phd degree in dentistry

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Doctor of Science in Dentistry

Program Director:   Dr. Dana Graves ,  contact

Program Overview

The DScD will prepare students to successfully enter the field of academic dentistry for careers as clinical or basic science researchers. The program combines the research and clinical strengths of the School, drawing faculty mentors from throughout the clinical and basic science departments. With the goal of providing the opportunity to pursue research across disciplines, students have the option to not only work with researchers from Penn Dental Medicine, but also with faculty from Penn’s  School of Engineering and Applied Sciences ,  School of Medicine ,  School of Nursing , and  School of Veterinary Medicine

DScD with Postgraduate Certificate Program:  The Doctor of Science in Dentistry (DScD) program is tailored for each specialty. For  Endodontics ,  Orthodontics ,  Oral Medicine , and  Pediatric Dentistry  postgraduate programs it is 5 years, for  Periodontics  5.5 years and for  Periodontic/Prosthesis  6 years. The program is tailored to meet the  CODA  requirements for each clinical specialty. Clinical, didactic, and research aspects of the program are integrated so that in all years students experience both clinical and research training. In years one and two, there is greater focus on clinical training, while in later years there is greater focus on research training with clinical activities continuing in all years. All courses taken as part of clinical training are credited toward the DScD degree. In addition, three didactic courses from Penn’s Biomedical Graduate Studies program related to the research topic are required and typically taken in years two through four. Each student will write a K08 or K23 grant award; the application becomes the basis of a qualifying exam for the program. Only US citizens/green card holders will actually submit their K08 or K23 proposal to the  NIH . This represents important training in grant writing as well as training in writing a scientific paper for publication, both of which are important aspects of academic success.

PLEASE   NOTE : Acceptance into the specialty program does not guarantee acceptance into the DScD program.

DScD without Postgraduate Certificate Program:  Students who have completed clinical specialty training at an accredited institution are eligible to apply for the Doctor of Science in Dentistry (DScD) program without certificate. This program is 4 years in length. Students in this program are associated with a clinical specialty and will take all didactic courses in the specialty as well as a dissertation project but will not receive clinical training. In addition, the student will take three didactic courses from Penn’s Biomedical Graduate Studies program related to the research topic, typically taken in years 2-4. The didactic, research and dissertation components for this program are the same as those for the combined DScD/Certificate program.

Research Timeline

• First Summer – students will complete two lab rotations for 3-4 weeks
• August 31 – summary report of rotations due
• October 1 – student will select his/her thesis advisor and start research
• October 15 – one-page written proposal due
• April – Thesis Committee established
• May 1 – two-page summary of research performed due to research mentor
• June 1 – final research report due to Thesis Committee identifying K08/K23 application topics
• End of Summer – performance in course work and recommendation for promotion to the next year determined by each student’s Thesis Committee and sent to the DSc Promotions Committee
• August – student will meet with thesis committee to discuss research progress
• August 1 –first draft of the K08/K23 will be submitted to the mentor
• September 1 –final draft of K08/K23 due to the thesis committee
• October 5 – student will submit the grant application
• Fall Semester – qualifying exam
• February or June – it is expected that most students will need to resubmit their grant proposals

Year 3-Year 5

• The student and mentor will meet yearly with the Thesis Committee
• Students will give a 30-minute presentation of their work each summer as part of the Student Research Seminar series in Penn Dental Medicine and at the Penn Dental Medicine annual research retreat
• Presentation of research at a national meeting
• End of Summer in 3rd and 4th years – performance in course work and recommendation for promotion to the next year determined by each student’s Thesis Committee and sent to the DSc Promotions Committee
• Spring of 5th year – submission of thesis
• Spring/summer of 5th year – thesis defense

Total length of program:  5 years when combined with a specialty certificate program in Endodontics, Orthodontics, Oral Medicine and Pediatric Dentistry; 5.5 years for Periodontics; 6 years for Periodontics/Prosthesis; 4 years for DScD only without specialty certificate Number of students accepted: 3 to 5 each year

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• PhD Program

The PhD in Oral Biology is a research degree that emphasizes basic science research. It includes a dissertation project, a major part of the student’s program.

