Introduction
West Virginia University was established in 1867. The
West Virginia University School of Dentistry was
opened in 1957 and is part of the Robert C. Byrd
Health Sciences Center. The School of Dentistry offers,
in addition to the DDS degree, a BS and MS in dental
hygiene and graduate training in a number of specialties. Continuing education courses for dentists and
auxiliaries are available as is an advanced education
in general dentistry program.
Academics
4-year flexible. Clinical observation begins during
the first semester of the second year. A transition to
hands-on assisting assignments occurs in the second
semester of the second year. Clinical experience
begins during the summer of the second year. The
fourth year provides an option of 4 basic tracts: basic
biological science, general practice, rural practice
tract, and a specific clinical tract. Students pursuing
an approved tract must take at least 3 hours of electives each semester and must register for clinical
courses. The track options enable the students to pursue areas of special interest, while continuing their
development of clinical competency in all dental disciplines. This is attained by off-campus clinical
rotations. The individualized programs for the fourth
year are prepared in consultation with an adviser. It
should be noted that the entire predoctoral curriculum
is undergoing revision to assist students in the attainment of competencies that build upon one another
and the performance of appropriate clinical care as
early as possible in the curriculum. A team leader
program has been initiated to ensure that students
have the appropriate learning experiences to achieve
competency and learn how to manage the needs of a
family of patients. A 6-week community rural practice rotation is requried.
Unique Programs
Combined DDS-MS and DDS-PhD in the basic sciences programs are available on an individual basis.
They require several years of study in addition to
time needed for the dental curriculum.
Admissions
The basic predental science courses and 1 year of
English composition and rhetoric are required. Recommended additional courses are biochemistry,
comparative anatomy, embryology, and microbiology. Courses in the humanities and social sciences
are also suggested. Preference is given to state residents. Nonresidents should have a GPA of at least 3.0
and DAT scores of 16
Students
The school is part of the WVU Health Sciences Center.
Modern fully equipped facilities are continually
upgraded.