The School of Dentistry offers advanced dental education programs in endodontics, general practice residency, oral and maxillofacial surgery, pediatric dentistry, periodontology and prosthodontics, all leading to a certificate in a clinical specialty. The School of Dentistry in conjunction with the Graduate School also offers a combined program in orthodontics and craniofacial biology, in pediatric dentistry and craniofacial biology and periodontics and craniofacial biology leading to a Master of Science degree and a certificate. In conjunction with the School of Medicine, the School of Dentistry offers a combined program leading to an M.D. degree and a certificate in oral and maxillofacial surgery. In addition to clinical seminars and clinical experience, students take basic science courses with advanced students from other departments.

The certificate curriculum consists of a core of basic science subjects plus clinical seminars and clinical experience. Elective subjects may also be selected by the student with the approval of the program director.

The estimated lengths of programs are as follows:
Endodontics, 24 months
General Practice Residency, 12 months
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, 48 months
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery/M.D., 72 months
Orthodontics, 36 months
Pediatric Dentistry, 24 or 36 months
Periodontology, 36 months
Prosthodontics, 36 months

Applicants must hold the Doctor of Dental Surgery or Doctor of Medical Dentistry degree and must present the appropriate degrees, approved transcripts and affidavits as prescribed by the Office of Dental Admissions and Student Affairs.

Prospective students should request application forms from the Office of Admissions and Student Affairs. For selection and admission to the periodontics/CBY, orthodontics/CBY, and pediatrics/CBY dentistry programs, applicants are required to take the Aptitude section of the Graduate Record Examinations; a score of 1000 or above is desired for pediatric dentistry. For selection and admission for orthodontics and periodontics/CBY, a combined score (verbal and quantitative) of 1200 or better is required. The last acceptable test is in September of the year preceding desired admission. For further information regarding the GRE, applicants may contact a university in their area or write to: USC Testing Bureau, University Park, Los Angeles, CA 90089-0052, or visit the GRE Web site at www.gre.org.

The following material is also required to complete the application:

(1) a completed USC Dental Advanced Program application or PASS application and a $55 processing fee (graduates of foreign dental schools or students requiring a visa must submit a $125 processing fee). Applications and information for the PASS application are available at PASS, Suite 600, 1625 Massachusetts Avenue N.W., Washington, D.C. 20036-2212, or online at www.adea.org;

(2) applicants for General Practice Residency, Orthodontic, Pediatric Dentistry and Oral Surgery programs must submit applicant agreement forms to the Postdoctoral Dental Matching Program. Information and forms can be obtained online at www.natmatch.com/dentres;

(3) a 2” x 2” passport style photograph of the applicant;

(4) one official copy of the applicant’s dental school transcript with degree notation. Foreign transcripts and degree notations must be submitted with a certified English translation;

(5) three letters of recommendation: (a) one from the program director or chairman of the specific graduate department applied to, or someone who is currently a pedodontist, orthodontist, etc.; (b) one from a full-time faculty member in the basic sciences; (c) a general character reference from applicant’s superior in service, or an individual by whom he or she was employed;

(6) board scores Part I and Part II for all programs; GRE scores are required for Orthodontics, Periodontics/CBY and Pediatric/CBY programs. International students are required to take GREs for the two-year certificate program. These requirements may be waived at the discretion of the program director;

(7) a biographical statement;

(8) applicants may be asked to be available for an interview. If one is necessary, applicants will be contacted by the director of the individual advanced program;

(9) Applicants will be required to pay a non-refundable $1000 tuition deposit upon notification of acceptance.

(10) Prior to enrollment, accepted students must provide evidence of sound health and meet the school’s health requirements.

Applications for admission to advanced programs must be received as follows:
Oral Surgery, September 15
Orthodontics, October 1
Periodontology, October 1
General Practice Residency, October 15
Endodontics, October 1
Pediatric Dentistry, November 1
Prosthodontics, November 1

Completed applications and related infor-mation are reviewed first by the faculty of the department of interest. In selecting applicants for admission the faculty considers academic records and personal qualifications. Final approval for admission rests with the advanced education coordinating committee. Responsibility for advising the student after admission rests with the department chair.

A departmental orientation session is usually held the first week of classes. Incoming students are acquainted with the School of Dentistry, its policies, procedures, faculty and facilities.

Dental units in the school’s clinics are equipped with midwest type tubing and couplers for low and high speed air hand pieces. Advanced students must provide their own adapters to fit the school’s couplers unless the students’ present hand pieces are already so modified. The Dental Bookstore will assist in such conversions, if necessary. The bookstore has some low speed air hand pieces available for rent.

Students accepted into an advanced program should consult their program directors about needed equipment.

