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University of Kentucy College of Dentistry 
Building a Foundation for the Future
 
DMD Program

What Makes UKCD Unique?

Mission and Services

• A public College of Dentistry with a comprehensive, statewide mission.

• Provides school-based dental prevention and care for indigent children in over 25 rural counties in Eastern and Western Kentucky with three Primary Dental Care Programs.

• Operates programs with modern, mobile facilities including a state-of-the-art dental van.

• Offers dental care at seven sites remote from the UK campus supported by the Appalachian Regional Commission.

• Provides all academic-based tertiary oral care for children in Kentucky at the University Hospital in Lexington, Kentucky

• Has graduated over 2,000 individuals; more than half of which have remained in Kentucky and practice in rural counties.

• Has an exemplary record of attracting applicants from rural as well as urban Kentucky communities to study dentistry and afterwards returning them to practice in these areas. UK has graduates in more than eighty percent of Kentucky's 120 counties, the remaining 49 states, and several foreign countries.

Location

• Suburban setting in Lexington, a city with a population of over 250,000 people situated in the scenic Blue Grass region of Kentucky known for its horse farms and high quality of life.

• Located on the main campus of the University of Kentucky (30,000) with opportunities to take advantage of the many facilities of a major university campus.

• One of six colleges (i.e. Dentistry, Medicine, Pharmacy, Nursing, Health Sciences, and Public Health) which along with the University Hospital, Markey Cancer Center, Sanders-Brown Center on Aging, and the Kentucky Clinic (outpatient care) comprise the UK Chandler Medical Center.

• A secure setting with 24 hour access to all facilities including pre-clinical labs.

Atmosphere

• Student-oriented environment conducive to learning.

• Warm, friendly atmosphere where students are treated as professionals ... student dentists in training.

• A student population of over 200 Doctor of Dental Medicine (D.M.D.) degree student dentists and nearly 50 graduate student dentists/residents.  One of the smallest dental schools in enrollment with an outstanding student/faculty ratio of 3.2 to 1.

• The College's size and atmosphere encourage a close mentoring relationship between students and faculty similar to what is found at small, liberal arts colleges.

• The College attracts many of the "best and brightest", the most outstanding students in Kentucky and throughout the nation, to its dental education program. The supportive atmosphere creates a pleasant learning environment where students can develop their potential with guidance from caring faculty and staff who get to know them well and are committed to their success.

• Each year UK is the choice of many of Kentucky's best applicants. The College also attracts outstanding applicants from throughout the United States and Canada.

• A very high percentage of student dentists graduate from the Doctor of Dental Medicine degree program. This is due in part to (1) the College's admissions policy of matriculating applicants with sound academic preparation and potential for success in dental school and (2) the faculty's commitment to help student dentists succeed in the curriculum.

• Traditionally, UK students have a high success rate on the National Dental Boards and regional licensure exams.

• They are also very successful in gaining admission to postdoctoral programs (i.e. specialty and general dentistry) across the United States.

• Approximately 95 percent receive aid annually in excess of $6.5 million financial aid program (scholarships, loans, and work/study) administered and awarded directly by the College's Coordinator of Student Financial Aid. The coordinator gets to know each student dentist well and as a result is often better able to meet their financial aid needs.

• A dedicated faculty of talented scholars, clinicians, and researchers who are committed to making each student's experience in the College challenging, rewarding, exciting, and personally satisfying.

Facilities

Modern classrooms, clinics, laboratories, and other facilities

• Second and third floor clinics with state-of-the art dental chairs.

• Student locker room, lounge, and kitchen.

• Fully renovated pre-clinical lab (D-611) with sixty work stations and several wet/dry labs.

• Expanded Orofacial Pain Clinic, one of three of its kind in the U.S.

• Three well-equipped mobile dental vans in which faculty and students provide care to pediatric patients in underserved areas of the Commonwealth.

• Digital radiography equipment in student dental clinics, anticipated for Summer, 2008.

• A part of the UK Chandler Medical Center with access to all Medical Center facilities.

• A continuing commitment to provide the best facilities available.

Curriculum

Outstanding dental curriculum

• A progressive and innovative dental curriculum based on a commitment to learning, competency-building, and the development of critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

• The Kentucky model integrates basic sciences, preclinical lab, clinical and related courses throughout the curriculum with involvement in clinical activity beginning early and increasing as competency is gained.

• Annual student dentist and faculty evaluation of curriculum to ensure continued updates and improvements

• An externship in a private practice or other approved setting is required during the summer after the third-year.  Other externships are available with the permission of the Academic Performance Committee.

• Postdoctoral programs in Pediatric Dentistry, Periodontics, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Orthodontics, Orofacial Pain, and General Dentistry. Opportunities exist to gain more exposure and experience in these and other areas outside of required coursework in the curriculum.

Support Services

• A professionally-staffed Office of Admissions and Student Affairs dedicated to facilitating the success of all student dentists.

