COD Home >> Students >> Postgraduate Programs - Endodontics

 

Endodontics | General Practice Residency | Orthodontics | Pediatrics | Periodontics | Policies and Procedures | Student Bulletin adobe pdf icon

 

The University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Dentistry has offered a fully accredited advanced education program in Endodontics since 1970. The program leads to a Certificate of Specialization in Endodontics which satisfies the requirements mandated by the American Board of Endodontics for examination and board certification.

 

Certificate Program
The program leading to attainment of a Certificate of Specialization in Endodontics commences each year in July and is a minimum of 24 consecutive months in length. The didactic and clinical curricula are designed to allow an individual to develop skills required of the practicing Endodontist. Preference in the certificate program admissions process is given to applicants who have completed a GPR or AEGD residency program or have at least three years of dental practice experience. A student can also concurrently enroll in the Master of Science degree program which is explained in Graduate Education. This program usually requires a minimum of 30 month to complete.

 

Application

Students accepted for postgraduate training in endodontics must have a professional dental degree from an A.D.A.-accredited (see page 5 Non-U.S./Canadian Degree Students) dental college or school. Provisional acceptance may be offered to candidates in the final stages of dental education.

 

Applications to Postgraduate Endodontics for a program leading to a Certificate of Specialization should be sent to Postgraduate Admissions, UNMC College of Dentistry, on or before August 15 of the year before desired entry.

 

Admissions to pursue postgraduate study in endodontics are limited. At the present time, two students are accepted each year. Applications for the program are evaluated on the basis of the following factors:

 

Individuals selected from the applicant pool for consideration for admission are invited for a personal interview, which is an additional basis for selection of students.

Applicants from countries where English is not the native language are required to score a minimum of 550 (paper-based) or 213 (computer-based) on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) to be eligible to apply for admission. Non-U.S. applicants must submit a financial data sheet.

 

Non-U.S. applicants are also required to submit scores from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). A personal interview is required of these applicants.

 

The postgraduate endodontics program participates in the PASS program. Those interested in applying to the program should complete the PASS "Request for Applicant Agreement."  The Postdoctoral Application Support Service (PASS) is a central application service. With PASS, applicants complete one standard application, which then is distributed to each of the participating programs to which the applicant wishes to apply. PASS deals with the initial stages of the recruitment process, prior to the evaluation of applicants by the programs. 

 

PASS has been designed and is being administered by the American Dental Education Association (ADEA).  This address is: 

 

American Dental Education Association
Postdoctoral Application Support Service
1625 Massachusetts Avenue, NW Suite 600
Washington, D.C. 20036-2212
Telephone: (800) 353-2237
Fax: (202) 667-4983
Internet Web Site:   www.adea.org 

 

Do not submit your Application Request Card before May 1. Application material will not be mailed to applicants before June 1.

 

Immunizations
The University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Dentistry policy requires that all entering students in programs requiring patient contact must be vaccinated or exhibit active immunity to tetanus, measles, mumps, diphtheria, chicken pox, polio, rubella and Hepatitis B and have had a TB skin test within the last six months, unless the student has a previous positive test/medical contraindication. Each entering student must verify at the time of matriculation that he or she has completed the accepted routine of vaccinations. An immunization record is required in order for the student to be registered. Anyone born after 1957 is required to have two measles shots to assure immunity, with the second one given after 1980.

 

Program of Study- Postgraduate Certificate Program

 

Other Program Requirements
In addition to the program of study required by the Postgraduate Education Committee, the following are expected to be satisfactorily completed during the training program and prior to the granting of the Certificate of Specialization in Endodontics.             

                          

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
Each student is required to be certified and maintain certification in basic CPR. A copy of the valid certification in basic CPR must be maintained at the College of Dentistry.

 

Emergencies and Pain Control
The College of Dentistry has determined that a course in Emergencies and Pain Control and participation on the CODE BLUE team and the After Hours Emergency Care Program are part of the academic program for all students located in programs housed in the College of Dentistry in Lincoln. The course will be scheduled during the first year as a required course for all new postgraduate students.

 

Publication
Each student is required to prepare and submit at least one paper suitable for publication in a refereed journal. The paper must be approved by the department and a receipt of acknowledgment must be given to the department if the paper is accepted.

 

Case Presentations
Each student will prepare and present before the department ten cases utilizing the format developed for the American Board of Endodontics. This will include mounted radiographs, photographic slides, and other appropriate visual aid materials as well as a written summary of the case.

 

Joint Departmental Seminars
Each student will present seminars with graduate students from other specialty departments. 

 

Oral Examination
Each student will be required to sit for an oral examination during the Spring Semester of each year.

