Overview

The College of Dentistry admitted its first students in the fall of 1972. Today the college is a leader in advancing dentistry through educational excellence, scientific research and discoveries, modern clinical services and commitment to the community.

The UF College of Dentistry’s nine departments are Dental Biomaterials, Endodontics, Operative Dentistry, Oral Biology, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Diagnostic Sciences, Orthodontics, Pediatric Dentistry, Periodontology and Prosthodontics. The college’s primary aim is to develop graduates who posses an orientation to the biological sciences; are sensitive to the needs of others; are skillful in preventive, diagnostic and therapeutic procedures; and are aware of new knowledge through research and activities.

The college is one of only two dental schools in Florida. Its community-based clinics, located in St. Petersburg, Jacksonville and Hialeah, provide training opportunities for its students and residents while providing care to individuals who are underserved and lack access to dental care.

The college is one of the six UF Health Sciences Center colleges. The 12-story facility includes dental outpatient clinics, and postgraduate and specialty clinics. The newest addition to the college is its preclinical simulation laboratory. This high-tech, multi-media facility contains 84 workstations that are equipped with mannequins, monitors and other items found in a dental office. Laboratory simulation of clinical practice is designed to enhance the students’ learning and their development of clinical skills.

A broad representation of the ethnic mixture of the state is represented in the student body through active recruitment. The college adheres to the principles of ethnic, racial, sexual, religious and social equality among its student body and faculty.

Back to Top ^

Undergraduate Preparation for Dentistry

The College of Dentistry seeks students of the highest caliber for its various programs. A strong record of scholastic achievement, moral character and motivation is expected of the applicant. Because of the vast amount of science that must be mastered by the dentist, a dental student must have a basic aptitude and adequate academic preparation in science. The highly personal relationship between patient and dentist places the latter in a position of trust, which demands maturity, integrity, intellectual honesty and responsibility.

Preprofessional students at the university may major in any department or college of the university; however, an in-depth background in biological sciences is necessary to master the dental curriculum. The Health and Legal Professions Advising in the Academic Advising Center and the Office of Admissions' preprofessional admission site offer information and resources to help students prepare for admission to a professional program in dentistry.

General education requirements for admission into the College of Dentistry are fully described in the dentistry catalog.

Registration in dentistry (DEN) courses is restricted to students admitted to the College of Dentistry with 0DN to 8DN classifications.

The application process is described in the College of Dentistry Catalog. Copies may also be obtained by writing to the Office of Admissions, College of Dentistry, University of Florida, Box 100445, Gainesville, FL 32610-0445.

Back to Top ^

Programs of Study

• D.M.D. – Doctor of Dental Medicine
• M.S. – Master of Science in Dental Sciences
• M.S. or Ph.D. – The college’s Department of Oral Biology, in conjunction with the College of Medicine, offers a program leading to a Ph.D. in medical sciences with a specialization in oral biology. In conjunction with the Department of Materials and Science and Engineering in the College of Engineering, the Department of Dental Biomaterials offers a program leading to either a M.S. or Ph.D. in materials science.
• M.D. – In conjunction with the College of Medicine, the College of Dentistry offers a six-year program that awards a M.D. degree and a certificate in oral and maxillofacial surgery.

Student Organizations

• Dental Ambassadors
• Dentistry College Council
• American Student Dental Association
• Student National Dental Association
• Student Hispanic Dental Association
• Christian Dental Society
• Student Chapter of the American Association for Dental Research
• Florida Association of Women Dentist (LH Taylor Society)
• Psi Omega (Dental Fraternity)
• Delta Sigma Delta (Dental Fraternity)
• Alpha Omega (Dental Fraternity)

Back to Top ^