Dentistry Certificate: Advanced Education in General Dentistry

About the Certificate

The 12-month certificate program in Advanced Education in General Dentistry (AEGD) from Temple University’s Kornberg School of Dentistry expands students’ knowledge and refines clinical competency and judgment. The program is designed to accommodate recent dental school graduates, who function in the program as residents, as well as applicants who hold a DMD or DDS degree from a Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) accredited dental school. Dentists who hold a DDS, DMD or BDS degree from an international dental school not accredited by CODA may apply to the Advanced Standing Program for Internationally Trained Dentists.

The field of dentistry is rapidly evolving as new restorative technologies are pioneered to serve patients who live longer and have more complex medication and healthcare needs. The AEGD program takes students beyond the four-year DMD curriculum and strengthens their knowledge base and clinical judgment, helping them to keep pace with advances in the field. While primary patient care provides the majority of residents’ learning experience, diagnostic skills and the ability to develop patient-appropriate treatment plans are also enhanced through the didactic curriculum and weekly seminars covering treatment planning, literature reviews and topics in general dentistry. Residents train to operate effectively and collaborate efficiently within cross-functional healthcare teams while honing their ability to provide emergency, multidisciplinary and patient-centered oral healthcare to a diverse community of patients with a broad spectrum of conditions and needs.

Certificate students acquire robust clinical experience by working in the AEGD Clinic, which operates as a stand-alone clinic with a staff of dental assistants and hygienists. Rotations in postgraduate endodontology, implantology and periodontology supplement the comprehensive patient care assignment in the AEGD clinical facility. Dedicated faculty, who are experts in their fields and who are full-time tenured members of the Department of Restorative Dentistry, instruct and support residents throughout their clinical development and treatment of complex cases.

Time Limit for Certificate Completion: 1 year

Campus Location: Health Sciences Center

Full-Time/Part-Time Status: Full-time study is required.

Job Prospects: Dentistry has evolved tremendously over the years, and more can be learned beyond the dental degree. Graduates of the AEGD program go into the field having gained a better understanding of economic impacts; evolution of technologies; new restorative techniques and materials; patient management; and pharmacology, including side effects and interactions.

Non-Matriculated Student Policy: Participation in the certificate program is limited to dental school graduates accepted into the program on a yearlong basis.

Financing Opportunities: AEGD residents who hold a DMD or DDS degree from a CODA-accredited dental school receive a stipend of $38,500. International dentists without a CODA-accredited dental degree should refer to the Temple University Tuition and Fees schedule.

Admission Requirements and Deadlines

Application Deadline:

Summer: October 1

APPLY ONLINE to this professional certificate program.

Also APPLY ONLINE directly to Kornberg School of Dentistry.

Applicants for the Advanced Education in General Dentistry certificate program must utilize the Postdoctoral Application Support Service (PASS), which is a centralized application service sponsored by the American Dental Education Association (ADEA) for individuals applying to advanced dental education programs. The ADEA PASS application must be completed via the ADEA's website at https://www.adea.org/dental_education_pathways/PASS/applicants/.

All AEGD applicants must submit their application materials to PASS by September 15 to allow PASS sufficient time to process their materials and submit them to Temple by our October 1 deadline. Please check with PASS to ensure that your information has been received as they will only forward completed records to Temple University for assessment.

Additional information regarding the application process is found at https://www.temple.edu/academics/degree-programs/advanced-education-general-dentistry-certificate-graduate-dn-aegd-dent/den-advanced-education-in-general-dentistry-certificate-admissions.

Letters of Reference:
Number Required: 3

From Whom: Letters of recommendation should be obtained from dental school faculty. At least two of the letters must be written by faculty who can evaluate the applicant’s clinical skills.

Degree Required for Admission Consideration: Applicants must hold the DDS, DMD or BDS degree from a U.S. or Canadian dental school accredited according to the standards of the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA).

Standardized Test Scores:
NBDE: Required. All applicants must have passed the National Board Dental Examination (NBDE) Part I and Part II. If the applicant is currently a senior dental student, results from Part II may be forwarded directly to Kornberg School of Dentistry once received.

TOEFL iBT: 100 minimum

Transcripts and Credential Evaluation: Official transcripts from all colleges, universities and dental schools attended must be submitted. Transcripts should include GPA and class rank. Submit transcripts through the ADEA PASS application.

Note that PASS does not accept undergraduate college transcripts. Applicants must send official transcripts for their undergraduate study directly to Kornberg School of Dentistry at the following address:

Advanced Education in General Dentistry (AEGD) Certificate Program
Temple University Kornberg School of Dentistry
3223 N. Broad Street (600-00)
Philadelphia, PA 19140

Resume: Current resume required. Submit resume through the ADEA PASS application.

Supplemental Document: A 2x2 photo of the applicant’s face is required for the AEGD program and should be included with the PASS application.

Acceptance: Applicants will be notified of their admission consideration upon completion of all interview days. The AEGD program does not participate in the National Matching Service.

Certificate Requirements

Number of Credits Required: 28

Required Courses:

Course List
Code	Title	Credit Hours
RDNT 9185	Advanced General Dentistry Clinic I	12
RDNT 9285	Advanced General Dentistry Clinic II	12
PERG 8350	Interdisciplinary Comprehensive Dental Treatment Planning Grand Rounds (2 terms)	4
Total Credit Hours		28