University of California San Francisco
Build your dental career at UCSF
At UCSF, our graduate and postgraduate programs are focused on giving you everything you need to step confidently into your career. Whether that means serving patients in a clinic, conducting research, shaping dental public health, or working as a scientist, you’ll have the knowledge, technical skills, and clinical experience to tackle whatever comes next.
Experience our campus
Schedule a tour, attend an open house, and learn about our program and facilities. Can’t make it in person? We offer virtual information sessions, too. Tours are regularly available on the first Wednesday of every month from 12-1p.m. PST. Check our online calendar to find a date that works for you, or feel free to reach out to our office to plan your visit.
By the Numbers
Why choose UCSF School of Dentistry
Our programs attract passionate, highly accomplished students who are ready to grow their knowledge, skills, and clinical experience. Here are some stats to consider as you explore UCSF School of Dentistry.
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UCSF receives significant support from the NIH, the world’s largest public funder of biomedical research. This relationship allows UCSF School of Dentistry researchers to make an even bigger impact on improving and transforming patient care.
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UCSF School of Dentistry offers many ways for you to grow beyond the classroom or clinic. From national affiliations to specialty-focused study groups, these organizations provide opportunities for students and trainees to build knowledge, develop skills, make professional connections, and give back to the community.
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For graduate students who choose to participate in the Postdoctoral Dental Matching Program, over three-quarters of them match with one of their top choice residency programs, allowing them to continue their education and training at high profile institutions across the county.
UCSF is home to top-ranked professional schools of dentistry, medicine, nursing, and pharmacy. In addition, we also have a graduate division with world-renowned programs in basic science, social/populational sciences, and physical therapy. Our community is unique in that we only offer graduate degrees. To apply, please follow the admissions process specific to the school or program you want to apply to.
Graduate programs at UCSF School of Dentistry
Our school is proud to offer four world-renowned graduate programs for students interested in pursuing an oral health-related career—whether that means treating patients, becoming a researcher or scientist, or working in academia or public health.
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Our DDS program is one of the best in the country, with a unique environment that attracts students from all around the world. The 4-year program emphasizes a unique blend of academic excellence, research opportunities and the chance to gain important clinical experience in our community clinics.
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If your goal is to open your own practice or pursue a leadership role in the dental field, our dual DDS/MBA program will ensure you have both the scientific training and the business/management skills needed to succeed. Your first year will be spent exclusively in UCSF’s DDS program. Over the next three years, you’ll finish the classes and training needed to complete your DDS while attending the business courses needed to gain your MBA.
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For highly-qualified dentists and dental hygienists, we offer this academic-track PhD in Oral and Craniofacial Sciences. During your course of study, you will receive extensive training in academic research, while also devoting significant time to conducting your own exploration of oral health-related biomedical science. This may include cell, developmental, and molecular biology, biochemistry, biomaterials, biophysics, and physical sciences.
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Designed for students who aren’t quite prepared to begin a traditional dental program but have the academic motivation to succeed, this 11-month Post-Baccalaureate Certificate Program is a great way to fill in any gaps in knowledge you may have. Because we limit admission to around 5 participants, you’ll receive the individual attention you need to become a competitive dental school applicant.
Postgraduate programs at UCSF School of Dentistry
The School of Dentistry offers an outstanding environment for dental graduates interested in specialized postgraduate training. These programs offer state-of-the art facilities and world-renowned faculty that includes clinicians from all dental specialties.
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UCSF’s Postgraduate Program in Dental Public Health is tailored to students who want to take on a leadership role in public health. During your 12-month course of study, you’ll build a strong academic foundation and get hands-on experience that will prepare you for a career in planning, implementing, and operating dental public health programs—all while gaining a solid understanding of the processes involved in developing and regulating public health policies.
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Through lectures and conferences to clinical training, the UCSF Endodontics Residency provides opportunities to learn the latest therapeutic approaches to root canal treatment. This program of study is designed to train endodontists who are capable of changing their therapeutic approaches based on new data from well-controlled scientific studies.
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The UCSF General Practice Residency is an intensive, CODA-accredited, 12-month training program that prepares general dentists to manage medically complex and special-needs patients in both outpatient and hospital settings. Beginning July 1 each year, residents gain advanced clinical, hospital, and interdisciplinary experience while developing the skills to provide comprehensive patient care across all disciplines of dentistry.
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UCSF’s six-year OMFS Residency (MD/OMFS certificate, PhD option) delivers rigorous surgical training across top Bay Area hospitals. Residents graduate prepared for certification by the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and for successful careers in academic medicine or clinical practice.
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The UCSF Oral Medicine Residency is a 36-month, CODA-accredited program leading to a certificate in oral medicine, with the option to pursue an MS in Oral and Craniofacial Sciences. Residents train across clinics, hospitals, and research environments to become leaders in managing complex oral diseases and advancing the specialty through scholarship.
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The UCSF Orthodontics Residency combines foundational science with advanced clinical and behavioral training to prepare you for leadership in orthodontics. Residents gain extensive experience in the prevention and correction of malocclusions and facial disproportions in children and adults, with a strong emphasis on facial growth, morphology, and neuromuscular function. Graduates receive a certificate in orthodontics and an MS degree in oral and craniofacial sciences, with the option to pursue a PhD.
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The Periodontology Postgraduate Program integrates the most current knowledge in basic and applied biological sciences with modern approaches to the diagnosis and treatment of periodontal diseases. Our curriculum combines clinical training in periodontics with a graduate academic program in oral and craniofacial sciences. The program includes the option to pursue an MS or PhD degree, either of which will prepare you for a career in academia or clinical practice.
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In UCSF’s Pediatric Dentistry Residency, you’ll have access to the outstanding academic and clinical resources of UCSF Health, UCSF Benioff Children's Hospitals, and our affiliated community clinics, where you’ll get the training and unique hands-on experience needed for a career in pediatric dentistry—whether it’s in private practice, academia, or community public health.
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The UCSF Prosthodontics Program combines the advanced study of oral disease with integrated clinical training in restorative dental treatment. You’ll learn everything you need to know, from diagnosis and treatment planning to how to perform restorative procedures for patients with complex needs.
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The UCSF/NYU Langone Health Advanced Education in General Dentistry (AEGD) Program offers exceptional postgraduate training in a community-based setting. This one-year program, with an option for a second year, provides residents with broad clinical and didactic experiences while serving diverse patient populations in underserved communities.
Note: We are no longer accepting applications for the UCSF/NYU Langone Health AEGD Program. The UCSF AEGD Program will be updated in 2027.