Academic Programs

Training Program in Oral Science

                    D.M.D.-Ph.D Training Program
          University of Rochester, School of Medicine & Dentistry
                University of Puerto Rico School of Dentistry

The DMD/PhD program is offered jointly by the University of Puerto Rico School of Dentistry and the School of Medicine & Dentistry at the University of Rochester. The Training Program in Oral Science (TPOS) supports combined training in Clinical Dentistry and in Basic Science Research which results in two separate degrees:
    1. DMD degree offered by the University of Puerto Rico
       School of Dentistry.
    2. PhD degree offered by the University of Rochester, in one
       of the following areas: Anatomy, Biochemistry, Biology,
       Biomedical Engineering, Biophysics, Chemistry, Genetics,
       Microbiology and Immunology, Neuroscience, Pathology,
       Pharmacology, Physiology or Toxicology.

The proposed curriculum focuses on the integration of basic science and clinical dentistry in all training activities and includes cross-disciplinary training in oral infectious diseases and molecular, cellular and craniofacial biology with an emphasis on understanding the mechanisms that underlie the clinical manifestations of oral disease. The goal of the Program is to generate a pool of dentists-scientists with a strong background both in clinical dentistry and in basic sciences, able to pursue research careers in dental academic, federal or industrial organizations.

Program Description:
The estimated length of this program is 7 years. During years one through three the candidates work full-time at the UPR School of Dentistry in order to complete the requirements of the first 3 years of the standard curriculum for the DMD degree. During this time the DMD/PhD candidates are also expected to complete a minimum of two summer research rotations at the University of Rochester. Upon successful completion of these rotations the Candidates are granted Provisional acceptance into the PhD program. During years 4 and 5 the Candidates work jointly towards the academic and research requirements for their PhD degree and towards the completion of the clinical requirements for their DMD degree as specified by the School of Dentistry. Clinical training is performed in the clinics of the Eastman Department of Dentistry at the University of Rochester, under the supervision of the faculty of the general practice and/or specialty training programs. The final two years of the program (years 6 and 7) are dedicated to the completion of the research project and the PhD thesis.

Financial Support:
Financial support for the DMD/PhD program is provided primarily through the TPOS Training Program. The program provides tuition, fees and health Insurance benefits, as well as generous stipends (currently $21,500) during years 4 to 7 of the program (including the 4th year of dental school). In addition, the program provides a stipend of ~$3,500 for each summer research rotation during years 1 to 3 of the program. Candidates, who have been granted provisional acceptance to the PhD program, typically after the end of the 1st or 2nd year of the program, may also be eligible for scholarships awarded to DMD/PhD candidates on a competitive basis by the UPR School of Dentistry. DMD/PhD candidates may also receive financial support to present their research results at the annual conference of the American Association for Dental Research.

DMD/PhD Program Description

Year		Activity	Location	Supervision from UPR	Supervision from U of R
1-3	Fall/Spring	Dental Curriculum	UPR School of Dentistry	Dr. Bermudez / Dr. Morou
	Summer	Research Rotations (at least 2)	Univ. of Rochester, Center for Oral Biology		Dr. Melvin
4-5		Clinical Requirements / Research and coursework	Univ. of Rochester, Eastman Dept. of Dentistry and Center for Oral Biology	Dr. Bermudez / Dr. Morou	Dr. Thierer, Dr. Melvin and Thesis advisor
6-7		Research and Thesis	Univ. of Rochester, Center for Oral Biology		Dr. Melvin and Thesis advisor

For additional information, please contact either:
Dr. James E. Melvin
Director, Center for Oral Biology
University of Rochester School of Medicine & Dentistry
601 Elmwood Ave., Box 611
Rochester, NY 14642
james_melvin@urmc.rochester.edu
(585) 275-3444 / Fax (585) 276-0190

Dr. Evangelia Morou
Oral Biology
University of Puerto Rico School of Dentistry
Office A107, Box 365067
San Juan, PR 00936
emorou@rcm.upr.edu
(787) 758-2525 ext 2523 / Fax (787) 763-4868

School of Medicine & Dentistry University of Rochester
(D.M.D.-Ph.D. Training Program Brochure in PDF)

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