Periodontology

Division Overview

The Division of Periodontology consists of didactic, clinical and research components. As a team, we offer our pre-doctoral students, post-graduate students and fellows outstanding opportunities for patient care, education and research. At the predoctoral level, the curriculum covers the pathobiology, diagnosis, prevention and treatment of periodontal diseases.

At the post-graduate level, the department offers strong clinical and didactic curriculum as well as research training in both periodontology and implantology in order to enable our graduates to pursue a career in clinical practice, teaching or research. A thorough knowledge of classic and current periodontal literature is stressed. The clinical training aspect of the program is designed to provide the students with a wide and diversified range of clinical experience.

Research has been an important department objective and includes a broad spectrum of basic and clinical science projects. The major research areas in the department include:

  • Pathogenesis of oral opportunistic infections in the immunocompromised host, i.e., aggressive periodontitis, HIV-periodontitis, oropharyngeal candidiasis.
  • Inflammation biology, cytokine biology, pathogenesis of periodontal inflammation in chronic periodontitis.
  • The interrelationship between periodontal inflammation and chronic systemic inflammatory disorders, i.e., atherosclerosis.
  • Clinical research in oral implantology including implant prognostic factors, efficacy of sinus floor elevation procedures and complications.

Academic Programs

Post-Graduate Level

The Division of Periodontology offers advanced training in basic sciences relevant to periodontology and clinical management of periodontal diseases. The philosophy of the Division encompasses varied approaches to the treatment of periodontal disease and the staff consists of individuals with a broad cross-section of necessary training and skills, including implantology and guided tissue regeneration techniques.

Program Description

The Division offers:

  • A 36-month clinically-oriented program leading to a Certificate of Proficiency in Periodontology.
  • A 36-month clinical and research program leading to a Certificate and M.Dent.Sc. degree.

Division courses include Pathobiology I & II, weekly literature review seminars and case conferences. Interdepartmental courses include functional oral anatomy, advanced oral histology, principles of oral microbiology and infections, biostatistics, evidence-based dentistry, sedation, epidemiology of oral diseases, and advanced oral pathology. Interdisciplinary courses include seminars with orthodontics, endodontics, prosthodontics, and general dentistry. These didactic elements are combined with five half days of supervised patient care per week. An Anesthesiology rotation is provided in the first and second year of training.

Admissions

All applications will be processed through the Postdoctoral Application Support Service (PASS) of the American Association of Dental Schools. Information and an application can be obtained by contacting:

PASS
1625 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Suite 600
Washington, DC 20036-2212
Phone: 1-800-353-2237
Email: pass@adea.org

Application Process

  1. An application must be submitted to PASS by August 1, 2023, to be considered for the following academic year.
  2. A supplemental application must be submitted via email or to the following address by August 1, 2023, to be considered for the following academic year:
    Program Director
    Division of Periodontology
    UConn Health
    263 Farmington Avenue
    Farmington, CT 06030-1710
    Email: dorinbaum@uchc.edu

In addition, all applicants are required to register with the National Matching Service:

National Matching Services
20 Holly Street, Suite 301
Toronto, Ontario Canada M4S 3B1
Phone: 416-977-3431
Fax: 416-977-5020
Email: matchinfo@natmatch.com

Please include the following items with your supplemental application:

  1. Completed application.
  2. An application fee of $75 made payable to UConn School of Dental Medicine (U.S. dollars drawn from a U.S. bank, or money order, no wire transfers). If using the PayPal option, please use this link https://enrollmentfees.uchc.edu/DentAppFees.html;  For ID type, choose PASS.
  3. 2" x 2" photo.
  4. Important: Graduates from non-American Dental Association (ADA) accredited schools must submit original ECE’s or WES's via PASS or in sealed envelopes with their supplemental application.
  5. Optional: National Dental Board Examination: The School of Dental Medicine Dean reports board scores to PASS. Effective November 30, 2016, NBDE scores can only be sent electronically. Please submit your NBDE score to our Program at dorinbaum@uchc.edu. While the NBDE's are optional, it is highly recommended that the exam be taken and scores reported.
  6. Current TOEFL Score: Students whose native language is not English must submit English proficiency scores on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). A minimum TOEFL score of 550 (paper), 213 (computer), 80 (internet), or 6.5 (IELTS) is required for admission. Please send an original TOEFL with your PASS application. If not possible, send electronically to destination code 3938. International applicants who have completed at least 2 years at a secondary school in the United States or one year or more of full-time coursework at a post-secondary institution in the United States may be waived of this requirement.
  7. Optional: GRE examination results. While the GRE’s are optional, it is highly recommended that the exam be taken and scores reported. Use GRE code 3931.
  8. Advanced Dental Admission Test (ADAT) is recommended, but not required.

Applicants for the July 1, 2024 Matriculation Date: Interviews will be held in September and October 2023. You will be contacted by telephone and/or email with an invitation if selected and for which day to interview.

*Obtaining a badge from UConn Health is mandatory and required in order to be enrolled. This process includes a full background check. Badges are subject to approval from UConn Police and the Risk Management Office. 

 

Financial Information

For more information, see the Residents Salaries, Stipends, Fees, and Tuition page.

