The University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine Graduate Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics Program accepts 12 residents each year from a variety of backgrounds and life experiences. We use a holistic review process when considering applicants by reviewing a number of factors with an emphasis on academic achievement, service, research, class rank and an invitation only interview.
Ideal Applicant
- Dental school GPA of 3.5 or higher
- GRE scores (top quartile)
- Class rank (top 30%)
- Research experience is highly desirable
- Record of service activities
- Excellent letters of recommendation (A strong recommendation from the applicant’s department of orthodontics is preferable)
- Advanced Dental Admission Test (ADAT) - While not required, applicants may submit their ADAT score to supplement their application.
Prerequisite Requirements
- Graduate from an ADA accredited dental school in the United States or Canada with a DDS or DMD degree.
- Pass the National Board Dental Examinations (NBDE) Part I. Applicant must pass the NBDE Part II before enrollment into the program.
- Or applicant must pass the Integrated National Board Dental Examination (INBDE) before enrollment into the program.
Application Requirements
To apply, please apply using ONE of the following methods:
PASS Application-
Applicants may apply by submitting a portion of the application requirements via the web-based application, Postdoctoral Application Support Service (PASS).
The PASS application includes:
- Personal statement
- Curriculum vitae/resume
- Institution evaluation form
- Three (3) letters of recommendation
- Official dental school transcript
- Official National Board Dental Examination or Integrated National Board Dental Examination score(s)
The remaining items may be emailed to orthoadmissions@ucdenver.edu or mailed to the address below to complete your application:
- CU Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics Supplemental Application
- Official GRE scores (Institutional code: 7209)
- $100 application fee payable to “CU Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics”
- Small photo (passport size)
OR
CU Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics Application
Applicants may apply by submitting all the following required items directly to the CU Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics program at the address below:
- Completed CU Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics Application includes the following forms:
- Personal essay
- Curriculum vitae/resume
- Academic Performance Evaluation Form
- Three (3) letters of recommendation that can be sent via email from the person recommending you.
- Official dental school transcript
- National Board Dental Examination scores (INBDE also accepted)
- Official GRE scores (Institutional code: 7209)
- $100 application fee payable to “CU Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics”
- Small photo (passport size)
Mailing Address:
University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine
Graduate Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics Program Application
13065 East 17th Avenue
Mail Stop F849
Aurora, CO 80045
Nondiscrimination Policy
The CU School of Dental Medicine Graduate Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics Program does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, creed, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran status, political affiliation, or political philosophy in admission and access to, and treatment and employment in, its educational programs and activities. Individuals of all ethnic minority groups are encouraged to apply for admission.
Curriculum
The 30-month residency program will be covered according to the following manner:
- Didactic - 26%
- Clinical - 58%
- Research -13%
- Teaching -3%
Clinical emphasis is placed on the use of contemporary edgewise appliances in conjunction with functional and other orthopedic appliances to treat children, adolescents and adults using both routine orthodontics and orthognathic surgery. Participation with craniofacial anomaly patients and boards is required.
First Year
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | |
| DSOR 5101 | Orthodontics 101 - Boot Camp | 4.2 |
| DSOR 5102 | Dentofacial Growth and Development 1 | 1.8 |
| DSOR 5103 | Diagnosis and Treatment Planning 1 | 1.8 |
| DSOR 5104 | Biomechanics 1 | 3.5 |
| DSOR 5105 | Research Methodology and Biostatistics 1 | 1.8 |
| DSOR 5107 | Treatment Planning 1 | 3.5 |
| DSOR 5108 | Current Literature Review 1 | 0.9 |
| DSOR 5841 | Research 1 | 0.9 |
| DSOR 5931 | Clinical Orthodontics 1 | 7.1 |
| Hours | 25.5 | |
| Total Hours | 25.5 | |
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spring | Hours | |
| DSOR 5202 | Dentofacial Growth and Development 2 | 2.1 |
| DSOR 5203 | Diagnosis and Treatment Planning 2 | 2.1 |
| DSOR 5204 | Biomechanics 2 | 3.2 |
| DSOR 5205 | Research Methodology & Biostatistics 2 | 2.1 |
| DSOR 5207 | Treatment Planning 2 | 4.3 |
| DSOR 5208 | Current Literature Review 2 | 1.1 |
| DSOR 5321 | Orthognathic Surgical Treatment | 2.1 |
| DSOR 5842 | Research 2 | 2.1 |
| DSOR 5932 | Clinical Orthodontics 2 | 7.7 |
| Hours | 26.8 | |
| Total Hours | 26.8 | |
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summer | Hours | |
| DSOR 5211 | Treatment in Preadolescent Children | 1.8 |
| DSOR 5302 | Implants in the Orthodontic Patient | 0.9 |
| DSOR 5304 | Biomechanics 3 | 1.8 |
