The University of Washington School of Dentistry has risen one spot to No. 2 in the world among dental schools in the new Academic Ranking of World Universities by the ShanghaiRanking Consultancy.
The School of Dentistry trails only the University of Michigan’s dental school in the new rankings. Rounding out the top five after the UW are the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and King’s College London.
“I am so gratified to see that our School of Dentistry is now ranked No. 2 in the world,” said Interim Dean Gary T. Chiodo. “This recognition reflects the work of our outstanding and dedicated faculty and staff and the continued emphasis on our research mission, which is an integral aspect of our identity.”
The ARWU assessment focuses heavily on research performance and reputation. The annual rankings were originated by Shanghai Jiao Tong University in 2003.
The UW School of Dentistry’s focus on research extends beyond the studies done by faculty members and full-time researchers. Students, mentored by faculty, are also encouraged to engage in research through programs such as the Summer Research Fellowship Program and the Multidisciplinary Predoctoral Clinical Research Training Program. The school also offers a DDS/PhD track for students that allows them to pursue advanced research after earning their dental degree.
This week, the school also launched its 28th annual Summer Institute in Dental and Craniofacial Clinical Research Methods, one of the leading training programs of its kind. The six-week institute, which draws attendees from around the world, provides training in biostatistics, clinical epidemiology/study design, personal computing applications, clinical trials, behavioral research in dentistry, grantsmanship, and case studies in data analysis.
The school is also home to the Timothy A. DeRouen Center for Global Oral Health, which since 2013 has promoted international collaborations in dental research and education. It has also sought to align its mission more closely with the UW’s Population Health Initiative.
“It is truly a group effort to become and remain a top-tier dental school,” Dean Chiodo said, “and we simply have a superb group at the UW.”