Mar 28, 2024  
USC Catalogue 2015-2016 
    
USC Catalogue 2015-2016 [ARCHIVED CATALOGUE]

Advanced Programs in Dental Education


Return to: Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC  

The Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry offers advanced dental education programs in dental hygiene, general dentistry, endodontics, general practice residency, operative dentistry, orofacial pain, oral medicine, oral and maxillofacial surgery, pediatric dentistry, periodontology and prosthodontics, all leading to a certificate. The Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry in conjunction with the Graduate School also offers combined programs in operative dentistry and craniofacial biology, in orthodontics and craniofacial biology, in pediatric dentistry and craniofacial biology, and in periodontology and craniofacial biology leading to a Master of Science degree and a certificate. In conjunction with the Keck School of Medicine, the Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry offers a combined program leading to an MD degree and certificates in oral and maxillofacial surgery, orofacial pain, and oral medicine. The Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry also offers an online master’s degree in orofacial pain and oral medicine and geriatric dentistry. In addition to clinical seminars and clinical experience, students take basic science courses with advanced students from other departments.

The certificate curriculum consists of a core of basic science subjects plus clinical seminars and clinical experience. Elective subjects may also be selected by the student with the approval of the program director.

The estimated lengths of programs are as follows:

  • Endodontics, 24 months
  • General Dentistry, 12 months
  • General Practice Residency, 12 months
  • Geriatric Dentistry, 12 months (Certificate)
  • Operative Dentistry, 24 months
  • Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, 48 months
  • Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery/MD, 72 months
  • Orofacial Pain, 24 months
  • Oral Medicine, 24 months
  • Orofacial Pain and Oral Medicine (online), 36 months
  • Orthodontics, 36 months
  • Pediatric Dentistry, 24 or 36 months
  • Periodontology, 36 months
  • Prosthodontics, 36 months

All programs will begin in June (date to be determined).

Admission Requirements

Applicants must hold the Doctor of Dental Surgery or Doctor of Medical Dentistry degree (or equivalent degree if educated oversees) and must present the appropriate degrees, approved transcripts and affidavits as prescribed by the Office of Dental Admissions and Student Affairs.

Admission Procedures

Prospective students must apply through the Postdoctoral Application Support Service (PASS) at adea.org/dental_education_pathways/pass/Applicants/Pages/default.aspx. The ADEA PASS application requires the submission of an essay, one or more Professional Evaluations, one Personal Potential Index (PPI) evaluation, an Institution Evaluation from the dental school dean, and official dental school transcripts. The application cannot be processed until all required documents are submitted.

Applicants for the integrated MD degree/oral and maxillofacial surgery certificate program must apply through the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS) at amcas.com.

For selection and admission to the operative/CBY, periodontics/CBY, orthodontics/CBY, and pediatrics/CBY dentistry programs, applicants are required to take the Aptitude Section of the Graduate Record Examinations; and submit competitive scores on both the quantitative and verbal sections of the examination. Likewise, all applicants for the pediatric dentistry program must take and submit competitive GRE scores. Information about this examination can be found at ets.org/gre. The last acceptable test date is in September of the year preceding desired admission.

The following material is also required to complete the application: (1) payment of an $85 processing fee (graduates of foreign dental schools or students requiring a visa must submit a $145 processing fee) directly to the Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry Office of Admissions and Student Affairs; (2) applicants for General Dentistry, General Practice Residency, Orthodontic, Pediatric Dentistry and Oral Surgery programs must submit applicant agreement forms to the Postdoctoral Dental Matching Program. Information and forms can be obtained online at natmatch.com/dentres; (3) board scores Part I and Part II for all programs with the exception of the operative dentistry certificate and operative dentistry/CBY programs; MCATs are required for the Integrated MD degree/oral maxillofacial surgery certificate. GRE scores are required for operative dentistry/CBY, orthodontics, periodontics/CBY and pediatric/CBY programs. International students are required to take GREs for the two-year certificate program. These requirements may be waived at the discretion of the program director; (4) a biographical statement; (5) applicants may be asked to be available for an interview. If one is necessary, applicants will be contacted by the director of the individual advanced program; (6) applicants will be required to pay a non-refundable $1,500 tuition deposit upon notification of acceptance. (7) As a precondition to enrollment, accepted students must undergo a background screening conducted by Certiphi Screening, Inc. to help ensure patient safety and compliance with state laws and regulations and all students must provide evidence of sound health and meet the school’s health requirements.

Timetable for Applications

Applications for admission to advanced programs must be received as follows:

  • Endodontics, Sept. 1
  • General Practice Residency, Oct. 15
  • Geriatric Dentistry (online graduate certificate)
  • Geriatric Dentistry (online Master of Science)
  • Master of Science in Dental Hygiene, Feb. 1
  • Operative Dentistry, Nov. 1
  • Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Oct. 1
  • Orofacial Pain, Oct. 1
  • Oral Medicine, Oct. 1
  • Orofacial Pain and Oral Medicine (online Master of Science), Oct. 1
  • Orthodontics, Oct. 1
  • Pediatric Dentistry, Nov. 1
  • Periodontology, Sept. 1
  • Prosthodontics, Nov. 1

Completed applications and related information are reviewed first by the faculty of the department of interest. In selecting applicants for admission the faculty considers academic records and personal qualifications. Final approval for admission rests with the advanced education coordinating committee. Responsibility for advising the student after admission rests with the department chair.

Orientation

A departmental orientation session is usually held the first week of classes, beginning in late June. Incoming students are acquainted with the Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry, its policies, procedures, faculty and facilities.

Student Issue — Advanced Programs

Dental units in the school’s clinics are equipped with Midwest Company type tubing and couplers for low and high speed air hand pieces. Advanced students must provide their own adapters to fit the school’s couplers unless the students’ present hand pieces are already so modified. The Dental Bookstore will assist in such conversions, if necessary. The bookstore has some low speed air hand pieces available for purchase.

Students accepted into an advanced program should consult their program directors about needed equipment.

Programs

Master’s Degree

University Certificate

Dual Degree