Academics and Training

The PhD program provides training for those who wish to pursue basic and/or clinical research in dental medicine or the biomedical sciences. Candidates may include those with bachelor's, master's, or DDS (or equivalent) degrees. 

In July of 2018, the department received a 5-year renewal of our National Research Service Award Institutional Training Grant (T32) from the National Institute of Dental & Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) at NIH.  The project, "Advanced Training in Oral Biology," provides multi-year stipend and tuition support for both predoctoral trainees (dentists and non-dentists seeking a PhD) and postdoctoral trainees (dentists and/or PhDs).  Dr. Stefan Ruhl, Professor of Oral Biology, is the Principal Investigator and Program Director.  Dr. Frank Scannapieco, Professor and Chair of Oral Biology, is the Program Co-Director.

In September of 2018, the department received a 5-year K12 Dental Specialty and PhD Program (DSSP) award from the National Institute of Dental & Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) at NIH.  The Buffalo Oral-Research and Specialty Training (BORST) Program provides stipend and tuition support to dentists engaged on a dual track of dental specialty training and PhD training.

The PhD Program in Biomedical Sciences (PPBS) provides an entry portal and a common first-year curriculum, equipping first year PhD students with core knowledge and concepts to support their pursuit of a PhD degree in one of several participating departments, including Oral Biology. 

The primary mission of the Ph.D. and Postdoctoral Training Program in Oral Biology is to prepare individuals for careers in research and education in academia or in industry - particularly in interdisciplinary oral health related fields - and to provide these individuals with the expertise necessary to become leaders in the field of oral health research. Graduates will have the qualifications and research expertise to become global leaders as scientists in academia or industry.

Salary and/or tuition support for students and postdoctoral fellows may come from a variety of sources.

The student research program provides an opportunity for dental students to become involved in research during the academic year as well as in the summer inter-session period.