Learn more about UPIKE and why it is the right choice for you.
See if UPIKE is a good fit for you and take the next steps in becoming a student.
The vision for the College of Dental Medicine is to be known and respected for service, innovation, clinical excellence and interprofessional education.
We are practitioners of the healing arts defining the standard for excellence in optometric education and vision care.
Our D.O. medical school is nationally ranked and recognized for a reputation of excellence in rural medicine and family healthcare. UPIKE’s osteopathy program gives you a clear path to success in the medical field.
Explore our online undergraduate and graduate programs and learn more about earning your degree at UPIKE.
Nestled between the Appalachian Mountains exists the University of Pikeville, whose 133-year educational legacy has expanded to create the College of Dental Medicine, aimed at educating dentists of tomorrow to provide greater access to oral healthcare in rural and underserved areas. Become part of a new program that aspires to be a national leader in dental education through its commitment to service, clinical excellence, innovation, interprofessional practice, and a unique culture that promotes physical and mental wellness in students, staff and faculty.
Our small campus size and small class size create a family environment where we care about and support our students, faculty and staff. Our dedicated team is committed to the academic and professional success of each student and will walk alongside students in their journey to becoming competent and successful dental professionals. Our professional, yet collegial atmosphere of respect, collaboration and mutual learning facilitates a positive culture and environment for dental education.
The University of Pikeville – Tanner College of Dental Medicine was made possible by the generosity of the philanthropic Tanner family. The family, has blessed the University of Pikeville with a transformative $25 million gift that is not only the largest single gift ever received by the university but the largest donation on record to any Kentucky college. They are passionate about UPIKE’s service-focused mission and recognize the need to provide greater access to oral healthcare in underserved areas.
UPIKE is the leading higher education institute of Central Appalachia, with a commitment to excellence in each endeavor. The university believes that by educating tomorrow’s leaders in the health professions, the landscape of healthcare in these mountains will thrive.
The vision for the Tanner College of Dental Medicine is to be known and respected for service, innovation, clinical excellence and interprofessional education.
OUR UNIQUE DENTAL EXPERIENCE
Dental students will flourish under dedicated and knowledgeable faculty who will provide a supportive environment to learn patient-centered care while utilizing advanced technology. At UPIKE we educate our students to become innovative leaders in the profession of dentistry by training them to utilize the most contemporary dental materials, equipment and techniques.
Our goal at UPIKE is to become a national leader in interprofessional education, creating new integrated models of interdisciplinary care. Learning to work with providers in other disciplines is fundamental to healthcare as it enhances prevention, leads to early diagnosis and early interventions, improves access to care, and results in better patient outcomes. Our focus at UPIKE is to serve our students as well as the needs of our patients and our community.
Unlike many dental schools, the University of Pikeville College of Dental Medicine seeks to focus its recruitment efforts in smaller, rural colleges and universities to recruit promising, high-performing undergraduate students who have demonstrated a servant’s heart, and desire to make a significant impact among those who most need care. Qualified students interested in pursuing a career in dentistry are encouraged to apply to become a part of UPIKE’s unique dental educational experience.
At UPIKE, D.M.D. students will enter rotations in a variety of clinical settings during their four-year experience including community health centers, special needs clinics, pediatric facilities, addiction recovery centers and Federally Qualified Health Centers.
To learn about the College of Dental Medicine’s Functional Standards please click the button below:
Tuition and Cost of Attendance will be added to the financial aid cost of attendance page soon.
Bookmark the link below for when the cost of attendance information is added.
*Additional science courses as well as courses in leadership, public health, art, and business would also be beneficial as preparation for dental education.
The forms below may be used to assist students in documenting community service and shadowing hours.
The online application portal for the College of Dental Medicine will be coming soon!
Bookmark: https://www.upike.edu/dental
The office of Admissions can be reached at:
University of PikevilleOffice of Admissions147 Sycamore StreetPikeville, Kentucky 41501(606) 218-5251tcdmadmissions@upike.edu
Currently, the University of Pikeville is seeking accreditation for the Tanner College of Dental Medicine. Pending approval by the The Southern Association of Colleges and School Commission on Colleges (SACS-COC) and the Commission of Dental Accreditation (CODA), we will begin admitting students in 2025. For more information, please contact us at (606)218-5251
The University of Pikeville’s (UPIKE) Tanner College of Dental Medicine (TCDM) was recently selected as the recipient of the 2024 Center for Research and Education Technology (CRET) Innovation Center (IC) Award. TCDM is the seventh school recipient chosen for the prestigious IC Award. The award will support the establishment of a hub for innovation and […]
Jill E. Keaton, DMD, MS, associate dean of clinical affairs at the University of Pikeville (UPIKE), has been named the new dean of the Tanner College of Dental Medicine (TCDM). Keaton served the eastern Kentucky area for nearly three decades in roles of increasing leadership responsibility, including private dental practice and providing specialty care to […]
The University of Pikeville Tanner College of Dental Medicine (TCDM) was awarded $1.5 million from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) to fund the procurement of dental equipment and supplies through the Partnerships for Opportunity and Workforce and Economic Revitalization (POWER) Initiative. POWER is an integrated, multi-agency effort to align and invest federal economic and workforce […]
The University of Pikeville (UPIKE) honored the 2023 inductees of the Distinguished Educators Hall of Fame at a ceremony held on October 10, in Booth Auditorium. Since 2010, UPIKE has carried on the yearly tradition of celebrating those educators whose contributions to learning have inspired generations of students, providing them with unwavering support in their […]
The University of Pikeville Board of Trustees has approved the naming of the “Tanner College of Dental Medicine” in recognition of the family, that made a transformational $25 million gift last year to establish the college and dramatically increase access to dental care in Central Appalachia. Carol Goff Tanner and her late husband, Robert B. […]