Information related to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and U-M Dentistry

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


PROGRAM DIRECTOR

Associate Dean for Research, Professor of Dentistry, Department of Biologic and Materials Sciences and Prosthodontics, School of Dentistry
734-615-1970 | vesak@umich.edu