General Information
Tuition and Fees (Estimated)
Programs
Courses of Instruction
Dr. Yaara Berdan evaluates lab work for international dentistry student Shubha Pewa using a high-powered microscope.
Photo by Nate Jensen.
Departments
Since 1897, the Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC has provided students with unique, intensive clinical experiences using the most advanced techniques and technologies in the field. Graduates form a tightly knit community of proud alumni, provide top-notch patient care, conduct world-class research and lead the oral health field.
The school’s strength is its educators. Their world-renowned expertise, combined with innovative curricula, gives students the strong clinical education they need to become great oral health professionals. The curricula include the Doctor of Dental Surgery program and postdoctoral advanced and specialty programs: endodontics, general practice residency, operative dentistry, oral and maxillofacial surgery, orofacial pain, orthodontics, pediatric dentistry, periodontology and prosthodontics. Other programs include an advanced standing program for international dentists; online master of science degrees in geriatric dentistry, orofacial pain and oral medicine, and community oral health; online graduate certificate programs in geriatric dentistry, orofacial pain, oral pathology and radiology, community oral health; and master’s and doctor of philosophy degrees in craniofacial biology.
The Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry’s celebrated status as a well-funded dental and craniofacial research unit allows students to enrich their education through laboratory activities and bolster their clinical skills with strong scientific foundations.
Through community service, the Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry provides valuable clinical experiences to the students while helping disadvantaged individuals improve their oral health. Serving the surrounding community helps students develop clinical competency and learn to treat all members of diverse communities with care and compassion.
Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC
dentistry.usc.edu
Administration
Avishai Sadan, DMD, MBA, Dean
Mahvash Navazesh, DMD, Executive Associate Dean for Academic, Faculty and Student Affairs
Douglas Solow, DDS, MBA, Associate Dean of Clinical Affairs
Roseann Mulligan, MS, DDS, Associate Dean of Community Health Programs and Hospital Affairs
Ilan Rotstein, DDS, Associate Dean of Continuing Education and Chair, Division of Endodontics and Orthodontics
Yang Chai, DDS, PhD, Associate Dean of Research
Malcolm Snead, DDS, PhD, Chair, Division of Biomedical Sciences
Piedad Suarez, DDS, Interim Chair, Division of Dental Public Health and Pediatric Dentistry
Mark Urata, MD, DDS, FACS, FAAP, Chair, Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
Casey Chen, DDS, PhD, Chair, Division of Periodontology, Diagnostic Sciences and Dental Hygiene
Sillas Duarte, Jr., DDS, PhD, Chair, Division of Restorative Sciences
Kim Austin, DDS, Assistant Dean for Diversity and Inclusion
Glenn Clark, MS, DDS, Assistant Dean for Distance Education
Anita Tourah, DDS, Assistant Dean for Admissions and Student Affairs
Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy
pt.usc.edu
