Student Research

Scientific inquiry is critical for the advancement of health sciences. Dental professionals must be comfortable locating, reviewing and critically evaluating oral and general health-related research. Throughout the four-year program, students will be required to critically evaluate and incorporate research findings into their academic program.  

To provide formal training in this area, the D2 curriculum includes a Scientific Inquiry course. This course is designed to teach dental students the role of study design and statistical analysis in interpreting basic, clinical, and health services research. The course instructs students how to access and critically analyze scientific information efficiently and places these skills in the context of evidence-based dental practice. The course will also guide students on research proposal design, ethical review, and execution of the research project.

In addition to this course, all DMD students will complete a required student research project. This project will be completed between years 2 and 3.  Individual and group projects will be supported.  Following completion of the project, students will present their results during the annual PNWU Research Symposium, which occurs in April of each year.  During the symposium, dental student presentations will be judged, and a winner selected to represent the school at the annual American Association of Dental and Craniofacial Research meeting’s student research competition. The school will also support students who wish to submit their research for presentation at regional and national dental meetings. The school will cover travel