Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC

• Undergraduate Degree
• General Information
• Tuition and Fees (Estimated)
• Progressive Degree Programs
• Continuing Education
• Programs
• Courses of Instruction  

Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry DDS student Steve Kim DDS ‘16 and Dr. Santosh Sundaresan work together to treat a patient at the Union Rescue Mission on Skid Row. Photo by Gus Ruelas.

Departments

• Department of Dental Hygiene  
• Craniofacial Biology  
• Advanced Programs in Dental Education  

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, the baccalaureate in dental hygiene program and postdoctoral advanced and specialty programs: endodontics, general practice residency, operative dentistry, oral and maxillofacial surgery, oral medicine, orofacial pain, orthodontics, pediatric dentistry, periodontology and prosthodontics. Other programs include an advanced standing program for international dentists; a master of science degree in dental hygiene; online master of science degrees in geriatric dentistry, orofacial pain and oral medicine; an online graduate certificate program in geriatric dentistry, 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, Associate Dean of Academic Affairs and Student Life

Douglas Solow, DDS, MBA, Associate Dean of Clinical Affairs

Roseann Mulligan, MS, DDS, Associate Dean of Community Health Programs and Hospital Affairs and Chair, Division of Dental Public Health and Pediatric Dentistry

Ilan Rotstein, DDS, Associate Dean of Continuing Education and Chair, Division of Endodontics, Orthodontics and General Practice Residency

Yang Chai, DDS, PhD, Associate Dean of Research

Malcolm Snead, DDS, PhD, Chair, Division of Biomedical Sciences

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

James Gordon, EdD, PT, FAPTA, Associate Dean and Chair, Division of Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy

Florence Clark, PhD, OTR/L, FAPTA, Associate Dean and Chair, 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

Sykes Family Chair in Pediatric Physical Therapy, Health and Development: Linda Fetters, 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

Mrs. T.H. Chan Professorship in Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy: Florence Clark, PhD

Charles M. Goldstein Professor of Community Dentistry: Roseann Mulligan, DDS, MS

Phillip Maurer Tennis Professorship in Clinical Dentistry: George C. Cho, DDS

Professors: Yang Chai, DDS, PhD; Chih-Kuang (Casey) Chen, DDS, PhD; Glenn Clark, MS, DDS; Tina F. Jaskoll, PhD; Michael Melnick, DDS, PhD; Cedric Minkin, PhD; Roseann Mulligan, MS, DDS; Mahvash Navazesh, DMD; Janet Moradian-Oldak, PhD; Michael Paine, BDS, PhD; Pragna Patel, 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; George C. Cho, DDS; Sillas Duarte, Jr., DDS, PhD; Robert G. Keim, DDS, EdD; Ralph L. Leung, MS, DDS; Pascal Magne, DMD, PhD; Glenn Sameshima, DDS, PhD; Arnold Tiber, DDS, PhD; Homayoun H. Zadeh, DDS, PhD

Assistant Professors of Dentistry: Ruchi Bajpai, PhD; Amy Merrill-Brugger, PhD; Ramiro Murata, DDS, PhD; Parish P. Sedghizadeh, DDS; Jian Xu, PhD; Jiang Zhong, PhD

Professors of Clinical Dentistry: Jane Forrest, RDH, EdD; Michael Jorgensen, DDS; Diane Melrose, BSDH, MA; Michael J. Mulvehill III, DDS, MBA; Douglas Solow, DDS, MBA

Associate Professor (Clinical Scholar): Stephen Yen, DMD, PhD

Associate Professors of Clinical Dentistry: Loris Abedi, DDS*; Gardner Beale, DDS; Linda Brookman, RDH, MSHS; Reyes Enciso, PhD; Richard Furuichi, DDS; Joyce Galligan, RN, DDS; Richard Green, MS Ed, DDS; Michelle Ikoma, DDS; Kian Kar, MS, DDS; Thomas Allen Levy, MS, DDS; Niel Nathason, MPH, MA; Saravanan Ram, DDS, MDS; Ramon Roges, DDS; Eddie Sheh, DDS; Donna Smith, RDH, MSEd; Piedad Suarez, DDS; Joyce Sumi, RDH, MS; Richard Udin, DDS; Mark Urata, DDS, MD

