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Orthodontics, M.S. in Dentistry

ÀÏ˾»ú¸£ÀûÍø's orthodontic program strives to balance progressive excellence with the highest standards and the compassionate service of our Catholic, Jesuit heritage. Graduates leave SLU prepared to be astute and aware clinicians using an integrated, multidisciplinary approach to caring for craniofacial and dental patient problems.

Curriculum Overview

ÀÏ˾»ú¸£ÀûÍø's orthodontic program offers three basic areas of training: an extensive and comprehensive clinical experience that involves diagnosis, treatment planning, active treatment and retention of patients representing a variety of malocclusions and craniofacial deformities; core courses that include biomedical sciences and clinical concepts; and orthodontic research. Students will need to complete 88 credits to graduate.

Specific courses include facial development, biomechanics, clinical cephalometrics, oral biology, surgical orthodontics, orthodontic problems related to the cleft-palate patient, speech problems related to the oral mechanism, history of orthodontics, diagnosis and treatment planning, clinical diagnosis, orthodontic analysis and treatment modalities, introduction to clinical orthodontics, principles of orthodontic techniques, seminar on child and adolescent psychology, digital orthodontics, scenario-based case analysis, orthodontic business management, review for the ABO examination and thesis research.

Fieldwork and Research Opportunities

Following preliminary laboratory and classroom instruction, each resident in the orthodontic program initiates treatment on a large number of patients who present a broad array of dental malocclusions and skeletal deformities. Although residents are first introduced to the Tweed edgewise philosophy form of treatment, students are also exposed to Tip-Edge mechanics (the sequel to Begg therapy), functional and other removable appliances, and various straight-wire appliances. The supervising faculty membersÌýpresent their philosophies and techniques by means of lectures, seminars, laboratory exercises and demonstrations.

In the clinic, students are exposed to a wide array of patient types. Children, adolescents and adults are treated; consequently, students are exposed to treatment in the deciduous, mixed and adult dentitions. Students are also exposed to cases with compromised oral health that require consideration of periodontal, restorative and temporomandibular joint treatment. As a result, many patients are treated by an interdisciplinary approach with other healthcare professionals. Throughout the clinical experience, each student receives a great deal of faculty attention. The development of diagnostic and treatment skills is emphasized as a major responsibility to students.

Additional courses and seminars augment the clinical experience, covering the topics of diagnosis and treatment planning, cephalometrics, theoretical and practical biomechanics, oral pathology, oral medicine, multidisciplinary treatment, speech disorders, craniofacial defects with particular emphasis on cleft lip/palate rehabilitation, adolescent and adult psychology, implants, dentofacial orthopedics, surgical orthodontics, TMJ disorders and practice management.

Students also receive training in research design and statistics and must conduct an original research project. This effort leads to the preparation and defense of a thesis and, subsequently, the production of a manuscript suitable for publication in a journal relating to the specialty of orthodontics. The experience of discovery provided by such research is an integral part of the graduate program, and students are expected to produce a meaningful contribution to the field of orthodontics.

Careers

Our goal is to prepare orthodontic graduates to pursue a career with many possibilities: as a clinician with a practice limited to orthodontics, as a researcher or as a teacher of orthodontics.

ÀÏ˾»ú¸£ÀûÍø Requirements

A D.D.S., D.M.D., or equivalent general dental degree is required for matriculation in this and all other ÀÏ˾»ú¸£ÀûÍø Center for Advanced Dental Education dental training programs.Ìý

Application Requirements

  • Online application through ADEA Postdoctoral Application Support Service (ADEA PASS)
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • National board score test results (not required for international applicants)
  • GRE scores
  • Transcript(s)
  • Biographical goals statement
  • Curriculum vitae or résumé
  • National Match number

Requirements for International Students

All admission policies and requirements for domestic students apply to international students. International students must also meet the following additional requirements:

  • ¶Ù±ð³¾´Ç²Ô²õ³Ù°ù²¹³Ù±ðÌýEnglish Language Proficiency
  • Academic records, in English translation, of students who have undertaken postsecondary studies outside the United States must include:
    • Courses taken and/or lectures attended
    • Practical laboratory work
    • The maximum and minimum grades attainable
    • The grades earned or the results of all end-of-term examinations
    • Any honors or degrees received.
  • WES and ECE transcripts are accepted.
  • In order to be issued an I-20 for your F-1 visa application, students must submit financial documents. Proof of financial support that must include:
    • A letter of financial support from the person(s) or sponsoring agency funding the student's time at ÀÏ˾»ú¸£ÀûÍø
    • A letter from the sponsor's bank verifying that the funds are available and will be so for the duration of the student's study at the University

Application Deadline

Applications must be completed by Sept. 1 to be considered for the orthodontic program beginning the summer semester of the following year.