The four-year PhD in Oral Biology encourages students to focus in one of five areas: biomaterials and biomechanics, epithelial biology and carcinogenesis, microbiology and immunology, sensory neuroscience or bone biology, craniofacial development and tissue engineering. 

The program is designed to ensure that graduates will develop the capability to initiate independent research programs in important areas of oral biology. Most students execute projects that advance mechanistic understanding.

Program at a Glance

Joining the program.

We welcome a diverse pool of applicants, including international students. 

Applications are submitted online through the University’s Graduate School. Applicants must possess a bachelor’s degree or a DDS/DMD or equivalent. 

Applicants should submit an essay of two pages describing their specific research aspirations, as well as a personal statement and a diversity statement. PhD applications are due December 1 for the program beginning the following fall. 

Applications must be completed online and should include a personal statement, a research essay, a diversity statement, CV or resume, proof of English language proficiency, letters of recommendation and transcripts. 

Application Instructions

+ Program Requirements

+ Curriculum

The first year of the PhD program consists primarily of coursework. Students select courses with their advisor's approval from a core curriculum recommended by the Graduate Faculty for each area and their minor program. The core curriculum provides students with a working knowledge of the major concepts and research paradigms in that scientific area, a working vocabulary and the basis for continued learning. 

In the second year, students complete all coursework and the written and oral preliminary exams. The written and oral exams capture the student’s ability to think critically about the field and the application of logical experimental designs to test hypotheses and answer questions. Upon completion of this two-part preliminary examination of the research proposal, the student will work largely on the dissertation research project through month 45 in residence.

Months 45 through 48 will be used for dissertation writing. Students must also present a public seminar describing their dissertation research (which is attended by the final oral exam committee) no later than six months before defense of the thesis. The dissertation will be defended in another public seminar in month 48.

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Indiana University School of Dentistry

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Ph.D. in Dental Sciences

Apply to the ph.d. in dental sciences program.

The Indiana University School of Dentistry offers a Ph.D. in Dental Sciences with tracks in dental biomaterials, oral biology, and preventive dentistry. The only program of its kind in Indiana, the Ph.D. focuses on basic and clinical science areas as they relate to the human organism and on the effect of dental materials on cariology, molecular biology and etiology, and pathogenesis.

Program director: Dr. Angela Bruzzaniti

• Phone: 317-274-5348
• Email:  dsgrad@iu.edu

Admission requirements

To be eligible to apply to the Ph.D. program, you must:

• Hold a doctorate in dentistry (D.D.S. or D.M.D) or a Bachelor of Science degree
• Have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (dental school GPA for applicants with D.D.S. or D.M.D. degrees; undergraduate GPA for applicants with B.S. degrees)
• Have a minimum GRE score of 160 on the verbal section or 148 on the quantitative reasoning section
• Have a minimum GRE score of 3.0 on the analytical writing section
• Demonstrate proficiency in the English language. If English is not your native language, you must earn a minimum score of 79 on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL iBT) or a minimum score of 6.5 on the Cambridge International English Language Testing System (IELTS) .

Enrollment in the program is limited by the number of appropriate faculty available to serve as research mentors.

Application process

Step 1: apply to iu indianapolis.

To apply for admission to IU Indianapolis, you must complete the online IU Graduate CAS Application and pay a $80 application fee.

Read all the instructions carefully to make sure you submit your application correctly. If you have any questions about applying to IU Indianapolis, contact the IU Graduate School Indianapolis .

Application deadline

The application deadline for the Ph.D. program is November 1  each year.

Start your application

Go to the IU Graduate CAS Application to apply. Create an account.

