Program Overview

The UCLA Postgraduate Periodontics Residency program is a three-year, full-time specialty-training program. The program is designed to provide an advanced level of education in Periodontology and Surgical Implantology to highly qualified graduate dentists who are interested in a specialty career.

The goal of this program is to train residents in the comprehensive evaluation and treatment of patients with a variety of periodontal diseases and conditions. There is an emphasis on preservation of periodontal supporting structures as well as regeneration or reconstruction of lost periodontal/alveolar structures. Replacement of missing and hopeless teeth involves all aspects of surgery related to the preparation and placement of dental implants. Treatment plans are coordinated with other dental specialties as indicated by the individual patient needs. Patient management skills are stressed and residents are encouraged to approach all aspects of care with a biological and scientifically based rationale.

A major strength of the UCLA Postgraduate Periodontics Residency program is the quality and dedication of our clinical faculty. Two clinically active faculty members are available during each clinic session while six residents are treating patients. As a result, residents get excellent faculty coverage and they are exposed to a variety of treatment philosophies by periodontists who have diverse experiences.

Residents are exposed to a variety of sedation procedures including nitrous oxide, oral and intravenous conscious sedation.  The program provides the didactic and clinical experience required for a conscious sedation permit in the state of California.

A Certificate of specialty training in Periodontics from the UCLA School of Dentistry is awarded upon completion of the 3-year didactic and clinical program. A Master's Degree can be earned with concurrent enrollment in the Oral Biology M.S. Program.

Length of program - 3 years

Number of Residents Accepted Each Year - 2

Accredited by Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association.

Curriculum

The program will devote a considerable portion of time, particularly in its first year to advanced basic science courses specially organized to serve as a prerequisite to the thorough understanding of the clinical problems in periodontics. In the clinical area the student will be exposed to different therapeutic philosophies through independent study, demonstrations and clinical patient care.

What to Expect

An important objective of the program is to prepare graduates for a career in periodontics as educators and researchers as well as outstanding clinicians. The Master in Oral Biology Degree program can be pursued concurrently with the periodontics certificate program. A thesis based on original research in clinical periodontics or on any of a number of related fields, but focused on problems relevant to periodontics, is required. The principles of scientific research design and evaluation are stressed.

During the course of the three-year periodontics program, residents will devote approximately 50% of their time to clinical activities (treating patients in the periodontics clinic), 20% of their time in didactic courses, 20% of their time involved in research and independent study and 10% of their time teaching periodontics in the predoctoral clinics.

Requirements/Pre-requisites

DDS or DMD from an ADA Accredited dental school. Applicants must be graduates of North American Dental Schools (U.S. and Canada only).

Application Process

• Participation in the Postdoctoral Application Support Service (PASS)
• General Application Form
• Personal Statement
• Current Curriculum Vitae
• Official transcripts from all colleges attended (undergraduate studies)
• Official transcripts from dental school (and any other postgraduate studies)
• National Board scores from the Commission on National Dental Examination
• Three (3) letters of recommendation (minimum)
• Personal interview

Timeline

We ask that you submit all the required documentation no later than August 1st (PASS and secondary application materials included).

Selection Factors

All completed applications are reviewed by the Postgraduate Periodontics Residency Selection Committee. Competitive applicants are invited for interviews based on the committee's evaluation and assessment of the applicant's accomplishments and potential to perform well in the program.