James Gordon, EdD, PT, FAPTA, Associate Dean and Chair, Division of Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy
Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy
chan.usc.edu
Grace Baranek, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA, Associate Dean and Chair, Mrs. T.H. Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy
Faculty
G. Donald and Marian James Montgomery Dean’s Chair in Dentistry: Avishai Sadan, DMD, MBA
George and Mary Lou Boone Chair in Craniofacial Molecular Biology: Yang Chai, DDS, PhD
Don and Sybil Harrington Foundation Chair in Esthetic Dentistry: Pascal Magne, DMD, PhD
Wayne G. and Margaret L. Bemis Endowed Professorship in Endodontics: Rafael Roges, DDS
Ralph W. and Jean L. Bleak Professor of Restorative Dentistry: Winston Wan-Li Chee, BDS
Violet S. Bonney Professor of Dental Hygiene: M. Diane Melrose, BSDH, MA
Mrs. T.H. Chan Professorship in Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy: Grace Baranek, PhD
Charles M. Goldstein Professor of Community Dentistry: Roseann Mulligan, DDS, MS
Carl Rieder Endowed Professorship in Restorative Dentistry: Cheryl Park, DDS, FACP
Phillip Maurer Tennis Professorship in Clinical Dentistry: George C. Cho, DDS
USC Associates Assistant Professor of Dentistry: Sanaz Fereshteh, DDS
USC Robert K. Avakian Endowed Restorative Dentistry Professor: Gelareh Ronaghi, DDS
Professors: Yang Chai, DDS, PhD; Chih-Kuang (Casey) Chen, DDS, PhD; Glenn Clark, MS, DDS; Pinghui Feng, MD, PhD; Tina F. Jaskoll, PhD; Michael Melnick, DDS, PhD; Roseann Mulligan, MS, DDS; Mahvash Navazesh, DMD; Janet Moradian-Oldak, PhD; Michael Paine, BDS, PhD; Ilan Rotstein, DDS; Avishai Sadan, DMD, MBA; Michael L. Schneir, MS, PhD; Jorgen Slots, MBA, DDS, PhD, DMD; Malcolm L. Snead, DDS, PhD
Associate Professors: Winston Wan-Li Chee, BDS; Jiannfu Chen, PhD; George C. Cho, DDS; Sillas Duarte, Jr., DDS, PhD; Pascal Magne, DMD, PhD; Amy Merrill-Brugger, PhD; Glenn Sameshima, DDS, PhD; Arnold Tiber, DDS, PhD; Homayoun H. Zadeh, DDS, PhD
Assistant Professor of Dentistry: Jian Xu, PhD
Professors of Clinical Dentistry: Loris Abedi, DDS; Joyce Galligan, RN, DDS; Mina Habibian, DMD, PhD; Michael Jorgensen, DDS; M. Diane Melrose, BSDH, MA; Michael J. Mulvehill III, DDS, MBA; Ramon Roges, DDS; Eddie Sheh, DDS; Douglas Solow, DDS, MBA; Mark Urata, DDS, MD
Associate Professor (Clinical Scholar): Stephen Yen, DMD, PhD
Associate Professors of Clinical Dentistry: Tae Ahn, DDS; Kim Austin, DDS; Gardner Beale, DDS; Laura Elizondo, DDS; Reyes Enciso, PhD; Alon Frydman, DDS; Julie Jenks, MS, MPH, DDS; Kian Kar, MS, DDS; Tae Kim, DDS; John Morzov, DDS; Mariela Padilla, DDS; Anthony Park, DDS; Jin-Ho Phark, DDS; José Polido, DDS; Daniel Romo, DDS; Parish P. Sedghizadeh, DDS; Piedad Suarez, DDS; Joyce Sumi, RDH, MS; Santosh Sundaresan, DDS; Marlene Talley, DDS; Thanh Tam Ton, DDS; Anita Tourah, DDS
Assistant Professors of Clinical Dentistry: Abier Abdulwahab, DDS; Ji Hyun Ahn, DDS, MS; Alexander Alcaraz, DMD; Kamal Al-Eryani, PhD; Neema Bakhshalian, DDS, PhD, MS; Nissim Benbassat, DDS; Yaara Berdan, DDS; Nam Cho, DDS, MD; John Costandi, DMD, MD; Narine Danielian, DDS; Rebecca Dayanim, DDS; Christine Edwards, PhD; Sanaz Fereshteh, DDS; Helia Hooshangi, DDS; Boris Keselbrener, DDS; Gerald Lee, DDS; Richard S. Lin, DDS; Xuanyu Lu, BDS, MS, MS, PhD; W. Michael Madden, DDS; Ali Ostadali Makhmalbaf, DDS; (Mehdi) Mohammad Mohammadi, MPH, DDS; Cheryl Park, DDS; Kristine Parungao, BSDH; Lisa Popkoff, DDS; Elham Radan, DMD, MSc; Rafael Roges, DDS; Gelareh Ronaghi, DDS; Jenny Son, MS, DDS; Natalie Tung, DDS, MD; Felix (Kyle) Yip, DDS, MD; Nineli Zadourian, DDS
