School of Dental Medicine
Program Description
The SIU School of Dental Medicine in Alton, Ill., offers a four-year academic program that awards the Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD). The mission of the Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine is to educate dentists and improve the oral health of the region through patient care, research/scholarship and service. In addition to classroom, clinical, and research facilities, the School has recently opened a new multidisciplinary, preclinical simulation laboratory. The use of this facility will enhance the student's preparation to be outstanding healthcare providers. The School also has broad capabilities in microscopy, including scanning electron microscopy and confocal microscopy, as well as other sophisticated equipment with which to conduct biomedical research. Patient care is provided in state-of-the-art clinical facilities at the Alton campus and the East St. Louis Center.
The dental curriculum is a structured program that requires all students to participate in a specified course of study. During the first two academic years, the educational offerings center on the biomedical sciences such as anatomy, microbiology, physiology and pathology, and preclinical dental sciences such as operative dentistry, prosthodontics, pediatric dentistry, and community health. Courses consist of a mixture of didactic, laboratory and clinical offerings.
The third and fourth years of the curriculum focus on more advanced aspects of dental treatment and the relationship of basic, medical, and social sciences to the treatment of dental disease. During the third and fourth years, the students devote the majority of their time to providing comprehensive clinical outpatient care.
The School of Dental Medicine also offers Advanced Education in General Dentistry, a one-year certificate program designed to enhance patient care skills acquired during the pre-doctoral education process. Training is conducted at the Alton campus, the East St. Louis Center and Touchette Regional Hospital. The program includes experiences with special needs patient populations, outpatient sedation, operating room care and training in dental implant techniques.
The dental school offers an implant fellowship as part of its postdoctoral training program. The fellowship is a one-year, non-certificate program that provides intensive training in implant dentistry within a comprehensive patient care environment. Training is conducted at the Alton campus. Clinical, teaching and research experiences are emphasized throughout the program.
Additional advanced dental education opportunities include Master of Science programs in endodontics and periodontology with degrees awarded by the St. Louis University Graduate School. These unique programs combine the resources of the SIU School of Dental Medicine and Saint Louis University to educationally qualify the resident for specialty practice in endodontics or periodontology. Training is conducted at both campuses.
The School’s admission committee, on a competitive basis, grants admission to the Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) program on completion of specific undergraduate academic requirements, satisfactory achievement on the Dental Aptitude Test, and successful review of the student's credentials.
Combined Arts and Sciences Dental Curriculum (BS/DMD Honors Program)
A special combined arts and sciences dental curriculum that leads to the Bachelor of Science and Doctor of Dental Medicine (BS/DMD Honors Program) is available for students interested in attending Southern Illinois University Edwardsville for their undergraduate degree. The pre-professional part of the curriculum is completed in just three years on the Edwardsville campus, and the four-year professional portion at the School of Dental Medicine in Alton, Ill. After successful completion of the first year of the combined program, a student is offered a tentative acceptance to the dental school, provided the student meets and continues to meet or exceed the conditions of the three-year pre-professional program. Students admitted to the School of Dental Medicine at the end of their junior year at SIUE may transfer appropriate credits toward the completion of the requirements for the Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science in biological sciences with a specialization in medical science, or a Bachelor of Arts in chemistry with a specialization in medical science. For details, see the biological sciences and chemistry sections of this catalog. Students interested in the dental program or the combined baccalaureate in biology/doctorate in dentistry (BS/DMD) program should write to the Office of Admissions and Records, Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine, 2800 College Avenue, Alton, IL 62002, phone 618-474-7170.
Degrees Available at SIUE
- Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) (Additional post-doctoral program opportunities include)
- Advanced Education in General Dentistry (AEGD)
- Fellowship in Implant Dentistry
