Program Overview

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Doctor of Dental Surgery (D.D.S.) Program

The Doctor of Dental Surgery (D.D.S.) program at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UT Health San Antonio) is a four-year curriculum that combines multidisciplinary training with a strong clinical focus. The program is designed to prepare students for a range of dental careers and provides a foundation for advanced dental education.

Program Overview

The D.D.S. program is a 175-credit hour program that includes both didactic and clinical coursework. The curriculum is divided into four years, with the first two years focusing on foundational sciences and the last two years focusing on clinical practice.

Admission Requirements

To be eligible for admission to the D.D.S. program, applicants must have completed a minimum of 90 semester hours of college coursework, including:

• 14 semester hours of biological sciences
• 8 semester hours of general chemistry
• 8 semester hours of organic chemistry
• 3 semester hours of biochemistry
• 8 semester hours of physics
• 6 semester hours of English

Applicants must also take the Dental Admission Test (DAT) and submit their scores as part of the application process.

Program Curriculum

The D.D.S. program curriculum includes coursework in:

• Human Health and Disease
• Foundations of Restorative Dentistry
• Introduction to Patient Care
• Clinical Patient Management
• General Dentistry Clinic
• Operative Dentistry
• Periodontics
• Prosthodontics
• Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
• Pediatric Dentistry
• Orthodontics

Clinical Experience

The D.D.S. program provides students with extensive clinical experience, including:

• Patient assessment and diagnosis
• Treatment planning and management
• Restorative dentistry
• Periodontics
• Prosthodontics
• Oral and maxillofacial surgery
• Pediatric dentistry
• Orthodontics

Program Outcomes

The D.D.S. program is designed to prepare students to:

• Provide oral health care within the scope of general dentistry
• Demonstrate the capacity to lead oral health care teams
• Collaborate with other health care providers
• Integrate biomedical knowledge, best quality research, clinical expertise, and patient values to provide evidence-based oral health care

Academic Standards

The D.D.S. program has established academic standards that include:

• Maintaining a minimum grade point average of 2.0
• Passing all coursework and clinical rotations
• Demonstrating professionalism and ethical behavior

Graduation Requirements

To graduate from the D.D.S. program, students must:

• Complete all required coursework and clinical rotations
• Pass the National Board Dental Examination (NBDE)
• Meet all academic and clinical requirements

Tuition and Fees

Tuition and fees for the D.D.S. program vary depending on the student's residency status and other factors. For more information, please visit the UT Health San Antonio website.

Research Opportunities

The D.D.S. program provides students with opportunities to participate in research projects and present their findings at national conferences.

Faculty

The D.D.S. program faculty includes experienced clinicians and researchers who are dedicated to providing students with a comprehensive education in dentistry.

Facilities

The D.D.S. program is located in the UT Health San Antonio School of Dentistry, which features state-of-the-art facilities and equipment.

Accreditation

The D.D.S. program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA).

Licensure

Graduates of the D.D.S. program are eligible to take the National Board Dental Examination (NBDE) and apply for licensure in the state of Texas.

Career Opportunities

Graduates of the D.D.S. program are prepared for a variety of career opportunities, including:

• Private practice
• Academia
• Research
• Public health
• Military dentistry

Conclusion

The Doctor of Dental Surgery (D.D.S.) program at UT Health San Antonio is a comprehensive program that provides students with the knowledge, skills, and clinical experience necessary to succeed in the field of dentistry. With its strong focus on clinical practice, research opportunities, and experienced faculty, the D.D.S. program is an excellent choice for students who are passionate about providing high-quality oral health care.