Review Process

Promising applicants are invited for on-site interviews beginning in October. The orthodontic program subscribes to a national matching service and the "tell date" occurs in late November or early December.

Tuition

Tuition Cost Per Semester
Graduate Tuition $22,950

Additional charges may apply. Other resources are listed below:

Net Price Calculator

Information on Tuition and Fees

Miscellaneous Fees

Information on Summer Tuition

Scholarships and Financial Aid

For priority consideration for graduate assistantship, apply by Feb. 1.

For more information, visit the Office of Student Financial Services.

Accreditation

The orthodontic program is fully accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association. Following completion of the program, graduates are educationally qualified for certification by the American Board of Orthodontics.

  1. Graduates will be able to useÌýthe knowledge and concepts of orthodontics, apply major practices, theories, or evidence-based literature in clinical orthodontics.
  2. Graduates will be able to assess relevant literature or scholarly contributions in orthodontics.
  3. Graduates will be able to articulate arguments or explanations to both a disciplinary or professional audience and to a general audience, in both oral and written forms.
  4. Graduates will be able to evidence scholarly and professional integrity in orthodontics.
°ä´¡¶ÙÌý5010Pain: Anatomy, Physiology, Psychology, Treatment1
°ä´¡¶ÙÌý5060Ethics and Dentistry0
°ä´¡¶ÙÌý5070Bone Physiology1
°ä´¡¶ÙÌý5080Multidis Diag + Trtmnt Plan I1
°ä´¡¶ÙÌý5140Temporomandibular Disorders1
°ä´¡¶ÙÌý5175Advanced Oral Pathology & Medicine2
°ä´¡¶ÙÌý5190Advanced Head and Neck Anatomy2
°ä´¡¶ÙÌý5240Temporary Skeletal Anchorage1
°¿¸é·¡³§Ìý5010Introduction to Biostatistics for Health Outcomes3
°¿¸é·¡³§Ìý5100Research Methods in Health & Medicine3
°¿¸é°Õ±áÌý5010Fundamentals of Orthodontics (repeatable up to 2 credits)1
°¿¸é°Õ±áÌý5020Orthodontic Business Management (repeatable for credit, 3 hrs total)1
°¿¸é°Õ±áÌý5030Facial Growth2
°¿¸é°Õ±áÌý5100Biomechanics1
°¿¸é°Õ±áÌý5250Clinical Cephalometrics2
°¿¸é°Õ±áÌý5350Surgical Orthodontics1
°¿¸é°Õ±áÌý5370Orthodontic Problems Related to Cleft Palate Patient1
°¿¸é°Õ±áÌý5390Speech Disorders Related to the Oral Mechanism1
°¿¸é°Õ±áÌý5490Diagnosis Procedures in Orthodontics1
°¿¸é°Õ±áÌý5530Clinical Diagnosis I1
°¿¸é°Õ±áÌý5540Clinical Diagnosis II1
°¿¸é°Õ±áÌý5550Orthodontic Analysis & Treatment Modalities1
°¿¸é°Õ±áÌý5560Clinical Case Conferences (repeatable up to 5 credits)0-1
°¿¸é°Õ±áÌý5580Clinical Specialty Seminars (taken over multiple semesters)8
°¿¸é°Õ±áÌý5590Orthodontic Aspects of Sleep Breathing Disorders1
°¿¸é°Õ±áÌý5600 Introduction to Clinical Orthodontics I1
°¿¸é°Õ±áÌý5660Contemporary Orthodontics I1
°¿¸é°Õ±áÌý5670Contemporary Orthodontics II1
°¿¸é°Õ±áÌý5700Clinical Procedures1
°¿¸é°Õ±áÌý5710Clinical Orthodontics I2
°¿¸é°Õ±áÌý5720Clinical Orthodontics II3
°¿¸é°Õ±áÌý5730Clinical Orthodontics III1
°¿¸é°Õ±áÌý5740Clinical Orthodontics IV3
°¿¸é°Õ±áÌý5750Clinical Orthodontics V3
°¿¸é°Õ±áÌý5760Clinical Orthodontics VI1
°¿¸é°Õ±áÌý5770Clinical Orthodontics VII3
°¿¸é°Õ±áÌý5780Clinical Orthodontics VIII (Optional Course)1
°¿¸é°Õ±áÌý5800Child and Adolescent Psychology1
°¿¸é°Õ±áÌý5840Early and Mixed Dentition (repeatable for credit, 3 hrs total)1
°¿¸é°Õ±áÌý5850Adult Treatment (repeatable for credit)2
°¿¸é°Õ±áÌý5890Review for the American Board of Orthodontics Examination1
°¿¸é°Õ±áÌý5910Literature Review (repeatable for credit)1
°¿¸é°Õ±áÌý5940Orthodontic Internship1
°¿¸é°Õ±áÌý5950Special Study for Exams0
°¿¸é°Õ±áÌý5990Thesis Research (taken over multiple semesters, 6hrs total)6
°¿¸é°Õ±áÌý6000Treatment Planning with Digital Technology1
°¿¸é°Õ±áÌý6050Scenario Based Case Analysis0
Total Credits83-84

