OVERVIEW
The Dental Specialty and Ph.D. Program (DSPP) at the University of Michigan School of Dentistry is funded through a K12 DSPP grant from the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research.
NIDCR Dental Specialty and PhD Programs (DSPP) (K12) Oral Health Science PhD Program
Dental Specialty and PhD Program Description
The program, which requires a minimum of six years, is designed to build advanced knowledge and skillsets in scholars who aspire to become clinician-scientists to advance our understanding of craniofacial diseases and disorders. Integrated into the program are biomedical graduate and advance science courses, research training, specialty residency education, interactive instructions in Responsible Conduct of Research and Scholarship, leadership and professional development. With the full commitment of the faculty team, the OHS program, the specialty programs, the School of Dentistry, and Rackham School of Graduate Studies, our ultimate goal is to prepare the scholars to become leaders, educators and researchers in the field of craniofacial diseases and disorders to advance academic dentistry and public health.
Dental Specialties Involved
- Endodontics
- Orthodontics
- Pediatric Dentistry
- Periodontics
PhD Research Areas
With an objective of advancing the research and clinical management of craniofacial diseases and disorders, the scholars’ PhD dissertation areas may include (but are not limited to):
- Craniofacial, Skeletal Biology and Diseases
- Cancer Biology and Therapeutics
- Tissue Engineering and Regeneration
General Academic Progression Plan
| YEAR 1 |
|---|
| Summer |
| OHS Research Rotation 1 |
| Biostatistics |
| Fall |
| PhD courses |
| OHS Seminar Series and Journal Club |
| Research Rotation 2 |
| Winter |
| PhD courses |
| Research Rotation 3 |
| OHS Seminar Series and Journal Club |
| Identify PhD Dissertation Advisor |
| YEAR 2 |
|---|
| Spring/Summer |
| Conduct precandidate research |
| Fall |
| PhD courses |
| OHS Seminar Series and Journal Club |
| Conduct precandidate research |
| Winter |
| PhD courses |
| OHS Seminar Series and Journal Club |
| Conduct precandidate research Preliminary exam |
| YEAR 3 |
|---|
| Spring/Summer |
| Advance to candidacy |
| Candidate research |
| Fall/Winter |
| OHS Seminar Series and Journal Club |
| PhD Dissertation Research |
| Selected MS courses |
| YEAR 4 |
|---|
| Clinical Training - Year 1 |
| OHS Seminar Series and Journal Club |
| PhD Dissertation Research |
| YEAR 5 |
|---|
| Clinical Training - Year 2 |
| PhD Dissertation Research |
| OHS Seminar Series and Journal Club |
| YEAR 6 |
|---|
| Clinical Training - Year 3 |
| OHS Seminar Series and Journal Club |
| PhD Dissertation Research |
| Dissertation Thesis and Defense |
| YEAR 7 |
|---|
| Candidate Research |
| OHS Seminar Series and Journal Club |
| Clinical Specialty Board exams |
| Dissertation Thesis and Defense |
ADMISSIONS
- Application for Specialty Program by the deadlines provided:
- Application for Oral Health Science (OHS) PhD to Rackham Graduate School
- Eligibility: US Citizens or permanent resident
- The MS/PhD (DSPP) is a student-initiated Dual Degree not a Rackham Dual Degree (do not check the Rackham box for dual degree)
- Email letter of intent to apply to the dual degree MS/PhD program, addressed to Dr. Vesa Kaartinen, Program Director. Send to [email protected]