Graduate
Specialty Program in Endodontology
Graduate
Program Director: Larry Koren, BDS, DMD
Associate Professor of Endodontology
Diplomate, American Board of Endodontics
The Department
of Endodontology, the first of its kind at a United States dental
school, prepares qualified dentists for specialty practice,
teaching, and research in endodontics through an advanced education
program leading to a Postgraduate Certificate in Endodontology.
The program is fully accredited and received three commendations at the last visit from the Commission on Dental Accreditation
of the American Dental Association. The program also fulfills the educational
requirements for specialty board certification by the American
Board of Endodontics.
The full-time
program encompasses clinical and didactic instruction presented
over a 24-month period. Students matriculate at the beginning
of September of each year and must remain in continuous residence
for the entire program period. Program facilities include modern
clinic operatories, a well-equipped seminar room, two surgical
operating microscopes with digital video recording capability,
graduate student study cubicle/office space, on-line computers,
and access to operational research laboratories. Each student
is assigned to their own radiographic imaging unit and locked
cabinet.
Graduate
endodontic students receive a major part of their didactic training
during the first year and are instructed in diagnostic and therapeutic
techniques in clinical endodontics as a part of their patient
care activities. The didactic component of the program consists
of multiple seminar courses that involve extensive reading and
analysis of the primary scientific literature in endodontics,
and a series of basic biomedical science courses jointly taken
with graduate students from other clinical specialty programs.
Clinical activities comprise approximately 50% of the program,
with clinical proficiency attained in all phases of endodontic
therapy. The program also places a heavy emphasis on Endodontic Board Certification. The pass rate of our graduates has been amongst the highest in the country. Training and experience is provided in all acceptable
treatment modalities in clinical endodontics, including use
of various types of endodontic instrumentation, non-surgical
obturation techniques (lateral condensation, chloropercha, eucapercha,
warm gutta-percha, thermoplastic techniques, and apexification),
and endodontic surgery (apicoectomy, periapical curettage, guided
tissue/bone regeneration, retrograde seals, and replantation
procedures). A vast, highly diverse patient pool in the Philadelphia
metropolitan area with a wide range of endodontic treatment
needs is available to the program. Special clinical emphasis
is placed on endodontic emergency care, endodontic re-treatment,
and contemporary management of complex and/or refractory endodontic
lesions. Collaborative educational activities take place with
other endodontic specialty programs and faculty in the Philadelphia
city area.
A publishable
research project is a mandatory part of the program, and teaching
experience for postgraduate endodontic students is offered by
supervising predoctoral dental students in the endodontic technique
laboratory, and in the clinical program at the School of Dentistry.
A research thesis-based Master of Science
in Oral Biology degree program is available through the
Temple University Graduate School to qualified individuals,
and may be taken concurrently with the postgraduate certificate
program.
At present,
six individuals are selected per year for full-time matriculation
into the graduate specialty program in endodontology. The program does accept students sraight out of dental school, however, preference in admission is given to academically-accomplished applicants with
previous clinical practice experience, prior research accomplishment,
and/or graduates of general residencies (GPR) or advanced general
dentistry (AEGD) programs. However, applicants must indicate if they are seeking acceptance into a clinical track for the Postgraduate Certificate in Endodontology only, or to a research track, where completion of the Master of Science in Oral Biology degreee is required for awarding of the Postgraduate Certificate in Endodontology.
Philosophy
of the Advanced Education Program in Endodontology
An advanced
program of study, designed to qualify specialists in Endodontics,
should provide a background of understanding of the biological
sciences, as well as of the behavioral and social sciences.
The purposes of such a program are to prepare an individual
to practice, to teach or to engage in research and to meet the
requirements of a certifying board. The program will afford
instruction in basic biological sciences such as biochemistry,
pharmacology, immunology, pathology, microbiology, genetics
and others. In addition, some insight will be afforded into
motivation and behavioral patterns, the reactions of patients
to dentists and dentist's own reactions to patients.
The philosophy
of such a program is intended to prepare them for independent
decision-making. The students are asked to prepare
reports, search the literature and discuss topics in seminars.
