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Orthodontic Graduate Program
The Orthodontic Graduate Program consists of three continuous full time years of academic experience designed to prepare qualified dentists for specialized practice in Orthodontics.
The Program meets the requirements of the Council on Dental Education of the American Dental Association and the requirements for examination and certification by the American Board of Orthodontics.
The Program consists of a series of didactic, clinical and research activities, specifically designed to allow the resident to achieve the competencies necessary to excel in the field of Orthodontics. Upon completion of the Program requirements, a Master’s degree In Dental Sciences and a Certificate in
Orthodontics will be conferred. In those cases in which the student has fulfilled all requirements except the approval of the thesis, a Certificate in Orthodontics will be granted.
The Program includes in its teaching scope traditional training in Orthodontics and new treatment modalities such as: treatment of severe craniofacial anomalies, surgical orthodontics including distraction osteogenesis, adult and pre-prosthetic orthodontics including the use of temporary anchorage devices, pre-surgical orthopedics for cleft lip and palate, functional appliance therapy, temporomandibular joint disorders therapy and clear aligners.
 A total of one hundred and twenty six (126) credit hours of instruction and supervised activities are distributed in a three-year academic period. This comprises approximately 3,024 contact hours of instruction and approximately 5,520 scheduled hours including formal didactic, clinical and laboratory experiences, case preparation, laboratory work, school administrative requirements. Other related activities like extracurricular professional presentations and participation in continuing education courses (orthodontic residents are regular guests in courses offered by the Puerto Rico Orthodontic Society) are not included.
The curriculum (View Full Curriculum) is composed of seven main tracks. Most of these tracks include courses that maintain a continuum through all or part of the program duration:
- Basic orthodontic subjects - Includes a comprehensive study of orthodontic philosophies structural knowledge, clinical approaches, history and administration. Emphasis will be given to the diagnosis of different malocclusions and their related disorders, and to the design of adequate and comprehensive treatment plans for those conditions. The edgewise-orthodontic mechano-therapy will be emphasized although other important techniques will also be reviewed. Includes the following course sequences: Orthodontic Diagnosis and Treatment Planning, Orthodontic Dental Materials, Principles of Biomechanics in Orthodontics and Case Presentation Seminars.
- Basic Biomedical Sciences - Includes basic knowledge necessary to understand the biology and physiology of tooth movement to encourage an optimal quality in orthodontic practice. The basic subjects include anatomy of the head and neck, growth and development, pharmacology, biochemistry, physiology, embryology, microbiology and oral pathology. The purpose of this track is to allow that all diagnostic and clinical judgments be made upon sound and current basic knowledge of biological and psychological behavior. Includes: Advanced Oral Biology Core Course.
- Growth and Development and Craniofacial Anomalies - Although may be considered as a basic science, its importance in orthodontics is of such a great magnitude that a has been maintained as a track by itself. In this track the student will analyze physical and psychological growth and development from the moment of conception through childhood and into early and late adulthood. This knowledge is emphasized in the Craniofacial Anomalies Clinic (Credit given within Orto 9103-9603 Orthodontic Post-Graduate Clinic). Includes the following courses or course sequences: Craniofacial Growth and Development, Craniofacial Anomalies Seminars and Orthodontic Post-Graduate Clinics.
- Clinical experience - Clinical courses will provide the opportunity for the post-graduate resident to be exposed to supervised clinical application of most orthodontic concepts. It is considered the backbone curricular track since it is in this manner that knowledge and experience Is passed form instructors to residents without subjecting the patient to clinical experimentation by the learning clinician. The emphasis of the clinical courses varies from clinical examination and patient history taking, to clinical application of accepted mechano- therapies In-patients with the most varied diversity of malocclusions and craniofacial malformations. Towards the end of the program, great emphasis is given to be process of re-analyzing the progress of treatment and identifying and interpreting deviations from original treatment objectives conceived initially in the diagnostic and treatment-planning phase. All patients are expected to be treated to the American Board of Orthodontic Standards. Includes the following course sequence: Orthodontic Post-Graduate Clinics.
- Comprehensive patient treatment - This track will expose the post-graduate student to concepts and strategies on how to handle patients with other professionals in the dental, medical and other fields. Interdisciplinary diagnosis and treatment planning of patients with conditions requiring surgical, periodontal, prosthetic, restorative or any other dental, medical or related current therapies will be discussed and conducted through academic interactions specifically designed for such purposes. Includes the following course sequence: Orthodontic Interdisciplinary Seminars.
- Research - Basic skills in inquisitive thinking and techniques on how to conduct and report original research projects will be taught. Post-graduate students searching for a Master's degree are required to complete this process until a thesis Is submitted, defended and approved by the Master's Committee. The student will also be required to write a paper based on the thesis work and submit it for publication in a recognized peer-reviewed journal. Includes the following course sequence: Statistics Practical Approach for the Health Professionals, Statistics Inference in Dentistry, Research Methods for Residents, Research Project II, Research Project III and Thesis.
- Elective courses - Courses on related matters are allowed. This track has been designed to allow the student to explore individual areas of interest into his academic experience.
Admission to the Program (Click Here to go to PASS)
 Selected faculty members of the Graduate Program in Orthodontics compose an Admissions Committee. The committee reviews all applications and upon thorough analysis of the candidates, they make recommendations for admission to the Deanship for Graduate Dental Education Admission Committee. This Committee forwards these recommendations to the Dean of the School of Dentistry. Two students are admitted (1 national resident and 1 international ) each year to the Program. Students must report to the Program Director the first working day of July to start their Orthodontic training.