Associate Professors of Research: Matthew K. Lee, MD; Yan Zhou, PhD
Clinical Professors: Ralph B. Allman, MS, DDS; Margarita Zeichner-David, PhD
Clinical Associate Professors: Gabriela Anderson, DDS; Vartuhi Avanesian, DDS; Nasrin Bahari Chopiuk, PhD; Linda Brookman, RDH, MSHS; Phuu Han, DDS, PhD; John Kishibay, DMD, PhD; Alena Knezevic, DMD, MS, PhD; Theresia Laksmana, DMD, MS; Bach Le, DDS, MD; Lisa Oshiro, RDH; Lucille Rotstein, BChD; Carlos Sanchez, RDH; Hovhanness Shnorhokian, DMD, PhD; Natalia Slusky, DDS; James W. Tom, DDS, MS; Fabiana Varjao, PhD; Stefan Zweig, DDS
Clinical Assistant Professors: Marwa Abulhasan, DMD, MS; Azadeh Ahmadieh, DDS, MS; Mainul Ahsan, PhD; Mahsa Alavi, DMD, MS; Mario Alvarez, DDS; Gelareh Asadi, DDS, MSc; Vanessa Beer, DMD; Audrey Boros, DDS; Sangho Byun, DDS; Kai Chiao Chang, DDS, MS; Yojeong Cho, DDS; Xiao Mei Cui, DDS; David Datu, DDS; Sibel Dincer, DDS, MS; Marie Dizon, DDS; Sharon Faust, DDS; Howard Fleiner, DDS; Ellen M. Grady, BA; Michael Gu, DDS; Jun Han, MS, DDS, PhD; Lisa Hou, DDS; Viola Iskarious, DDS; Daniel Jacob, BA, MSW; Steven Kallman, DDS; David Kang, DDS; Rebecca (Chae Hyun) Kim, DDS; Kimberly Klein, DDS; Bethany Kum, RDH; James McAndrews, DDS; Brett Nagatani, DDS; Charlene Napolitano, DDS; Michaela Nguyen, RDH; Naomi Nguyen, DDS, MS; Camille Nishikawa, DDS; Narendranath Ravindranath, PhD; Daniel Schechter, DDS; Daniela Schmid, DDS, PhD; Arezou Shahbazi, DDS, MS; J. Denise Tefft, PhD; Justin Urbano, RDH, MA; Xin Wen, PhD; Ryan Wu, DDS; Xun Xu, PhD, DDS; Kiyomi Yamazaki, DDS, PhD; Danhong Zhu, MD, MS, PhD
Clinical Instructors: Joiakim Bakhoum, DDS; Joan Beleno, RDH; Cristy Boehm, RDH; Brandon Gauthier, DDS; Shahrokh Jedian, DDS; Ivan Pinto, RDH
*Recipient of university-wide or school teaching award.
Degrees Offered
The Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry awards the following degrees and certificates: Master of Science, Craniofacial Biology; Master of Science, Biomaterials and Digital Dentistry; Master of Science, Biomedical Implants and Tissue Engineering; Doctor of Philosophy, Craniofacial Biology; Doctor of Dental Surgery; Advanced Operative and Adhesive Dentistry Certificate; Advanced Orthodontics Certificate; Advanced Pediatric Dentistry Certificate; Advanced Periodontology Certificate; Advanced Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery; Advanced Orofacial Pain; and Advanced Prosthodontics Certificate. A Minor in Craniofacial and Dental Technology is also offered jointly by the Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry, the Viterbi School of Engineering and the Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences.
The Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry awards the following online degrees and certificates: Master of Science, Geriatric Dentistry; Master of Science, Orofacial Pain and Oral Medicine; Master of Science, Community Oral Health; Orofacial Pain Certificate; Oral Pathology and Radiology Certificate; Geriatric Dentistry Certificate; and Community Oral Health Certificate.