There is less emphasis on formal lectures and more emphasis
on group discussion.
Keeping
abreast of current literature, as well as knowledge of landmark
articles from the past literature is necessary for a deep-seated
understanding of the field of endodontology. The literature
is critically evaluated for research design, findings and conclusions.
The scientific method is thus explored and evaluated.
Research
is an integral part of the learning process. Students are expected
to participate in research activities within the department.
Fully equipped, departmental laboratory facilities are available
to support basic research in such areas as: biochemistry, microbiology,
molecular biology and cell biology. Additional research facilities,
as well as expertise, is available through collaborative arrangements
with departments within Temple University School of Medicine.
Clinical research will also be supported and encouraged. A protocol
for a proposed investigation must be prepared and presented
to a panel of basic scientists. Following such critical evaluation
and acceptance of the protocol, the student is encouraged to
begin his research project.
Clinical
aptitude is encouraged by clinical practice. Students are
given basic instructions in techniques; concurrently, they practice
endodontics in the clinic. Instruction is based on the philosophy that there should be freedom to explore various techniques.
Instructors are always available for consultation. The students are encouraged
to try out various techniques and no attempt is made to restrict
them to any
specific technique.
To expand the horizons of the students, visiting teachers and
clinicians are invited to address the students, to participate
in panel discussions with them. The students are also encouraged
to attend local, state and national meetings and conferences
to hear other points of view.
The developing
concepts and philosophies of the students are subsequently allowed
expression in the second year when the students are asked to
lecture, lead group discussions and teach predoctoral dental
students.
Relation of the Clinical Training to Other Clinical Disciplines
All the
advanced education students are taught the same core curriculum
of basic sciences. They make seminar reports to each other and
discuss various clinical problems in other disciplines. Due to their close proximity, periodontal
students and endodontic students work together and consult each other frequently
when combined problems exist.
Seminars
with teachers of other disciplines are arranged, e.g. with oral
pediatrics, operative dentistry and AEGD.
GOALS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE ADVANCED SPECIALTY EDUCATION PROGRAM IN ENDODONTICS
Goal 1: Develop skillful clinicians capable of delivering advanced or complex endodontic care at a high level of quality and sophistication.
- Objective 1: To provide the student with a sufficiently large number of diagnostic, non surgical, surgical and post operative evaluation experiences to develop proficiency in the practice of endodontics.
- Objective 2: To prepare the student to effectively treat and manage medically compromised patients.
- Objective 3: To provide the student with formal and informal opportunities to present, discuss and defend their clinical cases with endodontic faculty, other department faculty and student colleagues.
Goal 2: Establish a sound basis for the practice of endodontics.
- Objective: To provide the student with an in-depth knowledge of relevant basic/biomedical sciences as they relate to the theory and practice of endodontics.
Goal 3: Develop fundamental research skills and an interest in and understanding of endodontic research in order to evaluate published clinical and scientific papers.
- Objective 1: To train the student in the fundamentals of research methodology, study design, biostatistics, data organization and analysis, scientific writing and presentation.
- Objective 2: To provide the student with the opportunity to conduct and publish research.
Goal 4: Satisfy the formal education requirements necessary to establish board eligibility and to succeed in the certifying examinations of the American Board of Endodontics.
- Objective 1: To provide the student with the credentials to enter the board process and the knowledge and skills to become board certified.
- Objective 2: To provide the student with the motivation and support to successfully complete the board certification examinations.
Goal 5: Create the desire and sense of obligation and responsibility to contribute to the perpetuation and growth of endodontics by mentoring and teaching.
- Objective: To provide the student with the training and opportunity to teach and educate pre and postdoctoral students.
Acceptance
to the Endodontology Program
Preference
is given to academically-accomplished applicants with one or
more years of clinical practice experience or completion of
a general practice residency (GPR) or an advanced education
in general dentistry (AEGD) program. Preference also is given
to applicants with prior research experience/training, scientific
publications, and/or prior advanced degrees in basic science/biomedical
fields. However, students straight out of dental school with very good grades are also encouraged to apply.
