Dentistry Certificate: Orthodontics

KORNBERG SCHOOL OF DENTISTRY

Learn more about the certificate in Orthodontics.

About the Certificate

The postgraduate certificate in Orthodontics at Kornberg School of Dentistry emphasizes evidence-based, patient-centered and outcome-driven care. The Orthodontics curriculum incorporates advanced understanding of cutting-edge orthodontic instrumentation, with a focus on wire manipulation and clinical biomechanics. Study of dental literature, research, theories, technological advancements and therapeutic procedures is applied to the diagnosis and treatment of patients. Skills are also developed for the sound management of one’s own clinical practice.

Matriculation in the Orthodontics program starts in July of each year. Dentists are expected to maintain continuous residency status over the course of the program. Completion of the certificate also awards residents a concurrent Master of Science degree in Oral Health Sciences.

Time Limit for Certificate Completion: 26 months

Campus Location: Health Sciences Center

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

Job Prospects: The postdoctoral certificate program prepares residents to become qualified specialists in orthodontics with expertise in applied basic sciences, clinical biomechanics, compassionate care for patients, and diagnosis and treatment planning. Residents receive advanced didactic and clinical instruction across all aspects of the discipline in preparation for a career as an orthodontist in settings such as academics, clinical practice and research. Graduates are prepared to pursue certification by the American Board of Orthodontics.

Non-Matriculated Student Policy: Non-matriculated students may enroll in some courses with permission from the course instructor and approval from the Kornberg School of Dentistry Office of Graduate Education.

Financing Opportunities: Limited financial support is available for dental residents.

Admission Requirements and Deadlines

Application Deadline:

Summer: August 15 to start the following year

APPLY ONLINE to this professional certificate program through ADEA PASS.

Also APPLY ONLINE to the Postdoctoral Dental Matching Program.

Applicants for the Orthodontics 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 Orthodontics applicants must submit their application materials to PASS by August 15 to allow PASS sufficient time to process their materials and submit them to Temple by our September 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.

All Orthodontics applicants are also required to apply to the Postdoctoral Dental Matching Program through National Matching Services Inc. at https://natmatch.com/dentres/.

Six individuals are selected each year for full-time matriculation into the Orthodontics certificate program. Preference is given to academically accomplished candidates and those with demonstrable maturity in research, clinical care or service. Individuals with high GPAs and strong letters of recommendation are encouraged to apply. The admissions process ensures a fair, unbiased and nondiscriminatory admissions policy.

Letters of Reference:
Number Required: 3

From Whom: Letters of recommendation should be obtained from dental school faculty or supervisors. 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 or DMD 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).

International applicants must verify that their training is equivalent to a CODA-accredited institution by using one of these foreign academic credentialing services: World Education Services or Education Credential Evaluators.

Statement of Goals: This personal statement includes your specific interest in Temple's Orthodontics certificate program, your research and future career goals, and your previous academic and research achievements. The statement should not exceed 2,000 words.

Standardized Test Scores:
GRE: Required.

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.

ADAT: Scores from the Advanced Dental Admission Test are not required.

TOEFL iBT: 100 minimum required.

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:

     Dept. of Orthodontics
     Temple University Kornberg School of Dentistry
     3223 N. Broad Street (600-00)
     Philadelphia, PA 19140

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

Supplemental Documents: The following documents required for the Orthodontics certificate program are to be sent directly to the Kornberg School of Dentistry in one envelope to the address listed above:

  • A check in the amount of $50 made payable to Temple University Kornberg School of Dentistry. This covers a separate application fee required when applying to the Orthodontics program. Payment should be remitted in a U.S. bank check or U.S. money order as international checks are not accepted.
  • A 2x2 photo of the applicant’s face.

Acceptance: Applicants who are accepted into the Orthodontics certificate program are rank-ordered, and their names are submitted to National Matching Services Inc. Notification of their match with a program occurs on the date chosen by National Matching Services Inc.

