The three-year Periodontics–Advanced Specialty Program leads to a certificate in periodontics with an optional Master of Science (M.S.) or Master of Science in Dentistry (M.S.D.) degree.

The certificate in periodontics prepares the student for a specialty practice and provides the basis for continuing professional development after completion of the curriculum. Specific emphasis is placed on high-level procedural techniques, including esthetics- and prosthetics-related mucogingival surgery, root-form implant placement, preparatory augmentation, and repairs. The program includes didactic and clinical training as well as research in a topic selected by the student.

The student is required to complete one or more research projects, and is involved in clinical and didactic predoctoral teaching activities. Optional master's degree tracks are intended for the student who wishes to pursue an academic career or full-time clinical practice.

A minimum of 36 months in residence—beginning July 1 each year—is required.

Program learning outcomes

By the end of this program, the graduate should have been able to:

  1. Demonstrate using the science of periodontics, including contributions from the literature, understanding periodontal pathology, and understanding the history and current rationale for performing clinical procedures in periodontics.
  2. Perform at the level of proficiency the full range of clinical procedures which are considered essential in the field of periodontics to provide optimal care of patients.
  3. Design, carry out, and report a research project in the field of periodontics under the guidance of and collaboration with faculty members.
  4. Teach in both didactic and clinical areas of pre-doctoral periodontics with the intent to enhance their ability to communicate with peers.
  5. Complete the American Board of Periodontology Certification Examinations.
  6. Achieve careers in periodontal clinical practice, research, dental education, and/or community service.

Program link: https://dentistry.llu.edu/admissions/advanced-dental-education-programs

Application process

The Periodontics, Advanced Program participates in the Postdoctoral Application Support Service (PASS) of the American Dental Education Association (ADEA), which allows applicants to apply to multiple participating institutions.

All applicants to the advanced education in periodontics program must complete and submit an online application (llu.edu/central/apply) directly to Loma Linda University.  A PASS application is available, but not required.

The program has a rolling admissions policy. Candidates will be selected for admission during the application period until the class is filled. Once the class has been filled, an announcement will be posted on the program's description on the Loma Linda University School of Dentistry website, and the admissions process will be closed for the year.

Application deadline

Application for admission should be submitted to the program by September 1 of the year prior to the summer of intended enrollment. 

Tuition, fees, and other cost-of-attendance items are located on the Find a Program webpage.

Certificate

Major
PERI 524The Periodontium2
PERI 531Periodontal Pathology (2)10
PERI 601Periodontal Therapy (2)12
PERI 604Current Periodontal and Implant Literature (2)18
PERI 605Implant Literature Review (2)4
PERI 611Introduction to Periodontics2
PERI 614Implant Treatment Planning (2)24
PERI 624Moderate Sedation in Periodontics4
PERI 634Clinical Conference (1, 2)9
PERI 654Practice Teaching in Periodontics (1)4
PERI 696Scholarly Activity in Periodontics1
PERI 706Fundamentals of Periodontal Surgery—Techniques and Instrumentation2
PERI 697AResearch1
PERI 697BResearch1
Interdisciplinary
GRDN 514Introduction to Biomedical Research4
GRDN 535Clinical Oral Pathology2
GRDN 601Practice Management2
GRDN 609Professional Ethics 22
GRDN 622ABiomedical Science2
GRDN 622BBiomedical Science2
REL_ 5__Graduate-level Religion3
ORPA 533Radiology Topics for Graduate Dental Programs2
Total Units113
Clinical 1
PERI 725Clinical Practice in Periodontics (1-6)72
PERI 726Clinical Practice in Implant Surgery (2)24
Total Units96
1

Units for clinic practice courses are in addition to the minimum didactic units required for the degree.

2

Fulfills service learning requirement.

Normal time to complete the program

Three (3) years (36 months) — full-time enrollment required

M.S.D.

In addition to completing the requirements for the certificate as listed above, students must also complete the following courses and fulfill the general requirements for the degree. Students may take up to one year following the completion of the certificate program to complete the M.S.D. degree.

PERI 697CResearch1

Normal time to complete the program

Three (3) years — full-time enrollment required (includes the time needed to complete the certificate program)

M.S.

