A program leading to the doctor of philosophy degree in Oral Health Sciences is designed primarily for students who enter the program with a D.D.S. degree or its equivalent. A strong background in biology, chemistry, mathematics and physics at the university level is expected. Applicants must fulfill all requirements of the Rackham School of Graduate Studies, take the Graduate Record Examination General Test, and submit three letters of recommendation. Some stipend support is available to qualified students through a competitive review based on merit. Major areas of study include craniofacial development, dental biomaterials, host-pathogen interactions, mineralized tissue biology, oral sensory and motor function, and oral soft tissues, carcinogenesis and wound repair. The curriculum is designed for each student by the doctoral program committee, and includes a series of core courses followed by advanced courses within the School of Dentistry and other schools and colleges in the University. Students must complete a preliminary examination and original research that leads to production and defense of a dissertation. Programs for exceptional students who are interested in pursuing a combined clinical specialty and Ph.D. are available on an individual basis, pending admission to both programs.

Interdepartmental programs have been established leading to the doctor of philosophy degree in biomaterials combined with: materials and metallurgical engineering, pharmaceutical chemistry, mechanical engineering and applied mechanics, oral health sciences, or macromolecular science. The programs can be adapted either for students with a bachelor's degree in a physical science (such as chemistry, physics, or engineering) or with a degree in dentistry.

Programs leading to the master of science degree or a specialty certification are offered to those who desire advanced education in dental subjects, in related biological and physical sciences, and in dental hygiene, in preparation for specialized practice, clinical teaching, or research.

Graduate programs leading to the master of science degree or certificate in a specialty area are offered in the following programs: Biomaterials, Dental Hygiene, Dental Public Health, Endodontics, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Orthodontics, Pediatric Dentistry, Periodontics, Prosthodontics, Restorative Dentistry (Programs in Occlusion and Operative Dentistry).

Applicants for master of science degree and certificate programs, except dental hygiene and biomaterials, must have a dental degree, a strong letter of recommendation from the dean of their dental school, and have ranked in the upper half of their graduating class. Applicants for the master's program in dental hygiene must have a GPA in their bachelor's program of 3.0 or above on a 4.0 scale and a strong supporting letter of recommendation from the director of their dental hygiene program. Applicants for the master of science degree program in biomaterials must have an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.

The minimum requirement for the M.S. degree is 30 semester hours of credit of which six to eight hours may be allowed for clinical work. See program descriptions for specific credit hour requirements.

A variety of non-degree programs providing advanced training for persons possessing a dental degree are available. Brief descriptions of these programs and contact persons for those programs are provided shortly.

Information regarding the availability or requirements of programs is provided under specific program listings or should be obtained by contacting the appropriate program director.

Clinicians enrolled in this one year certificate program (starting date July 1, 2001) will gain considerable experience in the treatment of medically compromised, mentally and physically handicapped patients, and will gain additional experience in all aspects of general dentistry. Comprehensive care is provided in ambulatory, inpatient, operating room, and emergency room settings. Specific rotations are provided in anesthesia, oral & maxillofacial surgery, emergency medicine, pediatric dentistry and geriatrics. Didactic aspects of the residency include courses in physical diagnosis, conscious sedation, periodontal surgery, a regular literature review, and a seminar series covering topics in general and specialty dentistry, oral medicine, and practice management.

For additional information, please contact: Dr. Samuel Zwetchkenbaum, Director, GPR Program, University of Michigan Medical Center, 1500 E. Medical Center Drive, Room B1-B204, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-0018, (734) 936-5955 or via e-mail at szwetch@umich.edu.