General Information
The Grading System
Grades are issued by members of the faculty to indicate to students their level of achievement and to provide information to committees given the responsibility of reviewing a student’s total academic record and assigning honor or deficient status.
Newly admitted students to all programs in the school are bound by the university grading system (excluding plus/minus grades), which is detailed in the Academic Standards section of this catalogue.
Grades used by course directors of advanced clinical classes are: “Cr” — credit and “NC” — no credit. Other notations appearing on the transcript are: A — excellent; B — good; C — minimum passing in courses for graduate credit; F — failed; “IP” — course in progress indicating that the grade in a course is not issued until a subsequent trimester; “IN” — incomplete work; “MG” — missing grade; and “W” — withdraw. Students pursuing a Master of Science, Doctor of Philosophy in Craniofacial Biology, and Doctor of Dental Surgery classes should refer to the Academic Standards section of this catalogue.
Probation and Disqualification
A student evaluation policy has been developed that outlines methods by which the faculty can recognize outstanding achievements by students and identify those who have difficulty meeting the school’s academic standards.
In this policy, the procedures dealing with the assignment and consequences of academic status, including academic probation and disqualification, are outlined in detail. It is hoped that the development of specific guidelines will eliminate confusion and minimize the amount of time spent in determining the student’s status, thus allowing faculty and students to concentrate on their primary responsibility — the training of dental health professionals. Copies of Student Professional Performance Evaluation Committee guidelines are available online on the Dental School intranet.
DDS (including Advanced Standing Program for International Dentists)
A student will be placed on academic warning (“AW”) if: (1) the GPA of a given Academic Time Unit (ATU) falls below a 2.0; (2) a failing course grade in a course of 1 unit or less is received; (3) a student does not successfully pass National Board Part I and National Board Part II or does not take the exams during the time-frame designated; and/or (4) if in the judgment of the Student Professional Performance Evaluation Committee, such a warning is warranted for other reasons, such as poor attendance or consistent tardiness.
A student will be placed on academic probation (“AP”) if: (1) a failing grade is received in 2 or more units completed in one ATU; (2) a second consecutive academic warning is warranted: (2) two conditions that justify academic warning are met in a single ATU or if a single condition is met twice in an ATU; and/or (4) a student receives a failing score or an F in a module that results in an MG. A first-year student in trimesters I, II or III will be placed on academic probation if: (1) the quality of preclinical work is unsatisfactory as reflected by a failing score or an F in a module; (2) the quality of preclinical work is poor enough to jeopardize the student’s timely transition to clinic with the rest of the class; (3) warranted by other factors related to the quality of preclinical/clinical work such as poor attendance, unprofessional behavior and/or poor performance in written examinations; (4) in the judgment of the Student Professional Performance Evaluation Committee, probation is warranted by other academic factors; and/or (5) recommended by the group practice director, due to the quality of clinical work.
A student may be placed on clinical probation upon recommendation of the group practice director, associate dean for Clinical Affairs, or any other faculty who have supervised the student’s clinical activities if a failing score is received in any of the graded categories of group practice performance, or, in the judgment of the group practice director, the associate dean for Clinical Affairs, or any other faculty who have supervised the student’s clinical activities, probation is warranted by other factors related to the delivery of health care or clinical accomplishment.
A student will be considered for disqualification if: (1) at the end of any trimester during the first year (trimesters I, II, III), a student’s continued lack of preclinical accomplishment is significant enough to suggest a deterioration of preclinical skills; (2) a second academic probation is warranted; (3) a failing grade is not reconciled; (4) at the end of the academic year the grade point average for the preceding year is below 2.0; (5) academic probation is warranted while repeating a trimester on probation; (6) a deficiency in any area is determined by the Student Professional Performance Evaluation Committee to be insurmountable; (7) at the end of the second trimester of the Advanced Standing Program for International Dentists (ASPID), the cumulative average is less than 2.0; (8) it is recommended by the group practice director, based on severe and irreconcilable deficiencies relating to the quality and/or quantity of patient treatment; and/or (9) at the end of any trimester following trimester VI, a student’s ongoing lack of clinical accomplishment is significant enough to suggest a deterioration of skills and/or inadequate treatment of patients assigned to his/her care.
