DEAN’S REPORT: U-M SCHOOL OF DENTISTRY - Celebrating a 150-year Tradition of Excellence — and Planning for the Future

Authors

Abstract

This report commemorates the 150th anniversary of the University of Michigan School of Dentistry, founded in 1875 largely due to the lobbying efforts of the Michigan Dental Association (MDA). It details the leadership of its first dean, Dr. Jonathan Taft, who established high professional standards that shaped the institution's commitment to excellence. The school boasts over 12,000 DDS graduates and 3,460 dental hygiene graduates, emphasizing its continuous role in advancing dentistry through innovation, research, and patient care, from early textbook development to modern digital tools like CBCTs and CAD-CAM technology. The incoming DDS Class of 2029 marks a milestone with its highest percentage of women (65%). The report also highlights recent faculty research, including a major federal grant for fluoride efficacy and a study on non-opioid pain management.

Recommended Citation

(2025) "DEAN’S REPORT: U-M SCHOOL OF DENTISTRY - Celebrating a 150-year Tradition of Excellence — and Planning for the Future," The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association: Vol. 107: No. 9, Article 10.
Available at: https://commons.ada.org/journalmichigandentalassociation/vol107/iss9/10