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:
Information on Tuition and Fees
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.
- Graduates will be able to useÌýthe knowledge and concepts of orthodontics, apply major practices, theories, or evidence-based literature in clinical orthodontics.
- Graduates will be able to assess relevant literature or scholarly contributions in orthodontics.
- 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.
- Graduates will be able to evidence scholarly and professional integrity in orthodontics.
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
°ä´¡¶ÙÌý5010 | Pain: Anatomy, Physiology, Psychology, Treatment | 1 |
°ä´¡¶ÙÌý5060 | Ethics and Dentistry | 0 |
°ä´¡¶ÙÌý5070 | Bone Physiology | 1 |
°ä´¡¶ÙÌý5080 | Multidis Diag + Trtmnt Plan I | 1 |
°ä´¡¶ÙÌý5140 | Temporomandibular Disorders | 1 |
°ä´¡¶ÙÌý5175 | Advanced Oral Pathology & Medicine | 2 |
°ä´¡¶ÙÌý5190 | Advanced Head and Neck Anatomy | 2 |
°ä´¡¶ÙÌý5240 | Temporary Skeletal Anchorage | 1 |
°¿¸é·¡³§Ìý5010 | Introduction to Biostatistics for Health Outcomes | 3 |
°¿¸é·¡³§Ìý5100 | Research Methods in Health & Medicine | 3 |
°¿¸é°Õ±áÌý5010 | Fundamentals of Orthodontics (repeatable up to 2 credits) | 1 |
°¿¸é°Õ±áÌý5020 | Orthodontic Business Management (repeatable for credit, 3 hrs total) | 1 |
°¿¸é°Õ±áÌý5030 | Facial Growth | 2 |
°¿¸é°Õ±áÌý5100 | Biomechanics | 1 |
°¿¸é°Õ±áÌý5250 | Clinical Cephalometrics | 2 |
°¿¸é°Õ±áÌý5350 | Surgical Orthodontics | 1 |
°¿¸é°Õ±áÌý5370 | Orthodontic Problems Related to Cleft Palate Patient | 1 |
°¿¸é°Õ±áÌý5390 | Speech Disorders Related to the Oral Mechanism | 1 |
°¿¸é°Õ±áÌý5490 | Diagnosis Procedures in Orthodontics | 1 |
°¿¸é°Õ±áÌý5530 | Clinical Diagnosis I | 1 |
°¿¸é°Õ±áÌý5540 | Clinical Diagnosis II | 1 |
°¿¸é°Õ±áÌý5550 | Orthodontic Analysis & Treatment Modalities | 1 |
°¿¸é°Õ±áÌý5560 | Clinical Case Conferences (repeatable up to 5 credits) | 0-1 |
°¿¸é°Õ±áÌý5580 | Clinical Specialty Seminars (taken over multiple semesters) | 8 |
°¿¸é°Õ±áÌý5590 | Orthodontic Aspects of Sleep Breathing Disorders | 1 |
°¿¸é°Õ±áÌý5600 | Introduction to Clinical Orthodontics I | 1 |
°¿¸é°Õ±áÌý5660 | Contemporary Orthodontics I | 1 |
°¿¸é°Õ±áÌý5670 | Contemporary Orthodontics II | 1 |
°¿¸é°Õ±áÌý5700 | Clinical Procedures | 1 |
°¿¸é°Õ±áÌý5710 | Clinical Orthodontics I | 2 |
°¿¸é°Õ±áÌý5720 | Clinical Orthodontics II | 3 |
°¿¸é°Õ±áÌý5730 | Clinical Orthodontics III | 1 |
°¿¸é°Õ±áÌý5740 | Clinical Orthodontics IV | 3 |
°¿¸é°Õ±áÌý5750 | Clinical Orthodontics V | 3 |
°¿¸é°Õ±áÌý5760 | Clinical Orthodontics VI | 1 |
°¿¸é°Õ±áÌý5770 | Clinical Orthodontics VII | 3 |
°¿¸é°Õ±áÌý5780 | Clinical Orthodontics VIII (Optional Course) | 1 |
°¿¸é°Õ±áÌý5800 | Child and Adolescent Psychology | 1 |
°¿¸é°Õ±áÌý5840 | Early and Mixed Dentition (repeatable for credit, 3 hrs total) | 1 |
°¿¸é°Õ±áÌý5850 | Adult Treatment (repeatable for credit) | 2 |
°¿¸é°Õ±áÌý5890 | Review for the American Board of Orthodontics Examination | 1 |
°¿¸é°Õ±áÌý5910 | Literature Review (repeatable for credit) | 1 |
°¿¸é°Õ±áÌý5940 | Orthodontic Internship | 1 |
°¿¸é°Õ±áÌý5950 | Special Study for Exams | 0 |
°¿¸é°Õ±áÌý5990 | Thesis Research (taken over multiple semesters, 6hrs total) | 6 |
°¿¸é°Õ±áÌý6000 | Treatment Planning with Digital Technology | 1 |
°¿¸é°Õ±áÌý6050 | Scenario Based Case Analysis | 0 |
Total Credits | 83-84 |
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.
Year One | ||
---|---|---|
Summer | Credits | |
°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 |
Ìý | Credits | 9 |
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 |
Ìý | Credits | 18 |
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 |
Ìý | Credits | 11 |
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 |
Ìý | Credits | 12 |
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 |
Ìý | Credits | 15 |
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 |
Ìý | Credits | 10 |
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 |
Ìý | Credits | 6 |
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 |
Ìý | Credits | 8-9 |
Ìý | Total Credits | 89-90 |
Optional Spring and Summer for 36-month Program
Year Three | ||
---|---|---|
Spring | Credits | |
°¿¸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 |
Ìý | Credits | 3 |
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 |
Ìý | Credits | 1 |
Ìý | Total Credits | 4 |