New York University College of Dentistry was founded in 1865 as the New York College of Dentistry and is the third oldest dental school in the United States. The school was the first successful attempt to establish a dental school in New York State. Throughout its history, NYUCD has continued to be a school of “firsts.” Examples include pioneering the use of the X-ray, establishing the first formal departments of endodontics, pediatric dentistry, and implant dentistry, and the first family practice program at a U.S. dental school, the first Oral Cancer Consortium in the U.S., the first completely digitalized dental school curriculum, the first dental school to mandate terrorism preparedness training for dental students, and the first to form an alliance with a College of Nursing in order to expand access to general health care for needy populations.

The College officially merged with New York University in 1925, which led to the promotion of research and postdoctoral education. Today NYUCD is recognized as a leading source for dental care in New York City and a leader in research and national policy issues in dentistry.

In 2005, the NYU Division of Nursing joined NYUCD to become the College of Nursing within the NYU College of Dentistry.