Combined Degree and Specialty Programs
Dental Clinical Specialty/Ph.D.
Program Description
Overview
The combined Ph.D./advanced clinical training program is designed to
develop outstanding clinician scientists in basic biomedical, behavioral
and clinical oral health research. Dentists undertake five-seven years
of intensive study involving three integrated phases: (1) a basic
science component which includes both didactic and laboratory
experiences at the Ph.D. level; (2) a supervised research program
employing either a basic or clinical science approach to studying an
oral health problem; and (3) advanced clinical knowledge and skills
development in either a recognized dental specialty or other equivalent
dental clinical discipline. At the conclusion of the program, the
appointee will obtain the Ph.D. degree and be board eligible or
certified in a dental clinical specialty. Newly trained clinicians are
selected and appointed to this program by the program director.
Throughout the course of their study and research, appointees are
supervised closely by mentors who have recognized basic research and
clinical training experience. A prospective candidate must have a D.D.S.,
D.M.D. or an equivalent degree but need not have started postgraduate
clinical training.
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Research and Training Areas
Research training is oriented toward the understanding, prevention,
diagnosis and treatment of oral, craniofacial and dental diseases and
disorders. Current special areas of interest include: (i) inherited
diseases and disorders, including the development of teeth and bone;
(ii) emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases, including bacterial,
viral, fungal and parasitic disorders and AIDS; (iii) neoplastic
diseases; (iv) chronic disabling diseases, such as osteoporosis and
related bone disorders, temporomandibular joint disorders, pain,
neuropathies and neurodegenerative diseases, and other systemic
disorders with oral manifestations; (v) biomimetics, tissue engineering
and biomaterials; and (vi) behavior, health promotion, and environment.
The University of Connecticut Graduate School offers a Ph.D. degree in
Biomedical Science at the UConn Health Center with seven possible areas
of concentration:
- Cell Biology
- Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology
- Genetics and Developmental Biology
- Molecular Biology and Biochemistry
- Immunology
- Neuroscience
- Skeletal, Craniofacial, and Oral Biology
These Areas of Concentration are designed to assist the student in
obtaining competency in their desired area of study.
In addition, the Department of Behavioral Science and Community
Dentistry offers a link to graduate degrees in the behavioral sciences
and economics. These are multidisciplinary programs offered by the
graduate faculty (faculty of the Schools of Medicine and Dental Medicine
who hold joint appointments as faculty in the Graduate School). Current
total enrollment in the Biomedical Science program is 91 with 12
students in the Oral Biology area of concentration. The following post-D.D.S./D.M.D.
specialty certification and residencies are available to students:
endodontics, oral and maxillofacial surgery, oral and maxillofacial
radiology) orthodontics, pediatric dentistry, periodontics and
prosthodontics. All programs are fully accredited by the Commission on
Dental Accreditation.
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Eligibility
Appointees must have a dental degree. Women and underrepresented
minorities are strongly encouraged to apply.
We seek individuals who have the potential and strong desire to become
fully independent scientists and, as a consequence of their interest and
training, can make substantial contributions to the resolution of
clinical problems of interest to dental medicine and fundamental
problems of oral biology. Such individuals, in addition to being
excellent students, should possess the following attributes: initiative,
intelligence, perseverance, maturity, creativity, collegiality and
cooperativeness. These candidates should manifest a strong understanding
of and commitment to the rigors of developing strong independent
research programs and the attributes of a career in academic dentistry
rather than private clinical practice. Evidence of previous research
experience during undergraduate and/or first professional training will
be advantageous for this manifests an understanding of and a feeling for
the real work of experimentation with attendant frustrations and
rewards. Students will devote 100% of their time to their combined
certificate/Ph.D. programs. The mix of effort with the three main
components of basic science education, clinical education and research
will necessarily vary with the individual student and specific program
since we stress individually tailored programs. Journal club and seminar
presentations in a broad range of topics related to oral biology are
integral components of our clinical and Ph.D. programs since the mission
of this program is to educate future faculty and scholars for dental
education.
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Support
University of Connecticut Health Center Graduate Fellowships are
available on a competitive basis. Currently these provide a tuition
waiver, an annual stipend of $25,000 for 2005/2006, and health
insurance. These fellowships are available only for the Ph.D. portion of
the training.
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When and Where to Apply
Applicants to the combined Ph.D./clinical training program should
contact the director of the desired clinical program as early as
possible while in dental school. Acceptances are made by November of the
year prior to appointment. For further details on eligibility,
mechanisms of award, application procedures, and review criteria,
interested individuals may contact:
Dr. William Upholt
Program Director
Skeletal, Craniofacial and Oral Biology Concentration
of the
Biomedical Science PhD Program
University of Connecticut School of Dental Medicine
Department of BioStructure and Function
263 Farmington Avenue
Farmington, CT 06030-3705
Phone: 860-679-3891
Fax: 860-679-2910
E-mail: upholt@nso2.uchc.edu
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