University of New England College of Dental Medicine: A Comprehensive Overview

The University of New England (UNE) College of Dental Medicine stands as a distinctive institution, playing a crucial role in dental education and healthcare within northern New England and beyond. As Maine’s only dental school and the sole institution of its kind in northern New England, UNE is a national leader in dentistry education. This article provides a detailed overview of UNE's College of Dental Medicine, encompassing its history, academic programs, clinical experiences, admissions requirements, and overall commitment to producing skilled and socially responsible oral health care providers.

A Brief History and Mission

The UNE College of Dental Medicine marked a significant milestone in August 2013 with the inauguration of its first class of 64 students. Shortly after, the College dedicated its new Oral Health Center on UNE’s Portland Campus for the Health Sciences. The University of New England values a broad and diverse culture and is committed to offering a rich living, learning, and working environment. The college is committed to providing a safe and effective environment in which students can learn; apply knowledge; develop skills and values; provide comprehensive, person-centered, evidence-based care; and develop to the level of an independent, competent oral health care provider.

Doctor of Dental Medicine (D.M.D.) Program

UNE’s D.M.D. degree program offers a blend of time-tested methods and new innovations in dental medicine education. 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. As a D.M.D. student at UNE, you will be an integral part of our comprehensive health professionals university, where interprofessional learning is central to our approach. UNE’s state-of-the-art Oral Health Center in Portland, Maine provides space for our faculty and students to explore new models of interprofessional health care education and practice. Dental and dental hygiene students deliver patient care at the Oral Health Center under the supervision of experienced clinical faculty and staff in a team-oriented approach to meeting the health care needs of our patients. We offer comprehensive oral health care for patients of all ages.

Curriculum Overview

The D.M.D. curriculum is Pass/Fail. Students must earn a Pass for every course to earn the D.M.D. The first two (2) years of the curriculum focus on extensive hands-on dental simulation experience, beginning in the very first semester of the program, as well as integrated biomedical sciences and dental sciences content. Students work closely with faculty and peers to acquire foundational biomedical knowledge in the context of its clinical application. Critical thinking skills are emphasized as students learn how to access and evaluate information, including the latest scientific research, as well as how to use that information to provide evidence-based care to their patients. Interested students are also provided opportunities to conduct oral health research under the guidance of faculty mentors. What’s more, our program educates students on the business side of dentistry, including practice management concepts and leadership skills, and we emphasize the importance of self-assessment and lifelong learning to personal and professional growth.

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. The program is designed to produce graduates who are skilled, professional, and socially responsible oral health care providers committed to compassionate, person-centered care for diverse patient populations.

Interprofessional Education

UNE emphasizes interprofessional learning, allowing dental students to study alongside students from other programs, including the Osteopathic Medicine and Physician Assistant programs. This approach equips students with the skills to collaborate effectively in today’s team-based care environment. UNE students utilize the Interprofessional Simulation and Innovation Center (ISIC) to apply knowledge from the classroom to clinical situations. 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.

Clinical Experiences

Students engage in clinical experiences across all four (4) years of the program, commencing during the first semester of the program primarily through peer-to-peer experiences. During the second year, students begin to provide limited patient care in the Oral Health Center on UNE’s Portland campus, and they gradually progress to providing comprehensive patient care, which continues during the third year. Throughout their clinical experiences, students practice as associates in a group practice led by clinical faculty mentors and provide patient-centered care commensurate with their individual level of education and training. The fourth year of the program focuses on clinical practice both at the UNE Oral Health Center and at community-based clinical sites across Northern New England (Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont) as well as in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Each fourth-year student is required to complete a ten (10)- to twelve (12)-week externship rotation at one (1) of these sites, which include Federally Qualified Health Centers, non-profit clinics, private practices, etc.

Oral Health Center

The Oral Health Center is the clinical home of UNE’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.