The advanced endodontics certificate program is a two-year course of study that begins the first of September each year. This program provides students with the background information and clinical experience necessary for a specialist in the practice of endodontics, and also offers activities in research and teacher-training for students interested in academic endodontics.

Emphasis is on the interaction of this specialty with other specialties and with general dentistry.

The program in endodontics is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation, a specialized accrediting body recognized by the Council on Postsecondary Accreditation and the United States Department of Education.

The advanced education program in oral and maxillofacial surgery is a continuous 48-month course of study that prepares the graduate for the practice of oral and maxillofacial surgery. The program in oral surgery is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation, a specialized accrediting body recognized by the Council on Postsecondary Accreditation and the United States Department of Education. The program also meets the requirements of the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons.

The program is conducted at the School of Dentistry and at the LAC+USC Medical Center. The course provides graduates with the necessary background for certification by the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. Certificates are awarded upon successful completion of the 48-month course.

The School of Dentistry and the Keck School of Medicine offer a continuous 72-month integrated course of study leading to a medical degree in addition to a certificate in oral and maxillofacial surgery that prepares the graduate for the practice of oral and maxillofacial surgery. The program is fully integrated and will include advanced placement into the established medical school curriculum.

During the first three years, the student will function in the capacity of a medical student as well as a resident in the oral and maxillofacial surgery program. After the completion of the medical school curriculum, the M.D. degree will be awarded. This is required before the student can continue in the specially designed surgical internship portion of the program. At the completion of the surgical internship, the student is qualified for medical licensure. During the fourth through sixth year, all required rotations and surgical training will be completed to fulfill the educational requirements of the Commission of Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association and the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons.

The program is conducted at the Schools of Dentistry and Medicine and at the LAC+USC Medical Center. The course of study provides the graduates with the necessary background for certification by the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. The Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery certificates are awarded upon successful completion of the entire 72-month course.

The advanced orthodontics program consists of a 36-month combined program leading to a Master of Science degree in craniofacial biology and a certificate in orthodontics. This program can also lead to a Ph.D. track for the interested student. The curriculum is designed to prepare students for academic careers as clinical scholars through the integration of the basic sciences with orthodontic education, as well as to provide the clinical experience necessary for the practice of orthodontics.

The program in advanced orthodontics is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation, a specialized accrediting body recognized by the Council on Postsecondary Accreditation and the United States Department of Education and meets the educational requirement of the American Board of Orthodontists.

*Students will be re-enrolled in CBY 594z until completion of the thesis. Tuition will be charged in each trimester of enrollment beyond Summer Session II.

**Elective course

The advanced pediatric dentistry certificate program is a 24-month course of study designed to provide students with the background information and clinical experience necessary for the practice of pediatric dentistry. The program in pediatric dentistry is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation, a specialized accrediting body recognized by the Council on Postsecondary Accreditation and the United States Department of Education. The program also meets the educational requirements of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry.

First year studies emphasize advanced pediatric dentistry theory and clinical treatment of the normal child. Students develop a sound basis in genetics, growth and development, behavior management, physical evaluation, research methodology, statistics, conscious sedation, interceptive orthodontics, prevention and a review of pediatric dental literature. Second year studies concentrate on dental care of children with physical, mental and emotional disorders. The second year student serves as a hospital-based resident at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles, Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center or Long Beach Memorial Medical Center. Students gain experience in performing operating room procedures, general anesthesia techniques, conscious sedation and treating children with medical disabilities and pathologies in the hospital environment.

In addition to the two-year program, opportunities are available to combine the basic certificate program with a master’s degree in Craniofacial Biology (CBY).

The purpose of the combined pediatric dentistry/craniofacial biology program is to prepare highly qualified specialists in pediatric dentistry who can assume leadership positions in dental education, service to the community, dental research and dental care of children with developmental disabilities and medically compromising conditions. The structured curriculum of this three-year program offers a strong didactic component in basic biological science and in clinical sciences as well as intensive clinical dental training.

An individual who elects to apply to the combined program in craniofacial biology and advanced pediatric dentistry would submit a simultaneous application to the School of Dentistry and the Graduate School. See the Craniofacial Biology section of this catalogue for further information. The first year of the program would be spent in craniofacial biology and the second and third years spent in the pediatric dentistry program. After successful completion of the craniofacial biology program the student would be reviewed by the Pediatric Dentistry Admissions Committee and admitted into the certificate program. The student must satisfactorily complete the Master of Science program to be eligible for the Pediatric Dentistry Certificate.

*In addition to the required courses, a combined minimum of 36 units of PEDO 761 and PEDO 771 must be satisfactorily completed, as directed by the program director.

