The Postgraduate Program in Periodontics

The Postgraduate Program in Periodontics was initiated in 1968.
The program, fully accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of The American Dental Association, is of 34 months duration.  Four students per year are accepted into this program.

Mission and Goals of the New Jersey Dental School’s Advanced Education Program in Periodontics

Mission

The overall mission of the Advanced Specialty Education Program in Periodontics is to train specialists in the knowledge, skills and practice of Periodontics and in the process foster a philosophy of continuing scholarly activity, professional development and lifelong learning.

Goals

1. To provide the special knowledge and skills required to train specialists to diagnose and treat all forms and severities of periodontal diseases.
2. To prepare and graduate individuals whose knowledge is biologically and evidence based.
3. To foster an attitude of lifelong learning.
4. To prepare and encourage graduates to seek board certification by the American Academy of Periodontology
5. To instill in students a commitment to community service.

Program Accreditation

The program is designed to follow the guidelines established by the American Academy of Periodontology for the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association. It has full accreditation from the Commission.

Admission to the Program

Applicants seeking admission to the Postgraduate Periodontic Program at UMDNJ  New Jersey Dental School must meet the following minimum requirements:

1. Graduate from a United States or Canadian dental school or a dental school that provides equivalent curriculum content and clinical experience.
2. Successfully complete Part I of the National Dental Board at the time of application.
3. Proficiency in English reading, writing and speaking demonstrated on the TOFEL examination.
4. Earn a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 (4.0 scale) or equivalent, or a cumulative ranking in the top 50 percent of the applicant dental school graduating class.
5. Interview with the program director.
6. Three letters of recommendation, one of which should be from a periodontal faculty member or periodontist familiar with your previous clinical and/or didactic periodontal accomplishments.
7. The deadline for admission is August 1st.

Specific questions with regard to the admissions requirements or any other aspect of the Postgraduate Program in Periodontics at UMDNJ-NJDS should be addressed to the Program Director:

Dr. Andrew Sullivan
UMDNJ New Jersey Dental School
Department of Periodontics
110 Bergen Street, Room D 800
PO Box 1709
Newark, NJ 07101-1709
Telephone  973-972-4210
Fax  973-972-3884
e-mail sullivaa@umdnj.edu

Core Basic Science Courses

Foundation of Oral Biology

This course focuses on stressing the fundamental knowledge of Oral Biology necessary for postgraduate students to attain the standards set forth by the American Dental Association for postgraduate disciplines. Additional courses may be added at the discretion of the postgraduate directors. It is made up of the following modules:

- Research Design and Data Analysis
- Immunology and Microbiology
- Histology and Pathobiology
- Functional Gross Anatomy


Advanced Biomedical Science for Dentistry

This course focuses on stressing advanced biomedical sciences necessary for postgraduate students to attain the standards set forth by the American Dental Association for postgraduate disciplines. Additional courses may be added at the discretion of the postgraduate directors. It is made up of the following modules:

- Genetics
- Advanced DentalTherapeutics and Pharmacology
- Oral Medicine and Pathology
- Advanced Biomedical Sciences for Dentistry-Orofacial Pain

Department Courses

Literature Review

ADVANCED CLINICAL PERIODONTICS

Postgraduate students are assigned ADA Class III and IV patients (moderate to advanced periodontitis). Additionally, postgraduates perform surgical procedures for the patients referred by undergraduate students. The students are exposed to advanced surgical modalities including implantology, guided tissue/bone regeneration, internal/external sinus lifts and various block grafts.

BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY OF ORAL TISSUES

The course material covers the biochemistry and molecular biology of connective tissue and epithelium. Several guest lecturers with expertise in specific areas are invited to participate.

CHEMOTHERAPY OF PERIODONTAL DISEASES

The course explores the biologic basis for the use of chemotherapeutic agents as an adjunctive in periodontal therapy.

CLINICAL CASE CONFERENCE

In this course, each postgraduate student, on a weekly rotating basis, presents their cases to faculty, generally those of the department, and the other postgraduate students. The case presentation has as its main purpose a review of the examination, diagnosis and treatment rendered in each ' case. Students may, thus, learn from peers and faculty. Additionally, correlation between the Literature Review and the Clinical Case Conference is stressed. The postgraduate student presents the case with the use of photographs, models and records.

