Perhaps unsurprisingly, Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine began with a desire. This desire came from Henry M. Goldman himself. He envisioned a university-based center. It would focus on advanced graduate training in dental specialties.
The journey of the B.U. Goldman School of Dental Medicine started in 1958. Boston University School of Medicine created a Department of Stomatology. Stomatology is the medical study of the mouth’s physiology and pathology. The department’s purpose was to provide post-doctoral education in dentistry. Back then, it stood alone. It was the only institution in the country solely for specialty dental education.
In 1963, the Boston University School of Graduate Dentistry emerged. This happened under Dean Henry M. Goldman’s guidance. Initially, the School was in a brownstone building on East Concord Street. It was three-and-a-half stories high. In 1970, it relocated. The B.U. Goldman School of Dental Medicine moved to its present location at 100 East Newton Street.
The move was prompted by growth. Teaching activities, enrollment, and research expanded dynamically. In 1972, a pre-doctoral program was introduced. It led to a Doctor of Dental Medicine degree. Another expansion occurred in 1973. Four floors were added. This brought the building to its current seven stories.
The late 1970s and 1980s saw substantial growth. The B.U. Goldman School of Dental Medicine developed affiliations. These were with area dental practices and educational facilities. Training sites across the country were included. Students improved clinical and practice management skills. They worked in various practice types.
The Applied Professional Experience Program began in 1989. It is known as APEX. Preclinical dental students gained experience in dental practice. In the early 1990s, the School expanded. It reached the University’s Charles River Campus. The Dental Health Center was established. It provides care to the Boston University community.
The name changed in 1996. It became the Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine. This reflected the school’s broader scope. It encompassed education, research, patient care, and community missions.
Research expanded in the late 1990s. Two new departments were added. They are the Department of Health Policy and Health Services Research and the Department of Molecular and Cell Biology. The school also improved its evaluation capabilities. The Department of Educational Research & Evaluation was created. It allowed them to assess curriculum, programs, students, and faculty.
The pre-doctoral curriculum was concentrated in 2000. It fell under the new Department of General Dentistry. Also in 2000, the Simulation Learning Center opened. Here, students practice on virtual patients. They use high-tech equipment.
The B.U. Goldman School of Dental Medicine has more than 325 faculty members. These include educators, clinicians, and researchers. There are also over 250 staff members. The school offers pre-doctoral and post-doctoral programs. They also provide graduate programs and degrees. Over 700 students attend.
In September 2021, a major project concluded. It was a three-year expansion and renovation. The cost was about $115 million. In November 2021, Dr. Cataldo Leone became Dean. The B.U. Goldman School of Dental Medicine continues to evolve. It remains committed to excellence in dental education and patient care. Students even train using dental robots. This ensures they are ready for real-world practice.