Assistant Professors of Clinical Dentistry: Tae Ahn, DDS; Lupe Arevalo, RDH; Kim Austin, DDS; Nissim Benbassat, DDS; Yaara Berdan, DDS; Jucheng Chen, DDS, PhD; Nam Cho, DDS, MD; Christine Edwards, PhD; Laura Elizondo, DDS; Sharon Faust, DDS; Alon Frydman, DDS; Dan Grauer, DDS, PhD; Ripsik Gukasyan, DDS; Phuu Han, DDS, PhD; Tran Han, DDS; Helia Hooshangi, DDS; Annie Huang, DMD; Julie Jenks, MS, MPH, DDS; Boris Keselbrener, DDS*; Tae Kim, DDS; Janet Lent, DDS; Richard S. Lin, DDS; Bethany Lowe, DDS; W. Michael Madden, DDS; Ali Ostadali Makhmalbaf, DDS; Chris Mayeda, DDS; Mehdi Mohammadi, MPH, DDS; John Morzov, DDS; Lisa Pedersen, MSW; Jose Polido, DDS; Elham Radan, DMD, MSc; Rafael Roges, DDS; Gelareh Ronaghi, DDS; Neimar Sartori, DDS, PdD; Santosh Sundaresan, DDS*; Marlene Talley, DDS; Thomas Tanbonliong, Jr., DDS; Antonia Teruel, DDS, PhD; Anita Tourah, DDS; Natalie Tung, DDS, MD; Tomoko Wada, DDS

Research Assistant Professors: Matthew K. Lee, MD; Alireza Moshaverinia, DDS, PhD; Yan Zhou, PhD

Clinical Professors: Ralph B. Allman, MS, DDS; David Good, DDS; John J. Lytle, DDS, MD; Gayle Macdonald, PhD; Dennis-Duke R. Yamashita, DDS; Margarita Zeichner-David, PhD

Clinical Associate Professors: Barbara D. Edwards, RDH; Mina Habibian, DMD, PhD; John Kishibay, DMD, PhD; Bach Le, DDS, MD; Michael Padilla, DDS; Anthony Park, DDS; Richard Phillips Jr., DDS*; M. Hazem Seirawan, DDS, MS, MPH; Hovhanness Shnorhokian, DMD, PhD; Ann Spolarich, PhD; James W. Tom, DDS, MS; Arman Torbati, DDS; Leon Unterman, DDS; Stefan Zweig, DDS

Clinical Assistant Professors: Mainul Ahsan, PhD; Alexander Alcaraz, DMD; Gabriela Anderson, DDS; Vartuhi Avanesian, DDS; Nasrin Bahari Chopiuk, PhD; Ting Cho, DDS; Simon Choyee, DDS; Chloe Cohen, DDS; Xiao Mei Cui, DDS; Sibel Dincer, DDS, MS; Irene Esteves, RDH; Andrea Gamble, DDS, MS; Ellen M. Grady, BA; Melina Gregorian, DDS; Stan Hanes, DDS; Lisa Hou, DDS; Steven Kallman, DDS; David Kang, DDS; Parabjeet Kaur, DDS; Alena Knezevic, DMD, PhD; Theresia Laksmana, DMD, MS; Jennifer I-Chen Lo, DDS; Stacy Love, DDS; Michael Mashni, DDS; Joel McPherson, DDS; (Mehdi) Mohammad Mohammadi, MPH, DDS; Brett Nagatani, DDS; Camille Nakamura, DDS; Naomi Nguyen, DDS, MS; Lisa Oshiro, RDH; Vanessa Pardi, DDS, PhD; Kristine Parungao, BSDH; Dieu Pham, DDS, MD; Vanthi Pham, DDS; Lisa Popkoff, DDS; Narendranath Ravindranath, PhD; Adrine Reganian, RDH, MS; Lucille Rotstein, BChD; Liane K. Sakai, DDS; Mary Satuito, DDS; Daniel Schechter, DDS; Daniela Schmid, DDS, PhD; Natalia Slusky, DDS; Jenny Son, MS, DDS; Flora Stay, DDS; Judith Tefft, PhD; Jeremy Teoh, MPH, DDS; Christopher Truhan, DDS; Fabiana Varjao, PhD; Lois Velasco, DDS; Xun Sean Xu, PhD, DDS; Kiyomi Yamazaki, DDS, PhD