Certificate Requirements

Number of Credits Required: 189

Required Courses:

OHSC 8011Molecular Oral and Craniofacial Biology1
OHSC 8012Advanced Dental Pharmacology and Therapeutics1
OHSC 8013Introduction to Evidence-Based Dentistry1
OHSC 8014Clinical Anatomy of the Head and Neck1
OHSC 8015Research Methodology and Study Design1
OHSC 8016Cases in Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology1
OHSC 8017Oral Microbiology and Immunology1
OHSC 8018Biostatistics1
OHSC 8019Advanced Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology1
OHSC 8033Bioethics and Critical Thinking in Dentistry1
OHSC 9991Research in Oral Health Sciences 114
OHSC 9993Master's Research Qualifying Examination1
OHSC 9996Master's Thesis in Oral Biology1
ORTG 8400Diagnosis and Treatment Planning Conference 116
ORTG 8401Orthodontic Technique Lab6
ORTG 8403Orthodontic Diagnosis and Treatment Plan Seminar2
ORTG 8404Orthodontic Biomechanics2
ORTG 8407History of Orthodontics1
ORTG 8408Craniofacial Cephalometrics3
ORTG 8410Current Literature Review 14
ORTG 8414Growth and Development of the Craniofacial Complex2
ORTG 8416Clinical Biomechanics1
ORTG 8417Introduction to Basic Principles of Orthodontics (Lab)2
ORTG 8418Introduction to Basic Principles of Orthodontics (Seminar)3
ORTG 8419Orthodontic Principles and Techniques 13
ORTG 84213-D Imaging and Computer Generated Orthodontics2
ORTG 8423Progress Conference and Case Review 14
ORTG 8424Biology of Tooth Movement2
ORTG 8425Classic Literature Review1
ORTG 8426Multidisciplinary and Adult Orthodontics2
ORTG 8427American Board of Orthodontics Preparation Course2
ORTG 8428ABO Mock Boards1
ORTG 8430Advance Orthodontic Principles and Techniques 14
ORTG 8431Thesis; Scientific Writing and Preparation Course 11
ORTG 8513Operations Management for Orthodontic Practice II2
ORTG 9487Dento-Facial Anomalies Conference 14
ORTG 9489Extracurricular Education 18
ORTG 9587Graduate Orthodontic Clinic 154
ORTG 9588Graduate Orthodontic Screening Clinic 123
PERG 8350Interdisciplinary Comprehensive Dental Treatment Planning Grand Rounds 18
Total Credit Hours189

