Unm Dental Student Services: Affordable Dental Work?

The University of New Mexico offers a range of dental services and programs. The university's Department of Dental Medicine in Albuquerque provides education and enhanced oral health services to the community. The university offers dental residency programs and a Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene, as well as a Master of Science in Dental Hygiene. The university also has a Dental Hygiene (RDH-BSDH) Post-Licensure Program for individuals who already hold a valid American dental hygiene license. This program offers an opportunity to expand basic dental hygiene knowledge and skills. The university's dental clinics provide oral health services to the community, and the university also offers dental insurance plans for its employees.

Dental Hygiene Program

The University of New Mexico's Department of Dental Medicine in Albuquerque provides education and enhanced oral health throughout the state by promoting dental education, research, and clinical service. The Department of Dental Hygiene at the University of New Mexico School of Medicine offers a five-semester curriculum that starts in the spring semester. The program is designed to educate future dental hygienists and provide them with the skills and knowledge to improve oral health in New Mexico.

Admissions

The admissions process for the Dental Hygiene program at the University of New Mexico School of Medicine is highly selective. Each class consists of 24 students chosen based on their grades in pre-professional courses, state residency, work experience, and a personal interview. While out-of-state applications are accepted, New Mexico residents are given preference. To apply, students must complete the following steps:

• Submit an application to the UNM Office of Admissions.
• Complete the Division of Dental Hygiene Application.
• Provide official transcripts of all colleges attended.
• Pay a non-refundable application fee.
• Verify at least 20 hours of shadowing/observing a dental hygienist.
• Attend at least one Required Advisement session.

Academics and Curriculum

The Dental Hygiene program at the University of New Mexico School of Medicine offers a comprehensive curriculum that prepares students to become qualified dental professionals. The program covers various aspects of dental hygiene, including:

• Scientific Knowledge: Applying knowledge of human anatomy, physiology, and pathology to dental hygiene practices.
• Patient Care: Providing comprehensive dental hygiene treatment, including accurate data collection, analysis, and person-centered care planning.
• Professional Development and Research: Encouraging continued growth and enrichment of students and faculty through scholarly programs.
• Interprofessional Service: Promoting dental health as an integral component of community health and providing opportunities for faculty and student involvement.

Career Opportunities

Graduates of the Dental Hygiene program at the University of New Mexico School of Medicine can pursue various career paths as licensed professional members of the healthcare industry. Dental hygienists typically work in dental clinics, performing critical services such as:

• Detecting, preventing, and treating oral diseases.
• Performing oral health assessments and cancer screenings.
• Taking and interpreting x-rays.
• Providing nutritional counseling and self-care programs.
• Administering local anesthesia.

Dental Residency

The University of New Mexico's Department of Dental Medicine in Albuquerque offers a one-year postdoctoral Advanced Education in General Dentistry (AEGD) residency program. This program is a hybrid between an AEGD residency and a general practice residency. After the first year, residents can apply for a second year of residency.

The AEGD residency program is designed to provide dental graduates with the best possible environment to further their education. They gain experience by providing advanced comprehensive oral health care to medically compromised and special needs populations. The program has many unique features. Most patient care takes place away from the medical centre, at the Camino De Salud Residency Clinic, which has the look and feel of a private dental practice. The residency clinic also houses the Dental Ambulatory Surgery Center, where sedation dentistry is practiced. Residents experience aspects of hospital dentistry through inpatient hospital consultations, emergency room coverage, and treating dental patients in the operating room.

The University of New Mexico's Department of Dental Medicine is the only dental residency program in New Mexico and offers the highest level of care and advanced dental techniques in the greater Albuquerque area in a state-of-the-art facility. The program is part of the university's mission to increase accessibility to comprehensive dental care for New Mexico’s underserved and medically complex patients. It also strives to serve as an educational model in clinical diagnosis, treatment, research, and resources in caring for these populations.

Dental Medicine

The University of New Mexico's Department of Dental Medicine in Albuquerque provides education and enhanced oral health throughout the state by promoting dental education, research, and clinical service. The department strives for an inclusive learning environment on campus while serving the community.

History

The Department of Dental Medicine was formed in 2008, but its story began in 1962 with the creation of a dental hygiene program within the UNM Division of Dental Hygiene. In 1999, the university started hiring dentists with the goal of establishing a dental residency, and in 2004, the Division of Dental Services launched the state's first dental residency program.

Dental Residency Program

The department offers a one-year postdoctoral advanced education in general dentistry (AEGD) residency program that blends an AEGD residency with a general practice residency. After the first year, residents can apply for a second year of residency. Throughout the AEGD residency, residents have the opportunity to work with a variety of cases and diverse patients.