Indicate your current academic intentions

• Answer the citizenship question
• Click on Add Program
• On right hand side of screen is an area to search for programs
• Type in Dental Science PhD and this program should appear at the bottom of your screen.  Add this program to your CAS application.
• Click on my application on the left corner of the screen, complete the application, pay the $80 application fee and submit the application.

Provide contact information for people who have agreed to provide recommendations for you

You are required to provide three letters of recommendation as part of your application. Your evaluators should be professional sources who can provide an unbiased critical assessment of your abilities, skills, strengths, and weaknesses and comment on your qualifications for graduate dental study. Examples of professional and academic sources are professors and clinical instructors. Evaluations should not be requested from a nonacademic source unless you have extensive work experience with that individual and/or you have been away from academic institutions for some time. Provide the names and email addresses of your evaluators in the “Recommendations” section. Each recommender will receive an email with a link to an online evaluation form.

Upload your personal statement

Your personal statement should describe in your own words the experiences that have shaped your interest in the M.S.D. program. Outline your immediate and long-term professional goals. If you include any statements or quotes that are not your original thoughts, you must cite your sources. All personal statements are submitted to Turnitin to ensure originality and proper citation. Type in personal statement under the documents section of the application.

A CV is a type of resume, most often used in academia that provides a summary of personal accomplishments, goals, professional achievements, employment history, research completed, and any research publications. Add current CV under the documents section of the application.

Step 2: Submit supplemental materials

All applicants.

All applicants must submit the supplemental materials listed here. Read all the instructions carefully to make sure you submit your materials correctly.

Have your official transcripts sent to the School of Dentistry

You must submit official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended. The transcripts should include work already completed and work currently in progress. They should also include:

• A complete list of courses taken
• The number of credits awarded for each course or the number of hours of classroom, lecture, and laboratory
• Grades received for each course
• Diplomas or certificates earned
• Information about the school’s grading scale

If the original documents are not in English, a verified translation must be sent with your official transcripts in your native language.

Transcripts should be sent electronically to  [email protected] . 

Submit your GRE and/or INBDE scores (if applicable)

You are required to submit GRE scores from within the past five years to IU Indianapolis  unless:

• You have a graduate or professional degree from a U.S. college or university
• You are applying to the D.D.S./Ph.D. dual-degree program. Applicants to the dual-degree program can submit DAT scores in lieu of GRE scores.

The IU Indianapolis school code is 1325.

NBDE scores

You may submit Integrated National Board of Dental Examination (INBDE) scores to the School of Dentistry if applicable.

Send the certification of disciplinary history form to your dental school

Download the certification of disciplinary history form , fill out the candidate section, and send it to your dental school. A school official must complete the form and email the completed form to [email protected] .

International applicants

International applicants are required to submit additional supplemental materials. You are considered an international applicant if either of these statements apply to you:

• You are a U.S. citizen, permanent resident (green card holder), refugee, or political asylee whose secondary education was outside of the U.S.
• You are not a U.S. citizen.

Submit an ECE course-by-course report

If you’re an international applicant, you must have Educational Credential Evaluators review your official transcripts and provide a course-by-course report to the School of Dentistry.

Submit your TOEFL or IELTS scores (if applicable)

If English is not your native language, you must demonstrate English proficiency to be admitted to the Ph.D. program. You must earn a minimum score of 79 on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL iBT) or a minimum score of 6.5 on the Cambridge International English Language Testing System (IELTS) .

Provide financial support information (after admission)

If you’re admitted to the program, you will need to provide financial support information to the IU Indianapolis Office of International Affairs .

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College of Dentistry

Phd in oral sciences, training the 'next-generation' of oral health professionals heading link copy link.

This program trains the next generation of oral health scientists. PhD in Oral Sciences utilizes cutting edge biomedical technology and knowledge to address basic and clinical research questions of importance for promoting and maintaining oral health. The program also offers an opportunity to combine PhD training with a DMD for a dual degree in 8 years. Students admitted to the dual degree DMD/PhD track start with PhD to complete 90% of research work before the of start the DMD curriculum.

