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Periodontics

The University of Tennessee, in conjunction with the Memphis VA Hospital, 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, demonstrates 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 50% 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 are conducted on a regular basis at both University of Tennessee and The Veterans Administration Medical Center. Special rotations in general anesthesia and internal medicine are also included. Instruction in implant therapy is also an integral part of the didactic and clinical instruction.

Two students are selected for matriculation each summer (July). A variable stipend is granted each student commensurate with his or her level of post-D.D.S. training, and funding level availability.

Beginning with the 2020 admission cycle, residents will be charged a $3500 per year clinic utilization fee for each of the three years of the periodontal residency.

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: http://www.adea.org

Admission to the program requires that:

  • The applicant hold a DDS, DMD, or equivalent degree
  • Have at least a "B" course work average (3.00 on a 4.00 scale) for dental school
  • Rank in the upper third of his or her graduating class.

The deadline for completion of the program's PASS application is November 15 of the year preceding anticipated admission. However, review of applicants with completed PASS applications and invitations for on-site interviews will begin August 1 of the year preceding anticipated admission. Application review and interviews will continue until the resident class is filled. Therefore applicants are strongly encouraged to complete the PASS application process prior to August 15 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.

May 26, 2022