University of Pennsylvania

Program Director: Dr. Joseph Fiorellini, contact

Program Overview

The Advanced Specialty Education Program in Periodontics at Penn Dental Medicine is designed to provide postdoctoral students with advanced training in periodontics and oral implantology. Upon successful completion of this 3-year program, residents are issued a Certificate in Periodontics and are eligible for examination by the American Board of Periodontology. This program is fully by the American Dental Association’s Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA).

Residents spend approximately 60% of their time in clinic and are exposed to all facets of clinical periodontics, including periodontal surgery, implant surgery, soft and hard tissue grafting, sedation, periodontal prosthesis, tooth movement and adjunctive orthodontics, orthodontics for periodontally involved cases, and integration of all facets of complex dentistry. Clinical practice takes place in Penn Dental Medicine’s D. Walter Cohen and Morton Amsterdam Periodontal Clinic.

In addition to the core basic science courses required for all graduate students, the didactic curriculum includes basic science courses related to periodontics. Other features of the program include clinical seminars, literature seminars, interschool symposia, and an extensive guest lecture series.

The highly respected research environment at Penn Dental Medicine and throughout the University of Pennsylvania provides a valuable opportunity for students applying to residency programs to combine their specialty training with advanced research and academic opportunities. To that end, Penn Dental Medicine offers a Master of Science in Oral Biology (MSOB) and a Doctor of Science in Dentistry (DScD) that can be earned concurrent with a specialty certificate, preparing students to successfully enter the field of academic dentistry while also becoming skilled clinicians in specialty care. Through the MSOB and DScD programs, students are encouraged to pursue their individual research interests with projects that can span the diverse disciplines and research labs within Penn Dental Medicine’s basic and clinical sciences and across the University. Learn more about the combined Periodontics/DScD Program»

Academic Track: MSOB and certificate (3 years), DScD and certificate (5-1/2 years)
Clinical Certificate Track: certificate only (3 years)

Admissions Process

Application Deadline: August 15 — See Graduate Dental Education Programs Admissions Requirements and Procedures for detailed information and instructions.

An applicant to be considered for admission to the Advanced Periodontics Program requires:

• Participation in National Matching Services
• Participation in PASS
• Supplemental Application submitted directly to the school by August 15

Application materials are reviewed by the Periodontics Admission Committee. Late or incomplete applications are not considered. Decision to interview applicants is made by the Periodontics Program Admissions Committee and is communicated to applicants directly from the Department of Periodontics.

A personal interview is required as part of the selection process. Selected applicants are invited to interview at Penn Dental Medicine. Interview invitations will be sent via email starting mid-August. Interviews are conducted at the school beginning late August. Travel and lodging information is included with the interview invitation. The interview is a two (2) day process that consists of interviews with department faculty, a tour of the facilities, and lunch with current residents and other invited candidates.

Official letters of acceptance are sent within 10 days of the release of Match results from Penn Dental Medicine’s Office of Graduate Dental Education. All admitted candidates are obligated to submit a non-refundable acceptance deposit in the amount of $5,000 within ten business days of acceptance notification from Penn Dental Medicine. The Office of Graduate Dental Education provides assistance to coordinate pre-enrollment activities such as establishing a PennKey for access to the University’s online resources, establishing a university email address, and initiating the visa process for international students.

International Applicants must also submit the following:

• Official TOEFL Scores
• Evaluation of non-U.S. dental degree by approved credentialing service.  See

http://www.dental.upenn.edu/academic_programs_admissions/graduate_dental_education_programs for additional information. 

Applicants to this program are eligible to apply concurrently to the following degree programs which extend the length of their curriculum.

 Master of Science in Oral Biology (MSOB) - Master of Science in Oral Biology - Penn Dental Medicine (upenn.edu)

 Doctor of Science in Dentistry (DScD) - Admissions DScD with Certificate - Penn Dental Medicine (upenn.edu)

Only upon request, accepted applicants will be required to complete the following:

• Successfully pass several Criminal Background Checks. Meet University and School of Dental Medicine vaccination and health screening requirements.
• Provide official INBDE scores if not provided to ADEA PASS at the time of application.
• Complete all required knowledge based compliance courses
• Submit a final set of official transcripts from all postsecondary schools attended. For international dental school graduates we require official transcripts in the original language and an original certified English translation, a notarized copy of your dental diploma and original certified English translation, and an official ECE course-by-course evaluation.