Graduate Program in Endodontics
Description
General Information
Endodontics is the branch of dentistry that is concerned with the morphology, physiology and pathology of the human dental pulp and periradicular tissues. Its study and practice encompass the basic clinical sciences including biology of the normal pulp; the etiology, diagnosis, prevention and treatment of diseases and injuries of the pulp; and associated periradicular conditions.
The Scope of Endodontics
The scope of Endodontics includes, but is not limited to, the differential diagnosis and treatment of oral pain of pulpal and/or periradicular origin; vital pulp capping and pulpotomy, regenerative endodontics procedures, nonsurgical treatment of root canal systems with or without periradicular pathosis of pulpal origin and the obturation of these root canal systems; selective surgical removal of pathologic tissues resulting from pulpal pathosis; repair procedures related to such surgical removal of pathologic tissues; intentional replantation and replantation of avulsed teeth; surgical removal of tooth structure, such as root-end resection, hemisection, bicuspidization and root resection; root-end filling; endodontic implants; bleaching of discolored dentin and enamel; retreatment of teeth previously treated endodontically; and treatment procedures related to coronal restorations by means of post and/or cores involving the root canal space.
It is our belief that the development of scientific attitudes, of inquiring minds, and of professional curiosity, is every bit as important as the development of technical skill and craftsmanship. Put differently, we are dedicated to the task of producing not only a competent endodontic specialist, but a professional person-professional in every sense of the word.
Accreditation
The program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association.
Program Information
-
Introduction
The program is designed to satisfy in 24 (total) months the educational requirements for certification of eligibility for limitation of practice in endodontics, and examination by the American Board of Endodontics.
It conforms with the Guidelines for Advanced Dental Education Programs in Endodontics of the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association.
The incoming class enters the last week of June every year and completes the program on June 30th after the two-year curriculum.
-
Goals and Learning Objectives
Beyond the skills of a competent dentist, the student is expected to develop those skills and procedures consistent with the role of a specialist in endodontics. These include:
- the ability to diagnose and treat all manifestations of pulpal and periapical disease in the context of sound health care and comprehensive dental therapy.
- competency in all aspects of endodontic care: vital pulp therapy, regenerative endodontic procedures, management of traumatic dental injuries, non-surgical endodontic therapy, emergency care and surgical endodontic therapy—apicoectomy, root-end filling, root amputation and curettage.
- thorough familiarity with the evidence basis of past and current literature pertaining to endodontics and understanding of research methods, so that future literature will form the basis for rational modification of concepts.
In addition, students are expected to demonstrate the ability to define an endodontically related research problem, develop a research protocol, carry out the research and prepare a presentation of the project. Students also participate in undergraduate laboratory and clinical practice teaching.
-
Degree Options
The Graduate Endodontics program is an optional degree program beginning with the Class of 2023. All residents will earn a Certificate in Endodontics and may also elect to earn a Master of Science (MS) in Endodontics. Both programs are in compliance with accreditation standards; selecting to add the MS in Endodontics program does not change the required length of the program, program costs, curriculum content, or sequence.
-
Research Project
Introduction
One of the requirements for the successful completion of the Endodontic program in the Graduate Department of Endodontics at University of Detroit Mercy is that the resident initiate, conduct, complete and present an original research project, including a written article for submission to a professional journal. The basis for the requirement stems from the conviction that a research experience can, perhaps better than any other learning experience, develop and/or refine habits of critical thinking and reading. It is difficult to imagine a more appropriate goal for education at any level.
The Research Project
The research topic must be one that can be formulated in terms of a research hypothesis and one that is amenable to systematic and scientific investigation, including statistical evaluation of the data. Also, the project should be one that can be completed during the two-year program. All research topics must be approved by the director of Graduate Education and the program director at the outset.
Project Advisor and Review Committee
In carrying out the research project there are several people who will be available for advice and assistance. These include the director of Graduate Education, the program director, the project advisor, the Review Committee, and members of the faculty. At least two members of the committee must be members of the Detroit Mercy Dental Graduate Division faculty.
The project advisor generally will be a faculty member of this institution or some affiliated institution, and is the person with whom the student will work most closely in terms of advice and guidance throughout the project. In most instances the student may select the individual who will serve as his/her project advisor.
The research committee will usually consist of a minimum of three persons: the director of Graduate Endodontics, project advisor, and additional qualified persons from a different division serving on the Review Committee.