Advanced Clinical Programs and Online Master of Science Degrees and Online Certificate Programs
A student will be placed on academic probation if a failing grade is received in any course or if, in the judgment of the program director, a student’s performance warrants such status due to academic or other factors. A student may be disqualified if: (1) the stipulations of a probationary period are not met by the required deadline; (2) a failing grade is not reconciled in the period specified by the course director; (3) if a student is placed on second academic probation; and/or (4) a deficiency in any area is acquired that is determined by the program director to be insurmountable. A student who is placed on academic probation a second time can continue in the program only with the approval of the program director and the Advanced Student Professional Performance Evaluation Subcommittee.
Advanced Clinical Programs Graduation Requirements
A minimum program GPA of 3.0 is required to graduate from the following advanced clinical dentistry programs: endodontics, operative and adhesive dentistry, orofacial pain, periodontology and prosthodontics.
Honor Status
The Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry recognizes excellence in achievement by assigning special honor status during the course of study and by presentation of awards upon graduation.
Dean’s List
Students who complete all course work by a prescribed deadline and earn a grade point average of 3.5 or above for a trimester are eligible for and will be considered for placement on the Dean’s List for that ATU. Placement is not automatic and is not based on any single marker of performance. Students shall not be placed on the Dean’s List if they are on academic warning, academic probation or continued academic probation at any time during that trimester, or are under active ethics sanctions as a result of having been found guilty of or engaged in a direct resolution of an ethics violation.
Graduation Awards
There are numerous awards made each year at graduation to recognize excellence in members of the graduating doctoral, dental hygiene and ASPID classes. A complete list is available at the Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry.
Voluntary Withdrawal/Leave of Absence
The Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry recognizes that in some special instances it may be necessary or beneficial for a student to interrupt or discontinue dental education. A student wishing to withdraw from School or request a leave of absence must contact the Office of Academic Affairs for procedures to be followed. An approved leave of absence will not be granted for more than one year.
Students at the Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry who have not been formally dropped by the school, are considered enrolled each term unless they have submitted a letter of intent to withdraw. A student’s verbal indication that he or she intends to withdraw or failure to settle a fee bill are not sufficient to eliminate the student from class rosters. Final course grades will be collected for students who do not have a letter of intent to withdraw on file with the Office of Academic Affairs.
A student who withdraws at any time during the first three weeks of a trimester will receive no grades for enrolled courses. A student who withdraws after three full weeks of an Academic Time Unit (ATU) will receive a mark of “W” for all enrolled courses not completed. Withdrawal is not permitted after the 12th week of a trimester.
Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act
The University of Southern California recognizes and acts in full compliance with regulations set in accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (The Buckley Amendment). A student may have access to all records about him or her maintained by the university except those considered confidential under the act. Students of the School of Dentistry wishing to review records or to appeal for a change in those records should contact the Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry or USC Registrar. A small charge may be made to cover the time and costs of duplication of the record.
Tuition and Fees (Estimated)
Tuition at the Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry is charged on a flat fee basis for enrollment in the regular degree and advanced certificate programs of the school. Exceptions do not apply to students who have courses waived based on their prior education. In such cases, students are charged the standard flat fee for the program in which they are enrolled.
Auditors pay the regular tuition rate. Auditors are not required to participate in class exercises (discussions and examinations); they receive no grades or credit.
