Training Programs at our College

Current research at the College of Dentistry reflects contemporary oral health issues: cavities detection and remineralization; the role of immunity in defending against oral infecton; fluoride studies; population studies on fluorosis; research on dental implants from the molecular and cellular levels; access to oral health care; the effects of tobacco use on oral health; care of patients who are medically compromised or have special needs; and craniofacial birth defects.

The College of Dentistry’s Dental Student Research Program was officially established in 1987. Today, nearly 25 percent of the College’s predoctoral student body is involved in a variety of research programs, which allow students to work with faculty researchers. The predoctoral research program is one of the largest and most renowned in the U.S. and the students’ research achievements don’t go unnoticed. In 2006 and 2007, the American Association of Dental Research (AADR) National Student Research Group recognized the UI College of Dentistry for having the most student abstracts submitted at the 2006 and 2007 annual sessions of the AADR.

Research opportunities are also available for postdoctoral students: the Masters and Ph.D. Training Programs offer research training leading to the M.S. or Ph.D. degrees in oral science. The Postdoctoral Research Training Opportunities allow postdoctoral graduates the opportunity to pursue advanced research training in one of the research program areas indicated above. In addition, there are also research training opportunities for junior and mid-career faculty who wish to develop or improve their skills in oral health research.