The advanced periodontology program offers two options: (1) a 36-month, 180-unit course of study leading to a certificate in periodontology, or (2) a dual 36-month, 183-unit program leading to both a certificate and a Master of Science in Craniofacial Biology. The program in periodontology is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation, a specialized accrediting body recognized by the Council on Postsecondary Accreditation, and the United States Department of Education. The program also meets the educational requirements of the American Board of Periodontology. Preparation for the certification process is an integral part of the curriculum, and all graduates are expected to become diplomates.

The curriculum provides a sound foundation in those basic sciences and medical subjects which apply directly to clinical periodontics. Emphasis is placed on the interaction of periodontics with other specialties and general dentistry. The central theme of the curriculum is that periodontology is the science basis to all of clinical dentistry.

The program is structured to produce skilled periodontists with the technical and scientific abilities to provide periodontal services to the community and to prepare students for teaching careers. This program also provides a portion of the requirements necessary for an advanced degree in a basic science.

A core oral biology curriculum combined with fundamentals of physical diagnosis, anatomy, pathology, microbiology, research interpretation and design, and pharmacology constitute the biological foundation upon which the advanced postdoctoral student builds his or her skills. The program provides knowledge and clinical expertise in all types of periodontal treatment required for the practice of oral health care including the placement and care of dental implants. Clinical experience in pharmacosedation and treatment of special care patients is available for those who are interested in these fields.

The program faculty believe that graduates should be dedicated to the concept of being a continuous student and should contribute to periodontics and to dentistry by practice, education, publication and/or research.

The program in advanced prosthodontics is a 36-month course of study designed to teach didactic and clinical skills leading to competency in the specialized practice of prosthodontics. The program provides a basic science foundation for clinical and technical skills, incorporating studies in physical diagnosis, anatomy, oral pathology, pharmacology and oral biology. Since proficiency in all elements of prosthodontics is required, equal emphasis is placed on fixed, removable, and implant prosthodontics.

Periodontally compromised patients are frequently encountered, so the program is allied with the advanced program in periodontics and integrated patient care is stressed.

A research methodology course and a research project are required. Technical skills essential to prosthodontics are basic to specialty practice and this aspect is emphasized. Clinical experience in implant and didactic study in maxillofacial prosthetics are offered: students who want more experience in clinical care may devote more time to treating these patients. The program in advanced prosthodontics is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation, a special accrediting body recognized by the Council on Postsecondary Accreditation and the United States Department of Education. The program also meets the requirements of the American Board of Prosthodontics. A certificate is awarded upon successful completion of the program.

The general practice residency program is a 12-month, full-time residency program designed in conformance with the guidelines of the Council on Dental Education and the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association. A certificate is awarded upon satisfactory completion of the program.

The program is conducted primarily at the Los Angeles County+USC Medical Center, one of the nation’s largest teaching hospitals, and at the Veterans Administration Los Angeles ambulatory care facility. Some of the training is also conducted at Rancho Los Amigos Medical Center, the School of Dentistry and other community facilities.

Under supervision of the faculties of the School of Dentistry and the Keck School of Medicine, the resident rotates through oral surgery, emergency medicine, anesthesia, care for the handicapped and other disciplines. Approximately 60 percent of the resident’s time is devoted to delivery of oral health care.

The program emphasizes the treatment of a wide range of oral health disorders, medical considerations related to dental care, the ability to treat medically compromised and handicapped patients and teaches how to provide dental care in a hospital environment. Residents receive a monthly stipend during their training program.

The program in general practice is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation, a specialized accrediting body recognized by the Council on Postsecondary Accreditation and the United States Department of Education.

The advanced education in general dentistry program is a 12-month, full-time residency program designed in conformance with the guidelines of the Council on Dental Education and the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association. A certificate is awarded upon satisfactory completion of the program, which requires 24 units of course work. A second-year 14-unit certificate is available to residents who have completed a comparable one-year program.

The program is conducted primarily at the School of Dentistry and the AEGD Clinic at the University Village Oral Health Care Center, along with the Los Angeles County + USC Medical Center, one of the nation’s largest teaching hospitals. Some of the training is also conducted at the Children’s Dental Center, the USC Dental Clinic at the Union Rescue Mission, Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center and other community facilities.

The program is designed for the individual who is planning a career in general dentistry in the private dental practice environment, dental education and/or an advanced specialty. Residents receive a monthly stipend during their training program.

All clinical experiences are supervised by the faculties of the School of Dentistry and the Keck School of Medicine. The program provides experiences to residents in the delivery of comprehensive, multidisciplinary oral health care to health and medically compromised patients, to patients of all ages, including pediatric and geriatric patients, and to patients in a private dental practice setting and in hospital or community care environments.

The program application to the American Dental Association Commission on Dental Accreditation received preliminary provisional approval on February 1, 2002.