In addition to completing the requirements for the certificate as listed above, students must also complete the following courses and fulfill the general requirements for the degree. Students have five (5) years from the start of the certificate program to complete the M.S. degree.

PERI 698Thesis1

Normal time to complete the program

Three (3) years — full-time enrollment required (includes the time needed to complete the certificate program)

Program director

Yoon Jeong Kim

Faculty

Amelia David

Mario Flores

Ahmed Khocht

Yoon Jeong Kim

Nima Sarmast

Shi Yin

Courses

PERI 524. The Periodontium. 2 Units.

Reviews literature concerning the anatomy (macro-, micro-, and ultrastructural) and the physiology of the periodontium.

PERI 531. Periodontal Pathology. 2 Units.

Reviews literature that forms the basis for current concepts of the etiology and pathogenesis of periodontal diseases. Repeated registrations required to fulfill the total units.

PERI 601. Periodontal Therapy. 2 Units.

Reviews literature that forms the basis for current concepts of the treatment of periodontal diseases. Repeated registrations required to fulfill the total units.

PERI 604. Current Periodontal and Implant Literature. 2 Units.

Reviews most recent issues of periodontal and implant scientific journals. Repeated registrations required to fulfill the total units.

PERI 605. Implant Literature Review. 2 Units.

Reviews literature providing the basis for implant surgery, as well as concepts for implant restoration. Repeated registrations required to fulfill the total units.

PERI 611. Introduction to Periodontics. 2 Units.

Overview of the clinical science of periodontics, including epidemiology, etiology, therapy, clinical methods, and record keeping.

PERI 614. Implant Treatment Planning. 2 Units.

Limited to residents enrolled in two disciplines (i.e., advanced education in periodontics and implant surgery, and advanced prosthodontics). Residents required to present cases that involve mutual interests. Repeated registrations required to fulfill the total units.

PERI 624. Moderate Sedation in Periodontics. 4 Units.

Addresses administration of moderate, intravenous sedation as preparation to meet or exceed requirements for certification by the California Board of Dentistry. Meets requirements for accreditation by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association.

PERI 634. Clinical Conference. 1,2 Unit.

Case management conference to assist the student in diagnosis, treatment planning, and the management of periodontal diseases and implant surgery. Repeated registrations required to fulfill the total units.

PERI 654. Practice Teaching in Periodontics. 1 Unit.

Experience in teaching the predoctoral dentistry student. Repeated registrations required to fulfill the total units.

PERI 696. Scholarly Activity in Periodontics. 1 Unit.

Selected didactic, clinical, and/or laboratory activity developed by the program director or a designated program faculty member. Primarily designed for students to fulfill the certificate requirements for scholarly activity/research in periodontics. Multiple registrations may be needed to complete these activities.

PERI 697A. Research. 1 Unit.

Student identifies a research project, prepares a protocol, and obtains approval for the protocol. Multiple registrations may be needed to complete these research activities.

PERI 697B. Research. 1 Unit.

Conducting the actual research project, including the data collection. Multiple registrations may be needed to complete these research activities.

PERI 697C. Research. 1 Unit.

Student completes research project, holds a public presentation of research, and submits a publishable paper to their research guidance committee (RGC) for approval. Multiple registrations may be needed to complete the publishable paper.

PERI 698. Thesis. 1 Unit.

PERI 706. Fundamentals of Periodontal Surgery—Techniques and Instrumentation. 2 Units.

Introduces rationale, fundamental techniques, and instrumentation of periodontal surgery. Close seminar and clinic instruction and direct “one-on-one” teaching and learning of the salient aspects of periodontal surgery, using patients receiving treatment.

PERI 725. Clinical Practice in Periodontics. 1-6 Units.

Clinical experience in the diagnosis and treatment of periodontal diseases. Repeated registrations to fulfill the total units/clock hours required.

PERI 726. Clinical Practice in Implant Surgery. 2 Units.

Clinical experience in the diagnosis and treatment regarding implant surgery. A minimum of sixty clock hours per quarter (twelve quarters) required to fulfill total units.