Start Practicing Dental Medicine Sooner
Are you passionate about oral health care, committed to the difference you can make, and excited about becoming a dentist? In the Medical Biology — Accelerated Dental Track 3 + 4 (B.S. to D.M.D.) at the ֱ in Maine, you can achieve your dream in less time than ever.
Qualified students can complete both a Bachelor of Science degree and a Doctor of Dental Medicine (D.M.D.) degree in seven years. Your curriculum is tailored to meet all academic requirements for admission into ֱ’s dental school.
Our graduates are skilled, professional, and socially responsible oral health care providers who are committed to providing compassionate, person-centered care to diverse patient populations. With a D.M.D. degree from the ֱ College of Dental Medicine, you’ll be equipped to improve the oral health, overall health, and quality of life of the people in your community.
Medical Biology (B.S.)
In this accelerated pathway, you’ll study for three years on ֱ’s coastal Biddeford campus with your undergraduate Medical Biology cohort. In year four, you’ll begin earning credits towards your Doctorate of Dental Medicine.
As you chart your way to dental school, ֱ’s Medical Biology degree program prepares you to succeed in dental school by helping you complete important prerequisites and gain relevant hands-on experience.
ֱ also offers a traditional four-year Medical Biology major, allowing you to complete your undergraduate degree in four years while fulfilling dental school prerequisites.
Doctor of Dental Medicine (D.M.D.)
ֱ’s Doctor of Dental Medicine program has a curriculum that is grounded in the latest principles of evidence-based dentistry — taught in a variety of engaging methods — to prepare you for a successful career.
As a student in the Doctor of Dental Medicine program, you’ll focus on dental public health and improving the health of Northern New England as well as rural and underserved areas.
Your education is primarily delivered in ֱ’s Oral Health Center (OHC), which is equipped with state-of-the-art clinical and simulation equipment.
Why ֱ for Your Medical Biology – Accelerated Dental Track 3 + 4
You will work side-by-side with faculty and graduate students in our medical, dental, and pharmacy schools as well as our many graduate health programs — just one of the benefits of attending a comprehensive health professions university.
- Study at Maine’s leading health professions and health sciences university
- ֱ students are more likely to be interviewed and get accepted to ֱ’s most competitive professional programs
- ֱ is ranked #1 in Maine for graduates getting a job — Zippia
- Join a welcoming community of people who are as passionate about health care as you are
- Complete prerequisite courses as a pre-dental student
- Early exposure to interdisciplinary, team-based care working with students from medicine and physician assistant
- Work on cutting-edge research alongside faculty
Unique features of ֱ’s D.M.D. program include:
- Immediate development of hands-on clinical skills using state-of-the-art instruments and simulation equipment
- Early direct patient care experiences in our public clinic — helping people in your community while you earn your degree
- A strong emphasis on the integration of biomedical, dental, and behavioral sciences content
- Team-based learning that enhances your ability to work collaboratively with other members of the dental practice
- The opportunity to learn alongside students in other health professions programs, including future doctors, dental hygienists, physician assistants, and more
- Live and study in Portland, Maine — consistently ranked on national “Best Places to Live” lists
Apply Early – Graduate as a Doctor of Dental Medicine
If you are an aspiring dental student intending to pursue ֱ’s Medical Biology – Accelerated Dental Track 3 + 4 (B.S. to D.M.D.), you are encouraged to apply to ֱ by the Early Action deadline of November 15. Selected candidates must submit supplemental essays to the College of Dental Medicine Admissions Committee chair before interviewing with faculty and professional staff in February or March of their senior year of high school.
During these interviews, candidates are evaluated on multiple factors, including academic preparedness, leadership abilities, career aspirations, personal characteristics, and communication skills. Based on the application materials and interview performance, the CDM Admissions Committee will conditionally accept qualified students into the D.M.D. program, provided they meet all academic and application requirements.
What Will You Study? D.M.D. and Med Bio Curriculum Overview
The Doctor of Dental Medicine (D.M.D.) program is a four-year professional degree combining hands-on clinical training with integrated biomedical, dental, and behavioral science content. Students begin dental simulation in their first semester and progress to comprehensive patient care. The curriculum emphasizes evidence-based practice, business management, public health, and service-learning experiences. Fourth-year students complete clinical rotations at community sites across New England. Graduates emerge as ethical, competent providers committed to improving oral health in their communities.
