College of Dentistry

- Programs & Admissions Overview
- - DDS and Dual Degree
    Learn about the application process for our dentistry and dual-degree programs.
  - Dental Hygiene
    Find information about applying for our bachelor's program in dental hygiene.
  - Advanced Standing Dentistry
    Find details on the process of applying for our Advanced Standing Dentistry Program.
  - Residency Programs
    Find admissions details for our six postgraduate programs.
- - Academic Programs
    Find an overview of our academic programs and links to more detail.
  - Learning Spaces & Technology
    Technology is fully integrated into student education, with repeated hands-on access to the tools of modern dentistry.
  - Wellness
    Wellness is an imiportant aspect of the student experience at the College of Dentistry.
  - Student Resources
    Find links to resources within our college and across the university.
- Research Overview
- - Biomaterials
    Biomaterials research is one of the fastest growing areas at the College of Dentistry and actively collaborates with a multidisciplinary group of partners across UNMC.
  - Bioregulation
    Our Bioregulation Research Group is working to understand and manipulate the immune system, inflammation and bone physiology to lead to more effective treatment of numerous conditions.
  - Oral Cancer
    Researchers in our college are focused on oral cancer, one of the most common forms of cancer, with a goal of significantly advancing our understandingor oral cancer progression and drug resistance.
  - Clinical Research
    The Cruzan Center for Dental Research was established to conduct well-designed clinical trials and clinical studies. It receives funding from the NIH, private foundations and industry.
- - Research Tools
    Students and faculty in our college have access to resources to aid cutting-edge research.
  - Student Research
    Every student in our college completes does research with guidance from our faculty, gaining insight into how they can help shape the future of oral health.
  - About Our Research
    Our research team is collaborating across UNMC to strengthen the college's research portfolio and expand opportunities for innovation in biomaterials, regenerative therapies and drug delivery.
Patient Care
- Engagement Overview
- Patient Care Engagement
  We are part of the dental safety net for Nebraska, with outreach that allows our students, faculty and staff to provide care for underserved populations across the state.
- Educational Engagement
  From providing children's dental health starter kits to our Special Olympics Special Smiles Program, we provide community education about dental health.
- Extramural Rotations
  Our fourth-year dental students rotate to established dental practices with established dentists who serve as preceptors and mentors.
- Biomonitoring
  Dental practices rely on this service through our college to document the effectiveness of sterilization equipment.
- Vet Smiles Clinic
  The VETSmile Dental Clinic at the UNMC College of Dentistry addresses the urgent need for accessible dental services within the veteran community.
- Continuing Education
  We provide engaging courses that education dental professionals on the latest techniques and advancements in the field.
Our Faculty
News

About Our Research

Dr. Kumbar's research lab

Our Mission

Under the leadership of Sangamesh G. Kumbar, PhD, associate dean for research, the UNMC College of Dentistry is building strategic partnerships with units across UNMC, Nebraska Medicine and the University of Nebraska System.

These multi-disciplinary collaborations strengthen the college’s research portfolio and expand opportunities for innovation in biomaterials, regenerative therapies and drug delivery.

Key Research Areas:

Biomaterials and tissue engineering: Designing advanced materials to support regeneration and therapeutic delivery in oral tissues.
Oral biology and pathogenesis: Investigating mechanisms of oral diseases to inform prevention and treatment.
Clinical and translational studies: Bridging laboratory discoveries to patient-centered outcomes.

Research Facilities

The college has nine modern basic science research laboratories and four large research operatories that are well-equipped for state-of-the-art basic and translational research in cell signaling in cancer, biomaterials and regulation of inflammation and bone turnover.

Clinical Operatories

The Cruzan Center for Dental Research is the home to the college's clinical research program, facilitating the translation of basic science research to clinical application. The center includes a clinical research center with four large research operatories, a reception area, a secure data entry/storage room, preparation laboratory and supporting staff offices. Dental operatories are available for procurement of human clinical samples and measurements, as well as performance of clinical trials. The operatories are each approximately 150 square feet and contain dental equipment for clinical procedures.

Basic Science Laboratories

Our basic science research center includes nine secure research labs with supporting staff offices and animal care facilities accredited by the Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care International. The labs have modern molecular and cell biology equipment, including a live cell microscopy suite, fluorescent activated cell analyzer, real-time PCR analyzer and infrared imaging system.

Sangamesh Gurappa Kumbar, PhD

Sangamesh G. Kumbar, PhD

Byron H. and Mary V. Weeth Professor of Dental Research
Associate Dean of Research, UNMC College of Dentistry
Professor, Department of Growth & Development

Phone: 402-552-6171