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Program description.

The curriculum consists of a core based on the University of Illinois Chicago’s Graduate Education in Medical Sciences (GEMS) Program coupled with selectives in Oral Sciences: Cellular, Molecular, and Developmental Biology; Biomaterials Science; or, Microbiology/Immunology. Students participate in an oral science topics series throughout the program. Students who are candidates for the PhD will usually complete the program within 4-5 years. Students who are candidates in the combined DMD/PhD program will earn both the DMD and PhD degrees within 8 years. A preliminary (candidacy) exam and a final thesis defense are required. More information on degree requirements (including curriculum and research thesis) is available from the UIC Graduate College .

Research and Training

Research has demonstrated the definitive associations between oral and systemic diseases such as periodontitis, cardiovascular disease and preterm birth. Students and faculty in the PhD in Oral Sciences program focus on the areas of oral health research, all of which integrate the oral cavity with systemic and whole body health: Wound Healing, Cancer Biology and Tissue Engineering. The program prepares students for faculty and research positions in interdisciplinary oral health research. Training emphasizes bench research and the evaluation of scientific data in addition to didactic course work. In addition, training will include presentation, grantsmanship and writing skills, as well as other activities essential for developing an independent researcher.

Admissions Requirements

Candidates with an undergraduate degree in a relevant field from an accredited institution are eligible to apply for the PhD in Oral Sciences. Additional requirements for international candidates include having minimum levels of English proficiency as set by the University’s Office of Admissions .

Tuition & Fees

Please visit  UIC’s tuition and fees page  for current tuition rates for the PhD program. Please visit the  UIC Office of Financial Aid  for information about how to fund your education.

How to Apply

Step 1: Statement of interest All candidates must express interest in writing to:

Christina Nicholas, PhD Director of Graduate Studies [email protected]

Step 2: Online application All applicants must complete the  UIC graduate application for the PhD in Oral Sciences, Program Code 20FS1525PhD. All materials requested during the online application (official transcripts and application fee) must be uploaded directly to the University’s Office of Admissions’ online application. All applicants should carefully read the directions available from  UIC Graduate Admissions .

Applicants will also be required to upload the following:

• Curriculum vitae
• Personal statement
• 3 letters of recommendation

Dates and deadlines for the application are available from the  UIC Graduate College .

Once your application is complete, it will be reviewed by the Graduate Studies Committee. The committee will ask you to interview, in-person or online video conference accommodations are available.  Candidates chosen will be notified by email.

The DMD/PhD Program

The DMD/PhD program integrates our innovative DMD curriculum and clinical training with a customizable basic and translational oral sciences track to offer graduates both a DMD and PhD in Oral Sciences.  Students work closely with faculty mentors and multidisciplinary  science teams to gain valuable experience in the lab and clinic to prepare for careers in science, academics or specialized clinical practice.

Watch these videos  to hear from current DMD/PhD candidates on the advantages of combining clinical training with oral science research experience.

Multidisciplinary Oral Science Training (MOST program)

Research areas, craniofacial pathology, regenerative science, clinical, translational & community research, resources heading link copy link.

• Oral Sciences Graduate Program Manual
• Research Funding & Resources

Contact Us Heading link Copy link

For more information about the PhD in Oral Sciences program, and to apply, please contact:

Amsa Ramachandran  Academic Advisor DMD/PhD Program Office of Research [email protected]

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International Team for Implantology (ITI)

• Orthodontics Graduate Program (Non-degree)
• Periodontics Graduate Program (Non-degree)
• Prosthodontics Graduate Program (Non-degree)
• Regenerative Dentistry Graduate Program (Non-degree)
• Restorative Dentistry Graduate Program (Non-degree)

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Graduate Programs

Type your search terms and click enter/return to see full results, master's degree programs.

