Since 1972, Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine has continued to carry out its mission — to improve the oral health of southern Illinois and the region through education, patient care, scholarship and service. In 1975, the SIU dental school graduated its first class of excellent dental practitioners. In 2010, the SIU dental school is celebrating its 35th Anniversary—35 years of graduating outstanding dentists. Including the Class of 2010, the SIU dental school has now trained over 1,500 dentists.
The SIU dental school offers a nationally recognized dental education to nearly 200 students, or approximately 50 students in each class year. Historically, students from the SIU dental school score high nationally on the National Board Dental Exams, Parts I and II. Passing the exams is a requirement for licensure in the United States and is a strong indicator of student preparedness to practice dentistry. Students graduate with a Doctor of Dental Medicine degree as some of the best general practitioners of dentistry in the country.
The primary dental education and patient care facilities of the dental school are located in the historic City of Alton. Most student clinical experience and dental patient care is provided in the Main Clinic in Alton. In addition, experience in diagnosis, treatment planning, surgery, and prosthodontic treatment for implant dentistry are offered in the Advanced Care Wing of the Main Clinic in Alton. Rotations to the community-based East St. Louis Dental Clinic offer students an extra opportunity to provide dental care to patients in an underserved area.
After 35 years of achievement—regionally, statewide and nationally—Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine continues to foster a proud tradition of excellence in dental education. The school offers a premier dental education for the students it serves, and it offers quality oral health care for the patients it treats.