Non-Course Requirements

Supervised active and retention clinical orthodontic treatment of patients; comprehensive orthodontic specialty examinations utilizing written, oral, and practical clinical formats. Second-year residents are required to attend the Tweed Course during the fall semester, which is offered by The Charles H. Tweed International Foundation. Further details regarding the course will be provided to the residents upon enrollment.
All 1st yearÌýresidents are required to complete the Online course in Responsible Conduct in Research (RCR) by the end of the Spring term.Ìý

Continuation Standards

Students must maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 in all graduate/professional courses.

Roadmaps are recommended semester-by-semester plans of study for programs and assume full-time enrollmentÌýunless otherwise noted. Ìý

Courses and milestones designated as critical (marked with !) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation. Transfer credit may change the roadmap.

This roadmap should not be used in the place of regular academic advising appointments. All students are encouraged to meet with their advisor/mentor each semester. Requirements, course availability and sequencing are subject to change.

Plan of Study Grid
Year One
SummerCredits
°ä´¡¶ÙÌý5080 Multidis Diag + Trtmnt Plan I 1
°¿¸é°Õ±áÌý5250 Clinical Cephalometrics (extends into fall) 2
°¿¸é°Õ±áÌý5490 Diagnosis Procedures in Orthodontics 1
°¿¸é°Õ±áÌý5560 Clinical Case Conferences 0
°¿¸é°Õ±áÌý5580 Clinical Specialty Seminars 1
°¿¸é°Õ±áÌý5600 Introduction to Clinical Orthodontics I 1
°¿¸é°Õ±áÌý5700 Clinical Procedures 1
°¿¸é°Õ±áÌý5710 Clinical Orthodontics I 2
ÌýCredits9
Fall
°ä´¡¶ÙÌý5070 Bone Physiology 1
°ä´¡¶ÙÌý5080 Multidis Diag + Trtmnt Plan I 1
°ä´¡¶ÙÌý5240 Temporary Skeletal Anchorage 1
°¿¸é°Õ±áÌý5010 Fundamentals of Orthodontics 1
°¿¸é°Õ±áÌý5030 Facial Growth 2
°¿¸é°Õ±áÌý5100 Biomechanics 1
°¿¸é°Õ±áÌý5560 Clinical Case Conferences 1
°¿¸é°Õ±áÌý5580 Clinical Specialty Seminars 1
°¿¸é°Õ±áÌý5590 Orthodontic Aspects of Sleep Breathing Disorders 1
°¿¸é°Õ±áÌý5660 Contemporary Orthodontics I 1
°¿¸é°Õ±áÌý5720 Clinical Orthodontics II 3
°¿¸é°Õ±áÌý6000 Treatment Planning with Digital Technology 1
°¿¸é·¡³§Ìý5010 Introduction to Biostatistics for Health Outcomes 3
ÌýCredits18
Spring
°ä´¡¶ÙÌý5060 Ethics and Dentistry 0
°ä´¡¶ÙÌý5080 Multidis Diag + Trtmnt Plan I 1
°ä´¡¶ÙÌý5140 Temporomandibular Disorders 1
°ä´¡¶ÙÌý5190 Advanced Head and Neck Anatomy 2
°¿¸é°Õ±áÌý5010 Fundamentals of Orthodontics 1
°¿¸é°Õ±áÌý5550 Orthodontic Analysis & Treatment Modalities 1
°¿¸é°Õ±áÌý5560 Clinical Case Conferences 1
°¿¸é°Õ±áÌý5580 Clinical Specialty Seminars 1
°¿¸é°Õ±áÌý5670 Contemporary Orthodontics II 1
°¿¸é°Õ±áÌý5730 Clinical Orthodontics III 1
°¿¸é°Õ±áÌý5840 Early and Mixed Dentition 0
°¿¸é°Õ±áÌý5990 Thesis Research 0
ORTHÌý6010 Digital Orthodontics I 1
ÌýCredits11
Year Two
Summer
°ä´¡¶ÙÌý5010 Pain: Anatomy, Physiology, Psychology, Treatment 1
