UNC Adams School of Dentistry

The UNC Adams School of dentistry, located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, is a prominent institution within the University of North Carolina system. It holds the distinction of being North Carolina's first Dental school and has been a leader in oral healthcare education for over 75 years. The school is committed to a tripartite mission of education, research, and patient care, serving the state, nation, and beyond. Education: The UNC Adams School of Dentistry offers a comprehensive array of programs, including: Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS): A four-year program preparing students for general dental practice, research, teaching, public service, or advanced postdoctoral programs. Dental Hygiene Degrees: Undergraduate and graduate programs designed to prepare dental hygienists for diverse healthcare environments, emphasizing clinical patient care, community dental health, and specialties. Advanced dental education Programs: Post-DDS training in various dental specialties. PhD programs: Research-focused doctoral degrees. Patient Care (Carolina Dentistry): The school operates "Carolina Dentistry," its patient care arm, which encompasses various clinics staffed by faculty, residents (post-DDS students undergoing advanced training), and predoctoral/dental hygiene students under faculty supervision. This integrated model provides a wide range of services while also serving as a critical learning environment. Services offered through Carolina Dentistry include: General and Preventive Care (cleanings, check-ups) dental implants Dental Sleep Medicine Geriatric/Special Needs Dentistry Gum Disease (Periodontics) Operative (Aesthetic) Dentistry Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Oral Medicine Orofacial Pain + TMJ Disorders Orthodontics Pediatric Dentistry Prosthodontics root canal Therapy (Endodontics) Craniofacial Center Carolina Dentistry handles over 90,000 patient visits annually and provides millions of dollars in in-kind services. They also have a student-run clinic, SHAC dental clinic, for emergent dental services for underserved community members. Research: The UNC Adams School of Dentistry is actively engaged in cutting-edge research to advance oral and craniofacial health. Their research spans various areas, including basic and translational science, clinical research, and population health/health services research. The school consistently ranks among the nation's top dental schools in NIH funding, focusing on areas like orofacial pain, oral-systemic relationships, health policy, and fundamental mechanisms of disease. The school's commitment extends to addressing oral health care inequities, particularly in underserved and rural populations, through its graduates and outreach programs.