Periodontics and Prosthodontics, Certificate
This program is designed to provide postdoctoral students training in Fixed Prosthodontics, Esthetics, Advanced Implant Dentistry, and Periodontics. Upon successful completion of the program, the student will be issued certificates both in Periodontics and Prosthodontics. The focus is on the treatment of the advanced case to the highest esthetic and functional standards.
The basic science phase of the program is provided by the Division of Graduate Dental Education through a series of highly integrated core basic sciences. These courses are designed to expand the student's knowledge of Oral Biology. Additional basic science courses specific to Restorative Dentistry are provided by the department. The emphasis of this program lies in developing specialists who have a scholarly approach to clinical problems. As the biologic foundation for all clinical dentistry, Periodontics comprises a substantial portion of the didactic program during the first two years. A major emphasis is placed on etiology, diagnosis, and treatment planning. Beginning in year three, students begin the Prosthodontics program. Students will complete all necessary requirements for certification in both Periodontics and Prosthodontics.
Interdisciplinary training is the hallmark of this program with faculty representatives of the Departments of Endodontics, Periodontics, Maxillofacial Surgery and Restorative Dentistry, continually interacting both in the seminars and clinics. Literature seminars include Periodontics, Occlusion, Restorative, and Esthetic Dentistry. Each student is expected to write a paper on a clinical research activity and submit it for publication.
Courses specific to Prosthodontics are usually presented in seminar format. These include: material sciences, impression and 10 temporization techniques, biomechanics, CT scan technology and CAD/CAM based restorations, adjunctive orthodontics, occlusion, treatment planning, laboratory technology, practice management, articulators and facebows, porcelain laminates, resin-bonded restorations, and esthetics. A course in Implantology, including both the surgical and prosthetic phase, is presented to the students, as they are expected to perform both phases of treatment during their training program. There is ample interaction with laboratory technicians and students are required to perform various laboratory procedures during the completion of their cases. The highly respected research environment at Penn Dental Medicine and throughout the University of Pennsylvania provides a valuable opportunity for students applying to post-doctoral programs to combine their specialty training with advanced research and academic opportunities.
Additional Program Options
Penn Dental Medicine also offers a Master of Science in Oral Biology (MSOB) and a Doctor of Science in Dentistry (DScD) that can be earned concurrent with a specialty certificate, preparing students to successfully enter the field of academic dentistry while also becoming skilled clinicians in specialty care. Through the MSOB and DScD programs, students are encouraged to pursue their individual research interests with projects that can span the diverse disciplines and research labs within Penn Dental Medicine’s basic and clinical sciences and across the University.
This degree requires a minimum of 250 Credit Hours.
Curriculum
Program Timeline
Program duration is 60 months.
For more information: https://www.dental.upenn.edu/admissions-academics/graduate-dental-education-programs/periodontal-prothesis-program/
All Dental Medicine certificate students share a common core of required courses throughout the first year. In addition, students complete additional courses specific to their particular program.
Students take the first two years of the Periodontics program, followed by the first two years of the Prosthodontics program. In the fifth year, students take the combined requirements for the third year in each program. Course requirements for these two programs can be found on the following pages:
Periodontics: https://catalog.upenn.edu/graduate/programs/periodontics-certificate/
Prosthodontics: https://catalog.upenn.edu/graduate/programs/prosthodontics-certificate/
In addition to these requirements, students will take the following:
| Code | Title | Course Units |
|---|---|---|
| Perio-Prosth Case Presentation VII | ||
| Perio-Prosth Case Presentation VIII |
Program Requirements (Certificate Only)
- Core Graduate Dental Education Courses (Year 1 only)
- Program Specific Courses (Years 1 - 4 Didactic & Clinical)
- Literature Review (Years 1 - 4)
- Case Presentations (Years 1 - 4)
- Program Seminars (Years 1 - 4)
- Clinical Rotations (Years 1 - 4)
Core Graduate Dental Education Courses
| Code | Title | Course Units |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | ||
| Fall | ||
| DADE 9330 | Ethics, Professionalism and Jurisprudence | 1-3 |
| DADE 9340 | Evidence-based clinical practice | 1.75-3 |
| DADE 9350 | Oral and systemic diseases | 3.75-5 |
| Spring | ||
| DADE 9360 | Oral infection and immunity | 4-6 |
| DADE 9370 | Conservative and regenerative clinical practice | 2-5 |
| DADE 9380 | Vulnerable populations across the lifespan | 1.5-3.5 |
Master of Science in Oral Biology
The School of Dental Medicine also offers a Master of Science in Oral Biology (MSOB). Enrollment in the MSOB program is limited to individuals concurrently registered in one of the postgraduate specialty training (certificate) programs. Candidates receive the MSOB degree after completion of both their specialty training and the Master’s curriculum, which consists of didactic, seminar, and research practicum courses. The MSOB program is comprised of two tracks designed for outstanding students who are interested in either integrating research or structured evidence-based learning into their post-graduate education.
Depending on the track selected, research activities or a systematic literature review form the core of the MSOB program. Students are expected to participate in a clinical or basic science research project of sufficient scope and intensity or a formally structured and critically evaluated literature review focused on an important oral health-related research or clinical question. A thesis composed of an in-depth review of the relevant literature along with a manuscript reporting the results of the research or a systematic review is required for graduation for the research and evidence-based learning tracks respectively.
| Code | Title | Course Units |
|---|---|---|
| Additional MSOB Course Requirements | ||
DENT 9960 | ||
DENT 9970 | ||
For more information: https://www.dental.upenn.edu/academic_programs_admissions/graduate_dental_education_programs/masters_of_science_in_oral_biology
The degree and major requirements displayed are intended as a guide for students entering in the Fall of 2025 and later. Students should consult with their academic program regarding final certifications and requirements for graduation.