School of Public Health releases 2026 Healthy Georgia Report
"Healthy Georgia: Our State of Public Health," provides a glance at how the Peach State is faring on 31 different health topics.
The Dental College of Georgia is committed to growing in its purpose of teaching, patient care, research and service, as the state of Georgia’s sole dental college.
Established in 1969, our first class of DMDs graduated in 1973. Since then, nearly 3,500 students have earned their Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene, Master of Science in Oral Biology, or Doctor of Dental Medicine. Our graduates now provide oral healthcare and research across Georgia and around the world.
While our college name has changed over the years, one thing remains constant: our commitment to educating dentists who improve the overall health of society and reduce the burden of illness through oral health and disease prevention.
Today, the DCG provides education and training for more than 400 dental students, 60 dental hygiene students, and approximately 60 residents each year. Alongside this high-quality education in our state-of-the-art facilities, we provide care to nearly 60,000 patients in our on-site clinics every year - some traveling across the state and beyond to be treated by our students, residents and faculty.
DCG Leadership Mission, Vision, and ValuesStrategic Plan
Dental College of Georgia
Health Sciences Campus
706-721-2371
Patients
706-721-3587
Student Admissions
On April 29, 2026, state and university leaders broke ground on a new, $178 million second campus on Georgia Southern University's Armstrong Campus in Savannah, Georgia. Set to open in Fall 2028, the 185,000-square-foot facility will educate an additional 50 dental students and 20 dental hygiene students per class, helping address Georgia's dentist shortage. The expansion is expected to create 400 jobs and contribute more than $70 million annually to the local economy.
At The Dental College of Georgia, research is a mission to transform global health and elevate patient care. Backed by more than $12.5 million in active research grants, DCG faculty and students lead groundbreaking studies that shape the future of oral healthcare.
In collaboration with partners across Augusta University and the University System of Georgia, our teams work across basic, translational, and clinical science to advance the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of complex oral and dental diseases. This collaborative approach ensures laboratory discoveries move swiftly into life-changing clinical practice. Through strategic initiatives like CERSI, we recruit top-tier talent, secure competitive funding, and maintain an ecosystem that turns bold scientific ideas into measurable health outcomes. Our faculty and students are equipped with the mentorship and infrastructure needed to tackle the most pressing challenges in orofacial health today.
Through our Community Outreach Programs (COP), DCG extends oral health education and services directly into the community. From health fairs to resource events across the CSRA, COP connects families with oral hygiene supplies, education and information about accessing care at DCG. We’re helping expand access to oral health resources and promote healthier smiles throughout the region.
The DCG also supports the broader dental community through Continuing Dental Education (CDE), offering courses and professional development opportunities designed to help practicing dental professionals expand their knowledge and upgrade their practice. Augusta University is an ADA CERP Recognized Provider, a designation from the American Dental Association that helps dental professionals identify quality providers of continuing education.

"Healthy Georgia: Our State of Public Health," provides a glance at how the Peach State is faring on 31 different health topics.

"We're putting Augusta University on the map at a national level. It's something that's been well deserved, and I think we deserve the recognition that we're getting here at AU," says Roberto Aragon.

When Stephen Wertz began working closely with the Dental College of Georgia, he gained a deepened appreciation for the indispensable role our institution plays both within Augusta University and across the State of Georgia. He quickly recognized that our academic rigor and clinical excellence are inextricably linked, driven by the dedicated faculty, staff, and students… Continue Reading Investing in the Mission: Stephen Wertz to align DCG fiscal strategy with statewide impact

"We need to understand how these medications affect the mouth so we can identify potential problems early and make sure patients receive comprehensive care."