Periodontics Certificate
One of the most balanced programs in the country, the periodontics certificate at UB’s School of Dental Medicine allows students some flexibility in distributing their time between research and clinical training. Students get four weeks per year for their summer enrichment program, providing the opportunity to either do more research or more clinical training, whether locally or in another place of their choice.
FALL 2022 ENROLLMENT
The application cycle is now closed.
Early application is highly recommended. Program interviews will be offered to selected candidates following Admissions Committee review of complete applications.
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If you are a currently unable to take IELTS, PTE or TOEFL due to cancellations related to Coronavirus (COVID-19), the University at Buffalo will accept the Duolingo English Test (DET) with a score of 120 or higher for proof of English proficiency. This test can be taken online, in your own home.
About the Program
The advanced education program in Periodontics has trained specialists for careers as academicians, scientists, and clinicians for more than 40 years. The clinical phase of the Periodontics program is offered in conjunction with either of two research programs: Periodontics/M.S. in Oral Sciences or Periodontics/Ph.D. in Oral Biology. Admission to these programs is highly competitive. In both tracks, clinical certification and awarding of the degree are both priorities.
For Admitted Applicants Only
The regular Periodontics Clinical Advanced Education Program must be conducted concurrently with either the MS or PhD program in the Department of Oral Biology. If admitted into the Periodontics program, the applicant will be required to submit a completed application to either the Oral Sciences masters or Oral Biology doctoral program by the specified application deadline; acceptance into either research program is a separate process.
Periodontics/M.S. in Oral Sciences Program
Students primarily interested in careers as clinical specialists may choose the program in Periodontics combined with the MS in Oral Sciences, although the combination of postgraduate training in Periodontics with other appropriate degree programs — such as the MS in Biomaterials — can be arranged. This arrangement affords the opportunity to complete didactic training and a research project in preparation for careers in specialty practice, industry or academics.
The research component of the Periodontics/MS in Oral Sciences Program is administered through the office of Dr. Ernesto DeNardin. This track usually requires three or four years to complete, depending on the interests of the student, and involves research in a variety of areas at the Master’s level.
Funding
Stipends are available to graduates of U.S. or Canadian dental schools (and to foreign graduates of those schools with visas enabling them to work in the U.S.). However, the possibility of financial support exists for all students in this track during the second and subsequent years of the program from teaching assistantships, or from individual faculty mentors with research funds.
Periodontics/Ph.D. Oral Biology Program
Students primarily interested in careers as academicians and research scientists may choose the program in Periodontics combined with the PhD in Oral Biology or another academic area. In this track, the first year usually is devoted to course work applicable to the PhD program. Thereafter, the PhD and Clinical Periodontics requirements are satisfied concurrently.
The Periodontics/PhD Program typically requires 5 to 6 years to complete. Students perform research and complete a thesis in fulfillment of the PhD degree. The PhD program in Oral Biology is administered by the Department of Oral Biology.
Funding
Students on this track are usually supported by research grants funded by the National Institute for Dental Craniofacial Research.
Please note that NIDCR support is available only to U.S. citizens, or to those persons with Permanent Resident status. However, support for non-citizens ineligible for NIDCR fellowships usually is available from teaching assistantships, or from individual faculty mentors with research funds.
Accreditation
The program in periodontics is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation and has been granted the accreditation status of accredited without reporting requirements. The Commission is a specialized accrediting body recognized by the United States Department of Education. The Commission on Dental Accreditation can be contacted at (312) 440-4653 or at 211 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611. The Commission’s web address is www.ada.org/en/coda.
Additional Training Opportunities
International Advanced Dental Education Program for Foreign Faculty
The International Advanced Dental Education Program for Foreign Faculty program is designed for applicants who are supported by their government, a hospital, or similar facility, and who intend to return to their country and engage in teaching, research or institutional practice. This program is academically equivalent to the Clinical Periodontics/MS Program. Since students are supported by their government or hospital, there is no additional funding available from the School of Dental Medicine.
Application Process
If you wish to apply to the International Advanced Dental Education Program for Foreign Faculty, follow the regular Application Instructions for the Periodontics/MS in Oral Sciences Program, but indicate your interest in the International Program on the application.
Visiting Scholar Program
The Visiting Scholar Program is for applicants interested in an externship or customized continuing education rotation in clinical periodontics, and does not lead to a Certificate of Proficiency of graduate degree. However, a Certificate of Completion is awarded. The Visiting Scholar Program essentially is a custom-designed continuing education program that can be arranged according to the applicant's interests, and is very flexible with regard to time and content (e.g., one month to 1 or more years). The program may involve clinical or basic sciences, teaching, research, or various combinations of those components. Tuition is variable (depending on the length of the program), and financial support is not available.
