With the arrival of the 21st century, our curriculum reflects new knowledge, technical excellence, ethics and practice management, with an increased emphasis on critical thinking and problem-based learning. The Dental Science Building has undergone the first major renovation in more than twenty-five years, with remodeled clinic areas, research laboratories, and a $3.7 million Simulation Clinic that prepares students for their patient experiences. Over 25 new faculty have been appointed to complement an experienced senior faculty. All new faculty have advanced training.
We are are currently the only dental school with advanced programs in all recognized specialty areas. Every discipline has at least one national leader. Outreach programs focus on children, special needs patients and seniors, including our national award-winning Geriatric Mobile Dental Unit.
Our research collaborations involve almost every college at The University of Iowa, other institutions in this country and abroad, and major oral health care companies. This scholarly environment nurtures the largest dental student research program in the nation, and supports a number of federally funded interdisciplinary research centers involving faculty from departments across the campus. Remaining current in a world of increasingly complex cases and constantly evolving technology will present a continuing challenge for future practitioners. By linking education with clinical care and research, the College of Dentistry is anticipating these needs, and is preparing dentistry for the future.