Website: https://dentistry.uiowa.edu/departments/family-dentistry
The Department of Family Dentistry reinforces and refines the comprehensive approach to managing patients' oral health care needs.
D.D.S. Student Training
The senior year of the Doctor of Dental Surgery program integrates basic science knowledge, clinical skills, and dental laboratory experiences acquired during the first three years of dental school into a systematic approach to providing patient care.
Students who complete their education in family dentistry should:
- conduct themselves in a professional and ethical manner;
- understand the principles of comprehensive dental treatment planning;
- know the medical, ethical, and legal issues involved in patient care;
- be able to recognize the need for specialty consultation;
- be competent in coordinating and sequencing patient treatments;
- be effective members of the dental team;
- be prepared to enter general practice;
- be educated and trained for licensure examination; and
- appreciate the importance and value of lifelong learning.

Students spend five days a week in a clinical setting, where they gain experience in total patient management and care. Their didactic coursework builds on their previous education. All areas of clinical and didactic instruction, patient awareness, and sensitivity to patients' needs are stressed.
The department's practice management curriculum prepares students to evaluate practice locations and manage the business aspects of a dental practice.
Family Dentistry Courses
FAMD:8482 Dental Auxiliary Utilization 2 s.h.
Delivery of comprehensive dental treatment in a simulated group practice clinical setting with chairside dental assistants.
FAMD:8484 Dental Practice Management I 1 s.h.
Principles of dental practice management; delivery of comprehensive dental treatment in a simulated group-practice clinical setting with chairside dental assistants.
FAMD:8485 Dental Practice Management II 1 s.h.
Principles of dental practice management.
FAMD:8488 Comprehensive Dental Patient Care 27 s.h.
Refinement of clinical skills, judgment, and critical self-evaluation in the delivery of integrated, comprehensive dental care.
FAMD:8494 Current Topics in Dentistry I 1-2 s.h.
Emerging trends, research updates, and clinical updates to support critical thinking and lifelong learning.
FAMD:8495 Advanced Treatment Planning I 2 s.h.
Development of knowledge to implement comprehensive treatment plans involving a multidisciplinary approach in management of patients through case-based learning.
FAMD:8497 Advanced Treatment Planning II 1 s.h.
Builds on FAMD:8495; development of advanced knowledge to implement complex comprehensive treatment plans involving a multidisciplinary approach in management of patients with complex medical and dental needs through case-based learning, lectures, and student case presentations.