Periodontics — Certificate (post-D.D.S.), M.S.D., M.S.
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:
- Use the science of periodontics, the literature, periodontal pathology, and the history and current rationale for performing clinical procedures in periodontics.
- Perform at the level of proficiency the full range of clinical procedures that are considered essential to establish a specialty practice in the field of periodontics.
- Design, conduct, and report a periodontal research project.
- Become a diplomat of the American Board of Periodontology.
- Teach in didactic and clinical areas of predoctoral periodontics at the level of a junior faculty member, with the intent of enhancing their ability to communicate with peers.
- Successfully complete the American Board of Periodontology Certification Examination.
- Achieve successful careers in clinical practice, research, and/or dental education.
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 and fees for the 2022-23 academic year (effective July 1, 2022) is approximately $19,839.00 per quarter and is subject to change. Tuition is adjusted annually every July 1st. These fees do not include instruments and textbooks that may be required.
Certificate
| Major | ||
| PERI 524 | The Periodontium | 2 |
| PERI 531 | Periodontal Pathology (2) | 10 |
| PERI 601 | Periodontal Therapy (2) | 12 |
| PERI 604 | Current Periodontal and Implant Literature (2) | 18 |
| PERI 605 | Implant Literature Review (2) | 4 |
| PERI 611 | Introduction to Periodontics | 2 |
| PERI 614 | Implant Treatment Planning (2) | 24 |
| PERI 624 | Moderate Sedation in Periodontics | 4 |
| PERI 634 | Clinical Conference (1, 2) | 9 |
| PERI 654 | Practice Teaching in Periodontics (1) | 4 |
| PERI 696 | Scholarly Activity in Periodontics | 1 |
| PERI 706 | Fundamentals of Periodontal Surgery—Techniques and Instrumentation | 2 |
| PERI 697A | Research | 1 |
| PERI 697B | Research | 1 |
| Interdisciplinary | ||
| GRDN 514 | Introduction to Biomedical Research | 4 |
| GRDN 535 | Clinical Oral Pathology | 2 |
| GRDN 601 | Practice Management | 2 |
| GRDN 609 | Professional Ethics 2 | 2 |
| GRDN 622A | Biomedical Science | 2 |
| GRDN 622B | Biomedical Science | 2 |
| REL_ 5__ | Graduate-level Religion | 3 |
| ORPA 533 | Radiology Topics for Graduate Dental Programs | 2 |
| Total Units | 113 | |
| Clinical 1 | ||
| PERI 725 | Clinical Practice in Periodontics (1-6) | 72 |
| PERI 726 | Clinical Practice in Implant Surgery (2) | 24 |
| Total Units | 96 | |
- 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 697C | Research | 1 |
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 698 | Thesis | 1 |
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
Sangmoo Scott Lee
Nima Sarmast
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.
PERI 805. Periodontal Surgical Therapy. 1 Unit.
Introduces surgical periodontal therapy and periodontal wound-healing concepts. Discusses periodontal flaps and their use in various surgical techniques. Reviews surgical management of multirooted teeth. Reviews preprosthetic periodontal surgery. Presents laboratory exercises in application of surgical principles.