 

Organizations
Each student is strongly urged to participate in professional organizations, particularly the American Dental Association and the American Association of Endodontist (AGE). Attendance at the annual meeting of the AAE is encouraged as well as attendance at local dental and endodontic meetings.

 

Patient Treatment
Each student is required to adhere to departmental and college policies and procedures regarding patient care. These policies and procedures include those outlined in the Operations Manual and Clinical Policies Manual. In addition, each student is required to review with the departmental faculty all cases assigned for patient care. This process will include a pretreatment evaluation (to establish a diagnosis and treatment plan), treatment procedures, postoperative results, and recall evaluations. 

During this process the student will also be required to consult with faculty from other departments within the college to insure both quality and continuity in patient care. Following completion of each case, the student will refer the patient for appropriate restorative therapy, and recall the patient at prescribed intervals to evaluate the patient's response to treatment. Upon completion of the program the student will review and transfer each case he has treated and is currently treating to a first year postgraduate student. As a minimum each student will complete the number of cases required by the American Board of Endodontics. 

Clinical treatment will be provided at the Dental School in Lincoln for patients of record there. Additionally, students will provide clinical treatment while on rotations at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Lincoln and the Munroe Meyer Institute in Omaha.

 

Teaching
Participation in undergraduate teaching is a required activity for second year postgraduate students. A regular or temporary Nebraska Dental License is mandatory for all postgraduate students. See clause under the heading "Nebraska Licensure."

 

Program Costs - July 1, 2008-June 30, 2009
Postgraduate Certificate Program Fees

Postgraduate Student with a U.S. or Canadian Dental Degree:
Semester
(2/academic year) 		per semester $1,488
Summer Session (2/summer) per year $605 per year
Subtotal per year $4,186
Equipment Assessment per year $2,000 per year
Total per year $6,186
     
Background Check   $50
     
Foreign-trained Postgraduate Student
Semester
(2/academic year) 		per semester $4,628
Summer Session (2/summer) per year $2,020 per year
Subtotal per year $13,296
Equipment Assessment per year $2,000 per year
Total per year $15,296
     
Background Check   $50


Stipend and Employee Status
Due to a review of GME funding status, resident stipends for the year beginning July 1, 2009, are not established. Once known, they will be posted on the web-site and communicated to all residents. GME-eligible postgraduate students are eligible for a flexible benefit package, which includes choices among health, life, and disability insurance. Future income is contingent upon continued availability of federal funds and, therefore, is subject to change at any time.

Tuition Scholarships
 Currently, GME-eligible postgraduate students are considered full-time employees of the University and, as such, are eligible for employee tuition scholarships for graduate credit hours.  This permits the GME-eligible student to enroll for up to 15 credit hours per year.  No more than six credit hours may be taken in each of the fall and spring semesters, and three credit hours may be taken in the summer.  Established postgraduate fees for the postgraduate program will continue.

 

Student Loans and Loan Deferment
 Currently, Postgraduate students are considered students of the College of Dentistry for financial aid purposes.  Postgraduate students may get financial aid information from the UNMC Financial Aid Office and student loan payments for postgraduate students can be deferred.

 

Vacation/Sick Leave
Postgraduate students shall have ten (10) scheduled working days of paid Leave per year. Leave includes vacation and sick leave. Leave in excess of ten (10) days per year must be taken as Leave Without Pay from the College or as Family Leave. Leave requests must be submitted as per the policies of the program and the College. Students have additional vacation days that do not count toward the 10-day limit when the University is closed (e.g., the week between Christmas and New Year's Day).

 

Private Practice
The Dental Resident shall be permitted to engage in outside dental practice but must do so in accordance with established policies and procedures of the University of Nebraska Medical Center's College of Dentistry, Postgraduate Education Committee for such activities. Dental Residents must apply for the privilege of practicing outside of the University through the Program Director and with approval of the Associate Dean of Postgraduate Program. Violation of this clause or the policies and procedures associated with outside practice may result in a reduction of duties, reduction or elminiation of stipend, an extension of time necessary to complete program requirements or dismissal from the program.

Non-U. S/Canadian Degree Students
Foreign trained dentists (Non U.S./Canadian dental degree) may apply for the postgraduate program. If accepted and enrolled in the postgraduate program, such students normally are considered non-residents, are not eligible to receive a stipend or benefits, will be required to pay the appropriate fees ($16,626 for 2009-2010) for the certificate program and will be required to pay additional non-resident tuition for programs of the Graduate College.

 

Professional Liability
The University of Nebraska has in force professional liability insurance covering all students within the College of Dentistry. Current coverage is $1,000,000.00 per person per occurrence, with $100,000.00 deductible. The University provides self-insurance for the $100,000.00 deductible through the University's general and professional liability insurance program.