Dental Hygiene Program

The Dental Hygiene program at the University of New Mexico School of Medicine is a five-semester curriculum that starts in the spring semester. Each class of 24 students is selected based on grades in pre-professional courses, state residency, work experience, and a personal interview. While New Mexico residents receive preferential consideration, out-of-state applications are also accepted.

The program prepares students to become qualified dental professionals through academic and clinical education, providing them with the skills and knowledge to promote and maintain oral health.

Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene

The University of New Mexico offers a Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene degree, preparing students for careers in dental clinics, education, sales, health, management, research, and public health. The program equips students with the complex skillset needed to work in multiple settings.

Master of Science in Dental Hygiene

For those seeking to advance their careers further, the University of New Mexico also offers a Master of Science in Dental Hygiene degree. This program educates dental hygiene providers to their full potential, enabling them to practice with advanced skills and knowledge.

Continuing Education

In addition to its degree programs, the Department of Dental Medicine provides a Continuing Dental Education program for practicing dental hygienists, dentists, dental technicians, and dental assistants. This program includes Journal Club and case presentations throughout the year, with continuing education credits offered for accredited courses.

Dental Education

The University of New Mexico's Department of Dental Medicine in Albuquerque provides education and enhanced oral health throughout the state by promoting dental education, research, and clinical service. The department is committed to improving and enhancing oral health care through education, research, and patient care.

The University of New Mexico School of Medicine's Division of Dental Hygiene offers a five-semester curriculum that starts in the spring semester. The program admits a class of 24 students selected based on grades in pre-professional courses, state residency, shadowing experience, and a personal interview. New Mexico residents receive preferential consideration.

The University also offers a Registered Dental Hygienist (RDH) to Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene (BSDH) Post-Licensure Program online. This program is designed for individuals who already hold a valid American dental hygiene license and wish to expand their basic dental hygiene knowledge and skills in areas such as education, management, research, public health, or advanced training.

In addition, the University of New Mexico's Department of Dental Medicine offers a one-year postdoctoral advanced education in general dentistry (AEGD) residency program. This residency is a hybrid between an AEGD residency and a general practice residency. Residents have the opportunity to work with diverse patients and a variety of cases, gaining hands-on experience at full-service public dental clinics.

Continuing Education for Dental Professionals

The Department of Dental Hygiene at the University of New Mexico School of Medicine strives to improve oral health care by providing continuing dental education (CDE) to practicing dental professionals, including dental hygienists, dentists, dental technicians, and dental assistants. The CDE program offers a range of educational opportunities, from clinical and laboratory training to formal conferences with internationally recognized speakers.

The goals of the CDE program are to improve the knowledge and skills of dental professionals, introduce them to new ideas and techniques, foster lifelong learning, encourage understanding of ethical and legal issues, and promote collaborative practice for underserved communities.

Dental Hygiene as a Career

Dental hygienists are licensed professional members of the healthcare industry who work to promote and maintain oral health. They work in a variety of settings, including dental clinics, education, sales, health, management, research, and public health. Dental hygienists must master complex skills to provide comprehensive care in multiple settings, and the University of New Mexico's programs aim to provide them with the necessary knowledge and experience to succeed in their careers.

Dental Services

The University of New Mexico's Department of Dental Medicine in Albuquerque provides dental services to the community. The department is committed to promoting dental education, research, and clinical service to enhance oral health throughout the state.

Dental Education

The University of New Mexico offers various dental education programs to train dental professionals, including:

• Dental Hygiene Bachelor of Science degree program
• Master of Science in Dental Hygiene
• Advanced Education in General Dentistry Residency (AEGD)
• Registered Dental Hygienist (RDH) to Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene (BSDH) Post-Licensure Program

Clinical Services

The Department of Dental Medicine operates full-service public dental clinics where residents and students gain hands-on experience providing dental care to the community. These clinics offer a range of dental services, including:

• Dental examinations and cleanings
• X-rays and diagnostic tests
• Preventative care, such as nutritional counseling and self-care programs
• Treatments for gum disease and cavities
• Oral cancer screenings and biopsies
• Administration of local anesthesia

Research

The department also emphasizes research to improve oral health in New Mexico. Dental hygiene students and professionals are involved in developing and conducting research studies, applying for research grants, and publishing scientific papers.

In addition to its dental services, the University of New Mexico offers its employees dental insurance plans through Delta Dental of New Mexico. These plans provide access to a network of dentists and help cover the cost of dental care.

Frequently asked questions