Minimum Admission Requirements:
- The candidate must have a DMD or DDS degree, or its equivalent from a recognized school or college of dentistry accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association. Foreign graduates must have their diplomas, school transcripts and all other pertinent documents certified as official by the Ministry of Education, or the office concerned, of their country of origin. Or in the U.S. Embassy in those countries where these services are available. Equivalent convalidation into our current 4.0 grade average system is required by a Certified entity.
- Foreign candidates (non US citizens) must have an official letter certifying appointment in a dental school or position in government service of their country. They must certify in writing their commitment to return to their country of origin to teach Orthodontics. Legal proof of financial support (affidavit or sworn statement) is required. The University of Puerto Rico does not provide scholarships, stipend or financial aid. Foreign applicants are strongly encouraged to pass the first and second part of the National Dental Boards.
- Applicants must have minimum dental general grade point index of 3.0 and be in the upper half of their class.
- Applicants must have successfully passed both Parts I and II of the National Board Dental Examination by the program application date.
- A personal interview by the Program Director and the Admissions Committee is required for candidates considered for admission.
- Candidates must be bilingual in the English and Spanish languages. Foreign applicants must present evidence of passing the TOEFL exam.
- Credit by examination is not granted for this program.
- Applicants must submit their application through the Postdoctoral Application Support Service.
- A completed application form with all required documents must be submitted in duplicate to:
Assistant Deanship for Graduate Dental Education
School of Dentistry, Medical Sciences Campus
University of Puerto Rico
G.P.O. Box 365067
San Juan, P.R. 00936-5067
The completed application should be received no later than October 15th, for admission into the program starting on the following July 1st. The candidates will be notified of acceptance or rejection no later than January 31st.
Applicants to the Orthodontic Graduate Program are subject to evaluation by the acceptance committee on six main aspects:
- Academic Performance in Dental School. These criteria will account for 40% of the total weight for admission. The following aspects are taken into consideration:
- General dental school grade index
- Class standing
- Scholastic performance in Dental School (upward or downward trend)
- Performance in the National Dental Boards. These criteria will account for 20% of the total weight for admission:
- Part I
- Part II
- Personal attributes. These will carry a 20% weight and are evaluated by means of:
- Personal Interview. The evaluator will observe character, competence, ethics, judgment, stability, and ability to communicate both in Spanish and English.
- Letters of recommendation from one orthodontist (preferably a faculty member), Chairman of the Orthodontic Department and Dean of their respective Dental School are required.
- Honors received during formal dental school undergraduate or graduate education.
- Other professional activities (18 % weight )
- Research
- Publications
- Post-graduate or Graduate Education
- Years in Private Practice
- Table Clinics
- Oral Presentations
- Meetings and Seminars attended
- Extracurricular activities (2% weight)
- National and International Professional Organizations
- Community Service
- Sports
- Hobbies
- Military Service
Acceptance to the Program
 The total punctuation obtained for each evaluated category will be added and the highest scoring candidates will be granted admission (1 national and 1 international candidate). Those occupying second place will assume alternate positions. The University of Puerto Rico is an equal opportunity institution and all programs and services are unconditionally available to students and employees. Advance placement applications will be evaluated as received according to institutional's guidelines + CODAS guidelines.
Graduation Requirements
The residents must pass all required courses satisfactorily and have a minimum grade point average of 3.0 as certified by the registrar. A minimum of 57 patients must have must have been started, diagnosed and treated by the resident. All graduate students must have participated in the Undergraduate Teaching Assistance Program and the submission of a Master’s Thesis is required. The American Board of Orthodontic phase one written exam must be taken and passed before graduation. No part time students are permitted.
Tuition Fees
Tuition is $14,598 for the entire three year program or 5,000 per year. Books, materials and associated equipment costs are approximately $3,500.00 for the entire three-year period. A digital SLR intraoral camera and lap top computer are required.
Financing
Currently, a stipend of approximately $35,000/year is available for local residents (View stipend table), and meritorious students may qualify for student loans and/or grants on a competitive basis.
Program Facilities
 The Orthodontic Clinic is located on the first floor of the main building of the School of Dentistry, Medical Sciences Campus.
The facilities are designed specifically for the Graduate Orthodontic Program and are adequate to serve the needs of the Program. These are equipped with modern resources. Supporting personnel allow for the efficient operation of the program.
Clinical Facilities
- An open bay Clinic including eight (8) fully equipped dental units, with available basic support equipment.
- A student seminar room with audiovisual facilities and equipment. This room provides an adequate setting for didactic courses and seminars, technological support and library facilities for faculty and student/resident exchange of ideas.
- A reception area.
- Administrative facilities for the Program Director.
- A radiographic unit room.
- Fully equipped dental laboratory.
- Dark Room.
- Sterilizing Room.
- Resource Room.
- Scanners, photo printers and CD’s Journals, internet access (wireless internet available) patient education and case presentation cd rom available for each resident.
- Two full time dental assistants with expanded functions.
- One full time secretary.
- One full time administrative dental assistant.
- Two computer stations for clinical use of students/residents.
Housing Facilities
Information on housing can be obtained at the Office of the Dean of Student Affairs at the Medical Sciences Campus telephone number (787) 758-2525 ext. 5209.
Special Six-Month Internship Program (Application Form)
Besides the three year- Post Doctoral Program in Orthodontics, the School of Dentistry offers a special program of six months duration, which is not conductive to a degree, certificate or diploma upon completion of the program. A letter of acknowledgement is given to the student. The program seeks to provide interested foreign dentists with basic didactic and clinical experiences related to the latest concepts, diagnostic methods and treatment modalities in the field of Orthodontics.
Disclaimer
The University of Puerto Rico guarantees equal opportunity for it’s students employees and aspirants to study or work at the institution. The institution also promotes equal opportunity for its academic program, services and working conditions. The University does not exclude from its benefits any person because of reason of age, race, color place of birth, origin or social condition, physical or mental impediments, political ideals or religion.
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