Dental Scientist Training Program (D.M.D., Ph.D.)

The Dental Scientist Training Program (DSTP), also known as the D.M.D./Ph.D. program, is one of only 13 such programs supported by a National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Health training grant. It is also financially and administratively supported by the Colleges of Dental Medicine and Graduate Studies. The program is designed to facilitate the development of superior students into individuals who can provide the innovative leadership required in oral health sciences. The integrated program provides the training for the attainment of both the D.M.D. and Ph.D. degrees. Accordingly, the program seeks to incorporate the best qualities of the dental and graduate programs into a cohesive whole and to foster exceptional training in both clinical and research areas.

The DSTP consists of faculty members drawn from both basic and clinical sciences departments. The program directors with internal and external steering committees are responsible for the operation of the program. The primary purpose of such an administrative structure is to guide the Dental Scientist Training Program and its participants toward the highest quality of intellectual curiosity and the accomplishment of academic excellence. 

The DSTP is an integrated program with both the D.M.D. and Ph.D. degrees conferred upon a student at the very end of the program, and only upon successful completion of the program.  The curriculum is essentially the same curriculum for the D.M.D. and the Ph.D. programs, just integrated.  Since DSTP students begin with the first year of D.M.D. training, they begin the dental school didactic curriculum in June, ahead of traditional Fall academic year start dates. DSTP students begins with 1 year of dental school, followed by 3-4 years of research, and then the final 3 years of the dental school curriculum. This paradigm helps students concentrate on their research and/or clinical work for better retention and offers a more satisfactory blend of academic and patient experiences. Additionally, dental students need continuity in their clinical training to maintain the skills acquired during their 2nd year of preclinical, laboratory-based dental classes. To stimulate and promote integration of the basic research skills and interests likely to be acquired during the years of PhD training, we provide 2 opportunities for DSTP students, during the clinical training, to gain knowledge about and actively participate in clinical and translational research through the Month in the Research Nexus and the Translational Sciences Clinic. DSTP students differ in the amount of time needed to complete their training; the average – based on 10 graduates to date – is 8.1 years.  

Curriculum

Year 1, Summer

Reference D.M.D. Curriculum 10.5
Semester Total 10.5

Year 1, Fall

Reference D.M.D. Curriculum 23.5
Semester Total 23.5

Year 1, Spring

Reference D.M.D. Curriculum 25.5
Semester Total 25.5

Year 2, Summer

CGS 720 Laboratory Rotation 4
CGS 721 Laboratory Rotations 4
### 970 Research 3 - 6
Semester Total 11 - 14

Year 2, Fall

MCBP 745 Topics in Oral Health Sciences 0.5
MCBP 747 Oral Health Science Seminar Series 0.5
CGS 768 Techniques & Experimental Design 2
### 970 Research 3 - 6
Semester Total 6 - 9

Year 2, Spring

CGS 772 Learning From the Literature 2
CGS 770 Principles Practices & Professionalism 2
MCBP 745 Topics in Oral Health Sciences 0.5
MCBP 747 Oral Health Science Seminar Series 0.5
### 970 Research 3 - 6
Dissertation
Semester Total 8 - 11

Year 3, Summer

### 970 Research 3 - 6
Semester Total 3 - 6

Year 3, Fall

CGS 727 Designing Rigorous Research 1
MCBP 745 Topics in Oral Health Sciences 0.5
MCBP 747 Oral Health Science Seminar Series 0.5
CGS 700 Intro to Biostatsistics 4
### 970 Research 3 - 6
Any additional department specific requirements
Semester Total 9 - 12

Year 3, Spring

MCBP 745 Topics in Oral Health Sciences 0.5
MCBP 747 Oral Health Science Seminar Series 0.5
### 970 Research 3 - 6
Dissertation 8-11
Semester Total 15 *

Year 4, Summer

Dissertation 15
Semester Total 15

Year 4, Fall

MCBP 745 Topics in Oral Health Sciences 0.5
MCBP 747 Oral Health Science Seminar Series 0.5
Dissertation 14
Semester Total 15

Year 4, Spring

MCBP 745 Topics in Oral Health Sciences 0.5
MCBP 747 Oral Health Science Seminar Series 0.5
Dissertation 14
Semester Total 15

Year 5, Summer

Dissertation
Semester Total 15

Year 5, Fall

MCBP 745 Topics in Oral Health Sciences 0.5
MCBP 747 Oral Health Science Seminar Series 0.5
Dissertation 14
Semester Total 15

Year 5, Spring

MCBP 745 Topics in Oral Health Sciences 0.5
MCBP 747 Oral Health Science Seminar Series 0.5
Dissertation 14
Semester Total 15

Year 6, Fall

Reference D.M.D. Curriculum 27
MCBP 745 Topics in Oral Health Sciences 0.5
MCBP 747 Oral Health Sci Seminar Series 0.5
Semester Total 28

Year 6, Spring

Reference D.M.D. Curriculum 25
MCBP 745 Topics in Oral Health Sciences 0.5
MCBP 747 Oral Health Sci Seminar Series 0.5
Semester Total 26

Year 7, Summer

Reference D.M.D. Curriculum 12
Semester Total 12

Year 7, Fall

Reference D.M.D. Curriculum 17
MCBP 745 Topics in Oral Health Sciences 0.5
MCBP 747 Oral Health Sci Seminar Series 0.5
Semester Total 18

Year 7, Spring

Reference D.M.D. Curriculum 27.5
MCBP 745 Topics in Oral Health Sciences 0.5
MCBP 747 Oral Health Sci Seminar Series 0.5
Semester Total 28.5

Year 8, Summer

Reference D.M.D. Curriculum 9.5
Semester Total 9.5

Year 8, Fall

Reference D.M.D. Curriculum 14.5
MCBP 745 Topics in Oral Health Sciences 0.5
MCBP 747 Oral Health Sci Seminar Series 0.5
Semester Total 15.5

Year 8, Spring

Reference D.M.D. Curriculum 28
MCBP 745 Topics in Oral Health Sciences 0.5
MCBP 747 Oral Health Sci Seminar Series 0.5
Semester Total 29
Curriculum Total 368-383+

* In Dissertation years, total credit hours for each semester must equal 15.