A two year program that provides opportunties to conduct research in basic, behavioral, and clinical sciences and to serve the university, the profession, and the community.

Endodontics

A three year program designed to train dentists to become experts in oral pain management.

Oral Health Sciences

This one year program is intended to prepare students to acquire skills and knowledge necessary for a competitive dental school application, a competitive application to a PhD training program, or employment in a research laboratory.

Orthodontics

A three year program to produce leaders in orthodontics, whether in clinical practice, teaching, or research.

Pediatric Dentistry

A 30 month program designed to prepare qualified dentists for specialized private practice, teaching, research, or service within a large hospital.

Periodontics

A three year program designed to diagnose oral diseases, periodontics and dental implant treatment planning, comprehensive therapy, and to develop future leaders in the specialty of Periodontics.

Prosthodontics

A three year program focusing on all phases of oral rehabilitative treatment, including implant placement. The program emphasizes complex interdisciplinary dental treatment utilizing the latest innovations in Digital Dentistry.

Restorative Dentistry

A three year program that provides advanced clinical training in direct and indirect esthetic restorations, crown & bridge and implant rehabilitation, incorporating CAD/CAM and other current digital dentistry advancements.

ORAL HEALTH SCIENCES PHD PROGRAMS

A multi-year PhD program for students with strong mathematics and science background who have completed clinical dental training.

Eight year program provides training in dentistry and research through a series of clinical and research experiences and course work.

Dental Specialty and PhD Program

Six year program designed to build advanced knowledge and skillsets in scholars who aspire to become clinician-scientists to advance our understanding of craniofacial diseases and disorders.

HOSPITAL RESIDENCIES

A comprehensive six year education program that complements previous dental training with broad exposure to oral and maxillofacial surgery across a clinical population of diverse and complex cases.

An intensive one year hospital-based training program that equips residents to work in multidisciplinary teams to deliver the best comprehensive care to patients with complex needs and conditions.

Oncology/Microvascular Surgery Fellowship

A 1 to 2 year program to train oral and maxillofacial surgeons in the diagnosis, treatment, and long-term management of patients with benign and malignant lesions of the head and neck.

Orofacial Pain Residency

A two-year program to provide advanced training in the clinical dentistry and applied basic and behavioral sciences to understand pain mechanisms to accurately diagnose, treat and rehabilitate patients with orofacial pain disorders and dental sleep medicine.

NON-DEGREE PROGRAMS

Craniofacial orthodontics fellowship.

A one year clinical fellowship for orthodontists in the care of patients with craniofacial anomalies, syndromes, and associated special needs. A certificate is awarded after successful completion of this CODA accredited program.

A four to six month program, focused on advanced and comprehensive academic and clinical experience in Endodontics with the emerging and advanced technology.

A one year progam at the Clinical Research Core , ITI Scholars work closely with Graduate Students and Fellows in prosthodontics, pediatric dentistry, orthodontics and oral and maxillofacial surgery at the School of Dentistry, providing a unique interdisciplinary experience.

A fast-paced and enriching twelve month course to provide solid foundational knowledge in orthodontics and training in scientific methodology.

Periodontal and Implant Microsurgery

A six or twelve month unique microsurgery training through didactic courses, extensive, hands-on exercises, clinical observation and research.

A six or twelve month in-depth experience in the realm of periodontology and periodontics, involving clinical, didactic, and research training.

A four or ten month comprehensive academic exposure and experience to meet the changing needs of a diverse patient population, enhancing knowledge and skills in the area of prosthodontics and implant dentistry.

Regenerative Dentistry

A one year training in the space of biomaterials and tissue engineering applied to dental, oral, and craniofacial tissue regeneration, through didactic, research, and clinical experiences.

A twelve month program to enhance fundamental restorative principles and to correlate oral sciences with clinical decision making and patient treatment.