Application Process
If you are interested in the Visiting Scholar Program, please send a letter (or email) of intent directly to Dr. Othman Shibly, 250 Squire Hall, Department of Periodontics and Endodontics, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14214-8006. We will forward the appropriate application form and arrange program details, determine program costs, and provide any additional information required.
Program Faculty
Distinguished Professors
Dean, SUNY Distinguished Teaching Professor
Department of Periodontics and Endodontics
Professors
Michael Levine
Clinical Professor
Department of Periodontics and Endodontics
Associate Professors
Robert Schifferle, DDS, MMSc , PhD
Professor
Department of Periodontics and Endodontics; Department of Oral Biology
Clinical Professors
Clinical Assistant Professors
Assistant Professors
Our Residents
Our residents train together and come from a variety of backgrounds and institutions.
Periodontics Residents
Coursework
Required Clinical Courses for all Periodontics Postgraduate Residents
- PER 912 Advanced Periodontics Clinic (6 credit hours per semester; 8 semesters)
- PER 922 Hospital Practice of Periodontics (0.5 credit hour; 2 semesters)
- PER 930 Supervised Teaching in Periodontics (1 credit hour per semester; 3 clinic hours/week; 4 semesters. The teaching requirement may be partially waived for Ph.D. residents).
Required Clinical Sciences Courses for all Periodontics Postgraduate Residents
- PER 603 Seminars in Periodontal Biology (2 credit hours; length of program/1 cycle)
- PER 907 Hospital Anesthesiology/Conscious Sedation (4 credit hours; 1 semester)
- PER 910 Advanced Periodontics Tutorial (1 credit hour; 2 semesters)
- PER 914 Postgraduate Treatment Planning (1 credit hour; length of program)
- PER 916 Conjoint Clinical Sciences (0.5 credit hour; length of program)
- PER 917 Critical Analysis of Literature in Periodontics (length of program)
- PER 978 Seminar in Dental Pharmacology (0.5 credits)
- OSU 963 Nitrous Oxide Sedation (1 credit hour; 1 semester)
- ORB 545* Dynamics of Bone (2.0 credits)
- ODS 514 Anatomy and Physiology of the Masticatory System (3.0 credits)
- ODS 971 Oral Diagnosis and Oral Medicine (1.0 credit).
- CLD946 Diagnosis, Treatment Planning, Surgery and Prosthodontics of Clinical Implant Dentistry (0.5 credit hour; length of program)
- CLD 947 Seminars in Implant Dentistry (0.5 credit hour; length of program)
- CLD 948 Implant Dentistry Tutorial (1 credit hour; 1 semester)
- CLD 949 Implant Dentistry Journal Study Club (0.5 credit hour; length of program)
- ODS 535 Advanced Oral Pathology (2 credits)
- OSC 506 Biomaterials (1 credit)
- OS 518 Biostatistics/Biostatistics Laboratory (4 credits) or †STA527 Statistics for Biologists
- GSC 637* Graduate Professional Ethics or PMY528* Research Ethics
- CLD 555 Head and Neck Anatomy
Course options will be determined in conjunction with the Program Director to accommodate the individual needs and research goals of the resident.
Basic Sciences Courses for Periodontics/Ph.D or Periodontics/M.S. Residents
Additional in depth didactic training in 1) Immunology, 2) Molecular Biology and Genetics, 3) Microbiology and Microbial Physiology, and 4) Biochemistry and Cellular Biology is a requirement of the Advanced Education Program in Periodontics. This training will be provided through comprehensive, graduate level courses in consultation with each resident’s graduate (Ph.D./M.S.) and thesis committees.
Residents have the freedom to choose among the various courses in each of those subjects that may be offered by the School of Dental Medicine, the School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Roswell Park Memorial Institute, and other graduate Departments. Review of course syllabi where indicated and approval of the selection of basic science courses will be performed after consideration of each Resident’s research program, research interests, and performance. Approval of each basic science course must be obtained from the Program Director.
Examples of basic science courses that may be considered are as follows:
Immunology
- OSC 504† Oral Immunology
- PTH 655† Cellular Immunology
- BIO 568† Molecular Immunology
- MIC 512 General Immunology
Molecular Biology and Genetics
- BCH 608* Gene Expression/Genomics/Bioinformatics
- ORB 509† Genetics of Oral Diseases
- BIO 566† Molecular Pharmacology
- BIO 501 Advanced Molecular Biology
Microbiology and Microbial Physiology
- ORB 517* Oral Microbial Ecology
- MIC 644† Molecular Virology
Biochemistry and Cellular Biology
- BMS 501* Cell Biology I
- BMS 503* Principles of Biochemistry
- BMS 505* Cell Biology IIA-Dynamics in Cell Interactions
- BMS 506* Cell Biology IIB-Cell Growth, Differentiation, and Transformation
- BCH 507* Protein Structure/Function/Proteomics/Bioinformatics
- ORB 510* Saliva and Salivary Glands
- PGY 505† Cell and Membrane Physiology
- BIO 504 Advanced Cellular Biology
Research and Laboratory
- (varies) Research
- (varies) Thesis Guidance
*(These courses may be necessary for Ph.D./Periodontics students in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Ph.D. program in Oral Biology.)
