Activities & Programs
Non-Clinical Service Activities
Our service activities are both broad-based and deep. Our faculty play major roles in international and national professional and research organizations, by serving as consultants, speakers, officers in organizations, and peer reviewers. They also share a substantial amount of time and expertise at the state and local level by serving as consultants and continuing education experts. They also provide a substantial amount of service to the University by serving on numerous elected and appointed committees.
Research Activities
Ongoing departmental research includes practice-based, dental diagnostic, oral epidemiologic, oral cancer, oral medicine and dental health services research. This research is funded by the National Institutes of Health, by corporations, and by private foundations. The UAB Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP provides annual data on research funding at the University, School of Dentistry, and departmental levels. The department houses the Biostatistics Unit, directed by Mark Litaker, PhD.
Comprehensive Care Clinic
The main mission of this clinic is the teaching of comprehensive general dentistry to DMD students. The clinic is located on the second floor of the School of Dentistry Building and can be reached by calling 205-934-2700.
Dental Assisting Program
The Dental Assisting Program has a one-year curriculum that typically graduates 20 students each year. Please go to the UAB School of Dentistry web site under Students/Prospective Students for further details.
General Dental Residency - Hospital Dental Clinic
The main mission of this clinic is the delivery of comprehensive dental care to medically complex patients, and the training of General Practice and Advanced Education in General Dentistry residents. The clinic is located in the UAB Hospital, and can be reached by calling 205-934-2552.
Limited Care & Treatment Planning Clinic
The purposes of this clinic are: (1) the prompt treatment or referral of patients with dental or oral pain, bleeding, trauma, or discomfort; and (2) the initial diagnostic evaluation and treatment planning for patients who want comprehensive care in the student treatment program. Clinic staff are available at 205-934-3000.
Health Professions Student Dental Health Program
This program is a closed-panel health maintenance program for students who are enrolled in the medical, nursing, pharmacy, optometry or nurse anesthetist schools. Patients are seen after-hours (5:00 PM - 8:00 PM) to accommodate the demanding schedules of these professional students. When services are needed at times other than clinic hours, there will be a member of the staff on call to attend to or direct students to such services as may be required. Information about this program is available at 205-934-5234.
Dental Practice-Based Research Network
The Department is the international administrative base for The Dental Practice-Based Research Network (DPBRN: www.DentalPBRN.org). DPBRN is a consortium of participating practices and dental organizations committed to advancing knowledge of dental practice and ways to improve it. Essentially, it is "practical science" done about, in and for the benefit of "real world" daily clinical practice. DPBRN's major source of funding is the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, part of the U.S. National Institutes of Health. DPBRN comprises practices from across the United States and three countries of Scandinavia (Denmark, Norway and Sweden).