University of Utah School of Dentistry

The University of Utah School of Dentistry (UUSOD) is a prominent institution that serves a dual purpose: educating future dental professionals and providing comprehensive dental care to the public. Established in 2012, it has rapidly grown to become a significant provider of oral healthcare in Utah and the Mountain West, with a particular focus on addressing the needs of underserved communities. The UUSOD operates various clinics, including its main facility at 530 Wakara Way in Salt Lake City, and additional locations such as the University of Utah Hospital, Greenwood Health Center, South Main Clinic, and St. George Dental Clinic. In addition to these fixed locations, the school also runs a Mobile Dental Clinic that reaches rural and underserved areas across Utah, ensuring access to care for low-income, uninsured, or underinsured patients. Services offered by the UUSOD are extensive and cater to patients of all ages, including adults, children, teens, and the elderly. They also specialize in providing dental care for patients with special needs, such as those with autism, blindness, physical and developmental disabilities, and Down syndrome. General dental services include cleanings, fluoride treatments, oral health screenings, fillings, bridges, crowns, dentures, and X-rays. Specialized services encompass a wide range of procedures, including dental implants, oral surgery, periodontal surgery, root canals, and orthodontics. The dental care is provided by a team of highly qualified faculty dentists, dental residents (licensed dentists undergoing advanced training), and dental students who work under the direct supervision of licensed faculty. This model not only provides excellent training opportunities for the next generation of dentists but also offers more affordable care options for patients, especially through the student dental clinics. The UUSOD's mission is rooted in advancing health through service, education, and research. They are committed to providing exceptional care, educating future dentists and dental scientists, leading oral health discovery and innovation, meeting community oral health needs, and making a meaningful impact on the health of the underserved. Their values emphasize compassion, trustworthiness, excellence, innovation, and fostering a humanistic culture that promotes belonging, dignity, equity, and inclusion. The school is also actively involved in research, with faculty engaged in studies related to population oral health, oral health and disease, and various clinical translational research projects aimed at improving oral health outcomes and influencing healthcare policy.