Since English
is the language of instruction at Temple University School of
Dentistry, adequate proficiency in both verbal and written comprehension
and expression of English is a prerequisite for admission to
the Postgraduate Certificate in Endodontology program. Applicants
whose native language is not English are required to attain
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) scores equivalent
to 600 or higher prior to consideration for admission.
A
Master of Science (M.S.) in Oral Biology degree is strongly
encouraged as an option to be completed concurrent with the
Postgraduate Certificate in Endodontology program. This joint
program aims to develop "clinician scholars" in endodontology
who obtain the combination of a strong modern foundation in
basic sciences and research methodology from the M.S. degree
with clinical specialty training from the postgraduate certificate
program. The M.S. in Oral Biology in part requires a minimum
of 30 semester hours of graduate-level coursework, completion
of a written thesis based upon original investigation and research,
and successful passage of a final oral examination defending
the thesis. Admission to the M.S. in Oral Biology must be sought
concurrent with the start of the clinical specialty certificate
program.
Applying
to the Program
Temple University encourages
applicants both domestic and foreign. Applying to the Endodontic
Program involves the following:
1. Application to the Endodontic Program is initiated
through the American Dental Education Association Postdoctoral
Application Support Service(PASS). Please check with
PASS that all your information is received by them as they
will only forward completed records to the university
for processing.
The website address to PASS is:
http://www.adea.org/EPS/searchform.asp
The website address to PASS for directions on how to apply is: http://www.adea.org/PASS/default.htm
2. The
applicant must send official transcripts from their study at
undergraduate college directly to Temple University School of
Dentistry (Department of Endodontics). Please do not
send the undergraduate college
transcripts to PASS as they will not accept them.
3. A separate application fee of $40 is required when applying to the endodontics program. Please
make checks payable to: Temple University School of
Dentistry.
The address for
the check and transcripts is:
| Dr. Larry Koren |
| Department of Endodontics |
Temple University
Kornberg School of
Dentistry |
| 3223 N. Broad Street |
| Philadelphia, PA 19140 |
If you have questions
about the application process please contact the Endodontology
Department Office Secretary, Ms Pamela Bennett:
| Phone: |
215-707-2810 |
|
|
| Fax: |
215-707-1482 |
|
|
| E-Mail: |
Pam Bennett |
For more information
about Philadelphia including culture, shopping, apartments,
newspapers and events go to www.philly.com.
If you plan to visit
the dental school, accommodations can be made at Temple University's Conwell Inn located
on the Main Campus.
FACILITIES
Constructed in 1989,
the The Maurice H. Kornberg School of Dentistry is housed in one of
the newest facilities of any dental school in the country. Large
areas of this facility were dedicated specifically for the Postdoctoral
Endodontics Program, and remain exclusively used by our Postdoctoral
Endodontics Students. This includes 16 operatories (each with
its own x-ray unit and the potential for microscope use), 2
student lounges/offices, a seminar room, a reception room, a
waiting room, sterilization/dispensing areas, and storage rooms.
It is clear from this that a substantial commitment was made
by the dental school, to the establishment of an advanced Education
Program in Endodontics. This commitment has continued and grown.
Financial support by the school has permitted the department
to assemble a professional staff of 5 full time, and 13 part
time faculty members who participate in our Advanced Educational Program
- either as lecturers, Seminar Leaders, or Clinical Instructors.
In addition, the financial support committed by the school to
our Advanced Education Program has allowed us to bring noted
experts in all phases of endodontics, pulp biology, and periapical
biology to our school to teach our students. Another example
of the school's commitment to this department and our Advanced
Education Program, was the construction of 2,200sq. ft. of laboratory
space for the research activities of our program. Finally, the
continued support of the school has allowed us to fully equip
and maintain the clinical facilities that are dedicated to our
advanced education program. Within our postdoctoral Endodontic
Clinic, we have 2 autoclaves, 1 automatic x-ray processor, a
digital radiography unit as well as two state of the art microsurgery
operatories with video recording capabilities.
