Overview

The Graduate Periodontics Program begins July 1st of each year and is of 36 months duration. Upon successful completion of the program, the resident is awarded a Certificate in Periodontics and is eligible to take the American Board of Periodontology examination. A Master of Science in Dentistry degree is a requirement of the program, and residents are prepared to defend a Master’s Thesis.

The program is planned to be multifaceted and to utilize the extensive facilities and outstanding personnel of the University of Colorado to provide:

• A strong foundation in the basic sciences, including surgical anatomy, cell biology, biochemistry, immunology, research methodology, and others.
• Clinical science courses that include occlusion, oral medicine, oral pathology, dental implantology, interdisciplinary treatment planning, and others.
• An extensive review of the periodontal literature to provide the basis for understanding current philosophies of therapy and to establish a scientific basis for formulating comprehensive treatment plans.
• Exposure to a wide range of periodontal diagnoses requiring a variety of therapeutic procedures. Residents are encouraged to utilize a variety of materials and clinical techniques as long as there is evidenced-based research to support their clinical decision-making.
• Research opportunities in either basic science or clinical areas to enable the resident to accomplish a meaningful original research project.
• Experience in conscious sedation training and management of special care needs patients.
• Teaching experience in both the classroom and clinic to communicate those principles and skills acquired during training.

Admission Requirements

The University of Colorado Graduate Periodontics Program DOES NOT participate in ADEA/PASS or MATCH Programs. To apply, please follow the guidelines below. 

The number of applicants accepted varies each year based upon positions available and Commission on Dental Accreditation limitations. Candidates should possess strong academic credentials. The application cycle opens on March 1st. Applicants must submit a completed application by July 1st in order to be considered for admission for the next year. The application process is forever evolving during this time and you will be notified after July 1st of the next steps. Upon acceptance, a $3,000 deposit is required to hold your position. This deposit will be applied toward tuition.

Please note at this time our program cannot provide externships. Once your application is in, you will be assigned to a 2nd-year resident where specific questions can be answered.

Application Requirements:

• Completed Postgraduate Periodontics Program Application​ 
• Regents Questionnaire  
• Official transcript in a sealed envelope from each college/university attended. International transcripts must be evaluated by an accredited foreign credentialing service. If your college/university can send official transcripts via email, these will be accepted going forward.
• National Board Examination scores (official report or certified copy), can be sent via email.
• Curriculum vitae
• Three (3) letters of recommendation. Recommendation letters can be sent via email from the person who is recommending you.
• Application fee of $50.00 paid online.

More detailed information can be found on the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) website.

Additional Documents Required (If Applicable):

• Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores: Required for all applicants who graduated from a dental school not accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation or schools that do not rank or provide grades. GRE scores taken more than five (5) years before the application date will not be accepted. For GRE scores, please use the institution code 7209.
• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) scores: Required for international applicants. TOEFL tests taken more than two (2) years prior to the date of application will not be accepted. For TOEFL scores, please use the institution code B785.
• Permanent Resident Green Card: If an applicant is now a permanent resident of the United States, the applicant must provide their full, legal name as it appears on immigration documents and a certified copy of the front and back of their federal Green Card. 

Applications can be sent via email (preferred method) or mailed to:

University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine
Postdoctoral Program in Periodontics
Mail Stop F-850
13065 E. 17th Avenue (For FED-EX/UPS, include Room 104D) 
Aurora, CO 80045

Applications will be updated in your file at the beginning of every month as long as we have your application in hand. We will reach out by the 5th of each month leading to the deadline to verify that your application is complete or if there is anything missing. If we do not have your application, no update will be given. Thank you for your patience on this. 

Questions? Please contact Angelica Maez at 303-724-6243 or angelica.maez@cuanschutz.edu.

Curriculum

​Over the course of 36 months, residents' time is allocated in the following manner:

• Clinical – 62%
• Didactic - 34%
• Research – 3%
• Teaching – 1%

Requirements for Graduation:

• Maintain a "B" (3.0 on a 4.0 scale) overall Grade Point Average (GPA)
• Successful completion of all required courses or their appropriate substitutes
• Attendance at all classes and clinics assigned
• Successful completion of exams
• Demonstrate clinical proficiency in Periodontics
• Be a Student Member of the American Academy of Periodontology
• Be a Student Member of the American Dental Association​

First Year Courses

Second Year Courses

Third Year Courses

Certificate Requirements

Requirements for Graduation:

• Maintain a "B" (3.0 on a 4.0 scale) overall Grade Point Average (GPA)
• Successful completion of all required courses or their appropriate substitutes
• Attendance at all classes and clinics assigned
• Successful completion of exams
• Demonstrate clinical proficiency in Periodontics
• Be a Student Member of the American Academy of Periodontology
• Be a Student Member of the American Dental Association​

Student Learning Outcomes

Mission Statement:

The primary objective of the Periodontics Residency Program is to produce outstanding clinical periodontists who engage in a broad scope of periodontal procedures and who are capable of engaging in research, teaching and leadership activities. We hope to produce the most well trained clinical periodontists coming out of residency programs in the U.S., so that they can offer the highest quality of care to their patients, provide for their families, and give back to the community and the profession.

Goal 1

• Provide comprehensive training that assures resident knowledge and proficiency in periodontics.

Objectives:

• Demonstrate foundational didactic knowledge and insight in the biomedical sciences.
• Demonstrate a high level of clinical skill in a comprehensive variety of periodontal and dental implant treatment modalities.
• Demonstrate knowledge of classic and current periodontal and Implant literature; including interpretation, analysis, and critical evaluation.
• Demonstrate knowledge of systemic/medical considerations impacting patient periodontal status and provision of care. 
• Demonstrate knowledge of pathogenesis/management of oral mucosal pathoses.
• Demonstrate knowledge of and clinical skills in multidisciplinary patient care (prosthodontic, orthodontics, TMD, endodontics).   
• Demonstrate knowledge of and clinical skills in methods of adjunctive anxiety and pain control including conscious sedation using intravenous, oral and inhalation routes. Emphasis will be placed on IV sedation.
• Prepare residents for practice following graduation by introduction to principles of practice management.
• Demonstrate professional/ethical behavior in all aspects of residency training and patient care.

Goal 2

• Provide instructional skills that will enable residents to effectively communicate/transmit knowledge of periodontics and related subjects.

Objectives:

• Demonstrate knowledge of organizing, leading and presenting lectures, case presentations and seminars.
• Demonstrate ability to teach clinical periodontal evaluation, diagnosis and therapy to other oral health care providers. 

Goal 3

• Prepare residents for specialty board certification.

Objectives:

• Successfully challenge the AAP In-Service Examination.
• Successfully evaluate case scenarios using ABP guidelines.
• Obtain specialty board certification by program graduates.

Goal 4

• Create an atmosphere of scientific inquiry and scholarship.

Objectives:

• Develop an understanding of the scientific method, hypothesis testing and use of evidence-based methodologies. Demonstrate active engagement in research leading to Master of Science of Dentistry degree by the conclusion of residency.
• Present research findings at local/national levels. Publish in scientific journals.

Goal 5

• Maintain rigorous evaluation of the residency program.

Objectives:

• Evaluation of the residency program by program graduates.
• Evaluation of faculty effectiveness by residents and Program Director.
• Provide frequent formal resident feedback.
• Evaluate goals, objectives and outcomes of the program annually.