INCOMING DOCTOR OF DENTAL SURGERY (D.D.S.) students will now be able to earn a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree while going to dental school.

Melanie Simmer-Beck (B.S.D.H. ’94, M.S. ’04, Ph.D. ’13), chair of the Department of Dental Public Health, and David Thein (D.D.S. ’79), also with the School of Dentistry, have partnered with the Henry W. Bloch School of Management to create a unique opportunity for dental students to help meet the increasing demand for more comprehensive business knowledge as they enter the workforce.

Thein, clinical associate professor and practice management curriculum director at the School of Dentistry, will be teaching the business aspects of dentistry, resource management and organizational leadership as part of the innovative program.

Six students were enrolled in the dual program in the Spring 2023 semester.