Program Overview

Introduction to the School of Dental Medicine

The School of Dental Medicine at Case Western Reserve University provides students with a comprehensive education in dentistry, preparing them for successful careers in the field. The school's Doctor of Dental Medicine program is designed to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and confidence necessary to become competent dentists.

The REAL Curriculum

The REAL curriculum is a cornerstone of the School of Dental Medicine's educational program. REAL stands for Relevant Experiential Active Learning, and it is designed to provide students with a comprehensive and immersive learning experience. The curriculum is centered around four key themes:

• Health and Well-Being
• Disease Processes
• Restoration of Health
• Maintenance of Health

In addition to these themes, the curriculum also includes two key professional threads:

• Inquiry
• Leadership

REAL Curriculum: Classroom

The classroom component of the REAL curriculum is designed to provide students with a solid foundation in the principles of dentistry. The school's state-of-the-art Simulation Clinic is equipped with the latest technology and equipment, including:

• A-dec dental patient simulators
• Kilgore dental manikins and typodonts
• Computer screens at each simulator station for multimedia learning
• Simulation clinic space for CADCAM scan, design, milling, and 3D printing

The Simulation Clinic enhances students' learning experiences by providing them with realistic patient simulations to develop clinical skills in restorative dentistry, prosthodontics, endodontics, periodontics, pediatric dentistry, and implant dentistry.

REAL Curriculum: Clinic

The clinical patient care component of the REAL curriculum prepares practice-ready graduates for the practice of general dentistry. Students develop basic knowledge and skills with faculty assistance and ultimately develop sound clinical judgment, good interpersonal relations, and communication skills. The school's 132,000 square-foot Dental Clinic features 225 state-of-the-art patient care facilities, equipped with the latest equipment and digital technology.

REAL Curriculum: Research

The research component of the REAL curriculum provides students with the opportunity to participate in projects conducted by world-class faculty at the School of Dental Medicine. Students can assist in the discovery of new knowledge and present their findings at the annual Professionals Day. The school also offers students the option to pursue a Master's Degree in Clinical Research Training with the School of Medicine.

REAL Curriculum: Community

The community component of the REAL curriculum provides students with the opportunity to participate in outreach programs and mission trips to underserved areas. The school's Healthy Smiles Sealant Program is an award-winning program that introduces first-year students to second-, third-, and sixth-grade students attending Cleveland-area schools to perform dental exams and place sealants on their teeth.

Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) Program

The Doctor of Dental Medicine program at the School of Dental Medicine is a four-year program that provides students with a comprehensive education in dentistry. The program is designed to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and confidence necessary to become competent dentists. The curriculum involves integrated systems-based biomedical sciences, preclinical and clinical dental sciences, preclinical simulation, comprehensive patient care, interprofessional collaborative practice, behavioral sciences, ethics, and professionalism.

Admission Criteria

The admission criteria for the Doctor of Dental Medicine program at the School of Dental Medicine include a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution, completion of the required pre-dental coursework, and a minimum GPA of 3.0. Applicants must also take the Dental Acceptance Test (DAT) and submit their scores as part of the application process.

Research Areas

The School of Dental Medicine has a strong research program, with faculty members conducting research in a variety of areas, including:

• Oral health disparities
• Preventive dentistry
• Restorative dentistry
• Prosthodontics
• Endodontics
• Periodontics
• Pediatric dentistry
• Implant dentistry

Conclusion

The School of Dental Medicine at Case Western Reserve University provides students with a comprehensive education in dentistry, preparing them for successful careers in the field. The school's REAL curriculum is designed to provide students with a comprehensive and immersive learning experience, and the Doctor of Dental Medicine program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation.