Educational Philosophy and Objectives

In the broadest sense, the mission of the School of Dentistry is to serve as a center for education, research, and service related to oral health. Although its primary obligation is to respond to the needs of the state of Louisiana, it strives to assume a meaningful role at a national and international level. The graduate has demonstrated and is endowed with skill to render intricate and demanding patient care, knowledge of the human organism essential to making sound clinical judgments, and an attitude of service and social responsibility traditionally expected of the health professional. The graduate is prepared to serve as the key member of the oral health care team, and, accordingly, the learning experience includes functioning with dentists, dental hygienists, dental laboratory technologists and dental assistants.

The School offers a variety of academic opportunities for dentists and allied dental professionals. There are programs at the post-doctoral level to develop clinical and basic science educators, highly differentiated researchers, and specialty practitioners. Continuing education opportunities offered by the School of Dentistry serve as an important vehicle to educate practitioners throughout their career, keeping them abreast of the latest and most up-to-date procedures and techniques in the field of dentistry.