GUIDED TISSUE REGENERATION

This course covers the biologic basis for guided tissue regeneration as well as various membranes and techniques currently employed. The biologic basis for use of these techniques is also taught in the Literature Review.

HOSPITAL DENTISTRY

Periodontal postgraduate students , under the supervision of a  faculty member, render periodontal therapy, including surgery, for mentally and physically compromised patients (children and adults). Additionally, some patients are treated under local anesthesia or IV Sedation under the supervision  periodontal facultv in the  Special Care Treatment Center of UMDNJ-NJ Dental School.

INTRODUCTION TO ADVANCED CLINICAL PERIODONTICS

NON-SURGICAL THERAPY

The course content mainly includes instrumentation, including sharpening and non-surgical therapy.

MINOR TOOTH MOVEMENT IN PERIODONTAL THERAPY

Basic concepts in patient minor tooth movement and periodontal-orthodontic relationships are emphasized and are reinforced through case presentation and review. Additionally, periodontal postgraduate students are afforded the opportunity to perform minor tooth movement, as appropriate, for their patients.

MUCOGINGIVAL/AUGMENTATION CONSIDERATIONS

This course explores the original rationale for mucogingival surgery and the evolution of the philosophies of increasing the zone of attached gingiva and root coverage. The various therapeutic modalities to achieve a functional esthetic mucogingival complex are presented.

OCCLUSAL/TEMPOROMANDIBULAR JOINT CONSIDERAT1ONS

The course content includes maxillary/mandibular interrelationships, concepts of physiologic versus pathologic occlusion, methods and philosophies of occlusal equilibration and diagnosis and treatment of temporomandibular-craniomandibular syndrome.

ORAL MEDICINE AND PHYSICAL DIAGNOSIS

Differential diagnosis and therapy is stressed in this course. Clinical photos are used to illustrate the various lesions. Material presented is complementary to that of "Histopathology" presented in the Core Course.

PERIODONTAL TREATMENT SEMINARS

The course director presents a seminar on treatment planning. Patient management is stressed. The course complements the treatment planning aspect of the Clinical Case Conference. Students, in rotation, present their own patient family treatment plans with, photos and mounted study models. Discussion of the treatment plan, its appropriateness and alternative treatment plans is stimulated and encouraged by the course director.

PRACTICE MANAGEMENT

Individuals with expertise in specific topics are selected as lecturers in this course. As complimentary to the didactic material, students are encouraged to visit at least two private practices.

PRACTICE TEACHING IN PERIODONTICS

Postgraduate students participate in undergraduate clinical teaching and screening of patients.
In general, second-  and third-year students are scheduled in the clinic two  sessions per month per each (Tom, move the next sentence up here)semester. Students are first apprised of departmental undergraduate requirements and evaluation policies and generally work in close association with the clinical faculty in order to achieve and maintain consistency of grading. In addition to clinical teaching, the third-year students are required to prepare and present at least one lecture to the first-  or  second-year DMD classes.

PRINCIPLES OF PERIODONTICS

The purpose of the course is to review, expand upon and present, in much more detail, material acquired in undergraduate curricula. The course material includes the anatomy and histology of the periodontium in health and disease, pathogenesis of periodontal disease, inflammation and immunology, wound healing and various therapeutic procedures and rationales for their selection. The course is complementary to the Literature Review.

REVIEW OF CURRENT LITERATURE

In this course, each student is assigned responsibility to review selected articles from dental, medical and scientific journals. Articles which are considered pertinent are selected by the course director and subsequently discussed. The course is designed to complement the Classical Literature Review and enables students to keep abreast of current developments in Periodontics.

SPECIAL SEMINARS/ GUEST LECTURES

It is the policy of the department to have guest lecturers with expertise in specific topics present
seminars to students. It is felt that such an approach is beneficial, not only from the "acquisition of
knowledge point of view", but also through personal contact with prominent investigators in the
field of Periodontology. Additionally, students are encouraged to attend meetings of the North East Regional and New Jersey Societies of Periodontist where they receive exposure to national/international speakers. The course content is related to the lecturer's expertise in a particular aspect of Periodontics and may be clinical, basic science or behavioral in nature.

