Advanced Education in Periodontology

Listed below are the courses traditionally offered to postgraduate students.

Department Courses

• A Case-Based Surgical Seminar
• Basic Science
• Classic Literature review
• Current Literature review
• Foundations of Periodontology
• IV Sedation

Advanced Education Courses

• Applied Nutrition
• Biostatistics I & II
• Biology of Saliva & Salivary Glands
• Biomedical & Periodontal Science I
• Bone Biology
• Cell and Molecular Biology
• Clinical Pharmacology
• Complex Case Management Seminar
• Head and Neck Anatomy
• Immunology
• Implant Dentistry A-Z
• Intercultural Competence for Oral Health Providers
• Oral & Maxillofacial Radiology
• Oral Biology
• Oral Microbiology
• Oral Medicine
• Oral Pathology
• Principles and Methods of Epidemiology
• Research Methodology
• Topics in Molecular & Cell Biology

Residents treat a large, diverse patient population in our department and build broad, hands-on surgical experience across the full scope of periodontology. Clinical training covers non-surgical periodontal therapy, respective and regenerative surgery, mucogingival and soft tissue grafting, crown lengthening, and esthetic periodontal procedures. Residents also gain experience in implant therapy, from treatment planning and site development, including ridge and sinus augmentation, through implant placement and management of peri-implant disease. Training in sedation prepares them to provide safe, comfortable care for anxious and medically complex patients. Residents work closely with prosthodontics, orthodontics, endodontics, and oral surgery, which helps them develop the interdisciplinary treatment planning skills needed in modern specialty practice. They also supervise and mentor predoctoral students in the clinic, which strengthens both their clinical judgment and their teaching skills.

Associated Clinic: Periodontic Clinic

Residents who want to deepen their research curriculum can combine their Certificate in Periodontology with a Master of Science in Periodontology. Residents complete both within the three-year program. The MS builds a strong foundation in research methods. Coursework covers biostatistics, epidemiology, critical evaluation of the scientific literature, research methodology, and scientific writing. Under the guidance of a faculty advisor, each resident designs and carries out an original research project and presents it in a written thesis and an oral defense. The program has 40 credit hours: 22 didactic and 18 research. It builds on the department’s existing research requirement and gives graduates the skills to contribute new knowledge to periodontology, publish in peer-reviewed journals, and pursue academic or research careers.