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In response to a growing interest among students of dentistry and today's strong demand for clinician-scientists in the oral health arena, the University of Maryland School of Dentistry is offering a combined DDS-Master's program. The program is designed to prepare outstanding clinical scientists, thoroughly versed in clinical research or public health and capable of addressing significant problems in oral health. Students can choose a master's in clinical research or a master's in public health and graduate with the DDS-MSCR or DDS-MPH.  A maximum of two students are admitted into the program each year. A student may enter the program in year one, two, or prior to entering the third year of dental school.

The combined degree program builds on the school's tradition of attracting and cultivating high-caliber students. Since 1997, more than 100 University of Maryland dental students have presented their work at national or international meetings and several have published in peer-reviewed journals. The University of Maryland School of Dentistry students have been especially successful in garnering prestigious NIH awards. Their experience at the University of Maryland School of Dentistry has prepared them for new opportunities around the country.

The program is directed by Dr. Sharon M. Gordon. Dr. Gordon earned a bachelor's degree in biology from the University of North Texas, a DDS from the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, and completed a two-year general practice residency at Medical Center Hospital in San Antonio prior to joining the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, National Institutes of Health in 1993. She earned an MPH in Epidemiology in 1997 and her PhD in Clinical Investigation in 2003, both from Johns Hopkins University.  Dr. Gordon is board certified in the specialty of Dental Public Health. Dr. Gordon is currently on faculty at the University of Maryland School of Dentistry.

Financial Assistance

Students enrolled in the program will receive financial support in the form of a stipend for the one full-time year of the program. In addition, short-term fellowships are available for research conducted in the summer before entering dental school and summer work during dental school.