One of the primary goals of the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine is the creation and dissemination of new knowledge for the oral health science professions. Research activities, whether applied or basic, are essential to the overall quality of the School. The research priority of the School of Dental Medicine not only establishes the School's national and international prominence, but also promotes high quality instruction of current knowledge within the curriculum. The research knowledge base of the faculty is imparted to the students in order to develop critical thinking regarding the scientific basis of practice and appreciation of the rapid changes within the profession.

Research efforts at the School of Dental Medicine establish an atmosphere in which the research potential of its faculty and staff can be fully realized. In addition to the generation of new knowledge, we seek to apply this and other knowledge to the solutions of health-related problems. A number of highly productive faculty members have developed areas of concentration such as genetics and tissue engineering that promote interdisciplinary activity and increase the School's overall productivity.