Prosthodontics

Degree Offered

• Master of Science

General Information

The School of Dentistry and the Department of Restorative Dentistry 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 and two summers) of full-time residency in the School of Dentistry.  It is designed to qualify dentists for careers in prosthodontic clinical practice, teaching, and research.

A stipend plus tuition waiver will be provided for graduate students in Prosthodontics at the end of the second year for summer session and fall/spring semesters.  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 and Recruitment. 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 website at http://dentistry.hsc.wvu.edu/education/programs/graduate-programs/prosthodontics/.

Program Goals

The postgraduate program is designed to train well qualified dentists in all aspects of prosthodontics.  Advanced training in prosthodontics consists of an integrated education program designed to provide both knowledge in the dentally applied basic sciences and experiences in the clinical science of prosthodontics.  These include but are not limited to, complete denture prosthodontics, removable partial denture prosthodontics, fixed partial denture prosthodontics, maxillofacial prosthetics, and surgical and prosthodontics dental implantology.  A series of structured didactic and clinical courses provides the student with a level of knowledge and skill development necessary to practice prosthodontics as a specialty and to prepare for a career in teaching and research. The program qualifies the student for examination and certification by the American Board of Prosthodontics.

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 prosthodontics, its scope, and its history. The resident receives instruction in the laboratory and clinical aspects of complete dentures, removable partial dentures, fixed partial dentures, maxillofacial prosthetics, implant prosthodontics, implant surgery and treatment of temporomandibular dysfunction. The resident is required to know and use the materials and techniques for fabricating oral prostheses and to become proficient in performing all phases of laboratory work related to clinical patients.

The resident will participate in seminars on specific topics in prosthodontics and on the relationship of prosthodontics to the other specialties.  The resident will study biostatistics, research methodology, and select an in-depth research problem for thesis development and publication.

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 prosthodontics. The resident will spend more time conducting a research study and in the development of a thesis. A topic in the field of prosthodontics will be selected and developed into a high quality table clinic for presentation at the American College of Prosthodontists annual session.

THIRD-YEAR PROGRAM

The third year of the program continues with more advanced clinical treatment and concepts of prosthodontics, including the completion of three patients to meet the current requirements for presentation to the American Board of Prosthodontics. The resident will spend a significant amount of time treating older adult patients.

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 severe 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 to Committee.  The Senior resident will be expected to present lectures and patient presentations in preparation for Board certification and future teaching responsibilities. Satisfactory completeion of this year of training qualifies the resident for examination and certification by the American Board of Prosthodontics.

Admission Requirements

The program’s admission requirements are as follows:

• Must have passed National Dental Board Examination – Part I.
• Must have earned a D.M.D./D.D.S. degree, or its equivalent.
• Must be a graduate of a U.S. or Canadian dental school.
• Must be proficient in the English language or provide a recent TOEFL score (if foreign applicant).
• Must display evidence of scholastic and clinical achievement that would indicate the applicant’s ability to progress in a program of this nature. Generally, a minimum grade point average of 3.0 is required.
• Must apply to the program through the Postdoctoral Application Support Service (PASS) http://www.adea.org/ and have all application materials in PASS by August 1.  For more detailed information go to the School of Dentistry website (http://dentistry.hsc.wvu.edu/education/programs/graduate-programs/prosthodontics/).
• Will consider ADAT scores submitted with the ADEA PASS application form.
• Must consent to and pass a criminal background investigation prior to final acceptance.
• Must submit documention of required immunizations. A complete list is available on the School of Dentistry website.
• Must meet certain Federal and University standards regarding the Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR).  To comply with these standards, all individuals admitted to the Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) and dental graduate programs must successfully compel the Biomedical Responsible Conduct of Research (BRCR) online course offered by the Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI).  The BRCR course must be completed no later than 30 days after beginning your first semester in the education program.  Failure to satisfy this requirement within the specified period of time will impact your enrollment.
• Must become familiar with the West Virginia School of Dentistry's policy and procedure for Bloodborne Pathogens and Infectious Diseases.
• Must be eligible for a West Virginia dental license or permit.

Degree Requirements

• Fulfill University requirements for graduate study.
• Complete 34 months (three academic years and two summer sessions) 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 Prosthodontics.
• Must pass a final oral examination.
• Must successfully complete all didactic and clinical work in the required curriculum.
• Demonstrate satisfactory clinical competency in this field.
• Complete a minimum of 87 credit hours. This includes 60 credit hours of prosthodontic courses, a minimum of 14 credit hours of selected basic science subjects, 6 hours of teaching practicum, and a research/thesis (7 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

Suggested Plan of Study

Major Learning Goals

Prosthodontics

• Provide the educational and training necessary for graduate dentists to practice in their specialty.
• Provide the education and training necessary for a specialist to achieve Board Certification.

Faculty

Director

• Matthew Bryington - DMD (U of Penn)

Professor

• Mohssen Ghalichebaf - D.D.S. (University of Istanbul)

Associate professor

• Bryan Dye - D.D.S. (West Virginia University)