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WVU Morgantown

Periodontics, M.S.

  • Overview
  • Faculty
  • Admissions Requirements
  • Masters
  • Learning Outcomes

Degree Offered

  • Master of Science

Nature of the Program

The School of Dentistry and the Department of Periodontics offer a program of advanced study and clinical training leading to the degree of Master of Science. The program requires a minimum of thirty-four months (three academic years) of full time residency in the School of Dentistry. It is designed to qualify dentists for careers in periodontic clinical practice, teaching and research.

A stipend plus tuition waiver will be provided for graduate students in Periodontics at the end of the second year for summer session and fall/spring semesters of the third year. Special fees are not covered by the tuition waiver. You must pay special fees each term/semester.

Inquiries concerning this program should be directed to the Office of Dental Admissions, Recruitment and Access.  Applications will be processed by the School of Dentistry. Applicants approved for admission to the program will be notified soon after interviews have been completed.

This program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association. For details about the faculty, publications and alumni information, please visit the Department of Periodontics website. 

Program Goals

The postgraduate program is designed to train well qualified dentists in all aspects of periodontics. The program is organized into five components: biomedical science didactics, periodontal science didactics, clinical science activity, research and teaching. The department philosophy is to provide comprehensive training that encompasses all aspects of periodontal and implant therapy. The program qualifies the student for examination and certification by the American Board of Periodontology.

The Master of Science degree program requires the development of an in-depth research problem which must be reported in the form of a thesis.

Program Curriculum

First-Year Program

In the first year of the program, the resident is introduced to the specialty of periodontics, its scope and its history. The resident receives instruction in the scientific and clinical aspects of periodontics and implant dentistry.

Seminars on current and classic periodontal literature will be offered in addition to case presentations and interdisciplinary seminars. The residents will also participate in didactic courses in biostatistics and research methodology.

The didactic activity will be combined with supervised patient care.

Second-Year Program

The second year of the program is a continuation of the first year of training, with increased emphasis on the clinical treatment of patients and the advanced concepts of periodontics. The resident will spend more time conducting a research study and in the development of a thesis. 

Third-Year Program

Throughout the training, the resident is encouraged to be inquisitive regarding all phases of treatment and to use initiative to be resourceful. The senior resident should become a critic of his or her own accomplishments and be able to support clinical decisions with references from the literature. Completion of a research problem and thesis are required and the resident must successfully defend the thesis at the Committee level. The senior resident will be expected to present lectures and patient presentations in preparation for Board certification and future teaching responsibilities. Satisfactory completion of this year of training qualifies the resident for examination and certification by the American Board of Periodontology.


Faculty

Chair and Graduate Program Director

  • Arif Salman - BDS., MDSc

Assistant professor

  • Shorouk Elnagdy - BDS., MD

Admissions for 2025-2026

The program's admission requirements are as follows:

  • Must have passed National Board Dental Examination - Part I at the time of application and Part 2 upon entrance to the program or the Integrated Exam (INBDE).
  • Must have earned a D.M.D./D.D.S. degree, or its equivalent.
  • Must be proficient in the English language or provide a recent TOEFL score (if from a non-English speaking country).
  • Must display evidence of scholastic and clinical achievement that would indicate the applicant's ability to progress in a program of this nature. A minimum grade point average of 3.0 is required.
  • Must apply to the program through the Postdoctoral Application Support Service (PASS) and have all application materials in PASS by September 15. 
  • Must apply to National Match Services and obtain a MATCH number to be considered for admission to the program.
  • Must complete and submit a WVU Graduate Application if invited for an interview.
  • Must participate in an interview. 
  • Must consent to and pass a criminal background investigation prior to final acceptance.
  • Must submit documentation of required immunizations. A complete list is available on the School of Dentistry website.
  • Must become familiar with the West Virginia School of Dentistry's policy and procedure for Bloodborne Pathogens and Infectious Diseases.
  • Must meet federal and university standards regarding the Responsible Conduct of Research.
  • Must be eligible for and obtain a West Virginia dental license or dental resident/intern permit prior to the first day of program orientation.

