UF College of Dentistry

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The honors outstanding young alumni for their stellar strides in self, skill, and service.
Apply by visiting https://connect.ufalumni.ufl.edu/events/40gatorsunder40, to share your inspiring journey! Applications close October 5.

Ready to become a ?

Join us for the 2026 Pre-Dental Fair on Friday, September 11. Hosted by the Office of Admissions and open to pre-dental students from all backgrounds welcome - high school, undergrad, postbaccalaureate, etc.

Registration and details https://admissions.dental.ufl.edu/d-m-d/events/pre-dental-fair/

Before the College of Dentistry even enrolled its charter class of 1972, momentum of statewide impact was already building.

With Project I underway and visions for the dental tower on the horizon, early UFCD faculty and administrators didn't waste any time proving the value of Florida's first ever dental school. As early as 1968 and 1969, UFCD was helping practicing dentists across the state continue their education and network with one another.

Twenty Florida high school students recently visited the UF College of Dentistry, or UFCD, for a day of programming designed to help them explore potential careers in dentistry.

This marked the first high school outreach program hosted at the college by a regional Florida Area Health Education Center, or AHEC. The visit was facilitated by the Suwannee River Area Health Education Center (AHEC) and Northeast Florida AHECs and coordinated through UFCD’s Office of Admissions. Read the complete story by clicking the link: https://dental.ufl.edu/2026/08/12/high-school-students-envision-a-future-in-dentistry/

1968: A new milestone for our campus.
The Health Center Provost Samuel P. Martin announced, “Project 1,” a $30M expansion of our 12-year-old medical complex. The state legislature contributed another $10M; the rest came through federal construction grants.

The plan also included new outpatient clinics, graduate programs and faculty offices.

This was a public private partnership, backed by the Academy One Hundred led by Dr. E. Monroe Farber, who built a private fundraising avenue that fueled future dental clinical facilities and scholarships.

A legacy of collaboration, vision and growth.

In July 1966, the University of Florida named Dr. Edmund Ackell as the founding dean for the College of Dentistry.

A whole-body clinician, Ackell held both dental and medical degrees.

With experience consulting on dental school instruction, Dean Ackell laid foundational blueprints for the world-class education and patient care UFCD provides today.

In less than a month, we'll begin a two-year project for an addition to our building. It includes seven modern classrooms that support foundational and advanced instruction where future dentists learn, collaborate and build the knowledge that underpins exceptional patient care.

Learn more on our website: https://dental.ufl.edu/dental-building-project/building-a-brillant-tomorrow/

Need to register for the event? Click here: https://web.cvent.com/event/7d8867cd-6aa6-42bf-bd79-7192f802128a/summary

Full details of the Dental Fall Weekend: https://dental.ufl.edu/alumni-giving/news-events/2026-dental-fall-weekend/