The University of Iowa College of Dentistry , in collaboration with the Virtual Hospital. For four days a week, groups of 16 to 18 students rotate through these specialty areas for five-week periods, developing diagnostic and surgical skills and applying the theoretical knowledge acquired in their course work. At the end of the third year, students have developed skills in every area of dentistry and are prepared to work more independently during the fourth year of training.
Emphasis is placed on reinforcing high ethical standards and developing good surgical practices.
Fourth-year dental students are involved in the delivery of comprehensive dental care in an environment that simulates conditions in private dental practice. For a ten-week community dentistry experience, students are exposed to various health programs that include hospitals, mental health institutes, nursing homes, and the Special Patient Care Clinics. Participation in special national and international programs is possible. Students may choose to participate in the Colorado Migrant Worker Program or a Foreign Dental School Exchange Program. For those interested in international practice, it is possible to participate in exchange programs with dental schools in Denmark, England, or the Netherlands.