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First Year
Coursework
Fall
Semester
GEndo
500. Pain Diagnosis and Control (2 s.h.)
GEndo 501. Pulp Biology (2 s.h.) *
GEndo 502. Periapical Biology (2 s.h.) *
GEndo 503. Biological Basis of Disease (2 s.h.)
GEndo 504. Current Clinical Concepts (2 s.h.)
GEndo 505. Clinical Seminars in Endodontology (2 s.h.)
GEndo 506. Current Literature Review (1 s.h.)
GEndo 512. Emergency Endodontic Clinic (3.0 s.h.)
GEndo 525. Endodontic Clinic (12 s.h.)
Oral Biology 418. Research Methods and Study Design (1 s.h.)**
Oral Biology 421. Oral Microbiology & Immunology (1 s.h.)**
Oral Biology 425. Biostatistics (1 s.h.)**
Oral Biology 471. Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology (1 s.h.)**
Spring
Semester
GEndo 501. Pulp Biology (2 s.h.)*
GEndo 502. Periapical Biology (2 s.h.) *
GEndo 504. Current Clinical Concepts (2 s.h.)
GEndo 505. Clinical Seminars in Endodontology (2 s.h.)
GEndo 508. Microbiology/Immunology (2 s.h.)
GEndo 509. Systemic Diseases (1.5 s.h.)
GEndo 510. Endodontic Surgery (2.5 s.h.)
GEndo 511. Teaching for Sophomore Preclinical Lab (2 s.h.)
GEndo 512. Emergency Endodontic Clinic (3.0 s.h.)
GEndo 514. Endodontic Methods and Materials (1.0 s.h.)
GEndo 525. Endodontic Clinic (12 s.h.)
Oral Biology 401. Molecular Oral and Craniofacial Biology (1 s.h.)**
Oral Biology 407. Advanced Dental Pharmacology and Therapeutics (1 s.h.)**
Oral Biology 411. Seminars in Oral and Craniofacial Biology (1 s.h.)**
Oral Biology 420. Advanced Oral Pathology (1 s.h.)**
Pediatric Patient Management***
Summer Session I
GEndo 512. Emergency Endodontic Clinic (3.0 s.h.)
GEndo 525. Endodontic Clinic (12 s.h.)
Oral Biology 416. Clinical Anatomy of the Head and Neck (1 s.h.)**
Pediatric Patient Management***
Summer Session II
GEndo 512. Emergency Endodontic Clinic (3.0 s.h.)
GEndo 525. Endodontic Clinic (12 s.h.)
Pediatric Patient Management***
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Second Year Coursework
Fall
Semester
GEndo
501. Pulp Biology (2 s.h.)*
GEndo 502. Periapical Biology (2 s.h.)*
GEndo 505. Clinical Seminars in Endodontology (2 s.h.)
GEndo 506. Current Literature Review (1 s.h.)
GEndo 512. Emergency Endodontic Clinic (3.0 s.h.)
GEndo 513. Dental Traumatology (1.0 s.h.)
GEndo 525. Endodontic Clinic (12 s.h.)
Spring Semester
GEndo
501. Pulp Biology (2 s.h.)*
GEndo 502. Periapical Biology (2 s.h.)*
GEndo 505. Clinical Seminars in Endodontology (2 s.h.)
GEndo 506. Current Literature Review (1 s.h.)
GEndo 507. Classical Literature Review (1 s.h.)
GEndo 512. Emergency Endodontic Clinic (3.0 s.h.)
GEndo 525. Endodontic Clinic (12 s.h.)
Summer Session I
GEndo 512. Emergency Endodontic Clinic (3.0 s.h.)
GEndo 525. Endodontic Clinic (12 s.h.)
Summer Session II
GEndo 512. Emergency Endodontic Clinic (3.0 s.h.)
GEndo 525. Endodontic Clinic (12 s.h.)
* Course
offered alternate years
** CORE - Mandatory courses for all first year postgraduate students
***Courses offered in conjunction with visiting lecturers
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