Program Overview

The UCLA School of Dentistry Advanced Prosthodontic Residency Program is a 36-month program, which is designed to provide advanced training in specialized patient care, research and teaching. The goal of the curriculum is to provide students with a scientifically-based rationale for all diagnostic, treatment planning and patient care decisions. This includes dental techniques, use of articulators and other instrumentation as well as dental materials used in all aspects of prosthodontics. The residency begins on July 1 of each year. Upon successful completion of the residency, the candidate is awarded two certificates: a Certificate of Postgraduate Study from the School of Dentistry and a Certificate of Completion of Residency from the UCLA Hospitals and Clinics. Each year we accept 2 residents.

Length of Program - 36 months beginning July 1

Number of Residents Accepted Each Year - 2

Curriculum

An important objective of the program is to prepare the graduates as teachers, researchers and outstanding clinicians. We encourage our residents to concurrently pursue a Masters in Oral Biology Degree program. Ideal research projects include topics in areas such as dental materials, bioengineering, bone biology and prosthodontics.

What to Expect

A primary aim of the program is to teach residents not only the importance of replacing oral structures but also to stress preservation and optimization of the supporting structures through coordinated effort with other dental specialties. Additionally, positive management skills are developed for these often demanding, long-term treatment patients.

Within the clinical area, residents become acquainted with the philosophies and principles of prosthodontic treatment with fixed, removable, implant and maxillofacial prosthodontics. Advanced and specialized methods required for care of extraordinary and unusual cases are stressed. Treatment planning, sequencing and execution of laboratory and clinical work with a coordinated global view is emphasized.

Approximately 60% of the curriculum time is allocated to patient care with the remaining time devoted to required biomedical courses, prosthodontic literature review seminars, lectures and diagnosis/treatment planning seminars.

Requirements/Pre-requisites

• DDS or DMD degree from an ADA Accredited dental school
• Successful completion of both Part I & II of the National Board Dental Examination.

Application Process

Application Requirements:

• Secondary General Application form
• Personal statement
• Curriculum vitae
• Official transcripts, pre-dental and dental records
• Official National Board scores
• Three letters of recommendation
• Selected candidates will be invited to interview.

Timeline

The application and supporting materials must be submitted by Sept 15. Applicants are notified of the decision in late October.

Selection Factors