The Master of Sciences in Dentistry in Periodontology Program (MSD) consists of a 36-month curriculum. It provides the student/resident with a broad education that contains a Biomedical Sciences Track, Clinical Sciences Track and a Research Sciences Track. Overall, approximately 28% of the program consists of didactic content, 52% of clinical content, 15% of research and 5% of teaching content.

Program Director:
Dr. Marcelino Negrón

Application Deadline:
September 15 of each year

Application Process:
University of Puerto Rico - ADEA PASS® Program

Program Length:
Three (3) years

Residents Admitted per year:
Two (2) residents

Contacts:
Associated Dean for Graduate Programs
Francheska Labrador
francheska.labrador@upr.edu
787-758-2525 Ext. 1121

Periodontology Graduate Program
Bethzaida M. Rivera
bethzaida.rivera2@upr.edu
787-758-2525 Ext. 7417

*Provide a solid foundation in the biomedical, clinical and research sciences that will enable the resident to diagnose, manage and/or prevent diseases, abnormalities and structural conditions affecting the periodontal tissues. In addition, the student/resident will be trained in dental implant placement and oral sedation.
*Engender the role of the specialist as an integral and integrated member of the health professions team. Encourage students to participate in dental education and to develop a philosophy of lifelong learning.
*Prepare students to successfully qualify for the written and clinical components of the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) Board Examination.

The Periodontics Graduate Program at the University of Puerto Rico School of Dental Medicine was established through a visionary initiative to expand advanced dental education and address the growing demand for periodontal specialists. In 2012, a team of distinguished clinicians and educators—Dr. José Gilberto Gonzalez, Dr. Marcelino Negrón, Dr. Lizbeth Colón, Dr. Ramon González, and Dr. Yolanda Heredia—was recruited to lay the foundation for the program. Their collective expertise and dedication were instrumental in shaping the academic and clinical framework of what would become a premier periodontal training program. 

After a decade of planning, curriculum development and institutional support, the program achieved initial accreditation from the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) in March 2022. This milestone reflected the program’s commitment to excellence and compliance with national standards in postgraduate dental education.

The first class of residents began in July 2023, marking a new era in periodontal education in Puerto Rico. The program continues to grow under the guidance of a team of dedicated and experienced faculty members. As of today, the core faculty includes Dr. Marcelino Negrón, Dr. Rafael Hernández, Dr. Carlos R. Quiñones, Dr. Lizbeth Colón, Dr. José O. Colón, Dr. Katherine Rodríguez and Dr. José Tolosa. Together, these seven faculty members bring a diverse blend of clinical expertise, academic leadership, and research experience to support the program’s mission of training the next generation of periodontists.

The final CODA accreditation site visit is scheduled for April 2026. With a strong foundation, committed faculty and a clear vision for excellence, the Periodontics Graduate Program at the University of Puerto Rico School of Dental Medicine stands as a leader in periodontal education and patient care in the Caribbean region.

The Advanced Education Program in Periodontology is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation and was granted the accreditation status of “initial accreditation for a new program”. Final accreditation visit will be in April 2026. The Commission is a specialized accrediting body recognized by the United States Department of Education. The Commission on Dental Accreditation can be contacted at (312) 440-4653 or at 211 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611.

*Dr. Marcelino Negrón, DMD, CAGD – Program Director
o Dental School: University of Puerto Rico, School of Dental of Medicine
o Periodontology Residency: Boston University Henry M Goldman School of Dental Medicine
o Board Certified by American Board of Periodontology

*Dr. Rafael Hernández, DMD
o Dental School: University of Puerto Rico, School of Dental of Medicine
o Periodontology Residency: Harvard School of Dental Medicine
o American Board of Periodontology Eligible

*Dr. Carlos R. Quiñones, DMD
o Dental School: University of Puerto Rico, School of Dental of Medicine
o Periodontology Residency: University of Rochester Eastman Institute for Oral Health

*Dr. Lizbeth Colón, DMD
o Dental School: University of Puerto Rico, School of Dental of Medicine
o Periodontology Residency: University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
o Board Certified by American Board of Periodontology

*Dr. José O. Colón, DMD
o Dental School: University of Puerto Rico, School of Dental of Medicine
o Periodontology Residency: Boston University Henry M Goldman School of Dental Medicine
o Board Certified by American Board of Periodontology

*Dr. Katherine Rodríguez, DMD
o Dental School: University of Puerto Rico, School of Dental of Medicine
o Periodontology Residency: Nova Southeastern University
o Board Certified by American Board of Periodontology

