The University of Minnesota School of Dentistry is the state's only dental school and the only dental school in the northern tier of states between Wisconsin and the Pacific Northwest. In that role it serves as a regional resource to five states for dental education, consulting services, patient treatment, and ongoing continuing dental education.The school educates 74% of the state's general dentists, as well as dental hygienists, dental therapists, dental educators, research scientists, and practitioners in six ADA-recognized specialties: endodontics, oral and maxillofacial surgery, orthodontics, pediatric dentistry, periodontology, and prosthodontics. There are advanced education programs in dental hygiene, oral health for seniors, oral biology, and in TMD and orofacial pain. School faculty provide academic leadership of a general practice residency program (in partnership with University of Minnesota Medical Center, Fairview, and University of Minnesota Physicians); graduates of international dental schools (non-Canadian) who wish to practice in the United States train here as well. A novel, multi-disciplinary dentist-scientist training program rounds out the educational offerings. Some 7,000 dental professionals return to the school annually for continuing dental education.