SURGICAL PERIODONTICS

In this course, the methodology, indications, contraindications and limitations of surgical techniques currently employed are presented in detail.

Interdisciplinary Courses

CONSCIOUS SEDATION

The course consists of lecture material and its emphasis is placed on preoperative patient evaluation, the pharmacology and pharmacokinetics of the drugs used in conscious sedation, techniques of conscious sedation and the diagnosis and treatment of complications associated with its administration.

ANESTHESIA ROTATION FOR PERIODONTAL POSTGRADUATES

This course is presented by the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Medicine at University Hospital. Exposure to operating room protocol, administration of general anesthesia, including oral and intravenous sedation, as well as pre and post-operative courses is provided. The duties of the residents include active observation/participation in operating room activities and attendance at seminars by the Department of Anesthesia when offered.

IMPLANTOLOGY

This course is given to postgraduate students in Periodontics, Prosthodontics, Oral Surgery and Endodontics.
1. The historical development of dental implants
2. The biologic basis for dental implants and principles of implant biomaterials and bioengineering
3. Indications and contraindications for implants of various designs and characteristics
4. The prosthetic requirements of dental implants
5. Presurgical examination and treatment planning
6. Surgical placement and postoperative maintenance-aseptic technique
7. Evaluation of peri-implant tissues and the management of implant complications
8. Maintenance of implants
9. The appropriate sterile or aseptic technique for the placement of dental implant

IMPLANTOLOGY SEMINARS

This course is attended by Periodontics, Oral Surgery, and Prosthodontic postgraduates and several faculty. When patients are accepted for implant therapy, they are assigned to a surgical (either Periodontics or Oral Surgery) and Prosthodontic resident for conjoint treatment planning and treatment. The course material includes ideal treatment plans, as well as various alternatives, including medications and contraindications to implant therapy. Two students (surgical and prosthetic) jointly present the cases to be treated by them. The course is complementary to "Periodontal Implantology"

INTERDISCIPLINARY PERIODONTAL/PROSTHODONTiC SEMINAR
 
The material presented in this course includes conventional periodontal/prosthodontic interrelationships as well as implantology complementing material presented in the Implantology course presented by the Department of Periodontics and conjointly by the department of periodontics, Prosthodontics and Oral Surgery. Emphasis is placed on diagnosis, prognosis and treatment planning.

MONTHLY RESEARCH SEMINARS

Special monthly research seminars are presented during lunch hour. Scheduled speakers include faculty from other schools.

NITROUS OXIDE ANALGESIA

This course is presented by the Department of Pediatric Dentistry. Indications, contraindications, mode of action, etc. are discussed. This course material is complementary to that of the courses, "Conscious Sedation" and "General Anesthesia Rotation ".

PERIODONTIC/ORTHODONTIC SEMINARS

Students and faculty of the Departments of Orthodontics and Periodontics meet under the guidance of the course director to discuss topics of mutual interest so that the participants will become more knowledgeable about the literature and the treatment of patients that require conjoint therapy in orthodontics and periodontics

Department of Periodontology Postgraduate Faculty

Andrew Sullivan, DDS, Director of Postgraduate Periodontics and Interim Chairman

Professors
Surendra Singh, DDS, MDS, FICD, Diplomate
Andrew Sullivan, DDS, FIDC, FADC, Director of Postgraduate Periodontics, Diplomate
Joel Pascuzzi, DMD, FIDC, FADC, Undergraduate Director
Barry Zweig, DDS

Associate Professor
Kuang-min Chang, DMD, PhD

Clinical Professors
Emil Cappetta, DMD, Diplomate
Howard Drew, DMD (Vice Chair)
David Goteiner, DDS, FACD, FICD
James Rynar, DMD
Anthony Volpe, DDS, MS
Harry Zohn, DMD, FACD, FICD

Clinical Associate Professors
Tat Chiang, DMD, Diplomate
Roberta Grill Deutsch, DDS
Trevor Simmonds, DDS, Diplomate

Clinical Assistant Professors
James Albani, DMD
Fadi I. Beydoun, DMD, MS, Diplomate
Michele DiMaira DMD
Manjiri Mathur, DMD, Diplomate

Applications can be obtained here.