Program Overview

Oral Medicine, Certificate

The Oral Medicine Residency Program at Penn Dental Medicine began training qualified practitioners in the early 1960’s, many of whom have gone on to become program directors at other institutions both in the United States and abroad, examiners on the Board of the American Academy of Oral Medicine, and internationally respected researchers and leaders in the field of Oral Medicine.

The objective of this program is to train a thoroughly qualified clinician and educator in the field of Oral Medicine. In addition to extensive clinical experience, there is a didactic curriculum that runs throughout the program. Opportunities for students to explore particular areas of interest in the field of Oral Medicine are encouraged.

Additional Program Options

Penn Dental Medicine also offers a Master of Science in Oral Biology (MSOB) and a Doctor of Science in Dentistry (DScD) that can be earned concurrent with a specialty certificate, preparing students to successfully enter the field of academic dentistry while also becoming skilled clinicians in specialty care. Through the MSOB and DScD programs, students are encouraged to pursue their individual research interests with projects that can span the diverse disciplines and research labs within Penn Dental Medicine’s basic and clinical sciences and across the University.

Program Timelines

• Academic Track
  • MSOB and Certificate: 3 years
  • DScD and Certificate: 5 years
• Clinical Certificate Track
  • Certificate only: 2 years

This degree requires a minimum of 90 Credit Hours.

Curriculum

All Dental Medicine certificate students share a common core of courses throughout the first year. In addition, students complete additional courses specific to their particular program.

Oral Medicine Certificate Curriculum

Course List Code | Title | Course Units
---|---|---
Year 1|
Fall|
Core Graduate Dental Education Courses|
GOMD 9001| OMFS History & Physical Exam|
GOMD 9011| S. Gary Cohen Conference I|
GOMD 9021| V.J. Brightman Conference I|
GOMD 9031| Oral & Maxillofacial Pathology I|
GOMD 9041| Oral Medicine Clinics I|
GOMD 9051| Off-Service Clinical Rotations I|
Spring|
Core Graduate Education Courses|
GOMD 9012| S. Gary Cohen Conference II|
GOMD 9022| V.J. Brightman Conference II|
GOMD 9042| Oral Medicine Clinics II|
GOMD 9052| Off-Service Clinical Rotations II|
Year 2|
Fall|
GOMD 9013| S. Gary Cohen Conference III|
GOMD 9023| V.J. Brightman Conference III|
GOMD 9033| Oral & Maxillofacial Pathology II|
GOMD 9043| Oral Medicine Clinics III|
GOMD 9053| Off-Service Clinical Rotations III|
Spring|
GOMD 9014| S. Gary Cohen Conference IV|
GOMD 9024| V.J. Brightman Conference IV|
GOMD 9044| Oral Medicine Clinics IV|
GOMD 9054| Off-Service Clinical Rotations IV|

Core Graduate Dental Education Courses

Course List Code | Title | Course Units
---|---|---
Year 1|
Fall|
DADE 9330| Ethics, Professionalism and Jurisprudence| 1-3
DADE 9340| Evidence-based clinical practice| 1.75-3
DADE 9350| Oral and systemic diseases| 3.75-5
Spring|
DADE 9360| Oral infection and immunity| 4-6
DADE 9370| Conservative and regenerative clinical practice| 2-5
DADE 9380| Vulnerable populations across the lifespan| 1.5-3.5

Master of Science in Oral Biology

The School of Dental Medicine also offers a Master of Science in Oral Biology (MSOB). Enrollment in the MSOB program is limited to individuals concurrently registered in one of the postgraduate specialty training (certificate) programs. Candidates receive the MSOB degree after completion of both their specialty training and the Master’s curriculum, which consists of didactic, seminar, and research practicum courses. The MSOB program is comprised of two tracks designed for outstanding students who are interested in either integrating research or structured evidence-based learning into their post-graduate education.

Depending on the track selected, research activities or a systematic literature review form the core of the MSOB program. Students are expected to participate in a clinical or basic science research project of sufficient scope and intensity or a formally structured and critically evaluated literature review focused on an important oral health-related research or clinical question. A thesis composed of an in-depth review of the relevant literature along with a manuscript reporting the results of the research or a systematic review is required for graduation for the research and evidence-based learning tracks respectively.

Course List Code | Title | Course Units
---|---|---
Additional MSOB Course Requirements|
DENT 9960| |
DENT 9970| |

The degree and major requirements displayed are intended as a guide for students entering in the Fall of 2025 and later. Students should consult with their academic program regarding final certifications and requirements for graduation.