• Excellent support services in a broad range of areas including counseling, financial aid, tutorial assistance, career planning and placement, student organizations and activities, and others.

• A full-time financial aid officer within the College responsible for assisting students in obtaining the aid for which they are eligible.  At the same time, this individual advises students on ways to keep their indebtedness at a manageable level.

Research

• A very active chapter of the American Association for Dental Research (AADR) Student Research Group.

• An opportunity for student dentists to engage in research with outstanding faculty who are making discoveries and creating new knowledge in dentistry and related areas.

• Encouragement to conduct research for presentation at local, state, national, and even international meetings. Each year student dentists travel to meetings of the Kentucky Dental Association, American Dental Association, American Association for Dental Research, American Association of Dental Schools, and other research gatherings. In the past four years, the University of Kentucky College of Dentistry has had two winners of the Hatton award, the most prestigious student award in dental research.

• Research fellowships ($1,000) are awarded annually to promising student researchers in the College.

• . The Center for Oral Health Research (COHR) drives the College's research activities.

Student Organizations

• American Dental Education Association—Council of Students
The College has two delegates to the American Dental Education Association (ADEA) Council of Students.  Their responsibilities include dealing with a wide variety of issues of concern to all students attending the nation's dental schools.

• American Association of Women Dentists
The American Association of Women Dentists (AAWD) is a national organization that represents, serves, and supports the specific needs and interests of women dentists.   Information on membership is provided annually by the local chapter.

• American Student Dental Association/Kentucky Student Dental Society
The American Student Dental Association (ASDA) was established in 1971 to represent, serve, and support the needs and interests of all student dentists as they prepare to enter the dental profession. ASDA is the affiliate student organization of the American Dental Association (ADA). The University of Kentucky chapter has a history of being active at all levels. The local chapter annually sponsors a student convention with exhibitors, table clinic/research competition, and continuing education courses. The chapter also serves the community through its Saturday Morning Clinics, a program that provides dental care to children from low-income families. Additionally, the chapter sponsors a number of professional and social activities for its members.

ASDA members at the University of Kentucky College of Dentistry and the University of Louisville School of Dentistry are encouraged also to become members of the Kentucky Student Dental Society (KSDS), the affiliate organization to the Kentucky Dental Association (KDA). KSDS has representation and voting privileges in the KDA House of Delegates.

• Class Officers and Representatives
Each College of Dentistry class has a President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Social Chair, Academic Performance Committee Representative, ASDA Representative, Alumni Representative, and two representatives on the College Code Committee.

• Omicron Kappa Upsilon
Omicron Kappa Upsilon is a national dental honor society founded in 1914. Every dental school in the United States has an active chapter. The Delta Epsilon Chapter of OKU is the chapter at the University of Kentucky College of Dentistry. Each year, the chapters elect alumni members of OKU from the graduating class. Our chapter also recognizes the scholastic achievement of students through the Basic Science Award (usually awarded to a second year student) and the Kramer Award (awarded to a third year student).

• Student Advisory Council
The Student Advisory Council (SAC) serves in an advisory capacity to the Dean. SAC provides information and makes recommendations designed to improve the quality of the students' educational experience. Additionally, SAC serves as a forum through which students may exchange information, develop ideas, express concerns, and identify problems related to College educational or administrative policies.

• Student Government Association Senator
The purpose of the University of Kentucky Student Government Association (SGA) is to increase student influence over academic policy; to provide necessary student services; to protect and expand student substantive and procedural rights; and to better represent the student body in relations with the faculty, administration, Board of Trustees, and the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Annually, students of each College in the University elect an SGA senator who serves as a member of the Student Senate.

• Student National Dental Association
The Student National Dental Association (SNDA) is the national organization that addresses the specific needs and interests of minority students. SNDA is the affiliate student organization to the National Dental Association (NDA). Chapter members engage in several community service activities throughout the year.

• Student Research Group
The Student Research Group (SRG) is affiliated with the American Association of Dental Research (AADR). The primary purpose of the Student Research Group is to foster student involvement in research at the College. Student involvement in research projects is promoted by:

• informing students about research opportunities and support in the College (e.g., elective courses, work-study, fellowships)

• acquainting students with on-going research projects

• providing students with information on how to do research, write abstracts and present the results of research studies through table clinics, posters and oral presentations.

Costs

Of the nation's dental schools......

• Traditionally, ranked among the lowest in total costs for residents.

• Among the lowest tuition costs for non-residents.

• Average total level of indebtedness for the graduating Class of 2006 was $97,000. This average is below the national average.

Other Features

• A strong network of alumni throughout the Commonwealth of Kentucky and in all states.

• An affiliation with the UK National Alumni Association and its many chapters throughout the United States

The University of Kentucky College of Dentistry ...... a dynamic dental college committed to the success of its student dentists.

Get to know UK better and you will see why this dental college is unique and so well-respected both nationally and internationally. The College's faculty, student dentists, and 1,500 alumni across America hope you will give the University of Kentucky careful consideration as you make plans for your future in dentistry.