PhD in Oral Biology

PhD programs at the College of Dentistry are specially adapted to the multidisciplinary nature of oral health research. We offer a PhD in oral biology, as well as combined programs with biomedical sciences, neuroscience and biomedical engineering.

The Ohio State University Oral Biology PhD Program is an interdisciplinary program at one of the most comprehensive health sciences center in America, with faculty from the Colleges of Dentistry, Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, as well as other units on campus.

It focuses on the structure, development and function of the tissues of the oral cavity; the interrelationships of these tissues with other organ systems; and the materials used to restore them. As a student, you will have the opportunity to participate in outstanding research in such areas as cancer research, the chemical senses, psychoneuroimmunology, microbial pathogenesis, oral infectious disease, biomaterials and molecular genetics.

Graduates of this program will be prepared for research and teaching careers in either a university or non-academic setting.

This program includes a five-year study leading to a PhD in oral biology. The major goal of the program is to prepare researchers and scholars for careers in either academia, such as academic biology or dentistry, or industry, particularly in oral health-related fields. The emphasis throughout the program is on the application of modern biological approaches to the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of oral diseases, as well as the understanding of normal oral function.

The minimum academic degree for entrance into the program is a BS degree. A graduate student who holds a DDS or DMD degree and is pursuing a PhD in oral biology may qualify for a training grant to fully support their studies for at least five years, if they are also a US citizen and a permanent resident. 

Oral Biology PhD at a Glance

• Learn about the program faculty and current students
• Learn about the career paths of our graduates
• Read the PhD Handbook
• PhD Curriculum

Degree and Training Programs

Understanding the value of both graduate and clinical training, faculty in the College of Dentistry developed the curriculum for the integrated DDS/PhD program. This is a seven-year program leading to a DDS/PhD degree for students who are motivated to pursue both research and clinical careers.

The program is currently supported by a T32 Training Grant, the Multidisciplinary Academic Research Training in Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Sciences (MARTDOCS) program , which provides both tuition and stipend support to exceptional trainees.

Approximately two students are admitted into the dual-degree program each year. Acceptance by both the DDS and Oral Biology PhD programs is required for admission into this program.

Students interested in this program should contact Dr. John Sheridan or Dr. Susan Mallery at [email protected] .

The program provides research training to outstanding DDS/DMD post-graduates who wish to earn a PhD degree. Advanced clinical residencies in some specialties integrated into PhD training are available. A US citizen and a permanent resident who holds a DDS or DMD degree and is pursuing training in an advanced clinical specialty within the Oral Biology PhD program may qualify for a training grant to fully support their studies for at least five years. Acceptance into both the specialty program and the Oral Biology PhD program is essential for admission into this program.

Multidisciplinary Academic Research Training in Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Sciences (MARTDOCS)

This program provides exceptional training and significant financial support at a variety of career levels to those dedicated to becoming the next generation of academicians and clinician scientists. We are accepting applications for the MARTDOCS program. There are currently openings for: Postdoctoral Scholars, PhD Students and Dual Degree (DDS/PhD) trainees. Learn more about the T32 Training Grant .

The Oral Biology program ranges from basic cell biology to system biology to biomaterials. All students are expected to be versed in the basics of cell function. Every student is required to successfully complete a core curriculum that includes the following courses:

• Stats 5301, Intermediate Data Analysis I
• Dent 8840, Current Issues in Biology
• Pharm 7510, Professional and Ethical Issues in Biomedical Sciences
• Dent 7029, Graduate Student Seminar Series

Although this course is not part of the core curriculum, students also typically earn a minimum of six credits in Dent 8901, Oral Biology Laboratory Rotations.

In conjunction with their adviser, students develop track-specific coursework appropriate to their research interests. These areas of study include:

Biomaterials

Cellular and molecular biology, hard tissue, immunology and inflammation, microbiology/microbiome, neuroscience, areas of study.

