Prosthodontics

Division Overview

The educational role of the Division of Prosthodontics includes undergraduate (D.M.D.), graduate, fellowship, and continuing education efforts by all faculty. The Division provides didactic, preclinical, and clinical instruction in fixed prosthodontics, complete denture prosthodontics, removable partial prosthodontics, maxillofacial prosthetics, implant prosthodontics, dental anatomy and morphology, occlusion, dental materials, and biomaterials for the predoctoral program.

The Postgraduate Program in Prosthodontics provides the highest level of specialty training in prosthodontics and is recognized as one of the most competitive prosthodontics residency programs in North America.

The Division of Prosthodontics continues to offer ITI scholarships, which have been awarded to visiting dentists for year-long, in-depth clinical and/or research training in all phases of implant dentistry. UConn Prosthodontics faculty members contribute to continuing education at both the national and international levels, serve as board members of national and international organizations, and serve on editorial boards for various scientific journals. Faculty members contribute to numerous scientific publications each year and are active members in many professional organizations.

Academic Program

Program Length and Duration

Our 36-month program Advanced Specialty Education Program in Prosthodontics begins July 1 each year leading to Certificate and a Masters of Dental Science degree.

Objectives

Our objective is to create an environment for learning that will enable each resident to face the challenges of the future and emerge as a leader in the field of prosthodontics. We seek to provide a learning experience that includes state of the art skills and knowledge with the analytical ability to secure success in the future.

Graduates of UConn Prosthodontics Residency Program are expected to be adept at managing sophisticated esthetic and functional dental rehabilitations that utilize in-depth knowledge of classic and contemporary prosthodontics and competency in the surgical placement of dental implants. They should be knowledgeable in dental materials and advances in new technologies.

An additional objective is to enable residents to complete all clinical cases required to challenge the American Board of Prosthodontics examination.

Description

This is a program with state-of-the-art digital technology that is designed to provide the student with clinical skills and competency necessary for the specialized practice of prosthodontics and/or for a career in teaching and research. Use of dental implants is emphasized. Residents have the opportunity to treat a variety of intraoral maxillofacial patient needs. All residents are qualified and expected to obtain certification by the American Board of Prosthodontics. Participation in mock written and oral examinations is required twice each year. The residency program has an excellent track record of graduates who successfully accomplish board certification.

Residents must perform a publishable research project, accomplish laboratory procedures and give formal presentations on various topics. Treatment planning is emphasized and residents are required to present their patients' treatment plans and progress during seminars. Residents are strongly encouraged to discuss each patient's treatment plan with various members of the faculty and consultants to obtain a variety of ideas and opinions.

The clinical portion of the residency comprises about 70 percent of the scheduled curriculum. A desirable pool of patients ensures residents the opportunity for a wide range of clinical experiences. Most patient treatments include use of dental implants.

Residents perform subcrestal prosthodontics (implant surgeries) twice per week and at the time of graduation, residents are expected to attain competency and independence in surgical placement of dental implants, bone grafting, and pre-prosthetic surgical procedures.

The didactic portion of the program includes interdepartmental courses in anatomy, histology, pathology, applied pharmacology, epidemiology, biostatistics and dental materials.

The interdepartmental clinical program includes clinical faculty seminars, treatment planning seminars and implant conferences. Principles of evidence based dentistry are applied in treatment planning and execution. World-renown clinicians frequently visit the UConn Prosthodontics Residency Program to lecture to the residents.

During intra-department didactic sessions a variety of opinions by faculty and consultants are encouraged to expose students to controversy and encourage critical thinking. Our aim is to provide a positive learning environment, camaraderie, and mutual respect between students and faculty.

Admissions

Admission Requirements

Dentists graduated from accredited U.S. and Canada or other international dental schools who possess equivalent educational background and standing are eligible for admission to the Advanced Education Program in Prosthodontics. Foreign graduates must show evidence of clinical experience beyond dental school. Application materials are reviewed and candidates with the highest qualifications are selected for an interview based on the following criteria: dental and pre-professional education transcripts, class standing, personal and career goals, experiences beyond predoctoral education, evidence of scholarly activity, and letters of recommendation from at least one prosthodontist. No candidates are admitted to the program without a personal interview. Non-discriminatory policies are followed in selecting the applicants.

