Program Overview

Introduction to the Orthodontics Certificate Program

The Graduate Program in Orthodontics from Temple University's Kornberg School of Dentistry emphasizes evidence-based, patient-centered, and outcome-driven care. This full-time, 26-month, postdoctoral certificate program educates residents to become qualified specialists in orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics with expertise in applied basic sciences, compassionate care for patients, clinical biomechanics, and diagnosis treatment planning.

Program Overview

Residents receive advanced didactic and clinical instruction across all aspects of the discipline, in preparation for a career as an orthodontist in settings such as clinical practice, research, and academics. Graduates are prepared to pursue certification by the American Board of Orthodontics. The Orthodontics curriculum incorporates advanced understanding of cutting-edge orthodontic instrumentation, with a focus on evidence-based diagnosis and treatment planning.

Program Goals

The Orthodontics Certificate has developed clearly stated goals and objectives appropriate to advanced specialty education, which address education, patient care, research, and service. These goals include:

• Graduate orthodontists who possess and apply the knowledge and skills required to diagnose, understand the basis of, and adequately treat, alone or in concert with other dental and medical practitioners, orthodontic cases while maintaining the health of the patient.
• Prepare orthodontic residents for certification by the American Board of Orthodontics.
• Prepare orthodontic residents to effectively communicate knowledge of orthodontics and related craniofacial anomalies to other medical-dental professionals and their patients.
• Graduate orthodontists who possess the knowledge and skills required to critically evaluate the dental literature, research, technological advancements, and therapeutic procedures, and apply this knowledge into their diagnosis, treatment plan, and clinical practice.
• Graduate orthodontists who understand the theory and methods of clinical and basic science research.
• Receive positive feedback from program graduates in the ongoing evaluation of the postdoctoral orthodontic program.
• Graduate orthodontists who understand the importance of lifelong learning, professional development, and their responsibility to the profession and the community at large.

Oral Health Sciences MS

Students in the Graduate Program in Orthodontics apply for the Master of Science in Oral Health Sciences upon acceptance to the program. In this 30-credit postgraduate master's program, students apply modern biological principles and research techniques that aid in diagnosing, treating, and preventing oral and craniofacial diseases and anomalies. Through the interdisciplinary curriculum, students study the structure, development, and function of oral tissues; their interrelationships; and their connections to other organ systems. Research areas include advanced general dentistry, clinical fields, and periodontal and craniofacial regeneration.

Orthodontic Externship

Externships are scheduled during the months of April, May, June, and July. Students interested in taking part in an externship will need to be available, in person, for two to three consecutive days per week, Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. To be considered for an externship position, students must submit:

• Current curriculum vitae, including GPA
• Letter of interest regarding an externship in the Department of Orthodontics
• An accounting of their availability during the months of April, May, June, and July

Orthodontic Internship

The Orthodontics program at Temple University's Kornberg School of Dentistry offers an Orthodontics internship, which provides the opportunity to build knowledge in orthodontics through a curriculum that balances clinical and didactic methods to become a more competitive applicant for orthodontic residency programs.

Classes & Curriculum

While clinical instruction will serve as the foundation for much of this program, some required coursework for the Graduate Program in Orthodontics is completed concurrently with the Master of Science in Oral Biology. Orthodontics courses include:

• Introduction to Orthodontics
• Orthodontic Principles and Techniques
• History of Orthodontics

Related Professional Degrees

• Dentistry DMD
• Dentistry (Advanced Standing Program for Internationally Trained Dentists) DMD

Related Graduate Certificates

• Advanced Education in General Dentistry
• Dental Public Health
• Endodontics
• Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
• Periodontics

Careers

Dentists who have completed the Orthodontics graduate program are prepared for advanced careers as:

• Academic professors
• Orthodontists
• Oral and craniofacial researchers

Career Development

Through the Orthodontic department and the Office of Graduate Education, residents pursuing careers can receive counseling and support during their tenure at Kornberg and after they graduate. The Orthodontic program regularly hosts guest speakers and career events covering a wide range of topics, including:

• Corporate and private practice careers
• Debt management
• Specialty education
• Office design
• Practice management

Tuition & Fees

In keeping with Temple's commitment to access and affordability, this certificate offers a competitive level of tuition with multiple opportunities for financial support. Tuition rates are set annually by the university and are affected by multiple factors, including program degree level, course load, in-state or out-of-state residency, and more.

Accreditation

The program in orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation and has been granted the accreditation status of "approval without reporting requirements." The commission is a specialized accrediting body recognized by the United States Department of Education.