Hearings
At least two research committee meetings will be held. One meeting will be held soon after you have established your research design. It is at this time that any questions, confusions or apprehensions concerning the research, either on the part of the Review Committee or yourself, should be fully aired. Intermittent meetings are scheduled to evaluate progress of the project.
The final meeting will be held after the research project is completed and after each member of the Review Committee has received a typewritten copy of the final version of your research report. An oral presentation of the research findings is also given by the resident. If, for any reason, either you or any member of your Review Committee should wish to convene the committee for an additional hearing, such requests simply may be relayed to the project advisor, who will make the appropriate arrangements. The recommendations of the committee are given to the student immediately following the hearing, who is then responsible for implementing these recommendations.
MS Research Requirements
After electing to enter the MS in Endodontics program, candidates must identify their primary research advisor and form their Thesis Advisory Committee (TAC) within seven months of matriculating into their graduate program and then meet with their TAC at least once every six months.
TAC members will become the student’s Oral Exam Committee. The Oral Exam Committee must include at least one member from outside the candidate’s program. The chair of the Oral Exam Committee must be the chair of the TAC unless he is also the resident’s primary research advisor. In that case, the chair of the Oral Exam Committee must be someone other than that candidate’s primary research advisor.
Journal Submission
The Department requires that the written research report take the form of an article in suitable form for submission to a professional journal. The journal to which you submit your research is decided according to the research committee. The format and style of the manuscript will adhere to the submission guidelines employed by that particular journal. The written manuscript will simply follow the format utilized by most professional journals in reporting research results, that is:
- Introduction,
- Review of the Literature,
- Methods and Materials,
- Results, Discussion,
- Summary and Conclusions,
- and References.
The director of Graduate Education and your project advisor will work closely with you during this phase of your project.
Timelines
By the completion of course DEN 5900 (Basic Research Methods), each resident will have developed a written research proposal. The proposal will include the problem statement, purpose and background literature review. During this semester, the project advisor and Review Committee will be determined and provide appropriate input.
By the completion of the course DEN 5910 (Biostatistics), each resident will have developed the written research protocol. The protocol will include the introduction, purpose, methods and materials, and statistical analysis in the format of the referred journal to which the article will be submitted. The research protocol will then be reviewed/approved by the Review Committee.
It is anticipated that the experimentation and data collection will be conducted during the summer between the first and second years. By the completion of the second year Fall Term, all data will be collected, analyzed and the written article developed.
The project will be presented multiple times during the final semester and the written manuscript submitted for publication.
-
Endodontics Application and Admission Policies
The program is currently limited to three students entering in each year. It is preferable that applicants rank in the top 25 percent of their graduating class and have had a minimum of one year of private practice experience or its equivalent (general practice residency, military service, etc.)
Applicants must plan to attend the program on a full-time basis. It is possible for our graduate students to practice outside of the graduate program while enrolled. However, this activity must not compromise the educational experience and the fulfillment of responsibilities to the patients and the Department of Endodontics.
Deadline
Applications must be completed through Postdoctoral Application Support Service (PASS) and submitted to the Graduate Admissions office by July 15 of the year prior to the year of anticipated entry into the program.
Application Fee
The completed application must be accompanied by a $100.00 application fee. This fee is non-refundable and may not be credited to tuition fees should the applicant be accepted into the program. Applications will not be considered until all records and fees have been received.
Apply
Applicants may apply directly through the Postdoctoral Application Support Service (PASS).
Detroit Mercy is committed to the principle of equal opportunity for all regardless of age, sex, race, creed, national or ethnic origin, disability, weight and sexual preference.
Applicants must be graduates from institutions in the United States or Canada accredited by the ADA Commission on Dental Accreditation, or a foreign dental school of equivalent educational background and standing as determined by the admissions committee.
Criteria used to evaluate program applicants include: dental school grade point average, class rank, National Board scores, research, publications, experience since graduating from dental school, internship, general practice residency, letters of recommendation, and motivation for endodontics.
Applicants who are deemed acceptable by the Graduate Endodontic Admissions Committee are appointed for a personal interview.
Deposit upon acceptance
Upon written notification of acceptance into the program, the applicant must send a deposit fee of $1,500.00 within 10 days or he/she automatically loses his/her reserved place. This deposit fee is applied to the first term tuition and is non-refundable should the applicant withdraw his/her acceptance at a later date.
Reapplication
Applicants who are not successful in obtaining a training position may subsequently reapply through PASS for the following year consideration. A reapplication must be accompanied by a $100.00 reapplication fee. Applicants are encouraged to update their application material to reflect the most current and accurate information. Completed application packets will be retained for one year following each review.
