Program Overview

University of Nevada, Las Vegas Doctor of Dental Medicine Program

Introduction

The University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) School of Dental Medicine (SDM) provides world-class oral health education while catering to the dental needs of Nevada residents. The Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) program is a four-year academic program consisting of eleven full semesters and approximately 5,000 contact hours.

About the Program

The primary function of UNLV SDM is to provide innovative programs of oral healthcare services to the community, integrated biomedical and clinical curricula, and research. The program requires students to have a clear, valid, and measurable set of student standards/competencies for learning. The curriculum is designed to permit seamless vertical and horizontal integration of the three disciplines of biomedical, behavioral, and clinical sciences.

Accreditation

For information regarding accreditation at UNLV, please refer to the Academic Program Accreditations.

Learning Outcomes

The UNLV School of Dental Medicine education program is designed to ensure that students achieve specific learning outcomes. The program consists of:

• First year: 42 weeks, 1404 contact hours
• Second year: 46 weeks, 1303 contact hours
• Third year: 46 weeks, 1477 contact hours
• Fourth year: 28 weeks, 826 contact hours (estimated)

The academic year is divided into trimesters, each of which includes approximately 14 weeks of instruction. The curriculum hours are comparable to the national data published by the American Dental Association.

UNLV School of Dental Medicine Competency Statements

Upon graduation, SDM students must be able to:

1. Demonstrate principles of ethical reasoning and professional responsibility as they pertain to the academic environment, patient care, practice management, and research.
2. Demonstrate self-assessment, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills related to the comprehensive care of patients.
3. Promote oral and systemic health of patients within private practice and within the community.
4. Assess, diagnose, and perform treatment planning for individual patients of all ages.
5. Treat or manage periodontal and peri-implant tissues.
6. Restore defective teeth to form, function, and acceptable esthetics.
7. Replace missing teeth to form, function, and acceptable esthetics.
8. Treat or manage pulpal and periradicular disorders.
9. Treat or manage oral mucosal, bone, and temporomandibular disorders.
10. Perform uncomplicated oral hard and soft tissue surgical procedures.
11. Diagnose and manage malocclusion and occlusal disorders.
12. Treat or manage orofacial pain and anxiety.
13. Recognize, prevent, diagnose, and treat or manage dental and medical emergencies encountered in dental practice.

Career Possibilities

The program provides students with the necessary skills to pursue various career paths in the field of dental medicine.

Documents and Downloads

• Plans of Study: Not available
• Syllabi: Available for certain courses
• Degree Worksheets: Not available
• Careers: Career Possibilities document available
• Graduate Handbooks: Student Handbook available
• Additional Downloads: Not available
• Related Links: Not available

School of Dental Medicine

As the only accredited dental school in Nevada, the School of Dental Medicine provides world-class oral health education while catering to the dental needs of Nevada residents. With eight academic degree and advanced education certificate programs, students obtain the necessary skills to provide oral healthcare services to the community and make significant impacts to the field.