For more information contact:

Kimberly Dorinbaum
Administrative Program Coordinator
Division of Periodontology
Email: dorinbaum@uchc.edu
Phone: 860-679-2363
Fax: 860-679-1027

 

International Fellowship Program in Advanced Periodontics

The Division of Periodontology offers an intensive full-time one-year periodontology program for international dentists who want to enhance their knowledge and skills in the field of periodontology. The fellowship program involves clinical, didactic and research training.

The program includes:

  • Lectures, seminars, and interdisciplinary patient care conferences
  • Clinical methodology based on evidence-based knowledge
  • Implantology and related basic and clinical research methodology

Courses, seminars, case conferences and literature reviews are identical to the ones offered in the Advanced Periodontology Residency Program. During the last six months of the program, the fellows may have the opportunity for hands on clinical training. The Division of Periodontology works closely with other divisions within the UConn School of Dental Medicine to provide a broad exposure to interdisciplinary patient care.

The goals of the program include, but are not limited to:

  • Expand the scope and depth of knowledge and clinical skills in periodontology and implantology so that fellows can provide comprehensive, advanced patient care.
  • Provide fellows with the analytical skills necessary for evaluation of current literature to ensure the capacity for continued, self-directed growth.
  • Prepare fellows for oral clinical, or research presentations.
  • Provide basic science (bench top) or clinical research experience.
  • Develop critical reading and writing skills.

The fellowship has two tracks:

Clinical Track: 100% of time spent in didactic and clinical activities.

Research Track: Minimum of 50% time devoted to bench top or clinical research, with the mentor of their choice. For a complete listing of faculty and their respective research programs, please visit our Division website. Remaining 50% time would be devoted to didactic and clinical activities as above.

The fellowship program is a non degree program. After completion of the program, fellows are eligible to apply for either a degree-granting program or the ADA accredited advanced training program in periodontics (residency program).

There is one-time, non-refundable application fee of $150.00. The tuition is $30,000 U.S. dollars per year (12 months). A non-refundable deposit of $5,000 is required, payable within 20 days of acceptance into the program. The fellow will be responsible for all incidental fees and living expenses above and beyond the fellowship tuition.

No funds, scholarships, loans or grants are available for the fellowship program.

After successful completion of the program, fellows will receive a certificate confirming completion of an advanced one-year fellowship program in periodontology. This certificate does not serve as a specialty degree.

Application Process

The program has two available positions per year, with a July 1 start date (July 1 to June 30).

International applicants must be eligible for an appropriate visa to enter the United States.

Applicants must provide the following via postal service:

  • Completed application form: International Fellowship Application
  • An application fee of $150.00 made payable to UConn Health (U.S. dollars drawn from U.S. bank or money order, no credit cards or wire transfers)
  • Curriculum Vitae
  • Original Dental school transcripts of predoctoral education
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • Personal Statement
  • Picture (2" x 2")
  • TOEFL Score: Destination Code 3938

An on site or telephone interview with the fellowship program director is required.

Application Due Date: Applications may be received during any time of the year and will be considered for acceptance on a rolling basis. After the positions are filled, applications may be considered for the following year.

Cancellation Policy: Should the fellowship program be cancelled by the supporting Division, enrollees are entitled to a full refund, except for application fees.

Evaluation Policy: Once accepted into the program, the fellows will be continually monitored by means of:

  • Written examinations
  • Clinical assessment of hands on exercises
  • Clinical competency assessment
  • Case presentations
  • Scientific writing exercises

Dismissal Policy: As an approved advanced educational training program, standing policies and process for postdoctoral student/resident appeals apply to the fellowship program.

Send Applications to:

Dr. Takanori Sobue
International Fellowship Program in Advanced Periodontics
Division of Periodontology
UConn School of Dental Medicine
263 Farmington Avenue
Farmington, CT 06030-1710 USA
Phone: 860-679-8315
Fax: 860-679-1027
Email: sobue@uchc.edu

Faculty

Interim Division Chair
Effie Ioannidou, D.D.S., M.D.Sc

Professor
Frank Nichols, D.D.S., Ph.D.

Associate Professors 
Takanori Sobue, D.D.S, Ph.D.
International Fellowship Program Director in Advanced Periodontics

Namita Khandelwal, B.D.S., M.S.
Director, Predoctoral Education in Periodontology

Sejal Thacker, D.D.S., M.D.Sc
Graduate Program Director, Advanced Education Program in Periodontics

Assistant Professors
Lan Lin Chiou, D.D.S., M.D. Sc.

 

Clinical Associate Professors
Vincent N. LaPorta, D.M.D.

Clinical Assistant Professors
Howard Levinbook, D.M.D., M.D.Sc.
Satoko Rubin, D.M.D., M.D.Sc.

Adjunct Professor 
Ahmed Elkady, D.D.S.

Adjunct Clinical Instructor
Daniel Rolotti, D.M.D

Volunteer Clinical Assistant Professors
Fredric M. Kudish, D.D.S.
Rui Ma, D.M.D
Lavanya Rajendran, D.M.D., M.D.Sc
Marianne Urbanski, D.M.D.
Gregory Tobak, D.M.D, M.S.

Professors Emeriti
Peter Robinson, D.D.S., Ph.D., Dean Emeritus
Clarence L. Trummel, D.D.S., Ph.D.

Contact Information

Program Director
Division of Periodontology
UConn Health
263 Farmington Avenue
Farmington, CT 06030-1710
Phone: 860-679-2363