University of Detroit - Mercy School of Dentistry (UDMSD) Introduction and Academics

Introduction

Originally established in 1877 as Detroit College, the University of Detroit Mercy is associated with the Jesuits and Sisters of Mercy. It has both undergraduate and graduate programs. The dental school was established in 1932. In 1981 the school opened up a Dental Service at Detroit Receiving Hospital, where students had an opportunity for clinical training. In 1997 the school relocated to a new facility in northwest Detroit that allows for state-of-the-art teaching and patient care. In addition to a DDS degree, the school offers postgraduates studies and a dental hygiene program.

Academics

4-year. The basic and preclinical sciences are concentrated in the first 2 years; however, some of the basic sciences are taught in the third and fourth years to provide for integration with the clinical sciences and to correlate patient care with its rationale. The freshman curriculum is divided between the basic and dental sciences, while in the sophomore year, a greater portion of the curriculum is devoted to the dental sciences. Clinical experience begins on a limited basis during the first year and extends through the second year. During this period, the students are initially taught the use of clinical equipment and to perform various dental procedures on each other. In the first semester of the second year (summer), students receive their first patients. Approximately half of the available time during the third and fourth years is devoted to clinical practice. Research opportunities are available throughout the curriculum on an elective basis.

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Unique Programs

Women and members of minority groups are encouraged to apply.

Admissions

The basic predental science courses plus a year of English are required. Recommended courses include physiology, comparative anatomy, histology, embryology, biochemistry, and psychology. No priority is given to state residents. Transfer and advanced standing: Foreign dental graduates as well as those attending U.S. and Canadian schools are considered.

Students

The school is located in northwest Detroit and contains well-equipped dental clinics and laboratories. The facilities consist of 147 fully equipped dental units and a simulation laboratory. Senior dental students provide patient care, on an every other week rotation, at the University of Detroit Mercy University Health Center at Detroit Receiving Hospital. This educational experience, a modern 41-operatory clinic, is designed to enable the student to provide comprehensive patient care more similar to the general dental practice setting. Students also rotate on assignments through various satellite clinics and participate in programs in local nursing homes, providing care using portable equipment.

University of Detroit - Mercy School of Dentistry