Office of Global Relations

Students pose during a TUSDM mission trip to Jamaica. Photo: Timothy J. Kim, D'18

Associate Dean Office of Global Relations: Noshir Mehta

Tufts School of Dental Medicine has long offered onsite certificate and M.S. programs for students around the world. Tufts has been able to train dentists in new dental techniques while ensuring that these students will successfully perform these procedures after completing the program. Tufts affiliated programs have never been short on attendance and have generated significant income for the university.

International course offerings and onsite learning for practicing dentists now presents a new set of challenges for Tufts School of Dental Medicine. Many dentists would like to get advanced degrees but cannot afford to take the time to close their practices for 2-3 years. The emergence of the European Union has also influenced the International learning needs. Dentists practicing in Europe now need a Masters Degree in order to practice anywhere in the EU. Thus, many schools in the EU have begun to develop their own graduate programs using the UDS model, or to align themselves with the US Dental Schools. Many Dental schools, including BU, NYU, USC, and UCLA are developing or operating long distance learning programs.

Student Aid Trips

Under the guidance of the Department of Public Health and Community Service, Tufts dental students and faculty have the opportunity to travel internationally to provide dental services to underserved populations. These trips are organized for faculty and staff to broaden their horizons and practice dental medicine in differing areas of the world. Dental Missions serve to educate both the clinical skills and international views of students and faculty.