Community Engagement

Public health is an essential component of our curriculum, and our students frequently discuss issues related to access to care and health policy. Throughout the four (4)-year program, D.M.D. students participate in various service-learning experiences. These include providing oral health education and outreach to children in underserved schools and to special needs populations. As part of their training, students rotate through the Glickman Lauder Center of Excellence (GLCOE) in Autism and Developmental Disorders, where they deliver oral health education and conduct desensitization activities for children at the center. Additionally, the CDM hosts an annual Give Kids a Smile event, during which dental students and faculty provide school-aged children with oral health education, screening examinations, prophylaxis, fluoride treatments, and sealants at the Oral Health Center. All of these experiences are designed to prepare new graduates with the skills needed to address access to dental care for society’s most vulnerable and underserved populations.

Combined Degree Programs

Combined degrees offered: B.A./B.S., M.B.A., M.P.H., M.S., Ph.D.

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Medical Biology - Accelerated Dental Track 3 + 4 (B.S. to D.M.D.)

In the Medical Biology - Accelerated Dental Track 3 + 4 (B.S. to D.M.D.) at the University of New England 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 UNE’s dental school. In this accelerated pathway, you’ll study for three years on UNE’s coastal Biddeford campus with your undergraduate Medical Biology cohort. 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.

Aspiring dental students intending to pursue UNE’s Medical Biology - Accelerated Dental Track 3 + 4 (B.S. to D.M.D.), are encouraged to apply to UNE 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.

Curriculum for Accelerated Track

The curriculum for the Medical Biology major includes specific course requirements to prepare students for the D.M.D. program. These requirements include:

BIO 105/105L - Biology I: Ecology/Evolution w/Lab
BIO 106/106L - Biology II: Cellular/Molecular w/Lab
BIO 214/214L - Genetics w/Lab
BIO 245/245L - Gen Prin of Anatomy, Physiology, and Pathophysiology I w/Lab
BIO 345/345L - Gen Prin of Anatomy, Physiology, and Pathophysiology II w/Lab
BIO 370 - Cell and Molecular Biology
CHE 110/110L - General Chemistry I w/Lab or CHE 150/150L - University General Chemistry I w/Lab
CHE 111/111L - General Chemistry II w/Lab or CHE 151/151L - University General Chemistry II w/Lab
CHE 201/201L - Organic Chemistry I w/Lab or CHE 250/250L/250S - University Organic Chemistry I w/Lab and LabLecture
CHE 202/202L - Organic Chemistry II w/Lab or CHE 251/251L/251S - University Organic Chemistry II w/Lab and LabLecture
CHE 310/310L - Fundamentals of Biochemistry w/Lab
MAT 150 - Statistics for Life Sciences
MAT 190 - Calculus I
PHY 110 - Physics I or PHY 210 - University Physics I
PHY 111 - Physics II or PHY 211 - University Physics II
BIO 200-level or higher elective*
BIO 400-level or higher capstone course**

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.

International Dental Graduate Programs

UNE offers programs for international dental graduates, including:

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Traditional Predoctoral Program for IDGs
Advanced Standing Program for IDGs

Doctor of Dental Medicine Advanced Standing Track (D.M.D. AST) for International Dentists

The UNE CDM Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) Advanced Standing Track (AST) is a full-time, 29-month track designed to offer dentists educated and trained outside the United States the opportunity to gain the skills and knowledge of the dental profession as practiced in the United States. The DMD AST program consists of didactic courses, preclinical simulated courses, and clinical courses involving direct patient care. Students receive extensive clinical experience in the UNE Oral Health Center. Upon matriculation in January, AST students join the second-year DMD class and study an intense didactic and preclinical curriculum that incorporates aspects of the first two years of the curriculum for regularly enrolled students. From the D3 summer semester until graduation, AST students participate in the same curriculum as that of regularly enrolled students. Upon successful completion of the DMD AST program, graduates are eligible to take appropriate state or regional dental licensure examinations and subsequently may be eligible to practice dentistry in the United States.