Clinical Instructors: Amelia Andrade-Garcia, RDH; Joiakim Bakhoum, DDS; Joan Beleno, RDH; Katheryn Bowns, RDH; Linus Chong, DDS, MS; Patricia Denny, MA; Shahrokh Jedian, DDS; Gerald McClellan, DDS; Albert Mizrahi, DDS; Michaela Nguyen, RDH; Carlos Sanchez, RDH; Eugene Zakaryan, DDS

*Recipient of university-wide or school teaching award.

Degrees Offered

The Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry awards the following degrees: the Bachelor of Science, Dental Hygiene; the Master of Science, Dental Hygiene; the Master of Science, Geriatric Dentistry; the Master of Science, Orofacial Pain and Oral Medicine; the Doctor of Dental Surgery; the Advanced Operative and Adhesive Dentistry Certificate/MS, Craniofacial Biology; the Advanced Orthodontics Certificate/MS, Craniofacial Biology; the Advanced Pediatric Dentistry Certificate/MS, Craniofacial Biology; the Advanced Pediatric Dentistry Certificate/PhD, Craniofacial Biology; the Advanced Periodontology Certificate/MS, Craniofacial Biology; Advanced Dental Education Certificate programs in Endodontics, Geriatric Dentistry, Operative and Adhesive Dentistry, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Orofacial Pain, Oral Medicine, Pediatric Dentistry, Periodontology, and Prosthodontics; Master of Science in Craniofacial Biology; and the Doctor of Philosophy in Craniofacial Biology. The school also offers a minor in craniofacial and dental technology.

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 the Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) program, the Advanced Standing Program for International Dentists and Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene (BS) students 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 required advanced specialty classes are: “Cr” — credit, “CrH” — credit with honors and “NCr” — no credit. Other notations appearing on the transcript are: “IP” — indicates that the grade in a course is not issued until a subsequent trimester; “IN” — incomplete work; “ICW” — incomplete clinical work; “MG” — missing grade; “W” — withdraw. Students pursuing a Master of Science, Doctor of Philosophy in Craniofacial Biology and students in dental hygiene, doctoral and international 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 Website intranet.

DDS (includes Advanced Standing Program for International Dentists)

A student will be placed on academic warning if the GPA of a given Academic Time Unit (ATU) falls below a 2.0; if a failing course grade in a course of 1 unit or less is received; if 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 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 if a failing grade is received in 2 or more units completed in one ATU; if a second consecutive academic warning is warranted; if two conditions that justify academic warning are met in a single ATU or if a single condition is met twice in an ATU, or if a student receives an F in a module that results in an MG, or freshman students in trimesters I, II or III will be placed on academic probation if the quality of preclinical work is unsatisfactory as reflected by a failing (F) grade in the module or if the quality of preclinical work is poor enough to jeopardize student’s timely transition to clinic with the rest of the class or if 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 or, if in the judgment of the student professional performance evaluation committee, probation is warranted by other academic factors; or if recommended by the group practice director, due to quality and/or quantity of clinical work.

A student will be placed on clinical probation upon recommendation of the group practice director if a grade of “F” is received in any of the graded categories of group practice performance, or, in the judgment of the group practice director, 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 freshman 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 (9) if, at the end of any trimester following trimester VII, 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.

