School of Dental Medicine

Established in 1896, the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine has been educating students to take their places among the best dental practitioners, researchers and educators in our region, across the country, and beyond.  We are one of six Schools of Health Sciences at the University of Pittsburgh and are the only school at the University to manage our own clinic. 

We are proud of our long tradition as innovators in dental medicine. Our first female student was admitted in 1898, and today more than half of our vibrant and diverse first-year pre-doctoral class are women. We nurture in our students a strong foundation in the biological, behavioral and clinical sciences 
and a belief in the importance of professionalism and life-long learning.

The School’s general dental clinics and 11 specialty clinics play an integral role in improving the oral health of the patient population of southwestern Pennsylvania and beyond. More than half a century ago, we pioneered the speciality dental care that we now deliver in our fully equipped Center for Patients with Special Needs.  

The Pitt Dental Medicine research mission is to expand the boundaries of knowledge and build on discoveries to enhance the quality of human life. Our mission aligns with the University of Pittsburgh’s position as a research-intensive university. In addition, our research is an essential part of the School’s teaching mission for health science students. Furthermore, the contribution of research can be directly applied to patient care by advancing the knowledge base of the dental field as a whole. This, too, is a key component of education for Pitt Dental Medicine students and serves to integrate research into the future of clinical dentistry and ultimately benefit patients.

Every day, the positive contributions of our faculty, staff, residents and students-the Pitt Dental Medicine community-demonstrate their commitment to our mission of improving oral health through teaching, research and service.  Visit the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine website, www.dental.pitt.edu, for more information.  

Graduate and Professional Degree Programs at the School of Dental Medicine 

Along with several specialized degree programs, degrees offered at the School of Dental Medicine include the Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD); Doctor of Philosophy (PhD); Master of Science (MS); and Bachelor of Science (BS).

The four-year Predoctoral (DMD) Program  prepares students to provide comprehensive care to a diverse patient population. The competency-based curriculum emphasizes health promotion and disease prevention, and prepares students to provide individualized treatments using the best scientific evidence available. Graduates are equipped to practice as independent, entry-level general practitioners. 

The International Advanced Standing (DMD) Program  places qualified graduates of foreign dental schools as third-year dental students. These students are integrated into the program and complete the third- and fourth-years of the pre doctoral curriculum with the rest of the class. 

The Department of Oral and Craniofacial Sciences  encompasses the study of fundamental biological phenomena related to the development, structure, and function of the craniofacial region as well as the development of new therapies, biomaterials, and diagnostic tools for the treatment of diseases and disorders in the craniofacial area with the aim of improving health. Current research focuses involve craniofacial regeneration and genetics. 

The School of Dental Medicine offers advanced residency certificate and Master of Dental Medicine degree programs  in each of the full array of dental specialties.

The School of Dental Medicine encourages students to engage in the public health and community service nature of dentistry. The Certificate in Dental Public Health offers an additional University-acknowledged certification program whereby students who have highly developed social/ public policy interests are able to participate in a variety of dental public health programs to develop essential teaching, learning, and leadership skills. The Certificate requires an additional 15 credits of coursework at the School of Dental Medicine, with 6 credits being shared core courses (SCOPE I and II) and one course of 2-3 credits taken at the Pitt School of Public Health. There is no additional tuition for students in the program.

To learn more about The University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine’s Dental Hygiene Program offerings, please visit the University of Pittsburgh Undergraduate Catalog.  

Contact Information

Mission, Vision, and Values 

Mission

The mission of the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine is to improve oral health through Teaching, Research and Service:

• Teaching a new generation of clinicians to deliver oral health care with skill and compassion
• Research that expands the boundaries of our knowledge and builds on discoveries to enhance human life
• Service to the diverse community of patients who entrust themselves to our care

Vision

The University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine will be a diverse, welcoming and supportive community widely recognized for excellence and leadership in the improvement of oral health.

• We will train our students to care for patients skillfully, professionally, and compassionately; to treat each patient with respect and kindness; and to be aware at all times of the privilege and responsibility of being entrusted with the care of another human being. We will model evidence-based treatment and the importance of life-long learning. 
• We will actively contribute to the mission of the University of Pittsburgh to be a leading research institution, broadening the scientific foundations of dental and craniofacial medicine and translating new knowledge into life-enhancing treatments for people everywhere. 
• We will be known for our clinical expertise and serve as a regional resource to which our neighbors will turn for comprehensive care. We will use the best techniques and current technologies to create optimal outcomes for our patients. 
• We will maintain a strong and enduring connection with our alumni 
to help ensure our School’s success for generations to come. 
Our alumni will carry on our mission through clinical excellence, service 
to the dental profession, and generous outreach to people in need. 

Values

• Service: Providing exemplary service to our students, faculty, patients, and society
• Passion for Excellence: Continuously striving to achieve the highest level of excellence in education, research, and service
• Professionalism and Integrity: Adhering to the highest ethical and professional standards of our profession
• Leadership: Serving as role models and mentors to students, faculty, and staff to shape the future of oral health care
• Collaboration: Embracing a team approach to accomplish shared goals
• Humanism: Respecting the contributions of each person within the School of Dental Medicine family to foster an environment of trust, safety, and fairness

School of Dental Medicine Faculty

A faculty and staff directory is available on the School of Dental Medicine website.