The purpose of the School of Dentistry is to educate students who can demonstrate the attainment of competence and the progression toward proficiency in providing for the oral health needs of society. This education is designed to be comprehensive in nature and to challenge students to reflect on transcendent values as well as instill caring, ethical, and moral components in their professional lives. This educational experience will enable the students to manage with confidence all phases of comprehensive dental care. It will also prepare the students to evaluate and implement new knowledge and to accept their responsibility of service to one?s community and profession.
The predoctoral educational program is, for the most part, traditional in structure. The curriculum is, however, continuously reviewed and modified as necessary to accommodate societal needs and changing concepts. Within limits of time and resources, a degree of flexibility is incorporated into the curriculum to provide for the particular needs of the student. Courses are arranged over a four year period to provide a sequential progression from competency in the basic sciences to the demonstration of competence and the movement toward proficiency in basic clinical procedures and total patient care.