The College of Dentistry offers advanced postdoctoral education in the Departments of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Periodontology, Pediatric Dentistry, Prosthodontics, Endodontics and Orthodontics that satisfy the educational requirements of the respective specialty boards. The Master of Dental Science (MDS) degree is awarded through the College of Graduate Health Sciences at the completion of the requirements of the Post-graduate Orthodontic Program, Prosthodontic Program and Periodontics Program and is optional in Pediatric Dentistry and Endodontics. A certificate of proficiency is awarded through the College of Dentistry following completion of the program in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and for non-masters students in Pediatric Dentistry and Endodontics. Course work for non-degree and non- specialty students may be provided in special circumstances.
Advanced Orthodontics Program
The advanced specialty education program in orthodontics requires thirty-four months training in classroom and clinical work. Full-time attendance and satisfactory completion of clinical and course work, including completion of a thesis, is required to graduate from the program with a Master of Dental Science degree (MDS) (through the College of Graduate Health Sciences ). Four students are selected for admission each year through the National Resident Match Program. At the beginning of the second year of the program, all students will attend the Tweed Study Course in Tucson, Arizona, as part of the departmental requirements. Some financial aid may be available for residents in need of assistance to attend the Tweed Study Course. For more information on the graduate Orthodontic program, please refer to the College of Dentistry website at http://uthsc.edu/dentistry/Grad/Ortho/.
Advanced Endodontics Program
The advanced education program in Endodontics leads to a 24-month Certificate in Endodontics, awarded by the UTHSC College of Dentistry, and an optional 36-month Master of Dental Science degree , awarded by the UTHSC College of Graduate Health Sciences. Up to three postgraduate students are accepted into the endodontic program annually. The program provides advanced instruction and clinical training in preparation for practicing contemporary endodontics at the specialist level.
Postgraduate students enter a demanding two month preclinical training program in preparation for the rigors of advanced patient treatment. Didactic instruction consists of weekly literature review seminars for both contemporary and classic literature related to endodontics and additional pertinent topics. Additional lecture programs from College of Dentistry faculty and guest speakers are designed to ensure proficiency in all treatment modalities and understanding of the interrelationships with the biologic aspects of pulp and periradicular disease. Treatment planning seminars are conducted regularly in conjunction with student- driven topic presentations.
Direct patient contact constitutes approximately 60% of student activity. To complete the program, students must demonstrate proficiency in examination, diagnosis, non-surgical root canal treatment, retreatment, and root-end surgery. Students are instructed in the biomedical sciences, must demonstrate competency in vital pulp management and pulp revitalization, and have an understanding and exposure to ancillary clinical procedures, including dental implants.
The program complies with standards established by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association and qualifies students for examination by the American Board of Endodontics. Both the Certificate and MDS programs run continuously throughout a 24- or 36-month period, respectively commencing July 1. For current information on the Advanced Specialty Education Program in Endodontics, refer to the program web pages at http://www.uthsc.edu/dentistry/Grad/Endo/.
Advanced Pediatric Dentistry Programs
Certificate Program in Pediatric Dentistry. The College of Dentistry, Department of Pediatric Dentistry, offers a postdoctoral program in pediatric dentistry designed to meet the needs of practitioners who wish to specialize in the practice of dentistry for children. The course extends over 24 months of postdoctoral study in advanced techniques and clinical procedures. As they are both residents and graduate students, attendees receive a stipend and tuition waver when enrolled in the College of Graduate Health Sciences . Continuous full-time attendance is a requisite of the course that leads to a Certificate of Specialty in Pediatric Dentistry. Successful completion of the program renders the student educationally qualified for specialty examination by the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry.
On completion of an optional third year and fulfillment of the thesis requirement, students can receive the Master of Dental Science degree (MDS) . Upon completion of an additional term, an optional educational degree is available leading to a Master of Dental Science degree (MDS) through the College of Graduate Health Sciences. The Master of Dental Science degree (MDS) can be obtained following fulfillment of the degree requirements as specified by the College of Graduate Health Sciences.
