Advanced Education Overview
At the UB School of Dental Medicine (SDM), our advanced education programs offer MS, PhD and specialty certification opportunities. The majority of our programs lead to a certificate in a specialty field.
Our advanced education students can choose to focus exclusively on their research careers by conducting basic and/or clinical research leading to a master's or doctoral degree, enroll in a clinical specialty program, or simultaneously pursue an academic degree with specialty clinical program. We offer a diversity of programs with leaders in health care and research, and our students and residents have direct access to outstanding faculty.
Visit each program page to learn more about our opportunities and areas of study.
Dual Enrollment
The option to simultaneously enroll in a master's or PhD program and a clinical advanced education program is available to students interested in pursuing both. Candidates must apply separately to each program and must be accepted into each program. The application and admittance process for both programs is separate. Annual tuition covers both programs. For more information and requirements for each program, please visit program pages linked below. Get information on cost of attendance details.
Advanced Education Admissions
Advanced Education At-a-Glance
This table shows program information and requirements for advanced education programs in the School of Dental Medicine.
| Program | Certificate of Advanced Study | MS | PhD | Program Length | Stipend | Internationally Trained Dentist Eligibility for clinical programs | Test Requirements† | Application Cycle Dates | Application Process | Match Participation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AEGD | √ | 12 months | √ | DDS or DMD from ADA Accredited Institution | NBDE | May 14-Oct. 15, 2025 | PASS | √ | ||
| Biomaterials | √ | 24 months | n/a | n/a | June 1, 2025-April 1, 2026 | UB | ||||
| Endodontics | √ | 24 months | n/a | √ | NBDE | May 14-July 15, 2025 | PASS | |||
| Oral Biology | √ | 60 months | √ | n/a | June 1, 2025-Dec. 15, 2025 | UB | ||||
| Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology | √ * | 36 months | n/a | √ | May 14-Nov. 15, 2025 | UB | ||||
| Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery | √ & MD degree | 72 months | √ | DDS or DMD from ADA Accredited Institution | NBME Basic Science Examination Score (CBSE) | May 14-Sept. 15, 2025 | PASS | √ | ||
| Oral Sciences | √ | 24 months | n/a | n/a | June 1, 2025-April 1, 2026 | UB | ||||
| Orthodontics | √ *** | √ *** | 36 months | n/a | √ | GRE or ADAT NBDE | May 14-Aug. 15, 2025 | PASS | √ | |
| Pediatric Dentistry | √ | 24 months | √ | DDS or DMD from ADA Accredited Institution | NBDE | May 14-Oct. 1, 2025 | PASS | √ | ||
| Periodontics | √ * | 33 months | n/a | √ | May 14-Aug. 1, 2025 | PASS | ||||
| Prosthodontics | √ * | 36 months | n/a | √ | May 15-Aug. 15, 2025 | PASS | √ | |||
| TMD and Orofacial Pain Program | √ * | 24 months | n/a | √ | July 1, 2025-Dec. 1, 2025 | UB |
* See program-specific pages to learn about dual-enrollment degree options or requirements. Separate application must be made to each program of interest.
*** Orthodontics students simultaneously enroll in the Ortho MS and Ortho certificate programs.
† Programs with the NBDE notation will accept the iNBDE or NBDE I and II; timing is outlined on each program page. International candidates should check the university requirements for English language proficiency scores.
The University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine is committed to the principle of diversity in all areas. In that spirit, admission to the School is open to all qualified individuals and complies with section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act (1993).
The University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine recognizes that awarding a Certificate of Advanced Study for a clinical dentistry program carries with it the full authority of the institution and communicates to those who might seek the services of the bearer that he or she is competent to practice. Dental Certificate of Advanced Study programs require students to acquire didactic knowledge and to learn skills and attitudes essential to the profession and agreed upon by the faculty as requisite for the practice of dentistry or a dental specialty. The student requires both cognitive and technical skills to successfully complete the curriculum.
Applicants must possess the skills and abilities that will allow them to successfully complete the course of study and receive the full benefit of their education. Certificate of Advanced Study programs include treatment of patients of the School, and the School has the responsibility of ensuring the safety and well-being of all. Treatment must be completed safely and within an acceptable amount of time. The student must therefore be able to meet the following technical standards with or without reasonable accommodation.
Standards
- Motor Skills: Candidates must have sufficient motor function to elicit information from patients through such diagnostic procedures as palpation, auscultation, and percussion. Candidates should be able to execute motor movements that are reasonably required to provide oral health care and emergency treatment to patients. Treating patients requires coordination of both gross and fine muscular movements, equilibrium, and functional use of the senses of touch and vision.
- Sensory /Observation: Candidates must be able to perform visual and tactile dental examinations and treatment including use of visual acuity and color vision, to discern differences and variations in color, shape, and general appearance between normal and abnormal soft and hard tissues. Use of tactile senses may be either by direct palpation or indirect through instrumentation.
- Communication: Candidates must have sufficient facility with the English language to: (a) retrieve information from texts and lectures and communicate concepts on written exams and patient charts; (b) communicate effectively with patients in order to develop a health history, identify problems presented, explain alternative solutions, and give directions during treatment and post-treatment; and (c) coordinate patient care with all members of the health care team. In any case where a candidate's ability to communicate through these sensory modalities is compromised, the candidate must demonstrate alternative means and/or ability to acquire and communicate essential information. If alternatives are reasonable, it is the responsibility of the student to obtain and use such alternate means and/or abilities.
- Cognitive: Candidates must be able to measure, calculate, reason, analyze, integrate, and synthesize information. In addition, candidates must be able to comprehend three-dimensional relationships and to understand the spatial relationships of structures. Problem solving is a critical skill for the successful practice of dentistry, and requires all of these intellectual abilities. Candidates must also be able to perform these problem-solving skills in a timely fashion.
- Physical/Behavioral Health and Professionalism: A student must possess the emotional and psychological health required for full utilization of his/her intellectual abilities, the exercise of good judgment, the prompt completion of all responsibilities attendant to the diagnosis and care of patients, and the development of mature, sensitive, and effective relationships with patients. A student must be able to tolerate physically and mentally taxing workloads and to function effectively under stress. He/she must be prepared to travel to various training venues in the Western New York region. He/she must be able to adapt to changing environments and to learn to function in the face of uncertainties inherent in a health care setting. Compassion, integrity, concern for others, interpersonal skills, interest, and motivation are all personal qualities that will be assessed during the admission and educational processes. A student is expected to accept constructive criticism and modify behavior accordingly.
Admissions Integrity
Any falsification or omission of data may result in revocation of admission. Falsification of any documents submitted as part of the application process is considered a breach of the School of Dental Medicine Code of Ethics and will result in dismissal if discovered at some future date. The SDM Code of Ethics can be viewed on the Advanced Education Student/Resident Handbook web page.