Advanced Specialty Education certificate programs are designed to provide successful candidates eligibility for examination by the appropriate specialty boards. A program of 24 months is offered in pediatric dentistry. The advanced education in general dentistry program offers a 12-month and 24-month program. The latter can be completed as a clinical program or combined with a graduate degree. The programs in endodontics, orthodontics, periodontics, prosthodontics, and oral and maxillofacial pathology are 36 months’ duration The oral and maxillofacial surgery residency/MD program extends over a period of six years and the oral and maxillofacial surgery residency certificate program extends over a period of four years. Qualified applicants for advanced specialty education programs may seek dual enrollment as candidates in combined certificate/degree programs. Successful candidates receive a certificate in a clinical specialty from the School of Dentistry and a Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences or the PhD in Biomedical Sciences or Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology from the University of Maryland Graduate School. All programs are accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation, the Commission on Recognition of Postsecondary Accreditation and the U.S. Department of Education.
Application/Admission
All applicants for specialty and residency programs must hold the DDS, DMD, or equivalent degree, and must give evidence of high scholastic achievement. All programs require a supplemental application, official transcripts of undergraduate and dental school coursework and three letters of recommendation. Requirements regarding National Board examinations vary by program. Applicants who are not citizens or permanent residents of the United States must present evidence of mastering English as a foreign language (a minimum score of 550 on the TOEFL examination is required), and must provide evidence of financial support for their studies. Further, graduates of non-U.S./non-Canadian dental schools may be required to furnish a translation and evaluation, in English, of their academic record by a certified agency. Individual specialty training programs may impose additional requirements as indicated within their program descriptions.
Applications to the programs in oral and maxillofacial surgery, orthodontics, pediatric dentistry, periodontics and prosthodontics, must be made through the Postdoctoral Application Support Service (PASS). Applications to programs in endodontics should be made directly to the School of Dentistry. Applications for the program in oral and maxillofacial pathology are submitted to the graduate school.
To be interviewed and considered for admission to an advanced education program, oral and maxillofacial surgery, orthodontics, pediatric dentistry, periodontics and prosthodontics, applicants must participate in the National Matching Service.
The endodontics program and the advanced education in general dentistry program does not participate in the National Matching Service and makes offers directly to applicants.
Students intending to pursue a Master of Science or Doctor of Philosophy degree must submit a separate application to the Graduate School.
The application deadlines vary by program.
Before applying to the School of Dentistry, potential applicants should note the University of Maryland policy concerning prevention and management of student and employee infection with bloodborne pathogens and the School of Dentistry’s technical standards for admission and matriculation. In addition, although the admissions process does not include questions concerning any prior criminal activity, individuals who may have had a prior or subsequent conviction or nolo contendre plea for a felony may encounter denial or removal of licensure.
All requests for applications and additional information pertaining to specialty and residency programs should be directed to:
Advanced Dental Education Programs
Office of Admissions, Rm. 6407
University of Maryland School of Dentistry
650 West Baltimore Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
The School of Dentistry’s Web home page provides current information about all programs and admissions requirements. All requests for applications or information pertaining to the graduate programs should be directed to:
University of Maryland Graduate School
621 West Lombard Street, Room 336
Baltimore, MD 21201
Facilities
All specialty programs except oral and maxillofacial surgery use individual operatories on the 2nd, 3rd and 4th floor of the dental school in an area designated Advanced Specialty Clinics. Programs provide conference rooms for students and maintain appropriate laboratory and research facilities. Students have access to the Health Sciences and Human Services Library on the campus as well as the National Library of Medicine in Bethesda, Maryland. Also available within the dental school is an Independent Learning Center where students may use materials in a variety of media. The program in oral and maxillofacial surgery is based in the University of Maryland Medical Center, a large metropolitan teaching hospital adjacent to the dental school.
Financial Support
Stipends for postgraduate candidates may be available on a limited basis. Information regarding the extent of these stipends can be obtained by writing to individual program directors. The oral and maxillofacial surgery program provides a stipend through the Graduate Medical Education office of the University of Maryland Medical Center.
Requirements for Certification
A certificate of training is awarded to candidates who have satisfied all requirements of the program and have paid all debts to the University. Selected students in joint certificate and graduate programs who enter into a training agreement are required to complete the requirements of both programs before a certificate is awarded.
Academic Standards for Certification
In the evaluation of postgraduate student performance, the following letter grades are used:
| A, B, C |
passing |
| F |
failing |
| I |
incomplete |
Students must maintain an overall B average. A course in which a grade of less than B is received may be repeated at the discretion of the department. The grade in the repeated course, whether it is higher or lower than the original grade, replaces the original grade. All failing and incomplete grades must be removed before a certificate is conferred. A course with an incomplete grade does not have to be repeated, but the requirements of the course must be satisfied before a certificate is conferred.
Further, students must demonstrate clinical competency in all areas of patient management and treatment. Any student who fails to meet these academic standards in a given semester may not be permitted to continue in the program.