West Virginia University School of Dentistry

Introduction

West Virginia University was established in 1867. The West Virginia University School of Dentistry was opened in 1957 and is part of the Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center. The School of Dentistry offers, in addition to the DDS degree, a BS and MS in dental hygiene and graduate training in a number of specialties. Continuing education courses for dentists and auxiliaries are available as is an advanced education in general dentistry program.

Academics

4-year flexible. Clinical observation begins during the first semester of the second year. A transition to hands-on assisting assignments occurs in the second semester of the second year. Clinical experience begins during the summer of the second year. The fourth year provides an option of 4 basic tracts: basic biological science, general practice, rural practice tract, and a specific clinical tract. Students pursuing an approved tract must take at least 3 hours of electives each semester and must register for clinical courses. The track options enable the students to pursue areas of special interest, while continuing their development of clinical competency in all dental disciplines. This is attained by off-campus clinical rotations. The individualized programs for the fourth year are prepared in consultation with an adviser. It should be noted that the entire predoctoral curriculum is undergoing revision to assist students in the attainment of competencies that build upon one another and the performance of appropriate clinical care as early as possible in the curriculum. A team leader program has been initiated to ensure that students have the appropriate learning experiences to achieve competency and learn how to manage the needs of a family of patients. A 6-week community rural practice rotation is requried.

Unique Programs

Combined DDS-MS and DDS-PhD in the basic sciences programs are available on an individual basis. They require several years of study in addition to time needed for the dental curriculum.

Admissions

The basic predental science courses and 1 year of English composition and rhetoric are required. Recommended additional courses are biochemistry, comparative anatomy, embryology, and microbiology. Courses in the humanities and social sciences are also suggested. Preference is given to state residents. Nonresidents should have a GPA of at least 3.0 and DAT scores of 16

Students

The school is part of the WVU Health Sciences Center. Modern fully equipped facilities are continually upgraded.

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