Also offered are clinical specialty dental programs in endodontics, oral pathology, oral surgery, orthodontics, pediatric dentistry, periodontics, and prosthodontics. The dental hygiene baccalaureate degree program consists of one year of prescribed college courses followed by three years of instruction at the School of Dentistry. A combination of classroom and real world experience, VICs offer students in all four dental classes and all three dental hygiene classes an opportunity to work together to achieve high levels of clinical competence. The School has two programs designed to attract disadvantaged college students to careers in the oral health profession - Pipeline and Profile for Success. The program strengthens a student's academic skills, especially in the sciences.
Students take mini courses in biology, chemistry, and physics.
Labs supplement lectures. This program aims to increase a student's understanding of career options in the oral health profession and prepares them to successfully complete the Dental Admissions Test. The UMSD's graduate programs lead to a Master of Science degree or a specialty certification in biomaterials, endodontics, operative dentistry, oral and maxillofacial surgery, orthodontics, pediatric dentistry, periodontics, prosthodontics, and restorative dentistry. Graduate instruction leading to the Ph.D. degree is also offered in oral health sciences and dentistry. Graduate instruction in dental hygiene leading to a master's degree is also offered as a part of the dental hygiene curriculum.