The application deadline for the Prosthodontics Clinical Certificate Program is September 15 of the year preceding July matriculation. Applications will be considered for interviews in a rolling order until the deadline and candidates are encouraged to apply early and submit completed applications.

After acceptance by the Prosthodontics residency program, a separate online application must be submitted to the University of Connecticut Graduate School to apply for either Master’s Program.

Application FAQs

1. When can I apply and what is the deadline?

The application deadline for the Prosthodontics Clinical Certificate Program is September 15 of the year preceding July matriculation.

2. Do I need to apply through PASS?

Yes. All applicants must register for the PASS system using the shared ADEA PASS and Match Portal at: https://portal.passweb.org. However, the UConn Supplemental Application Form is mandatory.

3. Where can I find the UConn Supplemental Application Form?

Applicants must complete the Admission to Postgraduate Certificate and Master of Dental Science Program Application Form.

4. What is the application fee?

The current application fee is $75 and payable to UConn Health. NOTE: This fee is in addition to what you would pay to the PASS website. We also accept PayPal now! To use PayPal, use this link: https://enrollmentfees.uchc.edu/DentAppFees.html
For the Application/Deposit fee - Use : Prosthodontics Residency
ID Type: Use your PASS ID

5. Does this program participate in the MATCH? 

Yes. All applicants must register with Postdoctoral Dental Matching Program using the shared ADEA Pass and Match Portal at https://portal.passweb.org.

6. What transcripts are needed?

Official transcripts from all undergraduate, dental school and any additional institutions. Transcripts from any supplemental degrees should also be included. These official transcripts can be mailed directly or included in the same application package but contained in a sealed envelope.

Official transcripts processed through ADA PASS are acceptable. These candidates do not need to send transcripts in a separate sealed envelope.

7. How many letters of recommendation are needed?

Three letters of recommendation with at least ONE from a prosthodontist, which is mandatory. These letters should be in a sealed and signed envelope and either mailed directly or can be sent as part of the PASS application package.

8. Are foreign graduates or foreign nationals eligible to apply?

Yes. However foreign graduates must show evidence of clinical experience beyond dental school.

9. What is the stipend for a U.S. citizen with a U.S. dental degree?

Current annual stipend is $24,000 for the first year and $25,000 for second and third years. Health insurance is provided to applicants who are U.S. citizens.

10. I graduated from a U.S./Canadian dental school but I am a foreign citizen. What is my stipend?

Current annual stipend for all foreign nationals on F1 visa is $13,000 per year. For Canadian citizens with Canadian Dental Degrees on TN visa, the stipend is $24,000. Foreign nationals must purchase their own health insurance.

11. I am a foreign citizen and a foreign graduate. What is my stipend?

Current annual stipend for all foreign nationals on F1 visa is $13,000 per year.

12. Is TOEFL or GRE required? If yes, what is the minimum score?

TOEFL exam is required for all international candidates per Graduate School guidelines. The minimum score is 100 on the internet based test.

TOEFL results may be in your ADEA PASS application or submit to the program a notarized copy along with your submission package.  

The GRE score is not required, but if available please include the official or notarized copy.

13. Can I submit TOEFL scores that are expired?

Expired TOEFL scores should be submitted as notarized copies. However, if accepted into the program, a new TOEFL exam score must be submitted after acceptance.

14. Can I submit IELTS instead of TOEFL?

Unfortunately, TOEFL is mandatory per UConn Graduate School requirements and IELTS score cannot be accepted instead of TOEFL.

15. Is NBDE required to apply?

NBDE or INBDE is not required to apply, but is preferable. Foreign graduates are encouraged to submit NBDE or INBDE results of Part 1 and Part 2.

Official NBDE or INBDE results may be sent to ADEA PASS with your application or submit directly to the program a notarized copy along with your submission package.

Official NBDE or INBDE results must be requested from the American Dental Association using the following process.

