Postdoctoral specialty training in orthodontics at the University of Maryland School of Dentistry is a three-year program. Four new residents are selected each year for admission into the postdoctoral program in orthodontics. The program provides its residents with sound didactic background based on five pillars: biomechanics, diagnosis and treatment planning, biology of tooth movement, growth and development and ABO preparation.

Residents are exposed to many different Orthodontic techniques and appliances on various philosophies. Since the postdoctoral clinic is situated in the University of Maryland School of Dentistry on the campus of the Health Sciences Center of the University of Maryland, residents have ample opportunity to co-work with other disciplines in dental and medical fields. Residents are introduced to a multidisciplinary approach to treatment that includes perio-orthodontic treatment, surgical-orthodontic treatment, pre- and post-restorative treatment, such as impilant restorations, and grand case conferences with all disciplines involved.

The orthodontic program also provides its residents with experience as instructors, teaching both laboratory and clinical orthodontics to predoctoral dental students at the School of Dentistry. All residents must conduct an original research project during their three years in the program. At the end of the project, the residents must prepare a written paper about their study and defend their thesis to a panel of faculty members. Their research outcomes will be reported at national or international meetings and consequently published in academic journals.

Admissions Information

Program Objectives
  • To educate and train postdoctoral students in the knowledge, skills and critical judgment required to practice the specialty of orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics.
  •  To develop postdoctoral student’s ability to understand, assess and add to clinical research by participation in scholarly research activities.
  •  To prepare the postdoctoral student to fulfill the requirements necessary for certification by the American Board of Orthodontics.
  • To prepare the postdoctoral student to become educators in their field of expertise.
  • To encourage the postdoctoral student to provide service to the community by participating in voluntary activities.
Scope of Training

Residents gain experience in the treatment of patients with all types of dentofacial deformities. A broad mastery of alternative techniques with different variations of the Edgewise appliance is emphasized, along with modern forms of removable appliances. Treatment is provided for adults, adolescents, and children. Orthodontic residents also provide orthodontic treatment in complex rehabilitation cases in coordination with speciality residents in prosthodontics, periodontics, and pediatric dentistry. Surgical orthognathic cases are treated in conjunction with oral-maxillofacial surgery residents at the University of Maryland Medical System and the Johns Hopkins Univeristy Hospital.

Through an extensive series of lectures, seminars, and case conferences, a comprehensive didactic background in relevant basic sciences and clinical orthodontics is provided to the residents. Each resident, working with a faculty supervisor, must complete an original research project and be ready for publication. Residents serve as instructors in the predoctoral clinic and supervise minor tooth movement and space maintenance procedures.

While pursuing a certificate in orthodontics, the residents will be enrolled in a master of science degree program in oral biology. Courses taken for the master's degree will also satisfy some certificate requirements.

Postgraduate Curriculum - Year 1

COURSE

TITLE

TOTAL CREDITS

FALL

SPRING

YEAR 1

       

ORTH 566A

Foundations of Craniofacial Analysis

2.5

2.5

 

ORTH 567A

Treatment Planning Seminar

1

1

 

ORTH 568A

Diagnosis

4

4

 

ORTH 569A

Clinic

29

13

16

ORTH 576A

Typodont

1

1

 

ORTH 577A

Laboratory Technique

1

1

 

ORTH 578A

Case Conference Seminars

3

 

3

ORTH 579A

Research

7

2

5

ORTH 586A

Literature Review

1

 

1

ORTH 587A

Mixed Dentition Seminar

2

 

2

ORTH 588A

Biomechanics

2

 

2

ORTH 589A

Technique Seminars

11

 

11

ORTH 597A

Ortho-Surgery Seminar

2

 

2

ORTH 598A

Applied Teaching

3

 

3

PEDS 598A

Development of Dentition

2

1

1

PERI 579B

Perio-Ortho Seminars

1

 

1

DBMS 605

Scientific Method/Writing/Ethics

1

1

 

DBMS 608

Intro Biomedical Research

1

1

 

DBMS 618

Special Topics: Microbiology (Section 04)

1

1

  

DBMS 626

Advanced Oral Radiology

2

2

 

DBMS 628

Advanced Head and Neck Anatomy

4

4

 

DBMS 633

Anat Temporomandibular Joint

1

1

 

DBMS 638

Biostatistics

3

3

 

DPAT 612

Problems in Oral Pathology

2

2

 

DPAT 613

Problems in Oral Pathology II

2

 

2

 

TOTAL

89.5

40.5

49

Postgraduate Curriculum - Year 2

COURSE

TITLE

TOTAL CREDITS

FALL

SPRING

YEAR 2

       

ORTH 569C

Clinic

32

16

16

ORTH 578C

Case Conference Seminars

3

 

3

ORTH 579C

Research

9

4

5

ORTH 586C

Literature Review

1

 

1

ORTH 587A

Mixed Dentition Seminar

2

 

2

ORTH 587C

Practice Management

2

 

2

ORTH 589C

Technique Seminars

5

 

5

ORTH 597C

Ortho-Surgery Seminar

2

 

2

ORTH 598C

Applied Teaching

5

 

5

PERI 579B

Perio-Ortho Seminars

1

 

1

DBMS 631

Oral Motor Function (Spring odd years)

2

   

DBMS 642

Nociception/Pain/Analgesia

2

2

 

DBMS 799

Master's Thesis Research

2

 

2

 

TOTAL

66

22

44

Postgraduate Curriculum - Year 3

COURSE

TITLE

TOTAL CREDITS

FALL

SPRING

YEAR 3

       

ORTH 569E

Clinic

20

10

10

ORTH 578E

Case Conference Seminars

3

 

3

ORTH 579E

Research

15

5

10

ORTH 586E

Literature Review

1

 

1

ORTH 597E

Ortho-Surgery Seminar

2

 

2

ORTH 598E

Applied Teaching

15

5

10

PERI 579B

Perio-Ortho Seminar

1

 

1

DBMS 631

Oral Motor Function (Spring odd years)

2

   

DBMS 799

Master's Thesis Research

4

2

2

 

TOTAL

61

22

39