Application Deadline:  September 1

The periodontics program no longer participates in the National Matching Program and does not participate in the PASS (Postdoctoral Application Support Service) Program.   All application materials should be sent directly to:

Indiana University School of Dentistry
Office of Graduate Education
1121 W Michigan Street, Room 104A
Indianapolis, IN  46202

Application Requirements

US trained dentists (or dental students) must submit:

IUSD application and required $50.00 application fee
School Certification of Disciplinary History Form
Official transcripts of all undergraduate college/universities attended
Official dental school transcript
Dental school overall GPA and ranking
National Board Examination, part I & II (dental students:  part 1)
Two letters of recommendation
Curriculum vitae
Personal statement

Please refer to the US application handout for more detailed application information.

International trained dentists must submit:

IUSD application
IUPUI International Application and required $60.00 application fee ($50.00 for permanent residents)
School Certification of Disciplinary History Form
Official undergraduate transcripts (if applicable)
Official dental transcript
Diploma, certificate or degree statement for all schools attended
A certified English translation of each education record, if your school does not routinely issue official documents in English
TOEFL scores (minimum acceptable score:  570 paper, 213 computer, 79 internet)
National Board Examination, part I (required for all applicants) and Part II (if completed)
Two letters of recommendation
Curriculum vitae
Personal Statement
A completed Financial Support Agreement form from each sponsor and all required supporting documentation

Please refer to the International Application handout for more detailed application information.

Following receipt of application and all supplementary materials, candidates are reviewed and invited for an interview.  Interviewees meet with all available full-time faculty and current students to recieve all pertinent information about the program, its attributes and problems, as well as to be further evaluated personally.

Following the interview process, acceptance letters and contracts will be sent to each successful applicant.

Program Description

The periodontics graduate program at Indiana University School of Dentistry has been developed so that upon completion the student will have attained the following:

• Competence in all diagnostic, preventive and treatment procedures currently employed in periodontics.
• The didactic knowledge, as well as the diagnostic, treatment, and maintenance skills necessary for successful completion of the American Board of Periodontology examination.
• Successful completion of all requirements for the Master of Science in Dentistry (MSD) and the Clinical Certificate in Periodontics.
• The knowledge and skills necessary for successful clinical practice, or a position in academics or research.

This 35-month program consists of 3 nine-month academic years, 1 two-month summer session and 2 three-month summer sessions. The two-month summer session begins the program in early July and consists of core courses taken by all graduate students regardless of specialty which lead up to the Fall Semester of the first year.

During the first year, students receive the major part of the didactic training, and learn to employ all of the diagnostic and therapeutic techniques employed in clinical periodontics on the patients assigned to them at the beginning of the program. They are encouraged to utilize a variety of techniques rather than to follow a single method of treatment. In consultation with faculty advisors, the first year student also selects a research project for the thesis, chooses his/her thesis committee and develops the review of literature section and the research protocol for approval by the research committee. Both research and clinical experience are enhanced by in-depth review of both current and topical periodontal literature.

The first 3-month summer session between the first and second year is primarily spent in conducting the planned research and in clinical practice. Didactic courses in IV conscious sedation and surgical treating in implants are given during this time.

The second year is devoted to comprehensive treatment of complex cases, further acquisition of an in-depth knowledge of the periodontal literature, and refinement of skills in the more sophisticated treatment techniques. Course work in the second year can vary with the individual’s choice of electives. In addition, research projects continue and data collection and analysis begin. Oral and written examinations for the MSD degree are usually taken at the end of the second year.

The second 3-month summer session is primarily spent in progress on the thesis research and in clinical practice.

During the third year, students conduct in-depth reviews of current technologies and topics of current interest in periodontics. Clinical skills in periodontics and IV sedation are refined and results of therapy are carefully analyzed. In addition, the Master’s Thesis is written and defended during this time.

In addition to clinical experience in the dental school, each Periodontics Graduate Student assists in hospital surgical procedures and is also given the opportunity to perform the procedures.

For further program information contact:

Department of Periodontics
Indiana University School of Dentistry
1121 West Michigan Street
Indianapolis, IN 46202-5186