The Doctor of Dental Medicine degree program is designed to prepare students to practice their chosen profession with appropriate competence. The program is based on sound knowledge of the related biological sciences, strong clinical skills, and an understanding of the role of the dentist as a health professional and leader in the community.

The program provides state-of-the-art educational facilities, inspirational faculty who encourage excellence, and student services that support and assist students in their transitions into, during, out of and beyond the program. The student-centered, innovative curriculum utilizes active learning methodologies, and integrates the basic biomedical, behavioural and clinical sciences to ultimately develop DMD graduates with the knowledge, skills and values that underlie competence.

The DMD curriculum at UBC is inquiry-based incorporating hybrid problem-based learning (PBL), case-based and blended learning activities, and more traditional lectures and clinical experiences. It emphasizes self-directed student learning and problem solving in small group settings. Lectures occupy a smaller amount of curriculum time than traditional curricula.