Current research in biomaterials encompasses physical, chemical and biological aspects of ceramic, metal, polymer and composite materials. Research techniques employed include analytical and descriptive spectrometry, analytical electron microscopy, cell culturing, human visual evaluation, mechanical testing, rheology, thermal analysis (including calorimetry and thermomechanical analysis), and x-ray diffractometry.

The research interests of the faculty include signaling, gene expression, recruitment and function of inflammatory/immune cells, the regulation of wound healing, viral immunity, bacterial immunity, neuroendocrine modulation of inflammatory/immune responses, and cancer immunobiology. The investigators in this group have major interactions with other basic science departments on campus and have joint appointments in the Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Biochemistry, Neuroscience and the Institute for Behavioral Medicine.

Faculty study microbial communities in the mouth and other mucosal surfaces, using techniques ranging from traditional microbial culturing to state of the art next generation sequencing. Research interests include the contribution of microbial communities to the development of diseases, like carries and periodontitis, as well as to basic physiological processes in the body such as immune system activity. Researchers in this group regularly interact with other basic scientists and clinicians through participation in the Center for Microbial Interface Biology, Department of Microbial Infection and Immunity, and Institute for Behavioral Medicine Research at the Wexner Medical Center at The Ohio State University as well as the Center for Microbial Pathogenesis at Nationwide Children’s Hospital.

Investigations in the area of mineralized tissues include the study of function and regulation of bone and the biomechanical and clinical impact of dental and orthopedic implants. Researchers are currently studying bone metabolism and interactions with materials at the molecular, cellular and tissue levels.

A number of program faculty are studying basic molecular or cellular processes or applying cell and molecular techniques to understand a diverse set of biological problems. Among the topics currently being investigated are: the genetics of craniofacial abnormalities, mechanisms of oral infectious diseases, extracellular matrix and hard tissue biogenesis, hormonal regulation, signal transduction, and cancer cell biology.

The College of Dentistry offers specialized studies in neurobiology related to oral function. Faculty research interests include oral sensory function related to taste and pain, oral motor function with respect to development, central pattern generation and unique craniofacial muscle phenotypes, and neuroimmunology.

Ready to Apply?

In the Ohio State graduate school application under Graduate Study Plan, list Graduate Programs as Oral Biology.

Still have questions? Visit the Oral Biology FAQ page or contact us.  

Graduate Studies Committee:   

• Dr.  Brian Foster , chair '26 (Division of Biosciences)
• Dr. Zongyang Sun , '23 (Division of Orthodontics)
• Dr. Binnaz Leblebicioglu , '24 (Division of Periodontology)
• Dr. John Bartlett , '25 (Division of Biosciences)
• Dr. Sarah Peters , '27 (Division of Biosciences)
• Graduate Student Representative
• Dr.  John Walters  (ex-officio, Associate Dean, Advanced & Graduate Education)

Admissions contact:

Jessica Almikhi, MEd Program Coordinator Office of Graduate Studies The Ohio State University College of Dentistry 305 W. 12th Ave. Columbus, OH 43210 [email protected] Fax: 614-688-5470

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Dds/phd program.

DDS/PhD combined training is available for students committed to an academic or research career in dentistry and dental research. This program is a minimum of 8 years, combining the DDS curriculum with a PhD in Oral Health Sciences (OHS). Students must apply to both the DDS program and OHS PhD program .

The DDS program begins in Summer Quarter of each year, so all applicants for the DDS/PhD combined training program need to apply for both programs for Summer Quarter start. 

• Educate committed individuals 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 after completing dental training so there is no break in use of clinical skills.
• Students finishing this program will be prepared to go into clinical specialty training after completing their PhD. This will prepare them for faculty positions and be an excellent opportunity to connect their research training and clinical experience.
• Keeps normal dental curriculum intact for years 1-4.
• Takes advantage of already existing SURF program for entering students the first year.
• Additional course work in summers during SURF program and other quarters as time permits.
• DDS to be conferred in spring quarter of year 4.
• Clinical experience to continue in years 5-8 via Intramural Practice or other arrangement.
• Applicants are eligible for financial support; details will be arranged each year.
• Students may be eligible for funding by an NIH training grant beginning in the 1st or 2nd year of study. This would provide a stipend and partial tuition costs.
• Students are strongly encouraged to apply for an individual DDS/PhD fellowship through NIH. The best timing would be a submission of the application beginning in their 4th or 5th year.