 

Nebraska Licensure
All postgraduate students are expected to get a Nebraska Dental License (temporary or regular) and federal and state DEA licenses before October 15 of the year of the commencement of their program so that they can participate in the After Hours Emergency Care Program. The postgraduate student must document efforts to obtain licensure to the Postgraduate Admissions Office by July 15. 

Failure to obtain Nebraska Dental License and federal and state DEA licenses by October 15 may result in a reduction of duties, reduction or elimination of stipend, an extension of time necessary to complete program requirements, or dismissal from the program. 

It is possible for a student who has graduated from an A.D.A. accredited American or Canadian dental school to obtain a temporary Nebraska Dental License during the time he or she is enrolled as a full-time postgraduate student. The temporary license is only for practice related activities within the College of Dentistry and does not allow extramural private practice. After acceptance into the postgraduate program licensure information may be obtained from the State of Nebraska Department of Health, Bureau of Examining Boards, P.0. Box 95007, Lincoln, NE 68509-5007. Telephone: (402) 471-2115.

 

For a regular license, the State Board accepts the results of the clinical examination given by the Central Regional Dental Testing Service. The State Board also has provisions for licensure by credentials and interview for individuals licensed in other states.

 

State of Nebraska Residency
As employees of the University, GME eligible postgraduate students are considered to be residents of the State of Nebraska. Ordinarily students who are not GME eligible are considered not to be residents of the State of Nebraska.

 

Statement of Equal Educational Opportunity
In accordance with University policy, UNMC prohibits the denial of admission or of Medical Center privileges to students or applicants on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability or religious or political beliefs. These privileges include but are not limited to admission, class assignments, scholarships, fellowships, assistantships, and financial aid, as well as housing and recreational facilities. Furthermore, student organizations must base their selection of students for membership on criteria which will not include race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age or disability.

 

Admittance to UNMC programs will not be denied to otherwise qualified disabled individuals solely by reason of their disability. Qualified disabled persons are those who meet the academic and technical standards for each program. These nonacademic skills are essential to successful program completion.

In summary, UNMC policies are in accord with:

 

The objective of the University of Nebraska Medical Center is to recruit and retain persons of high moral and ethical character. In accordance with this objective, the University of Nebraska Medical Center reserves the right to review a candidate's suitability for admission.This is general information. It is not intended to nor does it contain all regulations that relate to students or complete descriptions of postdoctoral programs. The provisions of this view book do not constitute a contract, express or implied, between any applicant, student or faculty member of the University of Nebraska Medical Center, the College of Dentistry, or the University of Nebraska system.

The University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Dentistry reserves the right to add, change, or withdraw courses at any time, to change tuition or fees, calendar, curriculum, degree requirements, graduate procedures, and any other requirement affecting students. Stipend support is contingent upon continued availability of federal funds. Changes will become effective whenever the proper authorities so determine.


Further information may be obtained from:

 

Postgraduate Dental Programs
Attn: Ms. Diane Thompson
UNMC College of Dentistry
P. O. Box 830740
Lincoln, NE 68583-0740
(402) 472-6261
Fax: (402) 472-6668
email: dmthompson@unmc.edu

 

Tom G. Gound, D.D.S.
Director of Postgraduate Endodontics
UNMC College of Dentistry
4Oth & Holdrege
P. O. Box 830740
Lincoln, NE 68583-0740
(402) 472-1320
email: tgound@unmc.edu

 

David G. Brown, Ph.D.
Associate Dean and Director of Postgraduate and Graduate Dental Education
UNMC College of Dentistry
40th & Holdrege
P. O. Box 830740
Lincoln, Nebraska 68583-0740
(402) 472-6261
email: dgbrown@unmc.edu

 

David H. Shaw, Ph.D.
Chair of Oral Biology Department
Director of Oral Biology MSIA Program
UNMC College of Dentistry
40th & Holdrege
P. O. Box 830740
Lincoln, Nebraska 68583-0740
(402) 472-1379
email: dshaw@unmc.edu

 

Student Admissions & Records
UNMC
984230 Nebraska Medical Center
Omaha, NE 68198-4230
(402) 559-6468

Graduate Studies
UNMC
987810 Nebraska Medical Center
Omaha, NE 68198-7810
(402) 559-6531

 

Office of Financial Aid
UNMC
984265 Nebraska Medical Center
Omaha, NE 68198-4265
(402) 559-4199

 

Nebraska Board of Dental Examiners
301 Centennial Mall
P.O. Box 95007
Lincoln, NE 68509
(402) 471-2115

 

Central Regional Dental Testing Service
3715 W. 29th Street
Topeka, KS 66614
(913) 273-0380

 Last updated: July 10, 2008 8:43 AM