  1. Go to https://www.ada.org/en/education-careers/dentpin.
  2. Click Send Official Score Reports and National Board Results Requests and then click Request NBDE Part I and Part II Results.
  3. Log in with your DENTPIN and password.
  4. Verify your personal information
  5. Select ADEA PASS on the Results Recipient Selection page. Do not enter any additional names or email addresses on the Alternate Recipient(s) page.
  6. Enter your payment information and submit your request.

16. Is the ADAT exam required to apply?

ADAT Exam results are not required to apply, but if available, please include your application packet.

17. What does the application checklist include?

  • Completed PASS application form.
  • Completed UConn Supplementary Application form.
  • An application fee of $75 made payable to the UConn School of Dental Medicine

 We accept checks, money orders (sent to program directly) or PayPal. To use PayPal, use this link. https://enrollmentfees.uchc.edu/DentAppFees.html

Application/Deposit fee: Prosthodontics Residency

ID Type: Use your PASS ID

  • Three letters of recommendation, which includes at least ONE from a Prosthodontist. These letters should be in a sealed and signed envelope and either mailed directly or can be sent as part of the PASS application package.
  • Curriculum Vitae (CV).
  • 2" x 2" color photograph.
  • Any additional items like additional degrees, test results, publications, research projects to support your application.

 

*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. 

Stipend and Tuition

Stipend

  • For U.S. citizens who are graduates of U.S. and Canadian dental schools, the current annual stipend is $24,000 for first year and $25,000 for second and third year of residency.
  • For foreign nationals and foreign graduates, the current annual stipend is $13,000 for each year of residency.

Tuition

  • For the certificate component, the Advanced Dental Education Fee is $25,000 per year for all graduates (U.S., Canadian and International graduates). This fee is not eligible for Federal Financial Aid when a resident does not enroll in the Master of Dental Science Degree program.
  • For the Master of Dental Science component, tuition is charged per credit hour. The total fees for the Masters of Dental Science are approximately $10,000 to $15,000 for U.S. citizens and $20,000 for international students (total for all three years). The Master of Dental Science Degree is optional.
  • Residents are required to purchase five semi-adjustable articulators, an SLR digital camera, and surgical loupes with headlights.

Financial Information
For more information, see the Resident Salaries, Stipends, Fees and Tuition.

 

 

Faculty

Division Chair
Thomas D. Taylor, D.D.S., M.S.D.
Professor and Department Head

Director of Predoctoral Prosthodontics
Jacqueline P. Duncan, D.M.D., M.D.Sc.
Clinical Professor

Director of Post-Graduate Prosthodontics
Avinash S. Bidra, B.D.S., M.S.
Clinical Professor

Assistant Director of Post-Graduate Prosthodontics
John R. Agar, D.D.S., M.A.
Professor

Professors Emeriti
David A. Newitter, D.D.S., M.A.
Cornelis Pameijer, D.M.D., Ph.D.
Robert Kelly, D.D.S., M.S., D.M.Sc.

Professor
Martin A. Freilich, D.D.S.

Clinical Professor
Ajay Dhingra, M.D.S., M.S.D.
Patchnee Rungruanganunt, D.D.S., M.S.D

Associate Professor In-Residence 
Foteini Touloumi, D.D.S., M.S.

Assistant Professor In-Residence
Shivani C. Suvarna, B.D.S., M.S.D.

Predoc Volunteers
Robert A. Kravecs Jr., D.M.D.
Elena Nazarova, D.M.D., Ph.D.

Post Graduate Volunteers
Dimitri Perdikis, D.D.S.
Dennis Sindel, D.D.S.
Steven Rothenberg, D.M.D.

Contact Information

UConn School of Dental Medicine
Division of Prosthodontics 
263 Farmington Avenue, L7041
Farmington, CT 06030-1615
Phone: 860-679-2649
Fax: 860-679-1370

Program Questions
Dr. Avinash Bidra: bidra@uchc.edu

Administrative Questions
Ms. Kathleen Thomas: kmthomas@uchc.edu