Application to the program is through the ADEA Postdoctoral Application Support Service (PASS). The National Resident Match Program (MATCH) is utilized in the selection of residents. The curriculum for this program includes contemporary pediatric dentistry, cephalometrics, growth and development, genetics, child behavior management, dental materials, nutrition, pediatric dental laboratory techniques, and clinical pediatric dentistry. Additional graduate-level courses are conducted in anatomy, embryology, histology, oral biology, oral pathology, immunology, microbiology, pharmacology, human growth & development, experimental design, and biostatistics. Residents/graduate students also receive training in the treatment of patients under general anesthesia at Crittenden Regional Hospital and LeBonheur Children’s Hospital. A one-month rotation in general anesthesia, a two week pediatric medicine/emergency department rotation is required. Each resident/graduate student must complete a research project and paper, with data collection and analysis, and suitable for publication, during the 24 months in the program. The primary clinical setting of the program is located in Crittenden Regional Hospital (located in West Memphis, AR), with additional clinical sites in the UTHSC College of Dentistry, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and LeBonheur Children’s Hospital (both located in the Memphis community). Residents/graduate students rotate through all locations and are expected to participate in all of these assignments. Six students are selected for matriculation each July.
Master of Dental Science Degree Program in Pediatric Dentistry. For individuals successfully completing the certificate program interested in completing a separate advanced degree, an additional term (6 months) is available leading to the Dental Science, MDS , offered through the College of Graduate Health Sciences. The Master of Dental Science (MDS) degree will be awarded on submission and acceptance to the College of Graduate Health Sciences and completion of all requirements including an original research paper suitable for publication. Individuals wishing to pursue the Master of Dental Science Degree must inform the program director and department chair in July at the beginning of their training program. For more information, see http://www.uthsc.edu/dentistry/Grad/Pedo/.
Advanced Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Program
The College of Dentistry offers a formal four-year Advanced Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery training program leading to a certificate. An optional six-year program leading to an MD degree is available in specific cases. The Memphis Veterans Administration Medical Center, The Regional Medical Center at Memphis, LeBonheur Children’s Hospital, and Methodist University Hospital provide primary sites of activity for the program. The four-year program is academically divided into eight six-month terms. The Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association authorizes acceptance of two trainees each year. The National Resident Match Program is utilized in the selection of residents.
The faculty of the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery of the College of Dentistry is responsible for the direction and supervision of both the clinical services and didactic aspects of the program. Two generous endowment programs provide resources for additional program support. Physical facilities are exceptionally favorable for developing broad experience with balanced emphasis on the total scope of oral and maxillofacial surgery as practiced today and perceived for the near future. The facilities include a six-chair private practice module in a suite with supportive x-ray, recovery, consultation, laboratory, and instrument rooms, and a seven-chair hospital outpatient clinic in a separate facility. Cases scheduled for general operating room suites follow the same protocol as other surgical specialties. Emergency services are provided in busy emergency rooms and at a regional Level I trauma center.
The curriculum has been developed to relate basic science principles to clinical application through the mechanism of rotation with other disciplines, regularly scheduled seminars, and conferences. Special courses are conducted for anatomy and oral pathology. Regular rotation to other disciplines includes general anesthesia, surgery, internal medicine, trauma, ENT, plastic surgery, and oculoplastics. There is also devoted time for research in the second and third years. Residents are certified in Advanced Cardiac Life Support and Advanced Trauma Life Support during the program.
The trainee’s clinical involvement is progressive from simple to complex surgical procedures. The first year is more heavily didactic (anatomy and physical diagnosis) with rotations on the medicine service to develop proficiency in physical diagnosis and patient evaluation and the anesthesia service. The second year has required rotations on general surgery and pediatric anesthesia. The remainder of the second year has increased requirements relating to advanced dentoalveolar and impaction surgery and complicated trauma. Clinical applications in these areas continue in the third year with added emphasis on orthognathic surgery, implantology (including virtual treatment planning and guided surgeries), and other pre-prosthetic surgery, TMJ surgery, as well as off-service subsurgical specialty rotations. Major operating room oral and maxillofacial surgery and administrative responsibilities of a chief resident make up the last year.