Proposed Plan of Study Outlined by Year and Term

Year 1
FallCredit Hours
OHSC 8013Introduction to Evidence-Based Dentistry1
OHSC 8015Research Methodology and Study Design1
OHSC 8017Oral Microbiology and Immunology1
OHSC 8018Biostatistics1
OHSC 8019Advanced Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology1
OHSC 9991Research in Oral Health Sciences14
OHSC 9993Master's Research Qualifying Examination1
ORTG 8400Diagnosis and Treatment Planning Conference14
ORTG 8401Orthodontic Technique Lab6
ORTG 8403Orthodontic Diagnosis and Treatment Plan Seminar2
ORTG 8404Orthodontic Biomechanics2
ORTG 8407History of Orthodontics1
ORTG 8408Craniofacial Cephalometrics3
ORTG 8410Current Literature Review11
ORTG 8414Growth and Development of the Craniofacial Complex2
ORTG 8417Introduction to Basic Principles of Orthodontics (Lab)2
ORTG 8418Introduction to Basic Principles of Orthodontics (Seminar)3
ORTG 8419Orthodontic Principles and Techniques12
ORTG 8431Thesis; Scientific Writing and Preparation Course 11
ORTG 9487Dento-Facial Anomalies Conference11
ORTG 9489Extracurricular Education12
ORTG 9587Graduate Orthodontic Clinic112
ORTG 9588Graduate Orthodontic Screening Clinic16
PERG 8350Interdisciplinary Comprehensive Dental Treatment Planning Grand Rounds12
 Term Credit Hours62
Spring
OHSC 8011Molecular Oral and Craniofacial Biology1
OHSC 8012Advanced Dental Pharmacology and Therapeutics1
OHSC 8014Clinical Anatomy of the Head and Neck1
OHSC 8016Cases in Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology1
OHSC 8033Bioethics and Critical Thinking in Dentistry1
OHSC 9991Research in Oral Health Sciences14
ORTG 8400Diagnosis and Treatment Planning Conference14
ORTG 8410Current Literature Review11
ORTG 8419Orthodontic Principles and Techniques11
ORTG 84213-D Imaging and Computer Generated Orthodontics2
ORTG 8423Progress Conference and Case Review11
ORTG 8424Biology of Tooth Movement2
ORTG 8513Operations Management for Orthodontic Practice II2
ORTG 9487Dento-Facial Anomalies Conference11
ORTG 9489Extracurricular Education12
ORTG 9587Graduate Orthodontic Clinic112
ORTG 9588Graduate Orthodontic Screening Clinic14
PERG 8350Interdisciplinary Comprehensive Dental Treatment Planning Grand Rounds12
 Term Credit Hours43
Year 2
Fall
OHSC 9991Research in Oral Health Sciences14
ORTG 8400Diagnosis and Treatment Planning Conference14
ORTG 8410Current Literature Review11
ORTG 8423Progress Conference and Case Review12
ORTG 8425Classic Literature Review1
ORTG 8426Multidisciplinary and Adult Orthodontics2
ORTG 8430Advance Orthodontic Principles and Techniques12
ORTG 9487Dento-Facial Anomalies Conference11
ORTG 9489Extracurricular Education12
ORTG 9587Graduate Orthodontic Clinic112
ORTG 9588Graduate Orthodontic Screening Clinic16
PERG 8350Interdisciplinary Comprehensive Dental Treatment Planning Grand Rounds12
 Term Credit Hours39
Spring
OHSC 9991Research in Oral Health Sciences12
OHSC 9996Master's Thesis in Oral Biology1
ORTG 8400Diagnosis and Treatment Planning Conference14
ORTG 8410Current Literature Review11
ORTG 8416Clinical Biomechanics1
ORTG 8423Progress Conference and Case Review11
ORTG 8427American Board of Orthodontics Preparation Course2
ORTG 8430Advance Orthodontic Principles and Techniques12
ORTG 9487Dento-Facial Anomalies Conference11
ORTG 9489Extracurricular Education12
ORTG 9587Graduate Orthodontic Clinic112
ORTG 9588Graduate Orthodontic Screening Clinic14
PERG 8350Interdisciplinary Comprehensive Dental Treatment Planning Grand Rounds12
 Term Credit Hours35
Summer
ORTG 8428ABO Mock Boards1
ORTG 9587Graduate Orthodontic Clinic16
ORTG 9588Graduate Orthodontic Screening Clinic13
 Term Credit Hours10
 Total Credit Hours: 189

Contacts

Certificate Program Web Address:

https://www.temple.edu/academics/degree-programs/orthodontics-certificate-graduate-dn-ortg-dent

Department Information:

Dept. of Orthodontics

Temple University Kornberg School of Dentistry

3223 N. Broad Street

Philadelphia, PA 19140

dentalgrad@temple.edu

215-707-2866

Submission Address for Application Materials:

https://www.adea.org/dental_education_pathways/PASS/applicants/Pages/default.aspx

Postdoctoral Application Support Service (PASS) Contacts:

passinfo@passweb.org

617-612-2065

Mailing Address for Undergraduate Transcripts and Supplemental Documents:

Dept. of Orthodontics

Kornberg School of Dentistry Office of Graduate Education

3223 N. Broad Street (600-00)

Philadelphia, PA 19140

Submission Address for Application to the Postdoctoral Dental Matching Program:

https://natmatch.com/dentres/

Department Contacts:

Admissions:

Luz DeJesus

luz.dejesus@temple.edu

215-707-7733

Graduate Program Director:

Jeffrey H. Godel, DMD, MS

Associate Professor

jeffrey.godel@temple.edu

215-707-4002