Application Process for Advanced Standing Track

The University of New England College of Dental Medicine (UNE CDM) participates in the American Dental Education Association Centralized Application for Advanced Placement for International Dentists (ADEA CAAPID).

Applicants must submit, through ADEA CAAPID application, original dental school, non-dental school, and all postgraduate program transcripts. For all foreign transcripts, applicants must submit an official, detailed, course-by-course evaluation by World Education Services (WES) or Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE).

Requirements for Advanced Standing Track

All applicants to the UNE CDM must be able to understand, communicate and read English to be admitted to the DMD AST. The program requires passage of the Integrated National Board Dental Examination (INBDE), preferably taken within the last five years. Passage of the INBDE is mandatory with passing scores submitted at time of application. All applicants must provide a legible color scan of original, school-issued document confirming the conferred foreign dental degree (B.D.S., D.D.S., D.M.D., Odontology, etc.). All applicants accepted to UNE's Doctor of Dental Medicine Advanced Standing Track must complete a criminal background check with satisfactory results prior to matriculation.

Applicants whose first language is not English must demonstrate written and spoken fluency through the successful completion of an English language proficiency test, such as the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).

Three (3) letters of evaluation are required and must be submitted via ADEA CAAPIDLetters of evaluation should be submitted from the following individuals:Two (2) letters from administrators at the applicant’s dental school and/or faculty from the applicant’s dental school (Note: It’s recommended that at least one (1) letter come from an individual who can speak to the applicant’s clinical skills).One (1) academic or professional reference who can attest to the applicant’s character, conduct, and professional ability.Letters from friends or family members are not acceptable.

All applicants must provide proof of US citizenship (US passport, US birth certificate, or Certificate of Naturalization) or proof of permanent resident status (Green Card), or other appropriate immigration documentation.

Interview and Bench Test

Interviews are conducted by invitation only. Only candidates with completed ADEA CAAPID and supplemental applications will be considered for an interview. Interviews for full consideration to the D.M.D. AST include an evaluative interview (virtual or in-person, as determined by UNE CDM), an on-campus bench test, and a written exam and/or writing sample. Applicants are invited to interview on a rolling basis at the discretion of the UNE CDM admissions committee. The fee to complete the bench test will be $500 and must be received by UNE CDM prior to the bench test date.

Admissions Requirements for the 4-Year D.M.D. Program

The University of New England College of Dental Medicine (UNE CDM) participates in the American Dental Education Association Centralized Application Service (ADEA AADSAS).

Educational Requirements

Applicants must have completed a minimum of 90 semester hours (or equivalent quarter hours) at a regionally accredited institution or international equivalent, at the time of enrollment. However, a baccalaureate degree is preferred. All applicants are required to submit official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended. Official transcripts should be sent directly to ADEA AADSAS.

Prerequisite Coursework

Specific prerequisite coursework is required for admission, ensuring that students have a strong foundation in the sciences. The required courses include:

General Biology: 4 semester or 6 quarter credits (Lab Required)
Anatomy or Anatomy and Physiology I and Anatomy and Physiology II: 4-8 semester or 6-12 quarter credits (Lab(s) Required)
Microbiology: 4 semester or 6 quarter credits (Lab Required)
General Chemistry: 4 semester or 6 quarter credits (Lab Required)
Organic Chemistry: 4 semester or 6 quarter credits (Lab Required)
Biochemistry: 3 semester or 4.5 quarter credits (Lab not required)
Additional coursework in Biology, Chemistry, Calculus, or Physics: 12 semester or 18 quarter credits (College-level courses required)
English Composition/Technical Writing: 3 semester or 4.5 quarter credits (College-level course required)

All prerequisite courses must be successfully completed with a grade of "C" or better ("C minus" grades are not acceptable). AP credits cannot be applied toward any prerequisite course.

Recommended Courses

Additional recommended courses include: Human Physiology (strongly recommended), Immunology (strongly recommended), Pharmacology, Histology, Public Health, Ethics, 3-Dimensional Art (e.g., sculpture), Genetics, Business, Communications.