Application
Send Application to:
Office of Dental Admissions- ATTN: Linda Pinkston
Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry
2700 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
Detroit, MI 48208-2576 -
Endodontics Program Fees and Expenses
The following chart shows the estimated cost of two years of study leading Certificate in Endodontics and optional MS in Endodontics at Detroit Mercy Dental based on 2022-2023 tuition and fees.
All students must have health insurance coverage or must enroll in the University plan provided through Aetna Student Health. Information on the Aetna plan will be provided in the first week of class. Fees are subject to change without notice. It is anticipated that the costs of tuition and books will increase commensurate with inflation, budget needs, or similar affecting factors.
First Year (Estimated) Charge Estimated Cost Tuition $84,660.00 Books, Fees, Insurance and Instrument Rental $7,000.00 Dental Health Insurance Fee $2,846.00 Dental IT Fee $400.00 Credential Fee $46.00 Equipment Replacement Fee $200.00 TOTAL $95,152.00 Second Year (Estimated) Charge Estimated Cost Tuition $84,660.00 Books, Fees, Insurance and Instrument Rental $7,000.00 Dental Health Insurance Fee $2,846.00 Dental IT Fee $400.00 Equipment Replacement Fee $200.00 TOTAL $95,106.00
Certificate and MS in Endodontics Required Curriculum (88.5 Credits)
-
First Year
Two-year curriculum from the last week of June to June 30th of second year
First Year
Summer Term
- DBS 5010 Head & Neck Anatomy, 2 credits
- DEN 5060 Preclinical Endodontics, 4 credits
- DOD 5140 Physiology of Bone & Tooth, 1 credit
Fall Term
- DBS 5130 Advanced Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, deferred course
- DEN 5110 Endodontology, deferred course
- DBS 5140 Microbiology & Immunology I, 2 credits
- DEN 5150 Clinical Endodontics, deferred course
- DBS 5170 Oral Pathology, 3 credits
- DEN 5210 Endodontic Case Review, deferred course
- DEN 5220 Pulp Biology, deferred course
- DEN 5240 Endodontic Literature Review, deferred course
- DEN 5250 Current Literature Seminar, 2 credits
- DEN 5670 Advanced Endodontics, 2.5 credits
- DOD 5910 Basic Research Methodology, 1 credit
Winter Term
- DBS 5130 Advanced Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, 2 credits
- DBS 5750 Microbiology & Immunology II, 2 credits
- DEN 5110 Endodontology, 4 credits
- DEN 5150 Clinical Endodontics, 8 credits
- DEN 5210 Endodontic Case Review, 4 credits
- DEN 5220 Pulp Biology, 4 credits
- DEN 5240 Endodontic Literature Review, deferred course
- DEN 5260 Current Literature Seminar, 2 credits
- DEN 5680 Advanced Endodontics, 2.5 credits
- DEN 5690 Endodontic Surgery, 3 credits
- DEN 5860 Practice Teaching, deferred course
- DOD 5920 Basic Research Methods & Biostatistics, 1 credit
- DRD 5000 Graduate Dental Materials, 1 credit
- DRD 5270 TMJ Seminar, 0.5 credits (P/F)
- DSD 5111 Ethics & Professional Responsibility, 1 credit
-
Second Year
Two-year curriculum from the last week of June to June 30th of second year
Second Year
Summer Term
- DPE 5110 Implant Dentistry, 2 credits
- DEN 5160 Clinical Endodontics, deferred course
- DEN 5230 Endodontic Case Review, deferred course
- DEN 5240 Endodontic Literature Review, 4 credits
- DEN 5860 Practice Teaching, deferred course
- DEN 5960 Endodontic Research, deferred course
Fall Term
- DEN 5160 Clinical Endodontics, 6 credits
- DEN 5230 Endodontic Case Review, 3 credits
- DEN 5290 Endodontic Literature Review, deferred course
- DEN 5300 Current Literature Seminar, 2 credits
- DEN 5860 Practice Teaching, 2 credits
- DEN 5960 Endodontic Research, deferred course
Winter Term
- DEN 5190 Clinical Endodontics, 4 credits
- DEN 5270 Endodontic Case Review, 2 credits
- DEN 5290 Endodontic Literature Review, 4 credits
- DEN 5310 Current Literature Seminar, 2 credits
- DEN 5870 Practice Teaching, 3 credits
- DEN 5960 Endodontic Research, deferred course
Summer Term (to June 30th)
- DEN 5960 Endodontic Research, 10 credits