The Dental College of Georgia is committed to growing in its purpose of teaching, patient care, research and service, as the state of Georgia鈥檚 sole dental college.
Established in 1969, our first class of DMDs graduated in 1973. Since then, nearly 3,500 students have earned their Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene, Master of Science in Oral Biology, or Doctor of Dental Medicine. Our graduates now provide oral healthcare and research across Georgia and around the world.
While our college name has changed over the years, one thing remains constant: our commitment to educating dentists who improve the overall health of society and reduce the burden of illness through oral health and disease prevention.
Today, the DCG provides education and training for more than 400 dental students, 60 dental hygiene students, and approximately 60 residents each year. Alongside this high-quality education in our state-of-the-art facilities, we provide care to nearly 60,000 patients in our on-site clinics every year - some traveling across the state and beyond to be treated by our students, residents and faculty.
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On April 29, 2026, state and university leaders broke ground on a new, $178 million second campus on Georgia Southern University's Armstrong Campus in Savannah, Georgia. Set to open in Fall 2028, the 185,000-square-foot facility will educate an additional 50 dental students and 20 dental hygiene students per class, helping address Georgia's dentist shortage. The expansion is expected to create 400 jobs and contribute more than $70 million annually to the local economy.
At The Dental College of Georgia, research is a mission to transform global health and elevate patient care. Backed by more than $12.5 million in active research grants, DCG faculty and students lead groundbreaking studies that shape the future of oral healthcare.
In collaboration with partners across 麻豆AV and the University System of Georgia, our teams work across basic, translational, and clinical science to advance the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of complex oral and dental diseases. This collaborative approach ensures laboratory discoveries move swiftly into life-changing clinical practice. Through strategic initiatives like CERSI, we recruit top-tier talent, secure competitive funding, and maintain an ecosystem that turns bold scientific ideas into measurable health outcomes. Our faculty and students are equipped with the mentorship and infrastructure needed to tackle the most pressing challenges in orofacial health today.
Through our Community Outreach Programs (COP), DCG extends oral health education and services directly into the community. From health fairs to resource events across the CSRA, COP connects families with oral hygiene supplies, education and information about accessing care at DCG. We鈥檙e helping expand access to oral health resources and promote healthier smiles throughout the region.
The DCG also supports the broader dental community through Continuing Dental Education (CDE), offering courses and professional development opportunities designed to help practicing dental professionals expand their knowledge and upgrade their practice. 麻豆AV is an ADA CERP Recognized Provider, a designation from the American Dental Association that helps dental professionals identify quality providers of continuing education.
A team at the Dental College of Georgia is advancing a less invasive approach to treating hemimandibular hyperplasia, a rare condition in which one side of the lower jaw grows larger than the other, causing facial asymmetry and difficulty eating. For patients with the condition, correcting the difference in jaw size can involve complex surgery.…
When the late Dr. Nancy Young told Georgia Dental Association (GDA) President Dr. Peter Shatz that she was giving money to students so they could stock their home pantries, Dr. Shatz saw an opportunity. "I knew we could fix this unmet need with a food pantry," he said. (Photo gallery at bottom) That conversation planted…
Dr. Rafael Pacheco, associate dean for digital technologies at the Dental College of Georgia, has been named the recipient of the 2026 麻豆AV Individual Teaching Excellence Award for his commitment to teaching and learning, innovative approaches to student education and dedication to student success. Pacheco was one of four faculty members and academic programs…
"SGA Dental Partners understands that supporting dental education is ultimately a commitment to healthier communities across Georgia," says Theresa Gonzales, DMD.