A stipend is granted the trainee commensurate with the level of post-doctoral training and equal to Residents of other services at the same level at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center. For more information, see http://www.uthsc.edu/dentistry/Grad/OMS/.
Advanced Periodontology Program
The College of Dentistry, in conjunction with the Memphis Veterans Administration Medical Center, 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 Accreditation 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 Master of Dental Science (MDS) degree program offered through 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 Memphis 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 their level of post-D.D.S. training, and funding level availability. Applicants are reminded that the deadline for application to the Periodontics Graduate Program is August 15. For more information on the Master Dental Science (MDS) degree , refer to http://www.uthsc.edu/grad/Programs/index.php?page=DSCI. For more information on the Advanced periodontology program refer to http://uthsc.edu/dentistry/Grad/Perio/.
Advanced Prosthodontics Program
The advanced dental education program in prosthodontics leads to a Certificate of Proficiency in prosthodontics, awarded by the College of Dentistry, and a Master of Dental Science (MDS) degree, awarded by the College of Graduate Health Sciences. The program provides advanced instruction and clinical training to prepare residents for the practice of prosthodontics. To complete the program, residents must demonstrate proficiency in the examination, diagnosis and reconstruction of complex edentulous, partially edentulous, and dentate oral conditions. The program complies with standards established by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association and qualifies students for examination by the American Board of Prosthodontics. Continuous, full time attendance for this 36-month program is required.
The curriculum is consistent with the expanding scope of knowledge in prosthodontics as determined by the American College of Prosthodontists and the American Dental Association. The curriculum relates basic science principles to the practice of prosthodontics. Clinical applications are emphasized while maintaining didactic and research activities throughout the course of study. Direct patient contact constitutes approximately 60% of resident activity. In depth instruction and patient treatment involving dental implant therapy is an integral component of didactic and clinical activities. Prosthodontics residents are encouraged to both surgically place and restore dental implants. Instruction in laboratory technology is an integral part of all treatment rendered.
Concurrently, graduate-level courses are conducted in anatomy, embryology, histology, oral biology, oral pathology, immunology, microbiology, pharmacology, human growth & development, experimental design, material science, and biostatistics. Review of current and classic literature related to prosthodontics is accomplished on a regular basis. Interdisciplinary seminars emphasize the importance of comprehensive dental care in the treatment of complicated oral conditions. Case presentation seminars are also conducted on a regular basis.
In accordance with mandates set forth by the American Dental Association in the Accreditation Standards for Advanced Specialty Education Programs in Prosthodontics, all residents are involved in an original, independent research project. This research displays a high level of scholarship and contributes to the existing fund of professional knowledge. Strong mentorship and state-of-the-art scientific resources are readily available in the Department of Prosthodontic’s clinical research facility, the College of Dentistry’s dental research center and dental materials core facilities, the University’s Biomedical Engineering & Imaging program, and the University of Memphis Bioengineering program. A Master of Dental Science degree is awarded by the College of Graduate Health Sciences upon fulfillment of all program requirements, completion of research, production and acceptance of a thesis, and successful public defense of the independent research effort.
Two postdoctoral students are accepted into the Advanced Prosthodontics Program each year. All students serve as Teaching Assistants in the Department of Prosthodontics for which they receive an annual stipend. For more information on the Master of Dental Science (MDS) , see http://www.uthsc.edu/grad/Programs/index.php?page=DSCI. For more information on the Advanced Prosthodontics program, refer to http://www.uthsc.edu/dentistry/Grad/Pros/ or contact the Program Coordinator, Ms. Nancy Wilson, at 901-448-6930 or nwilson@uthsc.edu.
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