Dental Scientist Training Program
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D.M.D./Ph.D. Dentist Scientist Training Program
MUSC’s dual degree Dentist Scientist Training Program (DSTP) begins with 1 year of dental school, followed by approximately 4 years of research, and then the final 3 years of the dental school curriculum. This paradigm helps students concentrate on their research and/or clinical work for better retention and offers a more satisfactory blend of academic and patient experiences. Additionally, dental students need continuity in their clinical training to maintain the skills acquired during their second year of preclinical, laboratory-based dental classes. To stimulate and promote the integration of the basic research skills and interests likely to be acquired during the years of Ph.D. training, we have provided two opportunities for DSTP students to gain knowledge about and actively participate in clinical and translational research during their clinical training.
Academic Dentistry & Dental Research Career Opportunities
The profession of dentistry offers multiple career opportunities. The focus of this program is to train students to be both dentists and researchers. Students prepared in this way have a unique perspective and training to help contribute to expanding the knowledge upon which we base our nation’s dental care. Thus the Dental Medicine Scientist Training Program prepares students for careers in academic dentistry and dental research.
Dental research career opportunities exist at:
- University dental schools
- Dental research institutes
- Private industry
- Government agencies
- Research institutes, including:
- National Institutes of Health
- National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research
- Centers for Disease Control
- Armed Forces
- Indian Health Service
- Veterans Administration
In addition, some state health departments offer research opportunities as part of a career in Dental Public Health.
Additional information about career opportunities is available at: the American Dental Association and the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research.
Christopher H. Fox, DMD discusses careers in dental research.
There are also student organizations for dental and graduate school students.
Organizations within the dental school include the American Student Dental Association (ASDA) and the American Association of Women Dentists along with the two dental fraternities, Psi Omega and Delta Sigma Delta, which host social and recreational activities during the school year. During the research component of the program, these events give DSTP students an opportunity to keep in touch with their dental school classmates.
While in graduate school, the Graduate Student Association conducts activities and socials for graduate students.
Explore additional MUSC graduate student organizations.
Events hosted by the Student Government Association (SGA) bring students together from all six MUSC colleges. SGA hosts numerous events throughout the school year including Oktoberfest, oyster roasts, happy hours, concerts, and the annual ALHAMBRA Spring festival.
The SGA also organizes intramural athletic programs including basketball, volleyball, flag football, and softball, which are available to all MUSC students.
In addition, the Wellness Center, a state-of-the-art fitness facility, provides students with an array of workout equipment, racquetball, tennis/pickleball courts, swimming pool, indoor track, and exercise/fitness classes.
The city of Charleston and neighboring communities offer many unique social and cultural opportunities for students including the Charleston Symphony Orchestra, Spoleto Arts Festival, Southeastern Wildlife Festival, and South Carolina Aquarium. Several professional sports teams play throughout the year such as Riverdogs baseball, Battery soccer, and Stingrays hockey. The historic downtown and beaches on the barrier islands are also popular destinations for students.