°ä´¡¶ÙÌý5080 Multidis Diag + Trtmnt Plan I 1
°¿¸é·¡³§Ìý5100 Research Methods in Health & Medicine (online) 3
°¿¸é°Õ±áÌý5390 Speech Disorders Related to the Oral Mechanism 1
°¿¸é°Õ±áÌý5560 Clinical Case Conferences 0
°¿¸é°Õ±áÌý5580 Clinical Specialty Seminars 1
°¿¸é°Õ±áÌý5740 Clinical Orthodontics IV 3
°¿¸é°Õ±áÌý5800 Child and Adolescent Psychology 1
°¿¸é°Õ±áÌý5840 Early and Mixed Dentition 0
°¿¸é°Õ±áÌý5910 Literature Review 0
°¿¸é°Õ±áÌý5990 Thesis Research 1
ORTHÌý6020 Digital Orthodontics II 0
ÌýCredits12
Fall
°ä´¡¶ÙÌý5080 Multidis Diag + Trtmnt Plan I 1
°ä´¡¶ÙÌý5175 Advanced Oral Pathology & Medicine 2
°¿¸é°Õ±áÌý5350 Surgical Orthodontics 1
°¿¸é°Õ±áÌý5370 Orthodontic Problems Related to Cleft Palate Patient 1
°¿¸é°Õ±áÌý5530 Clinical Diagnosis I 1
°¿¸é°Õ±áÌý5560 Clinical Case Conferences 1
°¿¸é°Õ±áÌý5580 Clinical Specialty Seminars 1
°¿¸é°Õ±áÌý5750 Clinical Orthodontics V 3
°¿¸é°Õ±áÌý5840 Early and Mixed Dentition (grade submitted this term) 1
°¿¸é°Õ±áÌý5910 Literature Review 1
°¿¸é°Õ±áÌý5990 Thesis Research 1
ORTHÌý6020 Digital Orthodontics II 1
ÌýCredits15
Spring
°ä´¡¶ÙÌý5080 Multidis Diag + Trtmnt Plan I 1
°¿¸é°Õ±áÌý5020 Orthodontic Business Management 1
°¿¸é°Õ±áÌý5540 Clinical Diagnosis II 1
°¿¸é°Õ±áÌý5560 Clinical Case Conferences 1
°¿¸é°Õ±áÌý5580 Clinical Specialty Seminars 1
°¿¸é°Õ±áÌý5760 Clinical Orthodontics VI 1
°¿¸é°Õ±áÌý5850 Adult Treatment 0
°¿¸é°Õ±áÌý5890 Review for the American Board of Orthodontics Examination 1
°¿¸é°Õ±áÌý5910 Literature Review 1
°¿¸é°Õ±áÌý5990 Thesis Research 1
ORTHÌý6020 Digital Orthodontics II 1
ÌýCredits10
Year Three
Summer
°ä´¡¶ÙÌý5080 Multidis Diag + Trtmnt Plan I 1
°¿¸é°Õ±áÌý5020 Orthodontic Business Management 0
°¿¸é°Õ±áÌý5560 Clinical Case Conferences 0
°¿¸é°Õ±áÌý5580 Clinical Specialty Seminars 1
°¿¸é°Õ±áÌý5770 Clinical Orthodontics VII 3
°¿¸é°Õ±áÌý5850 Adult Treatment 0
°¿¸é°Õ±áÌý5990 Thesis Research 1
°¿¸é°Õ±áÌý6050 Scenario Based Case Analysis 0
ÌýCredits6
Fall
°ä´¡¶ÙÌý5080 Multidis Diag + Trtmnt Plan I 1
°¿¸é°Õ±áÌý5020 Orthodontic Business Management 1
°¿¸é°Õ±áÌý5560 Clinical Case Conferences 1
°¿¸é°Õ±áÌý5580 Clinical Specialty Seminars 1
°¿¸é°Õ±áÌý5780 Clinical Orthodontics VIII 0-1
°¿¸é°Õ±áÌý5850 Adult Treatment (grade submitted this term) 2
°¿¸é°Õ±áÌý5950 Special Study for Exams (also spring/summer if 36 months) 0
°¿¸é°Õ±áÌý5990 Thesis Research 2
°¿¸é°Õ±áÌý6050 Scenario Based Case Analysis 0
ÌýCredits8-9
ÌýTotal Credits89-90

Optional Spring and Summer for 36-month Program

Plan of Study Grid
Year Three
SpringCredits
°¿¸é°Õ±áÌý5940 Orthodontic Internship (Optional) 1
°¿¸é°Õ±áÌý5950 Special Study for Exams (Optional) 0
°¿¸é°Õ±áÌý5990 Thesis Research (Optional) 0
ORTHÌý6110 Advanced Orthodontic Studies for 36 Month Program Requirements 2
ÌýCredits3
Year Four
Summer
°ä´¡¶ÙÌý5080 Multidis Diag + Trtmnt Plan I 1
°¿¸é°Õ±áÌý5780 Clinical Orthodontics VIII (Optional for Year 4) 0
°¿¸é°Õ±áÌý5940 Orthodontic Internship (Optional) 0
°¿¸é°Õ±áÌý5990 Thesis Research (Optional) 0
ÌýCredits1
ÌýTotal Credits4