The clinical education program is designed to fulfill competency-based criteria by providing each student with a broad background of clinical experience based on the philosophy of prevention and comprehensive patient care. Although the need for the treatment of existing disease is of paramount importance, the clinical program stresses long-term complete dental care founded on preventing the occurrence or recurrence of disease. Students provide patient care in a general practice in a manner similar to practitioners in the community. Clinical areas for predoctoral instruction are designated primarily for general practice teams. Clinical instruction is accomplished using dentist-managers, general dentists and specialists providing interdepartmental instruction for the student, and the highest level of dental care for the patient. The clinical program functions year round to provide continuity of patient care.

Director of Simulation Research:  Gary Hack, DDS
Clinical simulation realistically prepares students for the performance of patient care procedures and is employed in both the undergraduate dental and dental hygiene curricula. As a basis for their performance of finite psychomotor skills, students are introduced to the principles of human-centered ergonomics early in their first year. They learn to derive a posture, position, and process for practice in ways that enable the attainment of occupational health and peak performance without compromise of task, patient, or self. Students learn to perform dental procedures to high standards of precision, quality, and accountability on lifelike manikins in simulated and real practice settings, before treating patients. This is accomplished in the Dental School’s state-of-the-art clinical simulation unit that replicates the features of a dental practice operatory, and the general practice clinics in which patients receive care. Professional skills and habits acquired in realistic clinical simulation ensure student ease, confidence, and competence in their later application to patient care.

Professor and Chair: Norman Tinanoff, DDS, MS

In its teaching, research, and service activities, the Department of Health Promotion and Policy continually develops, evaluates, and disseminates information and methods to meet the needs of the providers and recipients of oral health care. The major areas of teaching responsibility are pediatric dentistry and behavioral sciences for the predoctoral dental program, dental hygiene at the bachelor’s and master’s levels, and postgraduate pediatric dentistry. 

The department conducts research in clinical trials, oral epidemiology, practice administration, quality assurance, behavioral sciences, orofacial pain, geriatric dentistry, oral health services, oral health policy, the study of dental caries in minority populations, effects of preventive interventions on caries in infants and young children, nutrition and oral health, and the evaluation of therapeutic agents through clinical trials.

Professor and Chair:  Patrik M. Bavoil, PhD

The department conducts multidisciplinary research in microbial pathogenesis, educates students in the biology of oral and other microbial pathogens, and provides service to the Dental School, the University, and the community. Continued development of the department emphasizes integration of its research activities into the graduate and post-graduate programs of the Dental School through a faculty-driven curriculum in interactive classroom settings as well as department-supported research projects.

Professor and Chair:  Joel D. Greenspan, PhD

This is a research-intensive department focused in the area of neuroscience, with a strong emphasis on the neurobiology of pain.  Research initiatives encompass basic, translational, and clinical science programs.  Educational missions involve instruction in the Dental School and Graduate School curricula and mentored research training for both pre-doctoral students and post-doctoral fellows.

Professor and Chair: Li Mao, MD

In addition to providing instruction in radiology, oral medicine, and diagnostic sciences for the predoctoral program, the department presents courses for graduate and postgraduate students and offers programs leading to a certificate in Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology and/or a doctoral degree. Also, graduate training programs are offered in surgical, clinical, and experimental pathology. Research and graduate training are conducted in the pathobiology of cancer, connective tissues, stress proteins, developmental biology, dental management of medically compromised patients, prevention of infection in immunocompromised patients, evaluation of drugs to treat bacterial and fungal infections of the oral cavity and the role of viruses in cancer and its treatment.

Professor and Chair:  Robert A. Ord, DDS, MD, MS

The department provides instruction in the second, third and fourth years of the predoctoral program.  A Year IV clerkship elective in Oral-Maxillofacial Surgery provides students an opportunity to perform more advanced dentoalveolar surgery and participate more fully in surgical care at the University of Maryland Medical Center.  The postgraduate program in oral-maxillofacial surgery includes training at the University of Maryland Medical System and University of Maryland Dental School.

Research is conducted in chemoprevention of oral carcinoma and pain management techniques. The department is also involved in evaluation of analgesics for postsurgical pain control and tumor immunology.

Chair: Stuart D. Josell, DMD, M Dent Sc

Predoctoral instruction in orthodontics provides a strong foundation for delivery of limited orthodontic treatment as part of an adult and child patient's comprehensive dental care.  Clerkship and other elective opportunities are available for those who wish to pursue additional course work and clinical experience.  The postgraduate program prepares students for specialty certification by the American Board of Orthodontics.

The department conducts research in growth and development, experimental and diagnostic imaging, the biology of tooth movement, properties and biocompatibility of orthodontic materials, and the physiology of facial musculature.

Professor and Chair: Mark A. Reynolds, DDS, PhD

The department provides instruction in periodontics for predoctoral and postgraduate students.  Interested students have the opportunity to choose from a broad range of additional experiences and research opportunities.  

The department conducts research in regenerative therapy, microbial genetics, chemotherapeutic agents, periodontal pathogens, implantology, and biostatistics. 

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