This is a two year fellowship program with a starting date of July 1, 1996, which is conducted in collaboration with the University of Michigan Division of Geriatric Medicine, University of Michigan School of Dentistry, and the Ann Arbor VA Medical Center. The purpose of this program is to train clinicians with interests in geriatrics and the care of medically compromised older patients and prepare them to become future faculty members skilled in clinical, educational, administrative and research issues related to the oral health of older adults. The clinical aspect of the fellowship will include the dental care of patients in inpatient, ambulatory outpatient, nursing home, and tertiary care clinical settings, and medical rotations in geriatric medicine, and other specialty medicine disciplines. The didactic component of the program includes a multidisciplinary medicine/dentistry weekly lecture, a geriatric dentistry literature review, geriatric dentistry seminar series, and courses in public health, research design and methodology, administration and program development. A major component of the fellowship program is research, and fellows are responsible for developing and completing a research project in geriatrics/gerontology.

The six-year integrated Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery / Medical Degree program has been developed to prepare the graduate dentist, in a comprehensive way, for a career in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. This is a broad spectrum, integrated clinical and academic program designed to provide a wide scope of clinical practice and to meet the requirements leading to certification by the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. The residency program is fully accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association. Following successful completion of this residency program, the graduating resident will receive a medical degree from the University of Michigan Medical School, a certificate of completion for a two-year General Surgery Internship, and a specialty certificate in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery.

Two applicants are selected each year for the graduate program that begins July 1 and continues for six calendar years. Applicants are selected for the program on the basis of scholastic record, personal qualifications, extracurricular activities, communication skills, commitment to the patients, scientific achievements, recommendations and aptitude for graduate studies.

The first year of residency is focused on learning medicine, patient care, basic surgical skills and completing the first year medical school requirements. The second and third years are mostly devoted to medical school requirements. The fourth through sixth years emphasize the clinical/surgical experiences in General Surgery and Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery.

The scope of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at the University of Michigan is very broad. In addition to the clinical specialties represented by the faculty, the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Department treats a wide variety of head and neck trauma patients. All aspects of the specialty are covered, with a sufficient number of procedures available to train the resident beyond competency.

For additional information please contact: Dr. Joseph Helman, Section Head of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Michigan Medical Center, 1500 E. Medical Center Drive, Room B1-A235, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-0018, (734) 763-5963.

This program is designed to provide one year of advanced training for newly graduated dentists who intend to practice comprehensive general dentistry in areas exhibiting a wide variety of dental needs. Program emphasis will be on esthetic dentistry, practice management and geriatric dentistry. The University of Michigan School of Dentistry is noted as a center for graduate education, with programs in all of the specialties and in Restorative Dentistry. The current program provides didactic support and clinical experience for a comprehensive treatment core of Periodontics, Endodontics, Prosthodontics and Restorative Dentistry, while also providing internal rotations in Oral Surgery and Pediatric Dentistry. Adjunct support is provided in Implantology. The program is designed to create confidence in all disciplines at a level consistent with the practice of general dentistry, develop the ability to diagnose and treatment plan for primary care, interact with other health care providers in the management of geriatric or medically involved patients and gain experience in applying practice management concepts. An off-site rotation emphasizes geriatric dentistry for the homebound at nursing homes in Saline and Monroe, Michigan. Graduates should be able to manage high risk or chronically ill patients competently and develop an efficient independent general practice.

The residency is a non-degree, certificate program carrying a yearly stipend. Significant efforts are made to develop a special patient population with multidisciplinary needs that will require advanced treatment techniques. Comprehensive treatment is delivered in a modernized six-chair facility and all phases of treatment are planned and managed on-site with a combined generalist/specialist faculty. The curriculum is flexible enough to provide an opportunity for students to expand their skills in areas of personal interest. By applying practice management concepts, residents will evaluate their productivity reports, participate in personnel training and gain practical insight into the responsibilities incurred in conducting an efficient practice in general dentistry.

For additional information, please contact: Dr. Dennis Fasbinder, Program Director, AEGD, Department of Cariology, Restorative Sciences, and Endodntics, University of Michigan School of Dentistry, Room 2351, 1011 N. University, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1078, (734) 763-1375 or via e-mail at djfas@umich.edu.