Periodontics Certificate
About the Program
The advanced education in periodontics residency prepares dentists for careers in clinical periodontics, research and teaching. Residents acquire a depth of understanding in oral biology and become acquainted with the problems in the biology and pathology of oral tissues and to adequately treat these problems with the most current knowledge and techniques. Residents are encouraged to use interdisciplinary approaches in the solution of research and clinical problems.
The program is designed to provide for the profession and the community, competent bio-clinicians who will become key professionals in clinical practice, research, and teaching. Didactic and clinical training will also be conducted in other related areas within the scope of practice of the field of periodontics as established by the Periodontic Standards of the Council on Dental Accreditation. A research project is required and comprehensive examinations must be successfully completed.
Enrollment
The full-time, 35-month program begins July 1.
You may apply for concurrent enrollment in the oral and craniofacial sciences master's degree program, which requires a separate application once you've been accepted into the advanced education program.
Student membership in the American Academy of Periodontology is required while enrolled in the program
Licensure Requirements
Applicants who have been out of dental school for a year or more must successfully pass a clinical licensure exam before enrollment.
Residents accepted directly after graduating from dental school must successfully pass a U.S. regional or equivalent Canadian clinical licensure exam no later than the end of the first year of residency (Spring Semester).
All periodontics residents must be eligible for a Missouri dental license by the end of the first year.
Admission Requirements
- U.S. citizen or permanent resident
- Evidence of graduation from a school of dentistry accredited by the American Dental Association or the Canadian Dental Association
- Minimum 3.0 dental school GPA
- Class ranking in top 75%
Preference is given to applicants with both general practice experience and completion of an advanced education in general dentistry or general practice residency program.
How to Apply
Applicants are invited to visit between September and April (before submitting the PASS application). Email the program director Patrick Lai to schedule a visit.
The application process is competitive. Selection is based on several factors including academic standing in dental school (grade-point average and class standing) and experience (years in practice, teaching or research, advanced training or degrees, publications, activity in organized dentistry and participation in continuing education).
- Complete the American Dental Education Association's (ADEA) Postdoctoral Application Support Services (PASS) application and submit all documentation directly through PASS
- Official dental school transcripts
- Integrated National Board Dental Examination (INBDE) scores (not required for application review)
- Institutional Evaluation Form (IEF)
- Minimum of three dental faculty evaluators for the Professional Evaluation Form (PEF)
- Register with the National Matching Services (The Match)
- Results of the Advanced Dental Admission Test (ADAT) are not required but are strongly recommended for admission consideration. Scores can be self-reported on the PASS application. Official results will be released to PASS within three or four weeks of your test date.
- When we have received your PASS materials, we will send you an email with a link to complete the UMKC general application and submit all documentation directly through the UMKC application portal
- Application fee
- Application documents such as proof of U.S. citizenship or permanent residency
We invite finalists to an interview as a required part of the application. Funding for travel to the interview is the responsibility of the applicant. International applicants must take a dental skills bench test as part of the interview process.
If selected for the program, you must pay a $1,000 nonrefundable acceptance fee within two days of acceptance.
Please do not send a copy of your application or any documents directly to the UMKC School of Dentistry.
Application deadline: August 15 (the year before planned enrollment)
Required reading:
Download application information (PDF)
Costs and funding
Periodontic residents receive a competitive annual stipend.