The healthcare landscape is rapidly evolving toward comprehensive, patient-centered care that recognizes the interconnected nature of oral and systemic health. MD programs integrating oral health are redefining medical education by embedding oral-systemic connections into curricula, preparing future physicians for whole-body wellness care. These forward-thinking programs understand that the mouth serves as a gateway to overall health, with conditions like periodontal disease linked to diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and other systemic conditions.
Below, we spotlight nine standout programs—including AUAMED’s own MD Program—that lead the way in interprofessional training and interdisciplinary collaboration, shaping the next generation of physicians who view health holistically.
What to Look for in the Best MD Programs with Oral Health Integration
When evaluating top-rated MD-dentistry training programs, prospective students should consider several key factors. Look for curricula that include dedicated oral health coursework, opportunities for clinical rotations with dental professionals, and research collaborations between medical and dental faculties. The most effective interdisciplinary MD programs whole-body wellness also provide hands-on training in oral health assessment and emphasize the communication skills needed to collaborate effectively with dental colleagues.
Top 9 Best MD Programs Integrating Oral Health
1. AUAMED – American University of Antigua MD Program – Best Caribbean Gateway to Holistic Medicine
AUAMED‘s MD Program stands out among Caribbean medical schools for its commitment to comprehensive healthcare education and potential for integrated learning approaches. The program is “learner-centric, equipping students with comprehensive theoretical knowledge and practical clinical skills” with “a focus on active learning and hands-on experiences.” AUACOM provides diverse clinical rotation opportunities in top hospitals across the U.S. and beyond, with graduates placed in residencies across nearly all 50 U.S. states in their 20-year history. The school’s holistic admissions approach seeks students with demonstrated commitment to medicine and service, making it an ideal foundation for future physicians interested in whole-body wellness approaches. AUA follows an organ system-based block curriculum in small group settings, modeled after recent medical learning developments in US medical schools.
2. McGill University (Fundamentals of Medicine & Dentistry) – Best Integrated Joint MD-DMD Classes
McGill’s Faculty of Dental Medicine and Oral Health Sciences is “the only dental program in the country that integrates MD and DMD education in single classes for the first four semesters of the ‘Fundamentals of Medicine and Dentistry’ curriculum.” During the first 16 months of the program, “the fundamentals of medicine and dental medicine are taught in conjunction with the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences.” This unique approach ensures medical and dental students learn together from day one, fostering natural interdisciplinary understanding. McGill University is ranked as the number 1 medical-doctoral school nationally in Canada by Maclean’s for 20 straight years.
3. University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix (Oral Health in Medicine Initiative) – Best Funded Institution-Wide Integration
Launching in 2024-25 with $850,000 from Delta Dental of Arizona Foundation, the OHMI integrates oral health training over four years—including classroom sessions and clinical experiences. The program “is intended to give physicians the knowledge to recognize that the mouth can be a window to underlying health issues and the vocabulary to communicate effectively with their dental colleagues.” The University partners with Harvard University Schools of Medicine’s Center for Integration of Primary Care and Oral Health to develop a comprehensive curriculum that will be integrated across all four years of medical students’ training. Upon completion, UArizona College of Medicine – Phoenix graduates will be able to make a positive impact on up to 180,000 patients per class, per year.
4. Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry – Best Research-Driven Collaboration
Western University’s Schulich School houses both medical and dental programs under one roof, creating natural opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration. The school offers joint research opportunities for medical and dental students through its Summer Research Training Program and Student Research Opportunity Program, encouraging cross-disciplinary understanding. This research-focused approach helps students understand the scientific basis for oral-systemic health connections while developing collaborative relationships with future dental colleagues.
5. Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry – Best Built-In Institutional Integration
As one of the few institutions worldwide that houses both medical and dental faculties under one umbrella, Barts and The London provides an ideal environment for natural interprofessional education. The shared facilities and collaborative teaching opportunities create an integrated learning environment where medical students regularly interact with dental faculty and students. This built-in integration promotes understanding of oral hygiene connections to systemic disease from the earliest stages of medical education.
6. Harvard Medical School Center for Integration of Primary Care and Oral Health – Best Academic Leadership Model
Harvard’s Center serves as a national leader in developing curricula and training materials for medical-dental integration. The center works with medical schools across the country to implement evidence-based approaches to oral health education for medical students. Their research-driven methodology and educational resources have influenced medical education programs nationwide, making Harvard a key partner for institutions seeking to enhance their interdisciplinary training.
7. Smiles for Life Oral Health Curriculum – Best Open-Source Resource
The Smiles for Life curriculum represents a widely accessible interprofessional repository used by numerous MD programs to teach oral health topics. This freely available resource provides standardized, evidence-based educational materials that medical schools can integrate into their existing curricula. The program covers essential topics like oral health assessment, common oral diseases, benefits of dental care, and the oral-systemic health connection, making it an invaluable tool for institutions beginning their integration journey.
8. AAMC Oral Health in Primary Care Toolkit – Best Curriculum Planning Resource
The Association of American Medical Colleges’ comprehensive toolkit offers medical schools guidance and materials to incorporate oral health into primary care training. This authoritative resource provides best-practice frameworks, assessment tools, and implementation strategies for medical educators. The toolkit’s evidence-based approach helps ensure that oral health integration meets the highest educational standards while addressing real-world clinical needs.
9. University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry – Best Collaborative Clinical Training
The University of Rochester’s integrated approach combines medical and dental education through shared clinical experiences and joint faculty appointments. Students benefit from rotations that emphasize the oral-systemic health connection, with opportunities to work alongside dental professionals in hospital settings. The program’s emphasis on collaborative care prepares graduates to work effectively in team-based healthcare environments where dental health coordination is essential.
Building Tomorrow’s Integrated Healthcare Leaders
The future of medicine lies in comprehensive care that recognizes the mouth as an integral part of overall health. These nine programs represent the cutting edge of medical education, preparing physicians who understand that oral health is not separate from general health but fundamental to it. As healthcare systems increasingly embrace collaborative care models, graduates from these integrated programs will be uniquely positioned to provide superior patient outcomes.
For prospective medical students committed to whole-body wellness, these programs offer the foundation needed to become truly interdisciplinary healthcare leaders. The integration of oral health education into medical training represents more than an educational trend—it’s a necessary evolution toward more effective, comprehensive patient care.