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Periodontics

The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, College of Dentistry offers a residency in Periodontics providing advanced education and training in preparation for the practice of the specialty of Periodontics. The training program complies with the standards established by the Council on Dental Education of the American Dental Association and qualifies candidates for specialty examination by the American Board of Periodontology. Additionally, periodontics residents must be enrolled in the Masters of Dental Science Program of the College of Graduate Health Sciences.

The course of study extends over a period of 36 months. This period is consistent with the expanding scope and knowledge in periodontics and training requirements set forth by the American Academy of Periodontology and the American Dental Association. Continuous full-time attendance is a requisite for the course of instruction that leads to a Master of Dental Science degree. Students must complete a thesis that is based on original research, demonstrate individual thought, and is of substantive literary and scientific merit.

The curriculum has been developed to relate basic science principles meaningfully to the practice of periodontics. The program emphasis is on clinical application, with significant didactic content and research activity maintained over a thirty-six month period. Direct patient contact constitutes approximately 65% of the program activity. Special courses are conducted in anatomy, histology, oral pathology, pharmacology, biostatistics, experimental design and research methodology. Special seminars are conducted in immunology and microbiology coupled with current and topical reviews of the periodontal literature. Case presentation seminars in treatment planning, therapy and recall are conducted on a regular basis to prepare residents to challenge the American Board of Periodontology examination and become board certified. Special rotations at Church Health Center, a not-profit, state of the art health care facility to care for underserved population in the mid-south region, are an integral part of the program. The clinic has 4 full-time dentists and 5 dental hygienists taking care of the patient's general dentistry needs while periodontics, implant and sedation dentistry needs are met by graduate periodontics residents. Extensive didactic and clinical instruction in all aspects of implant therapy is a fundamental component of the residency. Two students are selected for matriculation each summer (July). A variable stipend is granted to each student commensurate with his or her level of post-D.D.S. training, and the funding level availability each year.

Residents will be charged a $3500 per year clinic utilization fee for each of the three years of the periodontal residency however there is no tuition charged for the program.

Residents outside

 

residents picture

 

residents in student lounge

 

perio reception

 

Application

The UTHSC College of Dentistry Advanced Education Program in Periodontics participates in the American Dental Education Association’s (ADEA) Postdoctoral Application Support Service (PASS) and in the MATCH.

The ADEA-PASS program is a centralized application service for dental students and dental graduates interested in applying to advanced dental education programs in the United States. For more information on the PASS process and to initiate application to the UTHSC Advanced Periodontics Program please contact PASS at:

Postdoctoral Application Support Service Phone: 202.289.7201 Website: www.adea.org
To apply please visit the American Dental Education Association (ADEA) and follow all PASS application deadlines and guidelines. All applicants must also apply to the Postdoctoral Dental Matching Program (MATCH).

Admission to the program requires that:
- The applicant must hold a DDS, DMD or equivalent degree from a CODA approved institution.
- Rank in the upper third of his or her graduating class.
- Have at least a "B+" course work average (3.3 on a 4.00 scale) for dental school.
- Have completed and passed all sections of the Integrated National Board of Dental Examiners (INBDE).
- Class standing; transcripts; letters of recommendation; personal statement written by the candidate; TOEFL score (for candidates whose first language is not English) are required as part of the ADEA PASS application packet.

The deadline for completion of the program's PASS application is August 1st of the year preceding anticipated admission. An on-site interview is required prior to acceptance into the program. All interviews will occur at the UTHSC College of Dentistry in Memphis. Tennessee. The applicant's demeanor, professionalism, interest in Periodontics are given special attention.

Pass and Match
Application Deadline August 1
Program Start Date  July 1
Number of Positions  2 per year
Length of Program  3 years
Feb 29, 2024