Program Overview

Program Overview

The Master of Science in Dentistry (M.S.D.) with a concentration in Prosthodontics is a graduate program designed to establish a well-rounded and comprehensive academic setting for prosthodontic education. The program emphasizes excellence in teaching, research, and clinical care, preparing prosthodontists capable of applying modern clinical prosthodontic techniques and utilizing both conventional and advanced technologies.

Program Goals

The program has six primary goals:

1. To establish a well-rounded and comprehensive academic setting for prosthodontic education, emphasizing excellence in teaching, research, and clinical care.
2. To prepare prosthodontists capable of applying modern clinical prosthodontic techniques, utilizing both conventional and advanced technologies.
3. To educate a prosthodontist proficient in digital dentistry and modern biomaterials, capable of effectively assessing and utilizing these materials in patient treatment through evidence-based practices.
4. To instill a commitment to continuous learning in prosthodontics.
5. To equip students/residents for serving the profession and community.
6. To facilitate prosthodontic trainees in achieving American Board of Prosthodontics diplomate status.

Student Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will:

1. Be able to formulate and conduct a research project relevant to their discipline.
2. Practice evidence-based advanced level dentistry.
3. Demonstrate the ability to communicate with patients, colleagues in general dentistry, dental specialties, medicine, and other health care practitioners.
4. Demonstrate advanced clinical skills in the provision of ethical and informed patient care.
5. Be proficient in the delivery of state-of-the-art prosthodontic care, including:

• Diagnosis, treatment, and planning of complex prosthodontic needs.
• Expertise in full mouth functional and esthetic rehabilitation.
• Management of advanced fixed and removable prosthodontics.
• Management of advanced implant-based therapies.
• An in-depth knowledge of oral and maxillofacial rehabilitation.
• Advanced clinical skills in cutting-edge prosthodontic and dental implant treatment modalities.
• Use of emerging digital technologies in prosthodontic treatment and dental implant therapy.

Admission Requirements

The admission requirements for the M.S.D. program with a concentration in Prosthodontics include:

• A minimum grade point average of 3.0 (4.0 scale) or the equivalent, or a ranking of the top 50% of the dental school class.
• Completion of the PASS application and agreement to participate in the PASS and the Postdoctoral Dental Match Program.
• Completion of TOEFL or IELTS (for students whose native language is not English and who don't have a degree from a U.S. or Canadian accredited institution).
• National Dental Boards, parts I and II, or Integrated National Board.
• A non-refundable $75 application fee.
• A current curriculum vitae or resume.
• Official copies of dental school transcripts.
• GPA/class ranking forwarded from the dean's office of the dental school attended.
• Three letters of recommendation from individuals who can personally attest to personal and professional qualities, including at least one letter from an individual who can discuss prosthodontic skills.
• Institution Evaluation Form (completed by the dean of the dental school attended).
• Personal statement indicating interest in the specialty of prosthodontics; information about experience and career goals (personal and professional) is required.
• INBDE/NBDE I and II.
• 2X2 inch photograph.
• For international students, submit the following:
  • Test of English as a Foreign Language (original copy and minimum score of 92 is required for consideration) or International English Language Testing System (original copy and score of 6.5 or greater acceptable: test must be taken within two years of application date).
  • An official, detailed, course-by-course evaluation by Education Credential Evaluators or World Education Services.

Degree Requirements

In addition to general VCU Graduate School graduation requirements, a cumulative GPA of 3.0 must be maintained. Students must receive a minimum grade of B for all required courses. Students will take written and oral examinations and must obtain a minimum grade of B or a passing grade. If either is not obtained, then the examination must be retaken. For research, the student must have a thesis defense, present a poster, and prepare a manuscript for submission by May 1 of the third year. Extensions may be approved, but students are responsible for the expense.

Curriculum Requirements

The curriculum includes the following courses:

• Core courses:
  • DENS 550: Update in Practice Administration (1 hour).
  • DENS 580: Biostatistics and Research Design in Dentistry (2 hours, taken twice).
  • DENS 660: Interdisciplinary Care Conference (0.5 hours, taken twice).
  • DENS 680: Graduate Dental Clinic (4 hours, taken four times).
  • DENS 699: Thesis Guidance (2 hours, taken six times).
  • DENS 700: Basic Sciences and Graduate Dentistry (3 hours).
  • ORPT 750: Advanced Oral Diagnostic Sciences (0.5 hours, taken twice).
• Concentration courses:
  • DENS 630: Orthodontic-Periodontic-Prosthodontic-AEGD Conference (0.5 hours, taken six times).
  • PROS 500: Advanced Biomaterials in Prosthodontics (1 hour).
  • PROS 501: Diagnosis, Treatment Planning and Case Presentation Seminar (2 hours, taken six times).
  • PROS 503: Fundamentals of Prosthodontics (1 hour, taken twice).
  • PROS 600: Advanced Prosthodontics Literature Review (1 hour, taken six times).
  • PROS 601: Surgical and Prosthodontic Principles of Implant Therapy (1 hour).
  • PROS 630: Principles of Maxillofacial Prosthetics (0.5 hours).
  • PROS 680: Clinical Prosthodontics (1-12 hours, taken four times for 16 credits and two times for 16 credits). The minimum number of graduate credit hours required for this degree is 100.5.

