Advanced Education Program in Endodontics
Application Process:
Program Deadline: August 15
Director: Dr. Anne Williamson, D.D.S., M.S.
Tel: 319-335-7471
Fax: 319-335-9663
E-Mail: karen-wallace@uiowa.edu
E-Mail: anne-williamson@uiowa.edu
Website: http://www.dentistry.uiowa.edu/endodontics/index.shtml
The University of Iowa
College of Dentistry
Dept. of Endodontics
435 Dental Science, S
Iowa City, IA 52242-1001
Required Number of Evaluations: 3
Sources: Candidate's choice
Attributes: Evaluator's choice
The Department of Endodontics at The University of Iowa provides advanced education to graduate students with an
emphasis on didactic instruction, research and patient care. In addition, students are provided with the opportunity
to teach in the predoctoral program. Endodontic instruction in the Advanced Education Program in Endodontics is provided
in the clinics of the Dental Science Building, the University Hospitals and Clinics, and in the Department of Dentistry,
Veterans Administration Medical Center.
Program Goals:
- To provide training in endodontics consistent with the Advanced Education Standards provided by the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation.
- To train individuals for careers in private practice and/or academic dentistry.
- To provide quality patient care.
- To prepare students to design, conduct, and evaluate scientific investigations.
- To prepare students for the board certification process of the American Board of Endodontics.
Advanced Training Program
The advanced training program in endodontics balances clinical experience with didactic instruction in the
relevant clinical and basic sciences. Students can expect to spend about half their time in direct patient contact
with the remainder divided between formal course, teaching, and research. Protocol driven research is an integral component
of the program and all advanced students are required to design and conduct an original research project. Preparation of a
manuscript suitable for publication is also a requirement.
The advanced education programs offered by the Department of Endodontics are designed to provide qualified dentists with
the scientific knowledge and clinical skills needed to competently practice endodontics and/or pursue a career
in dental education and research. The Department of Endodontics in conjunction with the College of Dentistry and
Graduate College offers different types of post-doctoral programs. Each will have similar clinical but
different didactic experiences.
- The Certificate Program requires a minimum of two calendar years (24 months) of full-time formal training. This program is designed to produce a practicing endodontist. No formal thesis is required; however, the student is required to design a research protocol, complete the research project, and prepare a scientific paper suitable for publication in a refereed journal. The Certificate Program is recommended for individuals wishing to pursue careers in private practice. Here is a sample curriculum for the certificate program.
- The Master of Science Degree Program combined with the Certificate in Endodontics is a three-year program (36 months) requiring a minimum of 30 graduate level semester credit hours. In addition, students must conduct an original research project resulting in a formal thesis. The student will follow a plan of study outlined by the Department of Endodontics and comply with Graduate College regulations. Under most circumstances, the degree granted will be a master of science in oral sciences, although there are alternative M.S. degrees in other disciplines. Following successful completion of requirements, both an M.S. degree and a certificate in endodontics will be granted. The M.S. degree is recommended for individuals wishing to pursue academic careers. Here is a sample curriculum for the master of science degree program.
- Alternative programs are available, such as a certificate in combination with a Ph.D. The Ph.D. program requires a minimum of five years (60 months). Upon completing original research and successfully defending a dissertation, students are granted a Ph.D. in a basic science area. Such programs are available by special arrangement and depend upon the experience and goals of the candidate. The Ph.D. degree is recommended for individuals seeking an academic career involving primarily research and clinical teaching.
Each advanced program satisfies training requirements outlined by the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation. Graduates are eligible for certification by the American Board of Endodontics. Individuals completing the program are encouraged to seek board certification. Various activities throughout the course of study will prepare the students for the Board examination process.
The goal of these programs is to develop competent diagnosticians and clinicians. Specifically, advanced education students will:
- learn the scientific and clinical basis of endodontics
- develop clinical skills
- gain knowledge and experience of the educational process in order to function confidently as dental educators
- recognize the value of academic research by developing skills in designing, conducting, reporting, and publishing the results of original research
- 5. establish a foundation of life-long learning
Program strengths
A major strength of advanced endodontic training at The University of Iowa is the
strong didactic curriculum. This problem-solving approach is used to develop skills in diagnosis and treatment-planning.
An intensive study of the scientific literature provides the biological basis for understanding the etiology of pathosis
as well as the rationale for treatment. Such an approach, combined with clinical experiences encompassing a variety of
challenging diagnostic and treatment problems, establishes a strong foundation for a career as an endodontist.