Home > For Prospective Students > Advanced Education Program > Periodontics
Program Director
Thomas C. Waldrop
Professor and Program Director
Description
The graduate program in periodontics consists of a 36-month curriculum
leading to a certificate of training in periodontics. Courses in the basic and
clinical sciences, medicine, head and neck anatomy, statistics and advanced
cardiac life support are required. Periodontal courses include lectures, current
and periodontal literature, medical-oral medicine, treatment planning, case
presentation, and surgical seminars. All provide opportunities for concentrated
learning and experience in the clinical specialty of periodontics, as well as
interaction with other clinical specialties. The program includes a diverse
program in clinical instruction. The program affords the student the opportunity
to develop the capacity for judgment and adaptability from knowledge of basic and
clinical science and from evaluation of the literature. The program prepares the
student for board certification in the specialty of periodontics.
Emphasis is also placed on the most current clinical advances in implantology,
periodontal plastic and regenerative procedures. A comprehensive conscious
sedation program is offered in addition to programs in physical diagnoses, head,
neck and anatomy, anesthesiology and oral pathology. The program involves
clinical and classroom teaching to undergraduate students. Research activities
which lead to publication, presentation and M.S.D. are required. Specialty faculty
attend the program, including affiliate faculty in the basic sciences. The program
starts the first week in July.
Students completing the program earn a specialty Certificate in Periodontics
and a Master of Science in Dentistry degree. Students must complete all Master of
Dentistry and periodontal program requirments prior to being awarded a specialty
certificate and M.S.D.
The program conforms with the Standards for Advanced Specialty Education in
Periodontics and carries a full approval status from the Commission on Dental
Accreditation of the American Dental Association.
Facilities and Resources
The facilities of the School of Dentistry are housed in the Wood Memorial
and Lyons Buildings and contain a clinical facilities, research facilities,
classrooms, student laboratories, departmental offices, and a computer learning
laboratory. The laboratories and classrooms contain closed circuit television
receivers. The Tompkins-McCall Library for the Health Sciences is located across
the street from the School of Dentistry. This is the largest health science
library in Virginia.
Qualifications
Students seeking admission to the periodontics program must meet the following
requirements:
- Received a DDS or MSD from a United States or Canadian Dental School.
- Successful completion of Part I of the National Dental Board at the time of application and Part II by the time of matriculation
- Demonstrated English reading, writing and speaking proficiency and a minimum score of 630 on the TOFEL examination
- Minimum grade point average of 3.0 (4.0 scale) or equivalent, or a ranking in the top 25% of your dental school class
- Interview with the Program Director upon request
- Three letters of recommendation
- Completed application form
- Application fee of $50
All advanced dental education students are required to successfully pass a pre-matriculation drug screen test.
Benefits
The VCU Health System is self-insured and provides professional liability
(malpractice) insurance, subject to policy limits, for advanced dental
education students. Insurance covers professional service on duty within the
institution and professional service on assigned duties in one of the
affiliated hospitals or programs. It does not cover any other professional
service, e.g. moonlighting activities at other facilities or institutions.
Health Insurance is available for advanced dental education students and
their immediate family members through payroll deduction. Group Life and
Disability Insurance is available for the student. Supplemental Group Life
Insurance is available at the student's expense.
Students are entitled to no less than 6 days off per year of vacation time.
Personal leave days will not exceed 5 working days per year.
A maximum of 10 working days per year is allowed for sick leave.
Tuition and Fees
There is currently no tuition for the graduate program. An application fee
of $50.00 must accompany a completed application to the residency program, and
when accepted into the program, a fee of $50.00 is required for application to
the Virginia Commonwealth University Graduate School for admission into the
Master of Science program. A $1,000.00 nonrefundable acceptance fee and signed
contract is due upon verbal acceptance of a position in the program. The
student will be responsible for all fees associated with the program.
Approximate fees include but may not be limited to the following: Physical
diagnosis course- $1500; Head and Neck Anatomy- $300.00; ACLS- $150 (x2);
Digital intra oral camera- $3600; Insturments- $2600; Books- $500;
Examinations-$260; Licenses- $100; Other fees may include courses,
registration and associated fees for required courses and meetings. A clinic
usage fee of $1500 per semester is due at the beginning of each semester but
is currently not in effect. Tuition and fees are subject to change.
Further inquiries and/or a completed application may be directed to:
Ms. Faye Miles
MCV/VCU School of Dentistry
P.O. Box 980566
Richmond, Virginia 23298-0566
Email: ftmiles@vcu.edu
Phone: (804) 828-4867
Other Information
Additional information can be found at the
Department of Periodontics website.