The School of Dental Medicine (SDM) is nationally-recognized for the quality of its educational programs, its interdisciplinary research and its excellent clinical care programs that contribute to the health and well being of many of Colorado’s most underserved citizens. Annually the school educates more than 300 students, receives about $5 million in external research funding and provides more than 82,000 clinical visits both on the Anschutz Medical Campus and across the state of Colorado.
The School of Dental Medicine is fully accredited by the American Dental Association (ADA), receiving the highest accreditation level, accredited with no reporting requirements, in January 2009. The ADA Commission on Dental Accreditation awarded this accreditation status based upon the results of a comprehensive site visit in late 2008 during which 14 site visitors completed a three-day extensive review of all programs which resulted in zero recommendations for change or improvement.
Programs at the SDM are highly competitive; over 300 individuals applied for the 36 positions in the International Student Program last year; 1450 individuals applied for the 80 positions in the DDS program; 150 applications were submitted for the 8 spots in the General Practice Residency and there were 225 applicants for the 15 new resident positions in the Orthodontic Residency program. These programs are focused on educating the next generation of dental practitioners to be competent and compassionate, so that they may effectively serve the state of Colorado and the nation.
The SDM’s collaborative research programs attract significant National Institutes of Health and the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research funding. In 2009, our institution ranked 12th in funded research from NIDCR. Additionally, SDM research creates partnerships with a number of the other institutions on the Anshutz Medical Campus, including the School of Medicine, the University of Colorado Cancer Center and The Children’s Hospital.