About Our Programs
Faculty in the University of Maryland School of Dentistry are affiliated with the Graduate School and the Graduate Program in Life Sciences at the University of Maryland, Baltimore.
If you are interested in being considered for combined degree programs at the school of dentistry, please complete one of our pre-application forms for either the DDS/PhD Program or the DDS/MSCR and DDS/MPH Program. For more information about these programs, please visit our DDS/PhD and DDS/Master's Program websites.
UMSOD offers a broad base of training programs in addition to the DDS program - dental hygiene, advanced general dentistry and other postgraduate dental specialty programs, and research doctoral programs.
Why come to the University of Maryland School of Dentistry?
- A rich history - since its inception, the School of Dentistry has enjoyed a reputation of leadership in dental education
- A strong research foundation, ranking high among dental schools in NIH research funding
- A strong relationship with the University of Maryland and its sister schools with overlapping programs
- A new, state-of-the-art facility with leading-edge learning technologies
DDS-PhD Pre-Application Form: https://www.dental.umaryland.edu/research/graduate-programs/dds-phd-pre-application-form/
In response to a growing interest in research among students of dentistry and today's strong demand for biomedical researchers in the oral health arena, the University of Maryland School of Dentistry is offering a combined DDS-PhD program. The program is designed to prepare outstanding clinical and basic biomedical scientists, thoroughly versed in the science underlying clinical practice and capable of identifying and addressing significant problems in oral health. Although designed as a seven-year program, an exceptional student can complete the program in six years. A maximum of two students are admitted into the program each year. A student may enter the program in year one, two, or prior to entering the third year of dental school.
The combined degree program builds on the school's tradition of attracting and cultivating high-caliber research-oriented students. Since the start of the program in 1997, more than 100 University of Maryland dental students have undertaken research training at the school or at other Baltimore-area institutions. Many have presented their work at national or international meetings and several have published their studies in peer-reviewed journals. University of Maryland School of Dentistry students have been especially successful in garnering prestigious NIH Summer Research grants. Their research experience at the University of Maryland School of Dentistry has prepared them for new opportunities in the field of biomedical science at universities, hospitals, and laboratories around the country.
Mentoring
Upon admission, a student is assigned to a program oversight committee codirected by a clinical mentor and a basic science mentor. The student meets regularly with the committee for guidance and evaluation throughout the program.
Financial Assistance
Students enrolled in the program will receive financial support in the form of a stipend for the one full-time year of the program In addition, short-term fellowships are available for research conducted in the summer before entering dental school and summer work during dental school.
Curriculum Overview
Here is a typical program timeline:
Years One & Two
Similar to year one and two of the dental predoctoral curriculum, with addition of:
- Graduate-level courses in biochemistry, physiology, and pharmacology
- Weekly research seminars and journal club meetings
- Biostatistics and start of laboratory rotations (summer between years one and two).
Years Three, Four, Five
- Research laboratory work
- Completion of elective coursework tailored to students' chosen research area
- Progression through doctoral degree candidacy
- Completion of doctoral dissertation
- Reassessment of clinical skills (spring semester, year five ), followed by preclinical courses as appropriate to address additional training needs.
Years Six & Seven
- Completion of clinical requirements of DDS degree (equivalent to years three and four of dental school) and additional research-related activities. Upon completion of the clinical program, students receive DDS and PhD degrees simultaneously.
For further information about the combined degree DDS-PhD Program, please contact:
Nicki Mitchell
Program Coordinator
Office of Research
nmitchell@umaryland.edu
Combined DDS-Master's Program ▾
In response to a growing interest among students of dentistry and today's strong demand for clinician-scientists in the oral health arena, the University of Maryland School of Dentistry is offering a dual DDS-Master's program. The programs are designed to prepare outstanding clinical scientists, thoroughly versed in clinical research or public health and capable of addressing significant problems in oral health. Students can choose a master's in clinical research or a master's in public health and graduate with the DDS-MSCR or DDS-MPH. A maximum of two students are admitted into the program each year. A student may enter the program in year one, two, or prior to entering the third year of dental school.
The dual degree program builds on the school's tradition of attracting and cultivating high-caliber students. Since 1997, more than 100 University of Maryland dental students have presented their work at national or international meetings and several have published in peer-reviewed journals. The University of Maryland School of Dentistry students have been especially successful in garnering prestigious NIH awards. Their experience at the University of Maryland School of Dentistry has prepared them for new opportunities around the country.
