Lincoln Memorial University College of Dental Medicine is a private dental school in Knoxville, Tennessee. It is part of Lincoln Memorial University's expanding health sciences enterprise. LMU Dental was founded to address the severe dental workforce shortage in Appalachian Tennessee and the surrounding region, where oral health gaps are among the worst in the United States.
It trains community-oriented dentists through early patient contact, rural clinical rotations, and a focus on primary dental care for underserved populations.
What makes Lincoln Memorial University College of Dental Medicine (DMD) different
Applications via ADEA AADSAS. LMU Dental is one of the few dental schools in the US with an explicit Appalachian community health mission. The region has some of the highest rates of tooth decay, tooth loss, and unmet dental needs in the nation — LMU graduates are trained to address this directly.
Rural community health rotations and an Appalachian-focused curriculum distinguish LMU from more traditional dental programs.
Lincoln Memorial University College of Dental Medicine (DMD) course & teaching
Integrated curriculum. 4-year DMD curriculum with emphasis on early patient contact, community dental care, and rural health rotations. Clinical training at LMU's Knoxville dental clinic and affiliated Appalachian community health sites. Rural and community health rotations expose students to the practice environment they are trained to enter.
Lincoln Memorial University College of Dental Medicine (DMD) research strengths
Lincoln Memorial University College of Dental Medicine (DMD) is strong in these research areas:
- Appalachian oral health
- Rural dental workforce
- Community oral health
- Preventive dentistry
- Oral-systemic health
How the Lincoln Memorial University College of Dental Medicine (DMD) interview runs
Format: Traditional one-on-one faculty and/or panel interview
Lincoln Memorial University College of Dental Medicine conducts traditional one-on-one faculty and/or panel interviews at its Knoxville, Tennessee campus, typically September through February. Interview days include faculty sessions of 30–45 minutes assessing motivation for dentistry, commitment to underserved Appalachian community health, oral-systemic health knowledge, and ADA ethics.
Candidates tour LMU's dental clinic and simulation facilities and interact with current DMD students. LMU values candidates with rural and underserved community health experience, and interviewers probe genuine commitment to serving the Appalachian region after graduation. Post-interview rolling decisions are typically issued within 4–8 weeks.
Lincoln Memorial University College of Dental Medicine (DMD) intake
Approximately 50–70 students per year.
Lincoln Memorial University College of Dental Medicine (DMD) at a glance
Founded in 2022. Based in Knoxville, TN.
Programmes offered:
- General Dentistry
- Community Oral Health
- Rural Health
- Preventive Dentistry
- Oral-Systemic Medicine