Medical Biology (Medical Sciences) Curriculum
| Nor’easter Core Requirements | Credits |
|---|---|
| Total Credits | 40 |
| Program Required Courses | Credits |
|---|---|
| BIO 105/105L – Biology I: Ecology/Evolution w/Lab | 4 – Fulfills Scientific Method Core |
| BIO 106/106L – Biology II: Cellular/Molecular w/Lab | 4 |
| BIO 214/214L – Genetics w/Lab | 4 |
| BIO 245/245L – Gen Prin of Anatomy, Physiology, and Pathophysiology I w/Lab | 4 |
| BIO 345/345L – Gen Prin of Anatomy, Physiology, and Pathophysiology II w/Lab | 5 |
| BIO 370 – Cell and Molecular Biology | 3 |
| CHE 110/110L – General Chemistry I w/Lab or CHE 150/150L – University General Chemistry I w/Lab | 4 |
| CHE 111/111L – General Chemistry II w/Lab or CHE 151/151L – University General Chemistry II w/Lab | 4 |
| CHE 201/201L – Organic Chemistry I w/Lab or CHE 250/250L/250S – University Organic Chemistry I w/Lab and LabLecture | 4–5 |
| CHE 202/202L – Organic Chemistry II w/Lab or CHE 251/251L/251S – University Organic Chemistry II w/Lab and LabLecture | 4–5 |
| CHE 310/310L – Fundamentals of Biochemistry w/Lab | 4 |
| MAT 150 – Statistics for Life Sciences | 3 – Fulfills Quantitative Reasoning Core |
| MAT 190 – Calculus I | 4 |
| PHY 110 – Physics I or PHY 210 – University Physics I | 4 |
| PHY 111 – Physics II or PHY 211 – University Physics II | 4 |
| BIO 200-level or higher elective* | 3–4 |
| BIO 400-level or higher capstone course** | 3–4 |
| Total Credits | 65–69 |
| Open Elective Courses (as needed to reach 120 credits) | Variable |
| Minimum Total Required Credits | 120 |
|---|
Please note: While some courses can fulfill both core and program requirements, the credits earned do not count twice towards the minimum total required credits for the degree.
*Not satisfied by BIO 210, BIO 295 or Internship/Research/Speaker Series.
**Not satisfied by BIO 410, BIO 422/422L, BIO 459/459L, BIO 495 or Internship/Research courses.
Graduation Requirements
A minimum grade of C- must be achieved in all BIO, CHE, PHY, and MAT courses used to fulfill the requirements of the Medical Biology major. A 2.00 cumulative average in sciences is a requirement for graduation in any of the programs in the School of Biological Sciences.
Dental Medicine Curriculum
Dental Medicine Academic and Technical Standards
Competency Statements
(Adopted from the American Dental Association “Competencies for the New General Dentist”)
The general dentist is the primary oral health care provider supported by dental specialists, allied dental professionals, and other health care providers. The practice of general dentistry requires a dentist to incorporate understanding, skills, and values in an integrated response to clinical and other professional situations. The competency statements describe the performance of ֱ College of Dental Medicine graduates as they enter practice settings rather than that of students in individual courses.
Doctor of Dental Medicine Facilities
As a student at ֱ’s College of Dental Medicine, you will be immersed in hands-on learning from day one. You’ll have access to state-of-the-art technology and equipment in the OHC and around campus.
Oral Health Center
The Oral Health Center is the clinical home of ֱ’s Dental Medicine teaching clinic and simulation facility. There are about 17,000 patient visits in the OHC annually. As a dental student, you deliver patient care under the supervision of clinical faculty and staff in a team-oriented approach to meet the health care needs of patients. The OHC also serves as a space for you to engage in interprofessional education opportunities with osteopathic medicine and physician assistant students.
Interprofessional Simulation and Innovation Center
As a ֱ Dental student, you utilize the Interprofessional Simulation and Innovation Center (ISIC) to apply knowledge from the classroom to clinical situations. Guided by skilled instructors, you participate in simulations to enhance your clinical aptitudes.
Tour the ֱ Oral Health Center
Emergency Medical Training in the ISIC
Dental Medicine: Team-Based Learning
When students from different health professions disciplines learn with, from, and about each other to better understand different professional roles and expertise, great things can happen. In ֱ’s D.M.D. program, you’ll study alongside students from other programs, including the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine and Master of Science in Physician Assistant program, gaining the skills to collaborate in today’s team-based care. ֱ is the only institution in New England that is part of the National Center for Interprofessional Education and Practice’s prestigious Innovation Network.
You also have the opportunity to apply this collaborative participation toward your Interprofessional Honors Distinction.
Accreditation
Professional Accreditation
The program in dental education is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation and has been granted the accreditation status of "approval without reporting requirements." The Commission is a specialized accrediting body recognized by the United States Department of Education. The Commission on Dental Accreditation can be contacted at (312) 440-4653 or at 211 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611. The Commission’s web address is http://www.ada.org/en/coda.
CODA Accreditation Standards for Predoctoral Dental Education Programs
The Commission on Dental Accreditation will review complaints that relate to a program’s compliance with the accreditation standards. The Commission is interested in the sustained quality and continued improvement of dental and dental-related education programs but does not intervene on behalf of individuals or act as a court of appeal for treatment received by patients or individuals in matters of admission, appointment, promotion or dismissal of faculty, staff or students.
A copy of the appropriate accreditation standards and/or the Commission’s policy and procedure for submission of complaints may be obtained by contacting the Commission on Dental Accreditation at 211 East Chicago Avenue, Suite 1900, Chicago, IL 60611-2678 or by calling 1 (800) 621-8099 extension 4653. You may also visit http://www.ada.org/en/coda/policies-and-guidelines/file-a-complaint for more information.
Regional Accreditation
ֱ is regionally accredited by the New England Association of Schools and College, Inc., a regional accrediting body recognized by the Council of Higher Education Accreditation and the U.S. Department of Education. The University has been continuously accredited since 1966, and its accreditation was last reaffirmed in 2007.