Plan of Study

The plan of study for the M.S.D. program with a concentration in Prosthodontics is as follows:

• Year one:
  • Fall semester:
    • DENS 580: Biostatistics and Research Design in Dentistry (2 hours).
    • DENS 630: Orthodontic-Periodontic-Prosthodontic-AEGD Conference (0.5 hours).
    • DENS 660: Interdisciplinary Care Conference 1 (0.5 hours).
    • DENS 680: Graduate Dental Clinic (4 hours).
    • DENS 699: Thesis Guidance (2 hours).
    • ORPT 750: Advanced Oral Diagnostic Sciences (0.5 hours).
    • PROS 500: Advanced Biomaterials in Prosthodontics (1 hour).
    • PROS 501: Diagnosis, Treatment Planning and Case Presentation Seminar (2 hours).
    • PROS 503: Fundamentals of Prosthodontics (7 hours).
    • PROS 600: Advanced Prosthodontics Literature Review (1 hour).
    • PROS 601: Surgical and Prosthodontic Principles of Implant Therapy (1 hour).
    • PROS 680: Clinical Prosthodontics (4 hours).
  • Spring semester:
    • DENS 580: Biostatistics and Research Design in Dentistry (2 hours).
    • DENS 630: Orthodontic-Periodontic-Prosthodontic-AEGD Conference (0.5 hours).
    • DENS 660: Interdisciplinary Care Conference 1 (0.5 hours).
    • DENS 680: Graduate Dental Clinic (4 hours).
    • DENS 699: Thesis Guidance (2 hours).
    • DENS 700: Basic Sciences and Graduate Dentistry (3 hours).
    • ORPT 750: Advanced Oral Diagnostic Sciences (0.5 hours).
    • PROS 501: Diagnosis, Treatment Planning and Case Presentation Seminar (2 hours).
    • PROS 600: Advanced Prosthodontics Literature Review (1 hour).
    • PROS 680: Clinical Prosthodontics (4 hours).
• Year two:
  • Fall semester:
    • DENS 630: Orthodontic-Periodontic-Prosthodontic-AEGD Conference (0.5 hours).
    • DENS 660: Interdisciplinary Care Conference 1 (0.5 hours).
    • DENS 680: Graduate Dental Clinic (4 hours).
    • DENS 699: Thesis Guidance (2 hours).
    • PROS 501: Diagnosis, Treatment Planning and Case Presentation Seminar (2 hours).
    • PROS 600: Advanced Prosthodontics Literature Review (1 hour).
    • PROS 630: Principles of Maxillofacial Prosthetics (0.5 hours).
    • PROS 680: Clinical Prosthodontics (4 hours).
  • Spring semester:
    • DENS 630: Orthodontic-Periodontic-Prosthodontic-AEGD Conference (0.5 hours).
    • DENS 660: Interdisciplinary Care Conference 1 (0.5 hours).
    • DENS 680: Graduate Dental Clinic (4 hours).
    • DENS 699: Thesis Guidance (2 hours).
    • PROS 501: Diagnosis, Treatment Planning and Case Presentation Seminar (2 hours).
    • PROS 600: Advanced Prosthodontics Literature Review (1 hour).
    • PROS 680: Clinical Prosthodontics (4 hours).
• Year three:
  • Fall semester:
    • DENS 550: Update in Practice Administration (1 hour).
    • DENS 630: Orthodontic-Periodontic-Prosthodontic-AEGD Conference (0.5 hours).
    • DENS 699: Thesis Guidance (2 hours).
    • PROS 501: Diagnosis, Treatment Planning and Case Presentation Seminar (2 hours).
    • PROS 600: Advanced Prosthodontics Literature Review (1 hour).
    • PROS 680: Clinical Prosthodontics (8 hours).
  • Spring semester:
    • DENS 630: Orthodontic-Periodontic-Prosthodontic-AEGD Conference (0.5 hours).
    • PROS 501: Diagnosis, Treatment Planning and Case Presentation Seminar (2 hours).
    • PROS 600: Advanced Prosthodontics Literature Review (1 hour).
    • DENS 699: Thesis Guidance (2 hours).
    • PROS 680: Clinical Prosthodontics (8 hours). The total hours required for the degree are 100.5.