| DSOR 5307 | Treatment Planning 3 | 3.5 |
| DSOR 5331 | Management of the TMJ Patient | 1.8 |
| DSOR 5344 | Advanced Radiology and Radiographic Interpretation | 1.8 |
| DSOR 5843 | Research 3 | 2.6 |
| DSOR 5933 | Clinical Orthodontics 3 | 7.4 |
| Hours | 21.6 | |
| Total Hours | 21.6 | |
Second Year
| Second Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | |
| DSOR 5341 | Fundamentals in Teaching, Learning & Assessment | 1 |
| DSOR 6107 | Treatment Planning 4 | 4 |
| DSOR 6108 | Current Literature Review 4 | 1 |
| DSOR 6111 | Periodontic/Orthodontic Treatment | 1 |
| DSOR 6206 | Dent/Craniofacial Anomalies | 2 |
| DSOR 6844 | Research 4 | 4 |
| DSOR 6934 | Clinical Orthodontics 4 | 9.4 |
| Hours | 22.4 | |
| Total Hours | 22.4 | |
| Second Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spring | Hours | |
| DSOR 8317 | Advanced Diagnosis of Oral Lesions | 0.6 |
| DSOR 6207 | Treatment Planning 5 | 4.3 |
| DSOR 6208 | Current Literature Review 5 | 1.1 |
| DSOR 6209 | Surgical Anatomy & Osteology | 1.1 |
| DSOR 6845 | Research 5 | 5.3 |
| DSOR 6935 | Clinical Orthodontics 5 | 10.2 |
| DSOR 6936 | Review for American Board Examination | 1.1 |
| Hours | 23.7 | |
| Total Hours | 23.7 | |
| Second Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summer | Hours | |
| DSOR 7107 | Treatment Planning 6 | 3.5 |
| DSOR 7108 | Current Literature Review 6 | 0.9 |
| DSOR 7112 | Orthodontic Clinical Teaching 1 | 3.5 |
| DSOR 7311 | Scientific Writing & Evaluation | 1.8 |
| DSOR 7846 | Research 6 | 5.3 |
| DSOR 7936 | Clinical Orthodontics 6 | 8.4 |
| DSOR 7938 | Clinical Problems 1 | 0.9 |
| Hours | 24.299999999999997 | |
| Total Hours | 24.299999999999997 | |
Third Year
| Third Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | |
| DSOR 6201 | Ethics & Practice Management | 2 |
| DSOR 7207 | Treatment Planning 7 | 4 |
| DSOR 7208 | Current Literature Review 7 | 1 |
| DSOR 7212 | Orthodontic Clinical Teaching 2 | 4 |
| DSOR 7847 | Research 7 | 6 |
| DSOR 7937 | Clinical Orthodontics 7 | 9.8 |
| DSOR 7940 | Orthodontic Retention I | 1 |
| Hours | 27.8 | |
| Total Hours | 27.8 | |
| Third Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spring | Hours | |
| DSOR 5111 | History of Orthodontics & Dentofacial Orthopedics | 0.9 |
| DSOR 7300 | Current Literature Review 8 | 0.6 |
| DSOR 7307 | Treatment Planning 8 | 2.3 |
| DSOR 7312 | Orthodontic Clinical Teaching 3 | 1.1 |
| DSOR 7848 | Research 8 | 2.8 |
| DSOR 7934 | Clinical Orthodontics 8 | 7.6 |
| DSOR 7939 | Clinical Problems 2 | 1 |
| DSOR 7941 | Orthodontic Retention II | 2.3 |
| Hours | 18.6 | |
| Total Hours | 18.6 | |
Requirements for Graduation
- This certificate is awarded in tandem with the completion of the Masters in Dentistry curriculum. Exceptions may be approved on a case-by-case basis.
- Attendance of all classes, clinics, and assigned meetings
- Passing all classes and maintaining an overall B average or above
- Successful completion of the Proficiency Examinations
- Demonstration of clinical proficiency in orthodontics
- Completion of a research project and committee approval/defense of a publishable manuscript in AJO-DO format
- Successful completion of all required courses.
- Challenging Part II (written examination) of the American Board of Orthodontics during the 2nd year.
Program Goals
Program Goal 1
- Provide patient-based clinical care to help residents gain proficiency in orthodontics and deliver high-quality care to patients
Objectives:
- Overall Provide a diverse clinical experience similar to normal clinical practice
- Gather an appropriate and complete data base on each patient to provide a strong foundation for diagnosis, treatment planning, treatment consultation, treatment and retention of the patient
- Utilize a problem-based diagnostic and treatment planning strategy for all patients
- Utilize craniofacial growth and development knowledge in planning and carrying out patient treatment
- Integrate relevant biological, clinical and behavioral science into patient treatment
- Utilize current biomechanical and biomaterial techniques and strategies in patient care
- Utilize interdisciplinary consultation and care when appropriate
- Apply the principles of infection control and environmental safety to patient care and clinical operations
Program Goal 2
- Provide residents with broad-based didactics and a strong basis for continued learning and clinical practice
Objectives:
- Use and understand basic scientific principles
- Provide sufficient supporting knowledge to allow residents to appropriately evaluate the literature and interact knowledgeably with other dental specialists
- Provide appropriate knowledge on business, legal and ethical issues to aid the student in managing an orthodontic practice
Program Goal 3
- Provide residents the foundation to critically evaluate and conduct research
Objectives:
- Provide familiarity with research design and statistical analysis
- Formulate a proposal, carry out a research project, analyze results and write the results in a publishable format
- Submit a publishable manuscript to a journal as a contribution to the clinical and scientific literature
- Develop characteristics of a life-long learner
Program Goal 4
- Encourage service and socially responsible behavior
Objectives:
- Participate in organized dentistry initially by attending local and national meetings
- Participate in craniofacial deformity and underprivileged patient clinics
- Educate non-orthodontists concerning orthodontics