Periodontics Certificate

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The residency in periodontics is a three-year certificate program. Each resident is exposed to all periodontal diagnostics and therapies and is expected to be competent in all phases of clinical periodontal care. This includes competency in implant therapy and the provision of moderate parenteral sedation.  All residents are encouraged to participate in the American Academy of Periodontology board certification process, and to graduate as board-certified periodontist. A master’s degree option is available to residents in the Department of Periodontics. Three residents are accepted annually for the three-year program.

Residents in the Periodontics Residency Program may elect to pursue a master of dental science degree (MDS) alongside their certificate. Eligible residents who elect this option must pass the Master of Dental Science Entrance Examination and enroll in the tract with the Pitt Registrar’s Office. Please talk with the dental residency program administrator for details.   

All residents must be graduates of an accredited U.S. or Canadian dental school. U.S. citizenship is not a requirement.

Applications to the residency program are accepted through the ADEA Postdoctoral Application Support Service (PASS) or the self-managed application through the Office of Residency Education (412-648-8406).  Applications are due before August 1 of each year.

Learn more about the Periodontics Residency Program by visiting Advanced Education & Residency Program in Periodontics | School of Dental Medicine (pitt.edu).

The advanced specialty education program in periodontics is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA). The Commission is a specialized accrediting body recognized by the United States Department of Education. The Commission on Dental Accreditation can be contacted at 312-440-4653, or at 211 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL, 60611. The Commission’s web address is http://www.ada.org/100.aspx.