The information outlined here is for Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry fees and tuition deposits only. For information about Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry tuition and university fees, refer to the Tuition and Fees (Estimated), Fall 2021 section of this catalogue. The university reserves the right to assess new fees or charges as it may determine.
| Processing Fee (not refundable): |
|
| |
Domestic applicants |
85 |
| |
Graduates of foreign dental schools or students requiring a student visa |
145 |
| Commitment Deposit |
|
| |
Dentistry |
3,000 |
| |
International Dental |
3,000 |
| |
Advanced Dental |
1,000 |
| Pre-Tuition Payment (refundable in accordance with the refund policy) |
1,500 |
| |
|
|
| Mandatory Fees (School of Dentistry fees only; for other fees, refer to the Tuition and Fees (Estimated), Fall 2020 section of this catalogue.) |
|
| CDA/ASDA Dues |
96 |
| |
Doctoral dental and Advanced Standing Program for International Dentists students only; fall only. |
|
| |
Gown Usage Fee |
165 |
| |
Disability Insurance (Doctoral, Advanced Standing Program for International Dentists and Advanced Certificate) |
53 |
| Scrubs (first year only) |
420 |
Student Issue
Figures shown below are approximate. The Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry reserves the right to change fees at any time.
DDS Program
| 1st Year |
Instruments and supplies |
10,575.28 |
| |
IMS Fee |
4,848 |
| |
|
|
| 2nd Year |
Instruments and supplies |
3,600.11 |
| |
IMS Fee |
4,848 |
| |
|
|
| 3rd Year |
Instruments and supplies |
0 |
| |
IMS Fee |
4,848 |
| |
|
|
| 4th Year |
Instruments and supplies |
0 |
| |
IMS Fee |
3,232 |
| |
|
|
Advanced Standing Program for International Dentists Incoming
| (Su 2021) |
Instruments and supplies |
12,310.35 |
| |
IMS Fee |
1,616 |
| |
|
|
| 1st Year |
Instruments and supplies |
0 |
| |
IMS Fee |
4,848 |
| |
|
|
| 2nd Year |
Instruments and supplies |
0 |
| |
IMS Fee |
3,232 |
| |
|
|
Advanced Dentistry Programs
| IMS Fee |
Endodontics (Incoming — Su 21) |
178 (IMS),
2,065 (lab fee)
|
| |
Endodontics, 1st Year |
2,768 (IMS),
6,195 (lab fee) |
| |
Endodontics, 2nd Year |
2,542 (IMS),
6,195 (lab fee) |
| |
Orthodontics (Incoming — Su 21) |
178 |
| |
Orthodontics, 1st Year |
1,050 |
| |
Orthodontics, 2nd Year |
1,050 |
| |
Orthodontics, 3rd Year |
700 |
| |
Pediatric Dentistry (Incoming — Su 21) |
178 |
| |
Pediatric Dentistry, 1st Year |
2,370 |
| |
Pediatric Dentistry, 2nd Year |
0 |
| |
Periodontology (Incoming — Su 21) |
178 |
| |
Periodontology, 1st Year |
2,542 |
| |
Periodontology, 2nd Year |
2,542 |
| |
Periodontology, 3rd Year |
878 |
| |
Prosthodontics (Incoming — Su 21) |
178 |
| |
Prosthodontics, 1st Year |
2,768 |
| |
Prosthodontics, 2nd Year |
2,542 |
| |
Prosthodontics, 3rd Year |
700 |
| |
Orofacial Pain (Incoming — Su 21) |
172 |
| |
Orofacial Pain, 1st Year |
2,316 |
| |
Orofacial Pain, 2nd Year |
700 |
| |
Operative and Adhesive Dentistry (Incoming — Su 21) |
178 |
| |
Operative and Adhesive Dentistry, 1st Year |
2,768 |
| |
Operative and Adhesive Dentistry, 2nd Year |
2,370 |
| |
|
|
Financial Aid
Detailed information concerning financial aid programs available to dental students can be obtained by contacting the Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC Office of Financial Aid at (213) 740-2861, uscsdfa@usc.edu or visit dentistry.usc.edu/admission.
Minor
Master’s Degree
Graduate Certificate
Doctoral Degree
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