Curriculum

The Clinical Experience

While learning a variety of orthodontic modalities, residents treat pediatric, adolescent, and adult patients. Orthognathic surgical patients and patients with temporomandibular dysfunction are treated as well. The principal clinical method used in the Orthodontic Program is the pre-adjusted edgewise system. Residents also receive instruction in other contemporary clinical modalities.

The three-year experience offers the orthodontic residents the opportunity to follow most of their patients through the entire course of treatment. They also participate in multiple conferences devoted to the analysis and diagnosis of new cases, further evaluation of patients that have already been treated and whose care is complete, as well as analysis of patients currently undergoing treatment.

The Didactic Experience

To broaden their knowledge and to keep abreast of new directions in the field, residents regularly review and discuss classical and current literature, as well as recent advances in orthodontics. Residents also take basic science and related courses with other postdoctoral students in the Division of Graduate Dental Education through the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine. Associations with the internationally recognized Lancaster Cleft Palate Clinic, and the Cooper University Hospital's Regional Cleft-Craniofacial Program, enhance the overall learning experience. 

Our program provides third-year residents with the opportunity to make independent treatment decisions. Residents also develop teaching skills through participation in the department's teaching program through instructing general practice residents, first-year and second-year orthodontic residents, and Penn dental externs.

All residents undertake independent, but guided, research projects leading to a required thesis-type manuscript, capable of publication, on an original and independent investigation.

The extensive didactic and clinical experience helps prepare residents to take the American Board of Orthodontics written examination, which is required, while a resident.

CURRICULUM CONTENT 

The postgraduate program in Orthodontics consists of a core program of biomedical sciences lectures, seminars, clinical experience and research. The period of study is 36 months.

The following is the course content as presently structured. Modifications may occur during the course of your program.

FIRST YEAR

 

SECOND YEAR

 

THIRD YEAR

 

The Orthodontic Residency Program accepts three (3) residents in each class year to maintain a total of six (6) residents each year. Applications are available in the late Spring of years 2024, 2025, 2027, etc., with new classes beginning the following July of years 2023, 2025, 2026, 2028, etc.