Dean's Message
Welcome to our campus! Let me begin by saying how proud I am to be the Dean of the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), School of Dentistry. Our institution has an exemplary, longstanding record of accomplishments in dental education through its outstanding graduates; clinically, through the health care they deliver to their patients; and in research, through their many contributions to our knowledge of oral and general health. The School of Dentistry at UAB was founded in 1948. Beginning from a few offices and laboratories in the basement of the University Hospital, the School of Dentistry has become a vast complex of educational, research, and service activities. Our vision “to be the premier, comprehensive, academic oral health center” is exemplified by our international reputation for quality. We offer the Doctor of Dental Medicine (D.M.D.) professional degree, as well as accredited postdoctoral programs in seven dental specialties and two advanced general dentistry programs. Our mission is “to continually improve the well being and oral health of the people.” This is accomplished through our in-house dental clinics and by providing consultation services and treatment for special patient populations at off-campus locations throughout the state. Building on a history of innovation and excellence in education, research and community outreach, the school is opening new horizons in training clinicians and researchers. Our faculty and students are engaged in studies exploring the relationships between oral diseases and systemic conditions; craniofacial genetic diseases; microbiology and immunology; biomaterials; and health services, including practice-based research.
In order to keep up with the growing demands of technology, research, and teaching, the School of Dentistry building has been undergoing significant renovations over the past several years. Completed and ongoing renovations in the school have been ambitious projects designed to ensure we preserve our place as a premier academic oral health center. Through the generosity of our alumni and with the support of our University, we are completing initiatives designed to maintain our building and facilities in a state-of-the-art condition, so that we can continue to provide optimal care to our patients and the best education to our students.
As a prospective student, you will experience the many traditions that we celebrate annually; the White Coat Ceremony, Scholars’ Symposium, Parents’ Day, Honors Convocation and Graduation. Our traditions continue on as you build your dental careers as we invite you back to our annual Alumni Weekend. I look forward to sharing these traditions with you. Our students have demonstrated the highest academic and personal credentials. They have shown the potential to become quality health care practitioners; a highly skilled, knowledgeable, technically competent professional who is compassionate, kind, ethical and sensitive to the needs of their patients.
We, the alumni, faculty and staff, look forward to working with you during your academic years at the UAB School of Dentistry. We enjoy seeing our students grow both professionally and personally. You bring into the classroom, clinic and laboratory the values and experiences you have gained from your families, communities and from your different educational backgrounds. The diversity of these experiences comes together to form a wonderful mosaic that enhances our School. Your presence enriches our lives and we trust that we will do as much for you.
I invite you to explore our facilities online via this website; review our programs, evaluate our faculty, then visit our campus in Birmingham, Alabama and let us help you form a vision for your future. If I can be of further assistance, please contact me at hft@uab.edu
Sincerely,
Huw F. Thomas,
Dean