Dental Admission Test (DAT)

The Dental Admission Test (DAT) is required to be taken for the first time no later than October 1 of the application year. First-attempt exam scores from after the October 1 DAT deadline will not be considered. Applicants may choose to take the DAT a second time after October 1 and have those scores considered. All official scores must be submitted directly to ADEA AADSAS. The DAT must have been taken within five (5) years of the application deadline.

Letters of Evaluation

Two (2) letters of evaluation are required: One (1) letter must be from a science instructor/professor. It is recommended that the second letter come from a dentist. Committee letters are accepted in place of the two (2) required letters. Letters from friends or family members are not acceptable. All letters must be submitted electronically via the ADEA AADSAS application. Letters of recommendation dated within the last three (3) years are strongly preferred.

Experience and Personal Qualities

Applicants are strongly encouraged to demonstrate community service through volunteerism or service-oriented employment. A minimum of thirty (30) hours of dental shadowing/experience is required. All experiences should be documented in the ADEA AADSAS application. Personal qualities such as compassion, integrity, concern for others, interpersonal skills, interests, and motivations are all personal qualities that will be assessed during the admissions and educational processes.

Personal Statement

Applicants must submit a personal statement through the ADEA AADSAS application.

Interviews

Interviews are a required part of the application process and are conducted by invitation. Applicants are selected for interviews on a rolling basis. Interviews are typically conducted between August and December; spring interview sessions may be held as needed.

Supplemental Fee

Verified applications will undergo a preliminary admission review, after which select applicants will be invited to submit the UNE Dental Medicine supplemental processing fee of fifty-five dollars ($55).

International Applicants

International applicants and those with foreign degrees and coursework are required to satisfy the following additional requirements: Official course-by-course evaluation by World Education Service (WES) or Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE). The completed credential evaluation should be submitted directly to ADEA AADSAS.

Technical Standards

Candidates for the Doctor of Dental Medicine program must have the intellectual, emotional, and physical abilities, with or without accommodations, to acquire the knowledge, technical, and clinical skills needed to successfully complete the curriculum in order to pursue a career in dentistry. Students, including students with disabilities, must have the capacity to manage their lives and anticipate their own needs. Students must be able to demonstrate the following abilities and skills with or without reasonable accommodation(s):

Observation
Communication
Motor, Strength, and Mobility
Sensory
Cognitive
Behavioral and Social

Academic Program Standards

Complete confidence in the honor and integrity of the health professions student and health care professional is essential. Such confidence depends entirely on the exemplary behavior of the individual health care provider in their relations with patients, faculty, and colleagues. Strict honesty as a personal way of life should be nurtured during the period of education for professional service. The dental student shall conduct all aspects of their life with honor and integrity. This includes accountability to oneself and to relationships with fellow students, future colleagues, faculty, and patients who come under the student’s care or contribute to their training and growth, as well as members of the general public. This applies to personal conduct that reflects on the student’s honesty and integrity in both academic and non-academic settings, whether or not involving a University-sponsored activity. Upon accepting admission to the University, each student subscribes to and pledges complete observance to the University Conduct Policies as outlined in the University of New England Student Handbook program. A violation of these standards is an abuse of the trust placed in every student and could lead to suspension or dismissal.

Research Opportunities

UNE’s College of Dental Medicine is one of the collaborators sharing a $4.4 million grant from the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) to launch the Collaborative Clinical Practice-based Research Program for Dental Schools. Students can participate in research under focus areas which include: Oral Disease Prevention, Health Professions Education, Healthcare Delivery/Clinical Practice Models, and Population Health (Public Health).

Financial Information

Financial Estimations for students starting Fall 2025:

Year	In-State Tuition	Out-State Tuition	Additional Fees	Living Expenses
D1	$79,370	$79,370	$16,200	$25,650
D2	$79,370	$79,370	$13,135	$34,200
D3	$79,370	$79,370	$13,135	$34,200
D4	$79,370	$79,370	$13,135	$34,200

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.

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