Major Code: 8019

Degree Requirements

  • Fulfill University requirements for graduate study.
  • Complete 34 months (three academic years) of consecutive full-time advanced study and clinical training at the School of Dentistry.
  • Complete an approved master’s thesis based on original research completed during the course of study in an area related to Periodontics.
  • Pass the American Board of Periodontology written qualifying examination.
  • Pass the Mock American Board of Periodontology oral examination.
  • Pass the Written American Board of Periodontology Written Exam with a score > 60 percentile.
  • Complete all didactic and clinical work in the required curriculum successfully.
  • Demonstrate satisfactory clinical competency in periodontics.
  • Complete a minimum of 93 credit hours, including 70 hours of periodontic courses and a minimum of 8 hours of selected basic science subjects, 4 hours of teaching practicum, and a research/thesis (11 hours).
  • Achieve a 3.0 GPA or an overall competence in the student’s field. A minimum grade of B must be earned in all work attempted in the master’s program. A grade of C or below in two courses will require a faculty review of the student’s progress. A third C or below will result in suspension from the program.

Curriculum Requirements

Course List
Code Title Hours
Minimum GPA of 3.0 is required.
Minimum grade of B- is required in all courses.
Biomedical Sciences
DENT 600Advanced Oral Surgery3
DENT 601Advanced Oral Microbiology1
DENT 602Special Studies in Oral Pathology2
PALM 716Craniofacial Growth and Maturation1
PCOL 765Advanced Biomedical Sciences: Applied Pharmacology1
Periodontic Courses
ORTH 633Orthodontics-Periodontics Seminar1
Core Classic Literature Review4
PERI 640
Core Classic Literature Review
Classic Periodontics Literature Review12
PERI 642
Classic Peri Lit Rev
Clinical Management of Medically Compromised Patients6
PERI 644
Clinical Management of Medically Compromised Patients
Clinical Periodontics35
PERI 650
Clinical Periodontics
Implant Dentistry6
PERI 662
Implant Dentistry
Advanced Periodontal/Implant Surgery6
PERI 664
Introduction to Advanced Periodontal/Implant Surgery
Teaching Practicum4
DENT 690
Teaching Practicum
Research/Thesis
DENT 686Applied Statistics in Dentistry3
DENT 687Research Methods1
DENT 697Research7
Total Hours93

Suggested Plan of Study

First SemesterHours
DENT 6001
PERI 6402
PERI 6504
PERI 6642
 9
Second SemesterHours
DENT 6002
DENT 6863
DENT 6022
PCOL 7651
PERI 6422
PERI 6441
PERI 6503
PERI 6621
 15
Third SemesterHours
DENT 6011
DENT 6871
PERI 6422
PERI 6441
PERI 6504
PERI 6621
 10
Fourth SemesterHours
DENT 6971
PALM 7161
PERI 6402
PERI 6503
PERI 6642
 9
Fifth SemesterHours
DENT 6901
DENT 6971
ORTH 6331
PERI 6422
PERI 6441
PERI 6504
PERI 6621
 11
Sixth SemesterHours
DENT 6901
DENT 6971
PERI 6422
PERI 6441
PERI 6504
PERI 6621
 10
Seventh SemesterHours
DENT 6972
PERI 6505
PERI 6642
 9
Eighth SemesterHours
DENT 6901
DENT 6971
PERI 6422
PERI 6441
PERI 6504
PERI 6621
 10
Ninth SemesterHours
DENT 6901
DENT 6971
PERI 6422
PERI 6441
PERI 6504
PERI 6621
 10
Total credit hours: 93

Major Learning Outcomes

Periodontics

  • Provide the education and training necessary for graduate dentists to practice in their specialty.
  • Provide the education and training necessary for a specialist to achieve Board Certification.
  • Doctor of Dental Surgery
  • Endodontics
  • Orthodontics
  • Periodontics
  • Prosthodontics

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Morgantown, WV 26506
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Phone: 304-293-5355

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