BS, Dental Hygiene Students

A student will be placed on academic warning if (1) the GPA for any given Academic Time Unit (ATU) is less than 2.0; (2) a failing grade is received in a 1-unit (or less) course; (3) a grade of “D” is received in a 3-, 4- or 5-unit course. A student will be placed on academic probation if 2 units or more of failure are recorded at the end of any trimester; if a second consecutive academic warning is warranted; or if, in the judgment of the Student Professional Performance Evaluation Committee, probation is warranted.

A student will be placed on clinical probation if a grade of “F” is received in any of the graded categories of group practice performance, or, in the judgment of the group practice director, 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) a third probation is warranted at the end of any trimester; (2) a failing grade is not reconciled; (3) at the end of the academic year the grade point average for the preceding year is below 2.0; (4) academic probation is warranted while repeating a trimester on probation; and (5) a deficiency in any area is determined by the Student Professional Performance Evaluation Committee to be insurmountable. In addition to the Dental School evaluation policy (which evaluates courses taken in the Dental School), students in the Dental Hygiene Program are also bound by the university’s academic status requirements.

Advanced Specialty Students

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 the stipulations of a probationary period are not met by the required deadline, a failing grade is not reconciled in the period specified by the course director, or if a deficiency in any area is acquired which 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.

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 placed on the Dean’s List. Students shall not be placed on the Dean’s list if they are on deficient academic status during that trimester (i.e., academic warning, academic probation and continued academic probation).

Omicron Kappa Upsilon Honor List

The local chapter of Omicron Kappa Upsilon (OKU), a national dental honor fraternity recognizes the top 10 percent of each doctoral dental class at the end of each academic year (August) by including these students on the OKU Honor List. The determination of the top 10 percent is based on a yearly GPA. It should be noted that placement on the OKU Honor List has no relationship to membership in OKU, which is based on overall academic achievement and professional development.

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 listing 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 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 of 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 2016 section of this catalogue. The university reserves the right to assess new fees or charges as it may determine.

Student Issue

Figures shown below are approximate. The School of Dentistry reserves the right to change fees at any time.

DDS Program

Advanced Standing Program for International Dentists

Incoming

Advanced Dentistry Programs

Dental Hygiene Program

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) 740-2841, uscsdfa@usc.edu or visit dentistry.usc.edu/admission.

Undergraduate Degree

Progressive Degree Programs

The following progressive degrees are available for students enrolled in the Dental Hygiene program: MPH at the Keck School of Medicine, MA in Gerontology from the Davis School of Gerontology, and a MSDH from the Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry. Applicants to the program must have completed 64 units of course work and must submit their applications prior to completion of 96 units of course work. Applicants do not have to submit GRE scores, but are expected to have a minimum GPA of 3.0 at the time of application. The application for admission to a progressive degree program must be accompanied by an approved course plan proposal and letters of recommendation from two USC faculty members. The requirements for both the bachelor’s degree and the progressive degrees must be satisfied. For further details on progressive degree programs, see the Requirements for Graduation  page.

Continuing Education

The Office of Continuing Education provides education courses, participation programs and national and international symposia in many areas of the dental profession. These educational activities are designed to offer updated and innovative concepts to dentists, dental hygienists, dental technicians and auxiliary personnel, and to provide the dental community with the opportunity for lifelong learning from outstanding scholars. In addition, the courses fulfill continuing education requirements of the California Board of Dental Examiners for relicensure of dentists and auxiliaries. The Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC is a recognized American Dental Association (ADA) and a Continuing Education Recognition Program (CERP) provider.

Courses are given at regular intervals in the various subjects of dentistry: oral health, dental esthetics, oral medicine, physical diagnosis, dental materials, dental laboratory techniques, dental management, endodontics, periodontics, implants, oral surgery, restorative dentistry, fixed and removable prosthodontics, instrumentation, occlusion, oral pathology, dental hygiene, dental auxiliary education, patient education, pharmacology, principles of dental practice, radiology, sedation and emergencies.

Information on schedules of classes may be obtained by writing to: Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC, Office of Continuing Education, Room 201J, University Park, Los Angeles, CA 90089-0641, (213) 821-2127, FAX: (213) 740-3973, email: cedental@usc.edu or refer to the school’s Website at uscdentalce.org.