Note: This is a general outline of the DDS/PhD curriculum and may vary depending on the individual student, for example, didactic and clinical performance, research progress, etc.

For DDS/PhD students, the following courses are mandatory:

• OHS 550 – Directed Studies in Oral Health Sciences/DPH (completed during DDS training)
• OHS 568 – Biostatistics
• OHS 579 – Molecular Biology and Oral Health Applications
• OHS 575 – Oral Health Seminar (repeats during each academic year)
• OHS 578 – Research Techniques
• OHS 600 – Independent Study (PhD research)
• OHS 800 – PhD Dissertation (minimum of 27 credits required before graduation)
• DENTEL 530 – Research Seminar (completed during DDS training)
• DENTFN 513 – Oral Microbiology (completed during DDS training)
• DENTFN 523 – Oral Histology and Embryology (completed during DDS training)
• DENTFN 533 – Oral Histology and Embryology 2 (completed during DDS training)

Students are required to complete at least two other OHS courses that are part of our PhD curriculum. Examples include:

• OHS 569 (Advanced Oral Microbiology)
• OHS 581 (Secretory Processes in Exocrine Glands)
• OHS 591 (Advanced Topics in Oral Biology and Medicine)
• OHS 571 (Clinical Epidemiology)

At least seven (7) credits of Conjoint (CONJ) or other elective courses offered outside of OHS. Please see the OHS PhD course description and UW catalogue for current listings.

Students are also required to attend and participate in the Biomedical Research Integrity Series. This is a non-credit summer course taught through the Department of Medical History & Ethics and consists of a series of lectures and discussion groups. Each student will need to attend a minimum of three lectures and three discussion groups.  NIH Trainees are required to attend every year of the duration of their federal funding.

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• Online Oral Sedation Pharmacology Modules
• Online Oral Sedation Pharmacology Oral Sedation Program Four, Part 1: Oral Administration of Drugs - Kinetics & Metabolism

Jade Sutton Administrative Assistant II

[email protected]

650 W. Baltimore Street Suite 6207 Baltimore, Maryland 21201

P 410-706-2282

Online Oral Sedation Pharmacology Program Four Part 1: Oral Administration of Drugs - Kinetics & Metabolism

Speaker Biography

He is a nationally recognized speaker, author, columnist, and consultant on dental drug therapeutics and drug information for the dental professional. He is the lead author of the most recognized chairside dental drug reference book, Drug Information Handbook for Dentistry, now in its 29th edition.

Dr. Wynn keeps the dental profession informed about current issues relative to drugs in dentistry, including new therapeutic agents, new drug interactions, and newly reported adverse reactions in dental patients. He researches the literature daily for new reports of interest to the profession.   

Course Description

The first part of Program 4 focuses on the pharmacokinetic aspects of oral drug administration, including absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion. This section highlights critical concepts such as first-pass metabolism and the role of cytochrome P450 enzymes.

Course Objectives

Upon completion of Program Four, Part 1, participants will be able to:

• Identify a primary goal of oral sedation.
• List three advantages of oral premedication.
• List three disadvantages of oral premedication.
• Define first-pass metabolism and its implications.
• Differentiate between Phase I and Phase II drug metabolism.
• Identify the most prevalent CYP enzyme family.
• Define drug half-life and its clinical significance.
• Explain the concept of patient variability in drug response.

Course Requirements

Upon completion of the online course, participants are required to pass an online post-course assessment with a minimum grade of 75%.

Cancellation and Refund Policies

Once the online course has been accessed, no refunds will be provided.

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