The Department of Endodontics combines patient care and advanced education with a strong emphasis on research. Faculty in the department provide instruction in clinical endodontics at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Each faculty member pursues his or her own program of investigation, including frequent collaborative projects with faculty in other disciplines. Patient care is provided for a broad range of endodontic problems. In addition to care delivery in the clinics of the Dental Science Building, patient care is also provided through the department's affiliations with University Hospitals and Clinics and with the Department of Dentistry, Veterans Administration Medical Center. These affiliations frequently include treatment for patients with complex health problems.
Advanced Training Program
The advanced training program in Endodontics balances clinical experience with didactic instruction in the relevant basic and clinical sciences. Students can expect to spend about half their time in patient contact with the remainder divided between formal course work and research. Research is an integral component of the program and all advanced students are required to design and conduct an original research project followed by preparation of a manuscript for publication.
Students may elect to pursue either the Certificate Program or the Certificate and Master of Science degree program. The didactic and clinical requirements are the same for both; both include a research experience and require a minimum of 24 months for completion. Master's candidates must prepare a formal thesis in compliance with University of Iowa Graduate College regulations. The Master's program requires three years of study.
For those desiring academic careers, the Dentist-Scientist Program is an option. This federally-funded program is available to a limited number of advanced students at The University of Iowa. The program combines clinical training with a Ph.D. program and requires a minimum of five years. Further information may be obtained from the Graduate Program Director in the Department of Endodontics, Dr. William Johnson.
Program Strengths
A major strength of advanced endodontic training at The University of Iowa is the diversity of the faculty and students. The program focuses on the development of skills in diagnosis and treatment-planning. This problem-solving approach is firmly grounded in an intensive study of the scientific literature which provides the biological basis for understanding the etiology of pathosis as well as the rationale for treatment. Such an approach, combined with clinical experiences encompassing a variety of challenging diagnostic and treatment problems, builds a strong foundation for a career as an endodontist.
Completion of the program satisfies the training requirements for the American Board of Endodontics and graduates are strongly encouraged to seek board certification. The style of instruction is designed to prepare students for the experience of board examinations.
Stipends
Applicants must be able to support themselves financially for the time required to complete the program. Advanced education students may not involve themselves in private practice activities outside the College. Some stipend support has been available and is determined on a yearly basis depending on available funding. Stipends for advanced training and a course of study leading to a Ph.D. are available on a competitive basis through the Dentist Scientist Program. This award,assuming satisfactory performance, continues for five years.
Persons interested in more information on advanced education in Endodontics at The University of Iowa may contact:
Dr. William T. Johnson
Graduate Program Direcror
Department of Endodontics
College of Dentistry
The University of Iowa,
Iowa City, Iowa, 52242
Phone (319) 335-7471
Application
You may submit a Graduate Student Information Request Form with your web browser or obtain an application form to the program through the Graduate College of The University of Iowa and application forms are available from:
Director of Admissions
The University of Iowa
Calvin Hall
Iowa City, Iowa, 52242
Applicants must be graduates of an American Dental Association Council on Dental Education-accredited program leading to the D.D.S. or D.M.D. degree. Persons with equivalent degrees from schools outside the United States are also eligible to apply.
A minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.5 (on a 4.0 scale) is required. Applications should include: (1) the completed Graduate College application form, (2) official transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate institutions attended, (3) National board scores (at least Part 1), and (4) three letters of recommendation. For students whose first lanuage is not English a minimum score of 550 is required.
Admissions requirements for the M.S. in Oral Sciences:
Applicants should have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale; they must also take the Graduate Record Examination and obtain a minimum combined score for all three components (verbal, quantitative, and analytical) of 1600 with a minimum of 500 for any individual component. For students whose first language is not English, a minimum score of 550 on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is required. Students whose scores fall between 550 and 600 are also required to sit for an English Proficiency Examination (EPE); candidates may be requested to also take the Test of Spoken English. These requirements are not absolute but will receive considerable weighing when the Admissions Committee considers applicants.
Applicants who are being strongly considered for the program will be asked to participate in an interview by department faculty.
Deadline for application.................September 15
Notification.....................................mid-October
Session begins........................................July 1
Update in Endodontics ......................1 hr
Dent Sci Research Methodology..........2 hrs
Adv Anat head and Neck Surg............ 2 hrs
Advanced Dental Therapeutics.............1 hr
Infectious Disease...............................1 hr
Introduction to Biostatistics..................3 hrs
Seminar in Endodontics I......................2 hrs
Endo Surgery Conference.....................2 hrs
Endo Literature Review I .....................2 hrs
Advanced Clinical Endodontics.............3 hrs
Research in Endodontics ......................arranged
Physiology, Pathology Pulp/Dentin.........2 hrs
Seminar in Endodontics II......................2 hrs
Endo Surgery Conference.......................2 hrs
Endo Literature Review II.......................2 hrs
Advanced Clinical Endodontics...............3 hrs
Research in Endodontics........................arranged
Pract Teaching Endodontics....................1 hr
Advanced Clinical Endodontics................3 hrs
Tooth Support Structure .........................2 hrs.
Seminar in Endodontics III.......................2 hrs
Endo Surgery Conference........................2 hrs
Endo Literature Review III ......................2 hrs
Advanced Clinical Endodontics ...............3 hrs
Research in Endodontics.........................arranged
Seminars in Dental Research....................arranged
Seminars in Endodontocs IV......................arranged
Endo Surgery Conference ........................ 2 hrs
Endo Literature Review IV.........................2 hrs
Advanced Clinical Endodontics..................2 hrs
Research in Endodontics...........................arranged
Practice Management I..............................1hr
Practice Management II.............................1 hr
Electives
Pathophysiology of Skin and Oral Mucosa.........2 hrs
Pathophysiology of Salivary Glands and Saliva.....2 hrs