*Dr. José Tolosa, DMD
o Dental School: University of Puerto Rico, School of Dental of Medicine
o Periodontology Residency: Boston University Henry M Goldman School of Dental Medicine

First Year
*Dr. Carla J. Oramas Sepúlveda, MPH, DMD
o Dental School: University of Puerto Rico, School of Dental of Medicine

*Dr. José I. Rovira Alvarado, DMD
o Dental School: University of Puerto Rico, School of Dental of Medicine
o Advanced Education in General Dentistry – NYU Langone Puerto Rico Site

Second Year
*Dr. Laura Fajardo Turrent, DMD
o Dental School: University of Puerto Rico, School of Dental of Medicine
o Advanced Education in General Dentistry – NYU Langone Puerto Rico Site

*Dr. Ricardo Ramírez Alameda, DMD
o Dental School: University of Puerto Rico, School of Dental of Medicine

Third Year
*Dr. Yollian Velázquez González, DMD
o Dental School: University of Puerto Rico, School of Dental of Medicine
o Advanced Education in General Dentistry – NYU Langone Puerto Rico Site

*Dr. Gian Lourido Martínez, DMD
o Dental School: University of Puerto Rico, School of Dental of Medicine
o Advanced Education in General Dentistry – NYU Langone Puerto Rico Site

First year
*Biomedical Sciences
o Pharm 8515 Advanced Pharmacology and Therapeutics
o Bior 9005 Advanced Oral Biology
o Prog 9106 Dental management of the Compromised Patient (Hospital Protocol)
o Peri 9101 Classic Periodontal Literature Seminar
o Peri 9104 Current Periodontal Literature Seminar
o Prog 9108 Physical Diagnosis

*Clinical Sciences
o Peri 9100 Oral Medicine, Pathology and Diagnostic Skills 4
o Peri 9120 Periodontal Diagnosis and Treatment Planning I
o Peri 9121 Periodontal Lecture Series I
o Peri 9125 Implant Dentistry for the Periodontist I
o Peri 9126 Periodontal Surgery
o Peri 9127 Graduate Periodontal Clinic
o Prog 9100 Anesthesiology Rotation

*Research Sciences
o Pdoc 9101 Introduction to Research Planning
o Pdoc 9006 Research Methods and Apply Statistics for Dental Residents

Second year
*Biomedical Sciences
o Peri 9202 Classic Periodontal Literature Seminar
o Peri 9205 Current Literature Seminar
o Prog 9107 Conscious Sedation of the Dental Patient

*Clinical Sciences
o Peri 9221 Periodontal Diagnosis and Treatment Planning II
o Peri 9222 Periodontal Lecture Series II
o Perri 9226 Implant Dentistry for Periodontist II
o Peri 9228 Graduate Periodontal Clinic II

*Research Sciences
o Pdoc 9102 Research Planning and Statistical Design
o Pdoc 9103 Research Planning and Statistical Design/Thesis

Third year
*Biomedical Sciences
o Peri 9303 Classic Periodontal Literature Seminar
o Peri 9306 Current Periodontal Literature Seminar

*Clinical Sciences
o Peri 9103 Periodontal Lecture Series III
o Peri 9327 Implant Dentistry for the Periodontist III
o Peri 9322 Periodontal Diagnosis and Treatment Planning III
o Peri 9329 Graduate Periodontal Clinic III
o Peri 9040 Clinical Supervision Rotation

Applications for admission to the program are accepted for review until September 15th of each year.

Pass Program Code: PERIO847

Applicant Requirements:

*The candidate must possess a DMD, DDS degree or the equivalent from an ADA accredited school or college of dentistry.
*Candidates must be bilingual (English and Spanish)
*Candidates must apply through the Post Doctoral Application Support System (PASS)
*Candidate must have passed the Integrated National Board Dental Examination (INBDE) 

Application processing- fee (once PASS application is received and Post Graduate Programs Office contacts the candidate)

*A non-refundable supplemental application-processing fee of $100.00 (USD) is required to complete your application.
o Non-refundable supplemental application-processing fee can be sent in the form of money order or check. Make the check payable to "School of Dental Medicine” and mail to the following address:

Escuela de Medicina Dental
Decanato Auxiliar para Educación Dental Graduada
PO BOX 365067
San Juan, PR 00936

The $100 (USD) non-refundable application-processing fee must be in U.S. dollars and may be paid by either money order or a check. If paying by check, please note that the check must have a 9-digit U.S. routing number, usually located at the bottom of the check. In addition, the bank from which you are drafting the check must have an affiliated branch located in the United States.