Dental research is a major part of the mission of the School of Dentistry and includes ongoing projects by faculty and a growing number of dental students. The Student Research Group (SRG) sponsors research presentations, helps students get involved in research projects, and provides a great environment where learning can be fun. The West Virginia University School of Dentistry has numerous opportunities for students to become involved in dental research, including focused areas of research in biomaterials, drug evaluations, health services, and educational evaluations. Students have access to a Compendium of dental faculty members’ research interests to help them in possible selection of topics. Students have found that research experience can help them think more creatively, which can be an asset for eventual general practice or admission into a clinical graduate program. Each year students get the opportunity locally and nationally to present their research. Over the past three years, approximately twenty five students have presented their research at national meetings.

All dental students are required to complete a research project in their third year. Students identify faculty mentors to assist them with these projects. Several WVUSoD predoctoral students have received national recognition for their projects.