Interim chair: Richard K. Bokemper, DDS,
The department's key focus areas include general dentistry, biomaterials, digital dentistry, implant dentistry, operative dentistry, practice management, prosthodontics and temporomandibular disorders.
The preclinical and clinical curriculum educates students in operative dentistry, prosthodontics, implant dentistry and biomaterials. It follows a competency-based format and covers caries management, the full spectrum of current evidence-based restorative techniques, all-ceramic restorations, and tooth replacement options, including complete prosthetics and applied research.
The UNMC Department of Dental Hygiene program is one of the few in the United States to offer a bachelor of science in Dental Hygiene. Our department features award-winning faculty, exceptional hands-on clinical training, innovative research and community engagement opportunities. This unique learning environment fosters student success, outstanding patient care and groundbreaking research. Chair: Tammie J. Vargo, DHA.
With a comprehensive curriculum, we prepare students for successful careers while equipping them with advanced education and critical thinking skills that set them apart in the job market.
The Department of Growth and Development encompasses the clinical specialties of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, Pediatric Dentistry and Oral Radiology. It also includes the General Practice Residency Program and the Advanced Education in General Dentistry Residency Program. Interim chair: Gail Rohlfing, DDS.
The Department of Oral Biology is at the forefront of dental education and research. Its award-winning faculty contribute to improving the oral health of the people of Nebraska and beyond by educating the next generation of oral health care providers and making significant discoveries in oral health research. Interim chair: Thomas M. Petro, PhD.
The Department of Surgical Specialties encompasses the dental clinical disciplines of Endodontics, Periodontics and Oral/Maxillofacial Surgery. Its faculty members are specially trained in their respective disciplines, with most attaining diplomate status in their specialty boards. Chair: Joseph Bruce Bavitz, DMD.
Endodontics courses | Oral Surgery courses | Periodontics courses
Patient Care
Patient-centered comprehensive care serves as the clinical management system for patient assessment, treatment planning and entry into the college's clinics, as well as the assignment of patients to predoctoral dental students. The dental emergency services program provides students with the educational background and clinical experience needed to manage patient dental emergencies.
The college has developed a highly effective clinical model that closely mirrors the comprehensive care offered in private practice. In this model, dental and dental hygiene students collaborate to deliver complete patient care. This approach fosters teamwork, enhances efficiency and helps students build strong, lasting relationships with their patients.
Predoctoral and postgraduate students have the privilege of treating a diverse patient population, including individuals from various social and economic backgrounds, as well as those with special needs.
The Growth and Development department offers patient care at the following locations:
- UNMC College of Dentistry, Lincoln
- UNMC Durham Outpatient Center, Omaha
- UNMC Munroe Meyer Institute, Omaha
- Boystown National Research Hospital Craniofacial Clinic, Omaha
- Children's Nebraska, Omaha
- Federally Qualified Health Centers, Throughout Nebraska
- Veteran’s Administration Western Iowa Nebraska Health Care System
Research
Faculty conduct basic and translational research. Major research focus areas include biomaterials and bioregulation. The department's Cruzan Center for Dental Research was established to conduct well-designed clinical trials and clinical studies and receives funding from the National Institutes of Health, private foundations and industry.
The faculty in the Department of Surgical Specialties are nationally and internationally recognized for their contributions to oral health research. Scholarly publications based on original research are widely recognized within the national dental community. Advancing research is a key goal of the department.