DMD/PhD Program

UF College of Dentistry

DMD/PhD Combined-Degree Program

Established in 2012, the DMD/PhD program trains future leaders in academic research to tackle clinical disorders related to oral health. Students undergo doctoral training while working part-time to complete their fourth year of dental school.

DMD/PhD Combined-Degree Details

DMD/PhD students receive exceptional training in the methods, collaborative practice and ethics of modern basic science research, but also acquire a solid foundation in oral biology and the opportunity to broaden their research expertise in areas that are significantly impacted by oral health and disorders. Successful applicants must be highly qualified for admission to the Graduate Program in Biomedical Sciences as well as to the UF College of Dentistry DMD Program. Students in the program undergo doctoral training while working part-time to complete their fourth year of dental school.

applying to the combined-degree program

program contact

Links and resources

World-Class Research Opportunities

The University of Florida is the state’s premier land-grant university, and is home to the most comprehensive academic health center in the southeastern United States. The university hit a milestone in 2022: $1B in research expenditures, with UF researchers and faculty conducting a record amount of research.

DMD/PhD students learn to apply modern research methods in a multidisciplinary environment, and the combined-degree program structure enables students to simultaneously balance both research and clinical responsibilities, a critical skill for a successful career in academic research.

Numerous opportunities for PhD research training are offered through the UF Graduate Program in Biomedical Sciences within the UF Academic Health Center. The PhD program consists of eight areas of research concentration, including seven available for incoming students:

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Cancer Biology
Genetics
Immunology and Microbiology
Molecular Cell Biology
Neuroscience *concentration available for current DMD/PhD students only*
Physiology and Functional Genomics
Pharmacology and Therapeutics

Esteemed Faculty

The DMD/PhD program draws upon the exceptional clinical training of UF College of Dentistry Department of Oral Biology faculty, as well as other research faculty within the college, while offering students outstanding PhD training by College of Medicine research faculty in the diverse biomedical fields of Anatomy & Cell Biology, Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Molecular Genetics & Microbiology, Neuroscience, Pathology, Immunology & Laboratory Medicine, Pharmacology & Therapeutics, and Physiology & Functional Genomics.

UF Academic Health Center Resources

Combined-degree program students have the added benefit of being part of the UF Academic Health Center, the country’s only academic health center with all six health-related colleges located on a single, contiguous campus. Our colleges, major research centers and institutes and clinical enterprise focus on building collaborative specialized clinical services centered on quality and innovation.

CTSI — UF Clinical and Translational Science Institute

As a PhD student within the Academic Health Center, students have the opportunity to further acquire skills in team-oriented clinical and translational research through two programs offered by the Clinical and Translational Science Institute:

Didactic coursework to earn a Certificate in Clinical & Translational Science
Clinical and Translational Science Interdisciplinary Concentration: combines didactic coursework and mentored research — involving an additional aim or sub-aim of your PhD project — conducted in collaboration with another PhD student at the UF Academic Health Center or another University of Florida health college (e.g., Agricultural & Life Sciences, Engineering, Health & Human Performance, Liberal Arts & Sciences, Nursing, Public Health & Health Professions or Veterinary Medicine)