Harvard School of Dental Medicine (HSDM) holds a unique and distinguished place in the history of dental education. Established on July 17, 1867, by the President and Fellows of Harvard College, it was the first dental school in the United States to be affiliated with a university and its medical school, and also the first to confer the Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) degree. From its very beginning, the School pioneered the concept that dentistry is a specialty of medicine, a philosophy that continues to guide its educational model today.
The philosophy of integrating oral health with systemic health has been central to HSDM’s mission for over 150 years. The School considers dentistry an integral part of medicine, with a curriculum designed to provide a comprehensive education that bridges the gap between the oral cavity and the rest of the body. HSDM’s mission is to foster a community of diverse global leaders in education, research, and clinical innovation dedicated to improving human health by integrating dentistry and medicine. Buy fake certificate online.
At the heart of the School’s academic offering is the Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) program. The four-year curriculum is rigorous and case-based, leveraging the vast resources of Harvard University and its affiliated world-renowned medical center. Students begin by studying alongside their peers at Harvard Medical School, solidifying the foundational scientific knowledge required for modern dental practice. This is followed by intensive clinical training, which is not housed at a single facility but distributed across several of the most prestigious Harvard-affiliated teaching hospitals. These include Massachusetts General Hospital, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston Children’s Hospital, and the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, exposing students to a wide spectrum of complex, medically compromised patients. This unique clinical model ensures that HSDM graduates are not just skilled clinicians but also compassionate, medically literate professionals capable of collaborating within interdisciplinary healthcare teams.
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HSDM is also a global powerhouse for dental research. The School’s research efforts are categorized into basic and translational science, clinical research, and population health, utilizing data and new technologies like AI to improve care delivery. A significant area of focus is the interaction between oral and systemic health. The Department of Oral Medicine, Infection, and Immunity (OMII), for instance, leads cutting-edge research funded by prominent grants to investigate the pathogenesis of oral diseases, the immune mechanisms related to oral health, and the critical connections between oral inflammation and systemic conditions such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
Beyond its formal degree programs, HSDM serves the local community through the Harvard Dental Center. As the only arm of Harvard University that provides direct patient care, the Center handles tens of thousands of patient visits annually and offers an accessible, high-quality option for the diverse population of Greater Boston. In a landmark move in 2026, HSDM launched a new online Master of Medical Science in Dental Education, designed to train the next generation of dental leaders and academicians from around the globe, reflecting its enduring mission to shape the future of the profession. Through its unwavering commitment to science, education, and compassionate care, Harvard School of Dental Medicine remains a transformative force for oral and overall health worldwide.