The program is directed by Dr. Man-Kyo Chung. Dr. Chung is currently on the faculty at the University Of Maryland School of Dentistry.
Man-Kyo Chung, DMD, PhD
Professor
Department of Neural and Pain Sciences
Assistant Dean of Research and Graduate Studies
MChung@umaryland.edu
Financial Assistance
Students enrolled in the program will receive financial support in the form of a stipend for the one full-time year of the program. In addition, short-term fellowships are available for research conducted in the summer before entering dental school and summer work during dental school.
Curriculum Overview
Upon admission, a student is assigned to an advisory committee. Projects will be overseen by a school of dentistry and school of medicine mentor in the area of the student's project. The student meets regularly with mentors and advisors for guidance and evaluation throughout the program.
Years 1 & 2
Similar to year one and two of the dental pre-doctoral curriculum, with addition of:
- Master's courses selected from the Master's Program curricula
- Clinical research or Research Practicum for the Master's in Clinical Research
- Community and public health experience (Capstone Experience) for the Master's in Public Health
Year 3
- Clinical research project, Research Practicum, or Capstone Experience
- Additional Master's-related course
Year 4
- Clinical requirements for DDS degree (equivalent to junior year of dental school) and additional Master's-related courses.
- Progression through Master's degree candidacy
Year 5
- Unique DDS senior year clinical experience in a general practice stimulated setting.
- Completion of Master's coursework or project through electives and selectives.
Upon completion of all program requirements, students receive the DDS and Master's degrees simultaneously.
For more Information, please contact:
Nicki Mitchell
Program Coordinator
Office of Research
nmitchell@umaryland.edu
Graduate Program In Life Sciences (GPILS) ▾
The Graduate Program in Life Sciences (GPILS) offers cutting-edge translational research training in basic, biomedical, clinical, and population sciences. We offer seven PhD granting graduate programs and three MS-level programs.
Our graduate programs cover the entire range of biomedical research and life sciences including the basics of protein structure and molecular biology, integrative systems physiology, virology, vaccine development, behavior, cognition, population-based genetics, and the impact of the environment on human health
Experimental Pathology PhD Program ▾
The University of Maryland School of Dentistry Oral Medicine and Experimental Pathology Graduate Program and the VA Maryland Health Care System, Perry Point Dental Care Center, have partnered to provide a unique opportunity for the graduate dentist to participate in a one-, two- or three-year Clinical Fellowship in Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology and Hospital General Dentistry. The Oral Pathology Program has been fully accredited for nearly 40 years and the Oral Medicine Program meets all of the currently published Standards for Advanced General Dentistry Programs in Oral Medicine. Our joint program is a hybrid and we have a unique opportunity to have it evolve into an exceptional and fully accredited post graduate experience for qualified dentists.
Mission:
To provide the graduate dentist with an opportunity to advance his or her dental education and clinical experience to a level beyond that accomplished in pre-doctoral training. This program also provides the dentist an opportunity to experience the practice of general dentistry within a hospital environment employing a greater level of physician/dentist interaction. Emphasis is placed upon dental management of the medically complex patient.
Additionally, this program provides graduate level training in the accredited Oral Pathology and Oral Medicine programs, providing a clinical and pathologic correlation experience unavailable to the private practicing dentist or typical AGD resident. Emphasis is placed on clinical Oral Pathology/Oral Medicine, microscopic examination of tissues and Oral Pathology didactics.
A major portion of this program is devoted to providing comprehensive dental care with emphasis on diagnostic techniques and therapeutic skills in the veteran population served at the Perry Point Medical Center. These patients are uniquely challenging with complex levels of medical compromise and based on our many years of experience, nearly 40 percent present to the PP clinic with oral pathology.
Completion of the program results in a Certificate of Clinical Fellowship awarded by the University of Maryland and the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Faculty:
Timothy F. Meiller, DDS, PhD is professor of Oncology and Diagnostic Sciences and the director of the Oral Medicine Program at the School of Dentistry and the Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Cancer Center of the UMMS. He is board certified in oral medicine and Board eligible in oral pathology, with 36 years experience in the diagnosis and management of medically compromised patients and patients with oral pathology other than common tooth and periodontal diseases. He has been an oral medicine/oral pathology consultant to the VA Baltimore for 36 years and for nearly four years at the Perry Point Dental Service.
