About the LSU School of Dentistry

In all likelihood, the LSU School of Dentistry (LSUSD) has impacted your personal health care. Three out of every four dentists and dental hygienists practicing in Louisiana today are graduates of the school.

From a national perspective, LSUSD is unique among the more than 60 dental schools in the United States because it offers degrees in dentistry, dental hygiene and dental laboratory technology. By training students in all aspects of dentistry, LSUSD offers a level of training that has resulted in the school’s reputation for outstanding clinical education. From 1966 to 2011, the LSU School of Dentistry has graduated 4,971 dental health professionals by conferring degrees as follows:

           Doctor of Dental Surgery.  The incoming freshman class is comprised of 65 students representing 23 universities. The grade-point average of the class is 3.5 and 91% of the students come from Louisiana.
Dental Hygienist.  Students receive a Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene. Each year 38 students are accepted, 32 for the program in New Orleans and six for the program in Lafayette.
Dental Laboratory Technology. Offers an Associate of Science and is a two-year program that accepts 12 students.

In addition to these academic programs, there are advanced training programs in the following areas:

• Endodontics

• General dentistry residency

• Oral and maxillofacial surgery

• Orthodontics

• Pediatric dentistry

• Periodontics

• Prosthodontics

LSUSD is committed to educating dentists and dental hygienists throughout their careers. The school enjoys a national reputation for its continuing education program, which attracts dentists from throughout the United States. This year more than 40 courses will be offered at locations throughout Louisiana: Shreveport, Monroe, Alexandria, New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Lafayette and Lake Charles.

LSUSD offers care at 15 clinics in five cities. In the past year, 50,504 patient visits were provided to 13,145 patients. In 2010 more than 1,900 children, teenagers, adults with disabilities, seniors, and vulnerable adults were helped through direct care provided by LSUSD students and faculty at community outreach events.