Academic Progression

Program Goals

The postgraduate program is designed to train well qualified dentists in all aspects of periodontics. The program is organized into five components: biomedical science didactics, periodontal science didactics, clinical science activity, research and teaching. The department philosophy is to provide comprehensive training that encompasses all aspects of periodontal and implant therapy. The program qualifies the student for examination and certification by the American Board of Periodontology. The Master of Science degree program requires the development of an in-depth research problem which must be reported in the form of a thesis.

First-Year Program

In the first year of the program, the resident is introduced to the specialty of periodontics, its scope and its history. The resident receives instruction in the scientific and clinical aspects of periodontics and implant dentistry.
Seminars on current and classic periodontal literature will be offered in addition to case presentations and interdisciplinary seminars. The residents will also participate in didactic courses in biostatistics and research methodology. The didactic activity will be combined with supervised patient care.

Second-Year Program

The second year of the program is a continuation of the first year of training, with increased emphasis on the clinical treatment of patients and the advanced concepts of periodontics. The resident will spend more time conducting a research study and in the development of a thesis.

Third-Year Program

Throughout the training, the resident is encouraged to be inquisitive regarding all phases of treatment and to use initiative to be resourceful. The senior resident should become a critic of his or her own accomplishments and be able to support clinical decisions with references from the literature. Completion of a research problem and thesis are required and the resident must successfully defend the thesis at the Committee level. The senior resident will be expected to present lectures and patient presentations in preparation for Board certification and future teaching responsibilities. Satisfactory completion of this year of training qualifies the resident for examination and certification by the American Board of Periodontology.