Karen Phillips, DDS, is trained in geriatric dentistry and management of medically compromised patients and heads up this joint program at the VAMCS at Perry Point.
Current Foci of Training (* indicates we currently meet standards):
- Oral Pathology*
- Oral Medicine*
- Oral Mucosal and Bone Diseases General Dentistry*
- Oral Cancer and Pre-Malignancy Assessment*
- Emergency Dental Care*
- Oral Surgery*
- Geriatrics*
- Medically Complex Patients*
- Hospital Dentistry*
- Consultation and Referral*
Requirements:
- Applicant must be a U.S. citizen
- Must be a graduate of a dental school approved by the American Dental Association
- The applicant must be recommended by the dean of his or her dental school
- The applicant must be approved by the Clinical Fellow Review Board
Requirements for application:
- VA Form 10-2850b "Application for Residency"
- Recommendation from the dental school dean, to include anticipated date of graduation, academic rank, and GPA.
- Dental school transcripts
- National Board scores
- Recent photo
- Curriculum Vitae
- Essay or personal statement
- Three professional evaluations forms (PEF) from clinical instructors who have knowledge of your clinical skills, preferably one from operative dentistry, one from fixed dentistry and one from oral surgery or periodontics.
NOTE: VA Form FL10-341a "appraisal of applicant" may be used in lieu of a third PEF.
Salary and benefits:
- Commensurate with the VA post graduate training scale
Start date: July 1, 20**
Contact:
Timothy F. Meiller, DDS, PhD
Oral Medicine/Oral Pathology Program
(410) 706-7956
tfmeiller@umaryland.edu
Karen L. Phillips, DDS
Program Director
(410) 642-1010
Karen.Phillips@va.gov
Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences Program ▾
The Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences (BMS-MS) is designed to complement training undertaken by students in the school of dentistry's certificate programs, i.e. dental postgraduate trainees. The BMS-MS prepares dentists for careers in dental education and research. Trainees receive graduate education in the basic sciences, oral biology and dentistry.
Students may select research advisors from several disciplines and topics from many basic science and clinical research areas.
Specialty programs that offer the master's degree in oral biology include:
- Endodontics
- Prosthodontics
- Orthodontics
- Pediatric Dentistry
- Periodontics
- Advanced General Dentistry
Application and Admission
Information about the BMS-MS is presented at the July orientation for new postgraduate dental students. To be eligible for the BMS-MS, one must have a professional degree in dentistry and acceptance into one of the specialty certificate programs. In addition, the Graduate School's minimum requirements for admission must be met.
Dental Biomedical Sciences PhD Program ▾
The Doctor of Philosophy degree in Dental Biomedical Sciences (DBMS) is offered by the Graduate School of the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) in conjunction with the School of Dentistry. The DBMS PhD program is primarily designed to train the next generation of dentist-scientists with fundamental scientific knowledge and skills to promote innovative research and education in dentistry. Ultimately, the program envisions our graduates to improve overall health in the nation and globally through the advancement of dental, oral, and craniofacial sciences.
Major areas of research concentration include dental biomaterials; oral microbial pathogenesis; orofacial neural and pain sciences; tissue engineering, nanotechnology and regenerative medicine; and skeletal biology and pathology.
The curriculum of the DBMS PhD program is tailored to support the research interest and career goals of each admitted student. This includes at least two laboratory rotations; the following required core courses: introduction to biomedical research, biostatistics, research ethics, journal club, seminars; advanced courses based on the area of research concentration; and laboratory research training.
At the end of the second year, students prepare for their qualifying exam by writing a research proposal and defending the proposal in an oral exam. Upon successful completion of the qualifying exam, students are admitted to candidacy and shift emphasis to a full-time commitment to research under the direction of their mentor and a dissertation research advisory committee. Completion of the DBMS PhD program usually takes 4-5 years.
For more information please contact:
Nicki Mitchell
Program Coordinator
Office of Research
DBMSPHD@umaryland.edu
Abraham Schneider DDS, PhD
Associate Professor & Program Director
Department of Oncology and Diagnostic Sciences