What is “dental research”?
Dental research involves the use of scientific observation and experimentation to acquire new knowledge in the field of dental medicine. Through dental research, new clinical techniques, materials, and treatment modalities are developed. Student involvement in dental research has become an increasingly important mission in dental education.

What are the benefits of research?
Student research at BUSDM directly benefits individual students and the dental field at large. Through participation in research students may:

• become trained in the design and execution of scientific studies and contribute to the dental literature by publishing the results;
  
• have a better understanding of the innovative dental techniques, materials, and tools;
  
• enhance their analytical thinking abilities;
  
• bring breadth and depth to their dental education;
  
• improve their eligibility for postgraduate specialty training programs and academic appointments; and
  
• become more informed dental clinicians.
  

What is the research environment like?
The research facilities include modern biomedical core facilities and ample laboratory space. The resources comprise the Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, which just relocated to 18,000 sq.ft. of renovated laboratory space in the Evans Building; the Department of Periodontology and Oral Biology located in the Center for Advanced Biomedical Research (CABR) building; the Clinical Research Center, which conducts multidisciplinary clinical research and product testing; the Departments of Endodontics, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, and Orthodontics; the Division of Diagnostic Sciences and Patient Services; and the Departments of Restorative Sciences/Biomaterials and Pediatric Dentistry, whose research divisions occupy new facilities at 801 Albany Street; the Department of Health Policy and Health Services Research, which provides support for public health-related and epidemiological aspects of research training, which has recently relocated to the third floor of 560 Harrison Avenue. Funds for predoctoral research training are obtained from federal and intramural sources and are available to students on a competitive basis.

When can students do research?
The School offers elective research opportunities to first and second-year students. During the 3rd and 4th years students may continue with elective research. Only students who maintain a 3.0 GPA in their didactic and clinical courses are considered for research training.

How to obtain information about student research?
You may obtain information by contacting the Predoctoral Research Program at Evans 4, Room 424 or by visiting the website at http://dentalschool.bu.edu/research/predoc/ . Interested students are also encouraged to participate in the School's Student Research Group (SRG), a local chapter of the American Association for Dental Research (AADR) Student Research Group. The School's Student Research Group functions in supporting and enhancing research interests among students.

For more information, please contact:

Maria Kukuruzinska, Ph.D., Director, Predoctoral Research Program at 617/638-4859 or mkukuruz@bu.edu

Afaf Hourani, MPH, MS, Coordinator, Predoctoral Research Program at 617/414-1048 or ahourani@bu.edu

top