†(These courses are acceptable selective courses for Ph.D./Periodontics students in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Ph.D. program in Oral Biology.)
Please note that while matriculating for a graduate degree, the requirements of such programs will have course requirements that are distinct from those noted above; in some cases, there will be overlap.
Cost of Attendance
The Advanced Education overview page provides information about the Cost of Attendance.
Additional Expenses
How to Apply
Applications must be completed by August 15th of the year prior to admission (i.e. August 15, 2021 for Fall 2022 admission).
The program does not participate in the national PASS or Match programs.
To apply, please submit all documents listed below. Your application will not be complete until these items have been received and you have submitted your application for formal review.
Required (All candidates applying via the UB Application)
1. The On-line UB Application
- Please complete all questions on the application completely and accurately.
- You must select your desired entry term (i.e. Fall 2022) and intended program of study as you begin the application.
- The personal information section of the application provides special instructions for international applicants; be certain to following instructions on how to accurately enter your name.
2. $50.00 non-refundable application fee
- Once you have submitted your online application for review, you will be able to pay the application fee by credit/debit card. Your application cannot be reviewed until the fee has been paid. Please note that the $50 application fee is non-refundable.
3. CV/Resume (upload to application)
4. Personal Statement (upload to application)
5. Letters of Recommendation
- Two letters of recommendation and a Dean's letter (if graduated from a US or Canadian dental school), otherwise three letters of recommendation.
- Recommendation letters must be uploaded electronically by your recommenders.
- You will submit names, titles and email addresses for three recommenders. They will receive an email request to electronically submit a letter on your behalf. The notification is traditionally sent to recommenders after the application is submitted for review. However, you can opt to have the email requests sent immediately as you enter recommender names; this option is suggested for candidates who are applying close to the application deadline to ensure sufficient time for upload.
6. Unofficial transcripts from EVERY college/university attended
- If you are accepted into the program you will be asked to submit original transcripts with proper signatures, seals or stamps. Academic documents that are not in English must be accompanied by an exact, certified translation; ECE course-by-course report is preferred. International applicants please include copy of certificate with proof of degree.
7. Unofficial GRE Score (if applicable)
- The GRE is required for application to the MS programs in Biomaterials and Orthodontics. The requirement is waived for applications to the Oral Biology PhD program in Fall 2022.
8. Unofficial NBDE Scores (optional)
- Unofficial scores from the National Board of Dental Examination Part I and/or Part II; optional for all programs not using the PASS application.
Additional Requirements — International Applicants
In addition to the requirements listed above, please submit the following:
1. Unofficial TOEFL Score Report that meets University Requirements
Applicants whose native language is not English must demonstrate English Language proficiency with an appropriate exam score less than two years old; score report copies are accepted with the UB application.
The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is accepted with the University's minimum score requirement of 79. Candidates applying via the UB application may submit an IELTS score report with a minimum overall score of 6.5 Upon acceptance, official scores must be sent to UB using Institution Code: 2925. Candidates applying via PASS must submit a TOEFL score; IELTS is not accepted for PASS applicants. Additional information is available on UB's admissions page.
2. UB Financial Form
- All International applicants must complete and upload the UB financial form documenting all sources of anticipated educational support. The upload option will appear in the applicant portal after application is submitted for review.
Note: Bank Statements are not required for application but they are required after acceptance for visa issuance; an I-20 cannot be issued without sufficient bank statements/financial documentation.
3. Photocopy of Passport Biographical Page
4. Photocopy of Your Current I-20 AND the F-1 Visa Stamp in Your Passport (if currently an F-1 Student)
* All documents become property of the University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine and are not returnable to the applicant.
Fall 2022 Applicants — Important Dates
| Step | Date(s) |
|---|---|
| Applications Accepted | May 13 - August 15, 2021 |
| Interviews | Based on Rolling Admission |
| Acceptance Notices Sent | Rolling Admissions |
Interview and Admissions Process
Program interviews will be offered to selected candidates following review of completed applications by the Admissions Committee. The program is unable to accommodate interview or tour requests prior to Admissions Committee review.
A limited number of positions are available each year; early application is highly recommended.
Questions?
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