Program Overview

As a student in the UNE College of Dental Medicine’s D.M.D. program, you receive a dental education that is current, comprehensive, and innovative. Our curriculum is grounded in the latest principles of evidence-based dentistry, and content is delivered through a wide variety of engaging and effective didactic methodologies.

Key features of our curriculum include:

  • Sequenced courses and an emphasis on theory integration across classroom, laboratory, and clinical settings, all of which promote the acquisition of knowledge and skills that build upon one another.
  • Immediate development of hands-on clinical simulation skills using state-of-the-art instruments and equipment.
  • Student learning experiences — including team-based learning — that enhance your ability to work collaboratively with other members of the dental practice.
  • A strong emphasis on the biomedical sciences and principles of clinical medicine through the integrated study of human systems.
  • Early direct patient care experiences in our Oral Health Center’s Comprehensive Care Clinic.
  • The opportunity for you to learn alongside students in other health professions.
Headshot of U N E Dental Medicine student Emily Richard
There is a lot of hands-on experience early on. We had drills in our hands on the first day of clinic. UNE does a really good job in preparing you to be an independent clinician as a first-year dentist right out of the program.
Dental Medicine (D.M.D.), Medical Biology

Experiential Learning

Our comprehensive group practice model features groups of practicing “dental associates,” who are students at all stages of their education. Faculty mentors help you and your group manage your practice efficiently and effectively, resulting in exceptionally valuable clinical experiences for you, top-quality oral health care for patients, and your development of competency in all aspects of clinical care.

A dental student works on a patient simulator

The College of Dental Medicine also offers a unique community-based education program, which begins with service learning and public health coursework during your first three years at the College and culminates with extensive clinical rotations in your fourth year. You directly contribute to our mission of improving the health of Northern New England by practicing the full scope of general dentistry at a network of sites throughout Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont. Your community-based faculty preceptors are trained and calibrated to provide mentorship and supervision while you continue your development as a dental professional who is capable of delivering patient-centered comprehensive care in a variety of settings.   

​To learn more about the program, see Curriculum or visit the Catalog.

To learn more about our Accelerated 3-4 Option Medical Biology-Dental Medicine track for pre-dental students, see the Medical Biology (Medical Sciences) Curriculum.

Meet Current D.M.D. Students

Owen Williams ’24

Alisha Starbird ’23

Kristin Briggs ’24

Facilities

Oral Health Center

The Oral Health Center (OHC) is the clinical home of UNE’s Dental Medicine teaching clinic and simulation facility. There are about 17,000 patient visits in the OHC annually. As a Dental student, you deliver patient care under the supervision of experienced clinical faculty and staff in a team-oriented approach to meet the health care needs of our patients. The OHC also serves as a space for you to engage in interprofessional education opportunities with College of Osteopathic Medicine and Physician Assistant students.

Interprofessional Simulation and Innovation Center

As a UNE Dental student, you utilize the Interprofessional Simulation and Innovation Center (ISIC) to apply knowledge from the classroom to clinical situations. Guided by skilled instructors, you participate in simulations to enhance your clinical aptitudes. Rather than just hearing and reading about difficult or unusual cases, you experience them by treating high-fidelity patient simulators in real-life scenarios.

Emergency Medical Training in the ISIC