A New Day for Iowa Dentistry

Hawkeyes Make a Difference

Since 1882, The University of Iowa College of Dentistry and Dental Clinics has focused on meeting the needs of our patients. Clinical care frames and undergirds our approach to dental education and our commitment to translating oral science research and discovery into reality for our patients.

As the only dental school in the State of Iowa and a nationally leading program in terms of clinical experience, the college plays a vital role in meeting the oral health needs of Iowans.

160,000

Patient visits each year.

98 of 99

Iowa counties have our dental graduates practicing there.

14.2

of every 100,000 Iowans will develop oral cancer.

The State of Iowa has the highest rate of oral cancer in the country at 14.2 per 100,000 people.

Excellence in patient care makes a difference for each patient seen.
Excellence in health care education makes a difference in each patient seen by future dentists and specialists.
Excellence in research and discovery revolutionizes and transforms oral health care for millions.

Together, Hawkeyes advance research and discovery

Iowa Dentistry continues to rapidly expand its research and discovery, exceling in regenerative biomedicine, genetic research, and biomaterials, alongside an innovative oral cancer program. This expansive research and discovery mission is establishing Iowa as a global leader in oral science research, which benefits everyday Iowans.

2nd

in the Big 10 for research dollars received

In 2022, Iowa received $5.4 million in research funding from The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR). These funds account for about half of Iowa Dentistry's external research support.

$9,471,347

in external research funding received.

Since 2020, Iowa Dentistry's seed grants have resulted in almost $10 million in external research funding. These funds are excellent tools to recruit and retain high-caliber, early career faculty.

Together, Hawkeyes educate the next generation.

White Coat Ceremony for the Class of 2027 and the Advanced Standing Class of 2025

As a national leader in the amount and quality of student clinical experiences, our students receive an unparalleled dental education over the course of their four years. These patient experiences and our comprehensive educational programs ensure that Iowa’s dental workforce meets the current and future needs of the state.

1,135

students applied to our DDS program in 2023

This record-breaking number shows that Iowa remains a destination DDS program for students from all over the country.

10 of 12

recognized advanced training programs available

The American Dental Association recognizes 12 dental advanced specialties. With 10 advanced training programs and two other innovative programs, our students receive the highest quality dental education.

Together, Hawkeyes transform clinical technology

New technologies are transforming the practice of dentistry. Whether it’s computer-aided design (CAD) and computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) to design and 3D-printed restorations, dentures or implants; intraoral digital scanners for fast and accurate images; or high-resolution monitors for simulation clinics, Iowa is committed to helping our students thrive as they learn to use and apply these transformative technologies.

8

In-house 3D printers

Iowa Dentistry has 8 in-house 3D printers that have enabled the college to fabricate a wide variety of dental materials, ranging from dentures to invisible aligners.

80

Simulation Operatories

The Sim Clinic, Iowa Dentistry's hands-on skills clinic, has 80 operatories that are intended to help first- and second-year dental students practice in a realistic, simulated environment.

A Global Leader

Spearheading an International Network of Cleft Lip and Palate Research for African Populations

Thursday, January 18, 2024

Azeez Butali is a global leader in cleft lip and palate research and the world’s foremost expert in the genetics of these conditions in African populations. As part of his research mission, he has also spearheaded the formation of a diverse, international network of researchers in Africa and the US to develop, refine, and apply their findings for the benefit of African populations and their genetic descendants.

Making a Difference in Iowa

Karin Weber-Gasparoni high-fiving a patient in the WIC clinic

Preventive Oral Health Care for Toddlers and Infants

Thursday, January 18, 2024

Karin Weber-Gasparoni is passionate about supporting new caregivers and improving oral health for underserved populations. Her collaborative clinical research initiatives are transforming oral health care for toddlers and infants in Iowa, and are laying the foundation for changing how oral health care is provided for the youngest of us.

A Destination Dental School That Makes a Difference for Iowans

Bob Williams ('73 DDS) Receives College’s Highest Alumni Award

Thursday, September 28, 2023

Bob Williams (73 DDS), a longtime supporter and advocate for Iowa Dentistry, was named 2023 Alumnus of the Year, an honor he says he is humbled to receive.

NIH awards dental faculty a grant to investigate the impact of adult Medicaid coverage on children

Thursday, September 21, 2023

Julie Reynolds, assistant professor in the Department of Preventive and Community Dentistry, received a $300,000 grant from the National Institutes of Health to study changes in Medicaid adult dental coverage and impact that these changes have on children's access to care.

Public Health resident receives Delta Dental Foundation Grant

Thursday, September 14, 2023

Rima Desai, a second-year resident in Dental Public Health, received a Graduate Student Thesis award from the Delta Dental of Iowa Foundation to support her survey of Iowa Dentistry alumni's treatment of underserved populations.

Prakasam named chair of Periodontics

Thursday, September 14, 2023

Sivaraman Prakasam has joined the dental faculty at Iowa and been named chair of periodontics. With a strong department under Prakasam’s leadership, the Department of Periodontics will continue to excel in clinical care, teaching, and research.

First-year resident, Dr. Waheed Awotoye, was selected for the AADOCR Hatton Award

Friday, September 8, 2023

Dr. Waheed Awotoye is a current first-year resident at our Orthodontics Clinic and was selected as the winner of the AADOCR Hatton Award. At the competition, Dr. Awotoye presented his dedicated research in genomics and epigenomics of craniofacial birth defects which ultimately resulted in his nomination for the Hatton Award.

Photo of Dr. Shin, and 1st year residents: Dr. Benjamin Bouchard, Dr. Abigail Simmer, Dr. Kathryn Jehle, Dr. Larkin Jacobson, and Dr. Waheed Awotoye

Welcome, Class of 2025!

Friday, September 1, 2023

Join us in welcoming our 5 first-year residents and congratulating our newest ABO-certified students!

Photo of Dr. Lina Moreno, Dr. Kyungsup Shin, and Residents at the AAO Case Competition.

Iowa gets Honorary Mention at AAO, again, for Case Competition

Friday, September 1, 2023

For 8 consecutive AAO Case competitions, the University of Iowa has been recognized as a top-ranked program. This year, our Orthodontics Department captured an "honorable mention" in a cleft case supervised by Dr. Lina Moreno, associate professor and chair of orthodontics. We are very proud of our faculty members and residents for their incredible dedication!

Access to dental insurance and oral health inequities in the United States

Tuesday, August 29, 2023

Luisa N Borrell, Julie C Reynolds, Eleanor Fleming and Parth D Shah, Community Dentistry and Oral Epidemiology, 2023

Digital innovation and keeping up with changes in prosthodontics

Thursday, August 24, 2023

When Department of Prosthodontics Chair Aaron (Seok Hwan) Cho joined the University of Iowa College of Dentistry in 2022, he brought knowledge of a new wave of technological prosthodontics innovations that will benefit patients, clinicians, and students.

2023 First-year Orientation

Thursday, August 24, 2023

The orientation for first-year dental students is an opportunity to cultivate community, introduce students to people they will need to know, and show them all that Iowa has to offer. It begins the process that will be complete in four years when these students become practicing dentists serving their local communities.