University of Washington School of Dentistry (UWSD) Introduction and Academics

Introduction

The University of Washington was established in 1861. There are 17 undergraduate schools and 1 graduate school. The University of Washington School of Dentistry was founded in 1945 and is now located on the 700-acre main campus. The School of Dentistry is part of the Warren G. Magnuson Health Science Center, whose other components are the schools of Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Public Health, and Community Medicine. In addition to the DDS degree, the school offers a BS in dental hygiene, an MS in dentistry, and graduate training in a variety of specialties leading to a certificate of proficiency.

Academics

4-year. Strong emphasis is placed on integrating study in the basic sciences with study in clinical dental sciences. First year: Consists of the basic sciences with an introduction to preclinical techniques. Second year: A continuation of preclinical skills, application of basic science principles in a clinical setting, and the beginning of experience in clinical treatment. Third year: Devoted to rotations in 9 disciplines plus lectures to enhance diagnostic and technical skills. Fourth year: Provides an opportunity for extensive experience in the delivery of comprehensive patient dental care in off-campus sites. A wide choice of electives are available to third- and fourth-year students to meet elective requirements.

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Unique Programs

Students with special backgrounds can utilize the diverse resources of the Health Sciences Center to plan joint MS and/or PhD programs. The University of Washington, School of Dentistry is one of 15 dental schools nationwide selected to participate in this novel 5-year $15 million Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and California Endowment-sponsored program. The program is designed to increase access to dental care for underserved populations and to increase recruitment and retention of disadvantaged and underrepresented minority students.

Admissions

One year of biology or zoology, 1 year of general physics, 1 semester/2 quarters of inorganic and organic chemistry, 1 semester/2 quarters of biochemistry, and 2 semesters/3 quarters general microbiology are required. Entering classes are 75% Washington State residents; the rest are from WICHE states or other states. While a majority of the entering class have completed an undergraduate degree, applicants who have at least 3 years of college coursework are considered. Transfer and advanced standing: Transfer students are rarely accepted. There is no advanced standing program.

Students

As an integral part of the Health Sciences Center, the school has a variety of facility resources available to students.

University of Washington School of Dentistry