The University of Nebraska Medical Center
College of Dentistry in Lincoln is educating more than half of
Nebraska’s dentists, and according to grade-point-averages and
scores on national clinical exams, they are some of the brightest
in the United States. Since 1990, UNMC’s freshman dental classes
have ranked in the top 10 for highest grade-point-averages among
the 55 dental colleges in the United States.
This year, the entering class of 43 freshman
have a collective GPA of 3.72, the highest in the history of the
UNMC College of Dentistry. Based on past national GPA rankings,
it looks like the class of 2001 may rank number one, or at least
in the top three among all U.S. dental colleges.
"Our students enter dental college with
high GPAs. This prepares them to be successful in our dental
college, but more importantly, they become dentists who provide
quality dental care to Nebraskans in rural and urban areas,"
said Stephen Leeper, D.D.S., dean of the college. "Our
students have more than two years of clinical experience before
they graduate so they are well-prepared."
The class of 1997, which graduated this year,
entered their freshman year with a GPA of 3.4 and scored second
highest in the nation in Part II of National Board Examinations
which is required to get a license; the class of 1998, currently
seniors, entered with a 3.53; the class of 1999 had a GPA of
3.56; and the class of 2000 had a GPA of 3.67 and was ranked
number one in the nation.
More than half the class of 1997 entered
private practice, one-fourth entered advanced training or began
residency programs and the remaining fourth will serve in
academic, governmental, military or public service fields, Dr.
Leeper said.
Competition to get into the college is keen.
This year, of the 784 who applied, 43 were accepted into the
college’s class of 2001. Women have represented about
one-third of the students over the past five years.
David Brown, Ph.D., associate dean, said a high
GPA is one of many measures but also reflects the quality of
students attending the college.
"I think our students espouse the
midwestern characteristic of a strong work ethic, attention to
detail and come from good school systems," Dr. Brown said.
"The people of Nebraska benefit from the colleges’s
high academic reputation and practice standards."
The UNMC College of Dentistry not only serves
Nebraskans, who make up 79 percent of the freshmen class this
year, but also states that have no dental schools such as Kansas,
South Dakota, North Dakota and Wyoming. It offers the following
programs: doctor of dental surgery (D.D.S.); certificate in
dental hygiene and a bachelor’s degree in dental hygiene;
five post-graduate specialty programs in endodontics,
orthodontics, periodontics, pediatric dentistry, and
prosthodontics; and two general dentistry residency programs, an
advanced education in general dentistry and a general practice
residency program.
The UNMC College of Dentistry was founded on
Sept. 17, 1899 as the Lincoln Dental College. It was the first
dental school in Nebraska and was started as a private venture by
Dr. W. Clyde Davis. As part of Cotner University, the Lincoln
Dental College was originally housed in an old building in
downtown Lincoln.
In 1918, the dental college officially became
part of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and was housed in
Andrews Hall from 1928 to 1967. The building that currently
houses the College of Dentistry on UNL’s east campus at 40th and
Holdrege streets was completed in 1967. In 1979, the College of
Dentistry became part of UNMC.
UNMC is the only public academic health science
center in the state. Through its commitment to research,
education and patient care, UNMC has established itself as one of
the country’s leading centers for cancer research and treatment
and solid organ transplantation. Nearly $25 million in research
grants and contracts are awarded to UNMC scientists annually. In
addition, UNMC’s educational programs are responsible for
training more health professionals practicing in Nebraska than
any other institution.