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Preventive Dentistry MS and MSD Programs

Program Director:  Carlos Gonzalez-Cabezas, D.D.S., Ph.D.
Director, Preventive Dentistry M.S.D. and M.S. Programs
Department of Preventive and Community Dentistry
415 Lansing Street
Indianapolis, IN 46202
Telephone: (317) 274-8822
Fax: (317) 274-5425

Program Information

Thank you for your inquiry regarding the Master's degree program in Preventive Dentistry at Indiana University School of Dentistry.  Students accepted for this program work towards fulfilling requirements for the Master of Science in Dentistry (M.S.D.) degree from Indiana University School of Dentistry or the Master of Science (M.S.) degree from the Graduate School at Indiana University.  Individuals who have a dental degree may elect either degree program.  Those who do not have a dental degree would be enrolled in the Master of Science program in the Indiana University Graduate School.

The program stresses the basic concepts and techniques of preventive dentistry focusing on dental caries and their application to patients within a total patient care concept. Learning the skills to conduct clinical and laboratory research in the field is emphasized, and a thesis based on an original research project is required. The research leading to the thesis is one of the most substantial parts of the student's program.

Two areas of concentration are required in the program: the major, which is preventive dentistry, and an approved minor that can be in operative dentistry (only for MSD), life sciences, microbiology or public health. Elective course work can be selected from a large number of available graduate level courses offered by Indiana University at its Indianapolis campus. Thus, there is considerable flexibility in the curriculum permitting a program appropriate to the student's educational objectives and background.

The program takes a minimum of 24 months to complete.  The School of Dentistry has excellent faculty, staff and facilities for their didactic and clinical teaching programs.  The Oral Health Research Institute has several well-equipped laboratories and animal facilities for in-vitro and animal research studies.  There is also an outstanding clinical research program in which thousands of patient examinations are conducted each year.

Application Process:  To apply to the preventive dentistry program, you will complete the University Online Graduate Application.  Please read the application directions carefully.

Application Deadline:  November 1

Please submit the following items directly to the IUSD Office of Graduate Education.

Indiana University School of Dentistry
Office of Graduate Education
1121 W Michigan Street, Room 104A
Indianapolis, IN  46202

US applicants:  US citizens who have completed secondary education in the US.

  • School Certification of Disciplinary History Form
  • Official transcripts of all undergraduate colleges/universities attended
  • Official dental transcript
  • Dental overall GPA and ranking
  • Official National Board Scores
  • Official GRE scores (required for applicants applying to the MS program)

Two letters of recommendation are required.  Recommendations should be requested from instructors who are able to comment on your qualifications for graduate dental study.  They should not be requested from a non-academic person unless you have extensive work experience with that individual and/or you have been away from academic institutions for some time. 

  • You need to list the names of your references in the recommendation section of the online application.  Ask recommenders if they prefer to send an electronic recommendation.  If yes, you can supply your references' email addresses on the online application and they will automatically be sent an e-recommendation form to be completed and submitted electronically. 
  • You may submit your application prior to receipt of the electronic recommendations.
  • Or you may provide a paper recommendation form to your recommenders along with a stamped envelope addressed to the Office of Graduate Education.

International trained dentists - A US citizen, permanent resident (green card), refugee, political asylee whose secondary education was outside of the US or a non-US citizen whose secondary education was in the US.

  • School Certification of Disciplinary History form

  • Official transcripts, including work already completed and work currently in progress.  The records should show a complete list of courses taken, grades received and any diplomas or certificates earned.  Transcripts should also indicate the number of credits awarded for each course or the number of hours of classroom, lecture and laboratory and include information about the school's grading scale.

  • If the original documents are not in English, a verified translation must be sent with your official transcripts in your native language.

  • Education Credential Evaluators (ECE) Course-By-Course Evaluation Report.  Send all international transcripts to ECE, PO Box 514070, Milwaukee, WI  53203-3470

  • If English is not your native language, you must demonstrate proficiency in English before you are admitted.  TOEFL scores of 550+ (paper version/PBT) or 213+ (computer based version/CBT) or a minimum score of 79+ internet based version/iBT is required.  IUPUI's school code for the TOEFL is 1325. A grade of 6.0 or higher on the Cambridge International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is also acceptable. 

  • National Board Examination scores (if completed)

  • A completed Financial Support Agreement form from each sponsor and all required supporting bank statements

Two letters of recommendation are required.  Recommendations should be requested from instructors who are able to comment on your qualifications for graduate dental study.  They should not be requested from a non-academic person unless you have extensive work experience with that individual and/or you have been away from academic institutions for some time. 

  • You need to list the names of your references in the recommendation section of the online application.  Ask recommenders if they prefer to send an electronic recommendation.  If yes, you can supply your references' email address on the online application and they will automatically be sent an e-recommendation form to be completed and submitted electronically. 
  • You may submit your application prior to receipt of the electronic applications. 
  • Or you may provide a paper recommendation from to your recommenders along with a stamped envelope addressed to the Office of Graduate Education.

Status of Application

Applicants will receive notification of receipt of their application.  The Committee will not review incomplete files; therefore, it is up to the applicant to verify status of his/her file. Completed applications will be reviewed and candidates will be selected and may be invited for an interview.   Following the interview process, acceptance letters and contracts will be sent to each successful applicant. 

Starting Date

MSD program:  International applicants must arrive on campus in May in order to complete the English for Academic Purposes (EAP) placement examination.  If it is determined an English course is required as a result of the placement test, the English course will be completed in June.  The MSD curriculum begins in July.

MS program;  The MS curriculum begins mid-August (the beginning of Fall semester).

We do not accept students spring semester (January).

Rules Determining Resident and Nonresident Student Status for Indiana University Fee Purposes

With very few exceptions, if you enter Indiana University School of Dentistry as a non-resident, you will remain a non-resident (for fee-paying purposes) throughout your postgraduate education.  Attending Indiana University School of Dentistry for one year does not entitle you to resident tuition if you are not from Indiana.

If you have any questions regarding the preventive dentistry programs, please email the Office of Graduate Education at ds-grad@iupui.edu