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The Faculty of Medicine of the University of Alberta was established in 1913 and until 1922 conducted a three-year undergraduate medical program in the basic medical sciences.  In 1923, a full program of clinical instruction began, and the first Doctor of Medicine (MD) degrees were awarded in 1925.

Dental education was instituted at the University of Alberta in 1917 in the School of Dentistry under the Faculty of Medicine. The first full degree program was offered in 1923, and the first class graduated in 1927. The School became the Faculty of Dentistry in 1944. Dental Auxiliary training was instituted in 1961. In 1962, the School of Dental Hygiene came into being. A program of graduate studies was formally approved in 1962.

In 1996, the Faculty of Dentistry was merged with the Faculty of Medicine to become the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry.

All students attending the University of Alberta shall use Universal Precautions for blood, body fluids, and tissues at all times within the educational setting to lessen their risk of acquiring or transmitting bloodborne infection from/to another person. These precautions entail the avoidance of direct contact with the blood, blood products, tissues and other body fluids of another person.

The Department of Dentistry conducts the following programs:

• An accredited four-year program leading to the degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS). At least two pre-dental years at university are required before admission to this program.
• A Bachelor of Medical Science degree that students registered in the DDS program may apply for after successfully completing the first two years of the DDS program.
• An accredited three-year program leading to the Diploma in Dental Hygiene or a four-year program awarding a Bachelor of Science (Dental Hygiene Specialization).
• MSc and PhD degrees in Medical Sciences (Dentistry).
• MSc (Temporomandibular Disorders/Orofacial Pain).
• MSc and PhD degrees and certificate in Medical Sciences (Orthodontics).
• The Department of Dentistry sponsors a wide variety of continuing dental education opportunities throughout the year through the Continuing Dental Education program. Courses are offered both on campus and occasionally at other sites within the province. Annually, thousands of dentists, dental hygienists, dental assistants and others participate in the many lecture, hands-on clinical and laboratory type courses that are offered. Local and visiting speakers of national and international reputation provide continuing education of a high quality.
• The Department of Dentistry also provides an opportunity for Foreign Exchange with Dresden Germany.