Postdoctoral Programs

In addition to the Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree, the University of Washington School of Dentistry offers advanced education programs. These programs not only train professionals in the art and science of their respective specialties but also encourage preparation for academic careers or research. Opportunities for collaborative research are available with other colleges, schools, or departments of the University. Click a program below to learn more!

Master of Science in Dentistry (MSD)/Postgraduate Certificates

The MSD is offered through the following disciplines: Endodontics, Oral Biology, Oral Pathology, Oral Medicine, Orthodontics, Pediatric Dentistry, Periodontics, and Prosthodontics. Although a student may enroll in a postgraduate certificate program only, students enrolled in the MSD program will also be awarded a postgraduate certificate in the specialty.

Applicants for admission to the MSD and certificate programs must be graduates of a school of dentistry approved by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association, or a university dental school located outside the North American continent whose curriculum and admission requirements are similar to those of the UW School of Dentistry.

Applications must be submitted to the appropriate department, on or before the following deadlines: July 31 for Periodontics, Endodontics; July 31 for Prosthodontics; September 15 for Orthodontics; October 1 for Oral Medicine, and Pediatric Dentistry.

A concurrent Application for Admission to the Graduate School must also be filed. This may be done on-line at: http://www.grad.washington.edu/. Orthodontic applicants need to apply through PASS (www.ADEA.org). Those who MATCH (www.natmatch.com) with us in December will then need to apply to the Graduate School.

International students must fulfill the eligibility requirements (including TOEFL , GRE, and financial statements) for the Graduate School as described in the Preliminary Evaluation Process on the web site prior to deadlines. Applicants who have not received dental degrees from an institution within the United States will be required to supply Graduate Record Examination scores for admission to the University of Washington Graduate School (graduates of US & Canadian institutions are not required to submit GRE scores).

Master of Science (MS)/Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

Curriculums for the MS and Ph.D. programs are offered through the Department of Oral Biology. Several programs are available to accommodate students with different educational objectives. A program of study and research leading to the Doctor of Philosophy degree is available for those students desiring extensive research training as well as in-depth course work in oral biology. In addition to the courses offered by this department, students in the Ph.D program are expected to gain proficiency in one of the biomedical sciences. A separate program of study and research leading to the Master of Science degree is available for those students who want less training than the Ph.D. program affords.

Clinical specialty training (e.g. Oral Pathology, Oral Medicine, Periodontics) can also be obtained in conjunction with either the MS or Ph.D. programs. A nonthesis option exists in the Master of Science program for the purpose of training dental hygiene educators to instruct in certain basic and applied sciences as well as in the clinic. The Master of Science in Dentistry with specialization in Oral Pathology is a non-certificate program for dentists and non-dentists who wish to receive additional graduate level training in oral pathology. The intent of the program is for students in the clinical specialties or non-dentists to gain additional experience in oral pathology. The program also provides initial training for those students who may elect to proceed to a Ph.D. program and/or an academic or research career.

D.D.S./Ph.D.

Combined training is available for DDS students committed to an academic or research career. This is a 7 year program combining the DDS curriculum with studies directed toward a Ph.D. in Oral Biology. It is a newly developed program that seeks to educate DDS/PhDs for future academic positions in a manner that provides the best possible dual training and minimizes debt load. Students will have an opportunity to have continued clinical practice so there is no break in use of clinical skills while conducting their thesis research.

Residency Training

Residency training programs are available in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Pediatric Dentistry and the General Practice of Dentistry.

The Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Residency Training Program is a four-year training program leading to a certificate in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. The Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Program is fully accredited and acceptable to the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. Residents receive training at several hospitals located in the US such as Emmanuel Hospital in Portland, Oregon.

The Pediatric Dental Residency Program offers a two-year training program leading to a certificate and MSD in Pediatric Dentistry and a three-year training program leading to a certificate and a concurrent MSD in Pediatric Dentistry and a Masters in Public Health degree (MSD/MPH). In addition, the program offers a two-year training program based in Yakima leading to a certificate in Pediatric Dentistry. Residents receive training at several University affiliated hospitals and clinics. The program places strong emphasis on research methods, clinical skills, interceptive orthodontics, oral and IV sedation, general anesthesia, hospital protocols with medically compromised patients and treatment for special needs children.

The General Practice Residency Program is a one-year general practice certificate program offered in the University affiliated hospitals that focuses on the dental care of medically, mentally, physically and emotionally compromised patients.

Postdoctoral Fellowships

Opportunities exist for pursuing graduate degrees in public health that emphasize applications to research in dentistry. Master of Public Health (MPH) programs in the Departments of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Health Services in the School of Public Health and Community Medicine can be pursued in conjunction with postdoctoral training in the School of Dentistry's Department of Dental Public Health Sciences. Similar opportunities exist for pursuing the Ph.D. in Biostatistics or Epidemiology with an emphasis on research in dentistry.

Graduate Training in Dental Public Health

Opportunities exist for pursuing graduate degrees in public health that emphasize applications to research in dentistry. Master of Public Health (MPH) programs in the Departments of Epidemiology and Health Services of the School of Public Health and Community Medicine can be pursued in conjunction with postdoctoral training in the School of Dentistry's Department of Dental Public Health Sciences. Similar opportunities exist for pursuing the Ph.D. in Epidemiology with an emphasis on research in dentistry.

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