Periodontics
The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, College of Dentistry offers a residency in Periodontics providing advanced education and training in preparation for the practice of the specialty of Periodontics. The training program complies with the standards established by the Council on Dental Education of the American Dental Association and qualifies candidates for specialty examination by the American Board of Periodontology. Additionally, periodontics residents must be enrolled in the Masters of Dental Science Program of the College of Graduate Health Sciences.
The course of study extends over a period of 36 months. This period is consistent with the expanding scope and knowledge in periodontics and training requirements set forth by the American Academy of Periodontology and the American Dental Association. Continuous full-time attendance is a requisite for the course of instruction that leads to a Master of Dental Science degree. Students must complete a thesis that is based on original research, demonstrate individual thought, and is of substantive literary and scientific merit.
The curriculum has been developed to relate basic science principles meaningfully to the practice of periodontics. The program emphasis is on clinical application, with significant didactic content and research activity maintained over a thirty-six month period. Direct patient contact constitutes approximately 65% of the program activity. Special courses are conducted in anatomy, histology, oral pathology, pharmacology, biostatistics, experimental design and research methodology. Special seminars are conducted in immunology and microbiology coupled with current and topical reviews of the periodontal literature. Case presentation seminars in treatment planning, therapy and recall are conducted on a regular basis to prepare residents to challenge the American Board of Periodontology examination and become board certified. Special rotations at Church Health Center, a not-profit, state of the art health care facility to care for underserved population in the mid-south region, are an integral part of the program. The clinic has 4 full-time dentists and 5 dental hygienists taking care of the patient's general dentistry needs while periodontics, implant and sedation dentistry needs are met by graduate periodontics residents. Extensive didactic and clinical instruction in all aspects of implant therapy is a fundamental component of the residency. Two students are selected for matriculation each summer (July). A variable stipend is granted to each student commensurate with his or her level of post-D.D.S. training, and the funding level availability each year.
Residents will be charged a $3500 per year clinic utilization fee for each of the three years of the periodontal residency however there is no tuition charged for the program.
