Certificate in Periodontics

Program Description:

Director:
Pin-Chuang (Patrick) Lai, DDS, PhD
 

Program Overview

The periodontics advanced education program is designed to prepare a dentist for a career in clinical periodontics, research and teaching. It enables the resident to acquire an in depth understanding in oral biology; to become acquainted with the problems in the biology and pathology of oral tissues, and to adequately treat these problems with the most current evidence and techniques. Program students will be encouraged to use interdisciplinary approaches to solve research and clinical problems. The program is designed to provide for the profession and the community, competent bio-clinicians who will become key professionals in clinical practice, research, and teaching. Didactic and clinical training will also be conducted in other related areas within the scope of practice of the field of periodontics as established by the Periodontic Standards of the Commission on Dental Accreditation. A research project is required and comprehensive examinations must be successfully completed. The program is also designed to prepare the graduate periodontist to challenge the requirements for certification as a Diplomate of the American Board of Periodontology. Individuals who successfully complete this advanced education program will be awarded a Certificate in Periodontics.  Concurrent enrollment for an MS degree in Oral and Craniofacial Sciences (OCS) is also possible.  The MS program requires a separate application after the student has been accepted into the Periodontics program. 

Eligibility

Eligible applicants for this program must be citizens of the United States or a foreign national having a visa permitting permanent residence in the United States. Applicants must also submit evidence of graduation from a school of dentistry accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation or the Canadian Dental Accrediting Commission, or verification from the dean of an accredited dental school that the applicant will graduate during the current academic year.  Successful completion of a U.S. regional or equivalent Canadian clinical licensure exam is required prior to or no later than the end of the first year of residency. Applicants, who have been out of dental school for a year or more, must successfully pass a clinical licensure exam before they start in UMKC’s Periodontic residency. In addition, all Periodontics residents must be eligible for a Missouri Dental License by the end of their first year. Student membership in the American Academy of Periodontology is required while enrolled in the program.

Program Duration

This is a full-time, 35-month program that begins July 1.

Number of Residents

Two residents are typically accepted into the program each year.

General Applicant Information

Application to this program is through the ADEA PASS program. The deadline for receipt of application at the school is August 15 of the year prior to planned enrollment. All applicants are required to submit the Institutional Evaluation AND Professional Evaluation Form (PEF) as part of their completed PASS application. A minimum of three professional evaluators (dental faculty) are required to submit evaluations for the PEF. The Advanced Dental Admission Test (ADAT) is optional but not required. Scores should be self-reported on the PASS application. For those interested in concurrent enrollment in the Oral and Craniofacial Sciences MS program, GRE scores will be required. Scores should be self-reported on the PASS application; official GRE scores should be submitted directly to UMKC (GRE code is 6872.) Detailed application information is available at Important Information for Applicants.

The advanced education certificate program in Periodontics participates in the National Matching Services (MATCH) process. Candidates to this program must also register for this service within the ADEA PASS applicant portal (www.adea.org).  There are two phases of the MATCH process, each with its deadline date for receipt of Rank Order List forms from applicants. The Phase I deadline (typically towards the end of November each year) is for applicants to the Periodontics program.

Selection is based on academic standing in dental school (grade-point average, class standing and National Board scores) and experience (years in practice, teaching or research, advanced training or degrees, publications, activity in organized dentistry and participation in continuing education). Preferences will be given to individuals who limit their applications to programs participating in MATCH.

Stipend

Periodontics residents will receive an annual stipend of $20,000 paid on a monthly basis.

Tuition and Fees

Estimated school tuition and fees can be found on the cashier's website (https://www.umkc.edu/cashiers/tuition-fees/index.html). If selected for the program, there is a $1000 nonrefundable acceptance fee which must be paid within two days of the time of acceptance of the position. More information will be provided to the applicant once he/she is accepted into the program.

Instruments and Equipment

Residents are required to lease their dental instruments through the School of Dentistry and will also be required to purchase some additional equipment including a clinical camera.

Financial Assistance

Up-to-date additional information on financial assistance can be obtained at https://finaid.umkc.edu/.

Interview

Competitive applicants will be invited to Kansas City for an interview with the program director and other selected faculty and staff. If invited, the interview is a required part of the application process and funding is the responsibility of the applicant.

Accreditation

The advanced education program in periodontics is fully accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation. 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) 440-2500 or at 211 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611. Their website is: http://www.ada.org/en/coda.

Study Areas

Residents have a dedicated office space with computer and printer support connected to a high-speed LAN. The program also has a dedicated seminar room for literature reviews, case presentation, lectures, etc.

Point of Contact

To request further information, contact the Research & Graduate Programs at (816) 235-6342 or umkcsodadvedpgms@umkc.edu; or the program director.

Student Learning Outcomes

Students graduating from this program will:

  • Understand the periodontium in an evidence-based manner and at a mastery level
  • Demonstrate comprehensive diagnostic skills
  • Demonstrate the ability to perform advanced periodontic therapy
  • Demonstrate the ability to evaluate the outcomes of treatment
  • Understand the scientific method as it relates to the field of periodontics

Student Learning Outcomes

The following learning outcomes have been developed and adopted by the faculty. These goals, skills, and knowledge must be demonstrated by every graduate to qualify for graduation. The Department of Periodontics assess these outcomes in the classroom, the laboratory, and through treatment of clinical cases over the length of the program, using examinations, presentation of papers, and review of clinical treatment.

Residents enrolled in the Periodontics Program must meet the following student learning outcomes:

  1. Understand the periodontium in an evidence-based manner and at a mastery level.
  2. Demonstrate comprehensive diagnostic skills.
  3. Demonstrate the ability to perform advanced periodontic therapy.
  4. Demonstrate the ability to evaluate the outcomes of treatment.
  5. Understand the scientific method as it relates to the field of periodontics.

Program Requirements

Residents enrolled in the Periodontics Advanced Education Program must maintain a 3.0 (B) grade point average for all coursework taken for graduate credit at UMKC. Below is a list of required courses.

Required Core Curriculum

PERIO 5701Periodontal Residency 11-6
PERIO 5702Periodontal Residency 21-6
PERIO 5703Periodontal Residency 31-6
PERIO 5704Periodontal Residency 41-6
PERIO 5705Periodontal Residency 51-6
PERIO 5706Periodontal Residency 61-6
PERIO 5707Periodontal Residency 71-6
PERIO 5708Periodontal Residency 81-6
PERIO 5709Periodontal Residency 91-6
PERIO 5719Implantology2
PERIO 5720General Anesthesia1
PERIO 5799Research and Thesis1-6
BMS 9701Clinical Anatomy of Head and Neck2
BIO-SCI 5740Oral Pathology2
RES-ME 5700Introduction to Research Methodology2
BIO-SCI 5710Genetics and Biochemistry of Cranial Facial Biology2
RES-ME 5704Introduction to Biostatistics2
BIO-SCI 5805Molecular Biology of Oral Microflora2
BIO-SCI 5760Physiology of Oral Mineralized Tissues2
BIO-SCI 5759Special Problems in Pharmacology2

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