Our Mission

To advance oral health for the people of Iowa and beyond through education, research, and person-centered care.

Our Vision

The University of Iowa College of Dentistry and Dental Clinics envisions itself as a steward of the next generation of dental professionals by educating confident and competent clinicians; positioning itself as a global leader in research and discovery; serving as the premier oral health advocate in Iowa and around the country, and promoting an accessible, opportunistic, and diverse environment.

Our Values

Comprehensive Education

Our students will receive a comprehensive dental education that will assure they will be set up for success following their graduation.

Unmatched Service

The college's clinics serve over 160,000 patients a year and provide essential value to the state of Iowa.

Unique Collaboration

As the largest integrated group practice of specialists in the country, the UI College of Dentistry is able to uniquely collaborate between the classroom, the clinics, and the research enterprise.

Student Success Vision

Establish a balanced, modern curriculum that prioritizes student success and well-being, rooted in outstanding educational and comprehensive clinical experiences. Prepare students to be empathetic healthcare providers who strive to be national leaders in teaching and learning.

To ensure our student success vision, we have outlined the following goals:
 
  • Offer a dynamic and evolving curriculum that emphasizes critical thinking and patient-centered care.

     

  • Provide learning experiences and assistance that supports personal and professional growth.

     

  • Equip students with tools to evolve into future leaders and effective team members.

     

Engagement and Impact Vision

Serve as the premier oral health advocate in Iowa and around the country to create transformative societal impact.

To ensure we do this, we have outlined the following goals:

 

  • Engage at local, state, and national levels as oral health advocates.

     

  • Emphasize person-centered care.

     

  • Remain active with Alumni, Friends, and other Key Stakeholders

     

Research and Discovery Vision

Become a globally-recognized leader in oral, craniofacial and related research.

To meet our research and discovery vision, we have outlined the following goals:

 

  • Commit more resources toward oral, craniofacial and related research.

     

  • Offer competitive salary and incentives for researchers.

     

  • Emphasize collaborations between researchers and clinicians.

     

  • Recognize and adopt new and emerging technologies that facilitates effective and innovative discovery research.

  • Assure research findings are fostering transformational change.

Accessibility, Opportunity, and Diversity Vision

Provide an environment that promotes and supports accessibility, opportunity, and diversity of our students, staff, faculty, and community.

To establish this environment, we have outlined the following goals:

 

  • Create and support a variety of programs that promotes accessibility, opportunity, and diversity.

     

  • Identify, recruit, and advance a community of students, staff, and faculty who can become culturally competent leaders.

     

  • Provide a welcome and respectful environment.

     

2025-27 Strategic Plan

The UI College of Dentistry is currently updating its strategic plan for 2025-2027. Please stay tuned for updates as the process progresses.