Program Overview

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Graduate Program in Periodontology

The primary mission of the UNC Graduate Program in Periodontology is to advance the practice and science of periodontology and implantology through excellence in education, research, and innovation. We seek to serve our community and profession by providing and fostering periodontal care to improve oral and general health. We aspire to educate periodontists who will become outstanding clinicians, educators, researchers, and leaders. The program provides opportunities for interprofessional education and interdisciplinary collaborations.

Curriculum

To that end, we seek to offer a rigorous graduate experience that:

• Comprehensively trains periodontists in accordance with the standards and guidelines outlined by the Commission on Dental Accreditation, American Academy of Periodontology, and American Board of Periodontology
• Educates clinical scholars and scholarly clinicians who can make evidence-based decisions about the periodontal and peri-implant health of patients and/or populations
• Prepares and qualifies graduates for successful completion of the American Board of Periodontology certifying examination
• Fosters commitments to teaching and community engagement and service
• Improves the oral health quality of life of the people of North Carolina and beyond

The Graduate Periodontology Program is a combined academic degree (MS, MPH, or PhD) and certificate-training program spanning three or more years with didactic and clinical requirements.

Admissions

Applicants must utilize the Postdoctoral Application Support Service (PASS) administered by the American Dental Education Association and the Postdoctoral Dental Matching Program (MATCH).

Requirements

All prospective residents must hold a DDS, DMD or equivalent degree from a dental school. Additional training such as AEGD, GPR or practice experience is not required.

Admission criteria are applied equally to all applicants regardless of race, sex, color, national origin or religion. Minority students are encouraged to apply.

Residents receive a certificate in the specialty of periodontics and a Master of Science, Master of Public Health or PhD degree.

International Students

In addition to the above items, international applicants must include the following in their PASS application:

• Foreign transcripts evaluation
• TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo English Test score
  • International applicants must report official TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo English Test scores directly from the testing center. Must be current and no more than 2 years old.
• International applicants must submit official academic records bearing the signature of the registrar or another academic official and either a raised or ink stamp or seal of the issuing institution. Records must be issued in the original language and be accompanied by certified English translations.
• International applicants must also submit verification that the degree has been awarded or a copy of the degree award.

Tuition, Stipend Support and Benefits

The cost of attending graduate school includes tuition, fees, and health insurance, for which the student is billed directly. Tuition and fees for the master’s programs in the Adams School of Dentistry are available through the University Cashier.

Graduate students must pay tuition and fees during all years of study and training. These charges are subject to change at any meeting of the NC Board of Trustees and a yearly increase of 5-10 percent should be anticipated each year. Estimates for living expenses are available through the Office of Scholarships and Student Aid.

Out-of-state students and international students with permanent resident status (“green card”) are required to establish legal residence in North Carolina and to apply for classification as a state resident for tuition purposes when eligible. Failure to do so will result in the denial of tuition remission and in-state award. Guidelines and application forms for establishing residency are available from the UNC-Chapel Hill Graduate School.

Stipends are contingent on availability of funds. Regardless of the availability of stipend support, teaching responsibilities are required as a part of the program.

Tuition remission, or the reduction by 50% of the out-of-state to the in-state tuition rate, is awarded by the semester as is a 50% in-state award which also reduces tuition cost.

To meet the general eligibility requirements, the student must be enrolled as a full-time student during the semester of the award.

Awards are contingent on availability of funds; having a teaching or research assistantship does not guarantee remission will be awarded. There is no application process for tuition remission. Tuition remission is not offered during the summer.

Research Component

Graduates are expected to participate in research oral presentations during the 1st year of residency, and to present their thesis research in the Adams School of Dentistry’s Research Day during the third year of residency. Preparation of a master’s level project with submission to a peer reviewed journal and an oral defense are required. Students will be encouraged to prepare abstracts and/or table clinics for scientific or educational meetings, as appropriate.

Application Deadline

Application Deadline: August 1

Applicants must utilize the Postdoctoral Application Support Service (PASS) administered by the American Dental Education Association and the Postdoctoral Dental Matching Program (MATCH).

Applicants should not apply to the UNC graduate school until accepted into the program.

Meet the Residents

The program has a diverse group of residents, including:

• Natalia Acosta-Farhadi, DDS
• Corey Lopes, DMD
• Jaclyn Smollett, DMD
• Christine Sulzer, DDS
• Maya Fedhila, DDS
• Megan Blackstock, DMD
• Sebastian Garcia, DMD
• Luke Jarecke, DDS
• Brayden McGary, DMD

Each resident has a unique background and experience, but they all share a passion for periodontology and a commitment to providing excellent patient care.