Advanced Education

Orthodontics

The Division of Orthodontics offers two full-time academic programs:

• Combined M.Dent.Sc./Certificate Program
• Combined Ph.D./Certificate Program

The combined M.Dent.Sc./Certificate Program is oriented toward preparing the student for substantial involvement in a career in research and teaching. While this academic program emphasizes in-depth research, it includes strong clinical experience. This program leads to a certificate in orthodontics plus a M.Dent.Sc. degree.

The combined Ph.D./Certificate Program is also oriented toward preparing the student for a career in research and teaching. There is an emphasis on in-depth research while still including strong clinical experience. This program leads to a certificate in orthodontics plus a Ph.D. degree. The length of time for this program is subject to each individual’s research progress.

Curriculum

The curriculum is “problem oriented” and is developed around a spectrum of courses. Each course consists of a sequence of problems and an organizational format appropriate for their solution. Each course is a result of the interaction of personnel and expertise from clinical and basic science areas.

The clinical portion of these programs include courses such as Growth and Development, Biomechanics I and II, Biology of Tooth Movement, Biostatistics, Oral Physiology, Dentofacial Orthopedics, Patient Care, Functional Appliances, Developmental Biology, Connective Tissue Biology, Biomaterials, Craniofacial Anomalies, Cephalometrics, Database, Basic Edgewise, Orthodontic Appliances, Practice Management, TMJ Dysfunction, Functional Considerations, Surgical Orthodontics, and Research. A certificate is awarded upon completion of these courses and graduation from the selected degree program. It is also possible for candidates with a previous degree in engineering to work toward a M.Dent.Sc. or Ph.D. degree in mechanical engineering during their training.

Research

There are unique opportunities for the students to direct their interests into such diverse specialty areas as bone biology, growth and development, clinical orthodontics, orthognathic surgery, biomechanics, biology of tooth movement, muscle physiology, speech, and behavioral science. The Division has a number of well-equipped research laboratories devoted to biomechanics and cell biology as well as access to others in the School of Engineering, the Institute of Material Science, the Center for Regenerative Medicine and Skeletal Development, and the Center for Biomaterials in the Division of Prosthodontics.

Admissions Requirements

The following application materials should be sent directly to the the Program Director:

• Completed application form (PDF).
• $75 application fee payable to the University of Connecticut Health Center.
• Official transcripts from all undergraduate and professional schools.
• Official transcript from the National Dental Board Examination.
• Three letters of recommendation including one from the director of the orthodontic program at the dental school attended, one from a dental school administrator and one from the dental dean with a certificate of class standing.
• TOEFL score in excess of 550 for paper-based or 215 for computer-based for graduates from non-English speaking countries.

The application deadline is October 1st of the year preceding July 1st matriculation.

Financial Information

• For more information, see the Financial Aid and Budget page.