The University of Alabama School of Dentistry, a unit of the Medical Center of the University of Alabama at Birmingham, was created by an act of the state legislature in 1945, the same year that the School of Medicine moved to Birmingham from the university campus in Tuscaloosa and became a four-year school. The first class of students was admitted in October 1948. Since 1948, we have gained a national reputation for excellence.

The school offers the four-year first professional degree program(DMD) and accredited dental postdoctoral programs in twelve areas of study, including seven of the nine specialties recognized by the American Dental Association (ADA). The development of "four-handed dentistry" and the expanded utilization of trained auxiliary personnel were pioneered at this institution. All eligible programs are fully accredited by the ADA’s Council on Dental Education.

1947 – Alabama Act 678 appropriated $750,000 in funds for the operation of the University of Alabama School of Dentistry.

1948 – Dr. Joseph F. Volker was named the first dean of the University of Alabama School of Dentistry.

The entire first freshman class was comprised of veterans.

1949 – The Alabama legislature approved plans for a joint medical college and dental school building. Pioneering efforts by the University of Alabama School of Dentistry faculty and staff led to the development of four-handed dentistry concept for chairside practice.

1967 – 1988 – The School of Dentistry was one of only five federally supported Institutes of Dental Research in the entire country.

2005 – The School of Dentistry became one of three federally funded Dental Practice Based Research Networks in the nation.