Orthodontics - Certificate
Orthodontics includes the diagnosis, prevention, interception, and correction of malocclusion, as well as neuromuscular and skeletal abnormalities of the developing or mature orofacial structures. The program balances didactic, clinical, and research components. It includes training in applied and radiographic anatomy, biomechanics, physics, biostatistics, research design, orthodontic technique, diagnosis, treatment planning, growth and development.
All courses within this program are taught face-to-face, on campus at the College of Dentistry in Dallas. This program may require off-campus assignments at local, Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex hospitals or dental clinics.
In addition, the completion of an MS in Oral Biology is mandatory for this specialty program.
The Certificate in Orthodontics is a most-significant document for graduates in the dental specialty of Orthodontics. Although all graduates from the 34.5-month regimen of study complete a publishable MS thesis in the Department of Orthodontics at the College of Dentistry, located in Dallas, and receive an MS in Oral Biology, the specialty of Orthodontics is not annotated on the diploma. Therefore, the Certificate in Orthodontics portrays certification in the discipline/specialty as a legitimate credential to potential orthodontic patients, as well as to hospitals, future employers, professional organizations, and certifying agencies - such as the American Board of Orthodontics. As such, the Certificate in Orthodontics should be weighted equally as important as the MS degree in Oral Biology, since it is more explanatory to the consuming public and regulatory authorities.
Application requirements include a DDS or DMD (or foreign equivalent), National Board Dental Examinations for graduates of American Dental Association Council on Dental Accreditation accredited institutions, Graduate Record Examination scores, a competitive academic record, and references. Applications are made through PASS. The deadline to apply is August 15 of each year, with a start date the following summer.
For more information about the Certificate in Orthodontics visit our website.
This program prepares students for the opportunity to pursue an occupational license. Please refer to the Notification for Students Pursuing an Occupational License in our catalog for additional information.
| Code | Title | Semester Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ORTH 601 | TMD Clinic I | 0.0 |
| ORTH 602 | TMD Clinic II | 0.0 |
| ORTH 603 | TMD Clinic III | 0.0 |
| ORTH 604 | TMD Clinic IV | 0.0 |
| ORTH 605 | TMD Clinic V | 0.0 |
| ORTH 656 | TMD Clinic VI | 0.0 |
| ORTH 657 | TMD Clinic VII | 0.0 |
| ORTH 658 | TMD Clinic VIII | 0.0 |
| ORTH 659 | TMD Clinic IX | 0.0 |
| ORTH 606 | Craniofacial Anomalies Clinic I | 0.0 |
| ORTH 607 | Craniofacial Anomalies Clinic II | 0.0 |
| ORTH 608 | Craniofacial Anomalies Clinic III | 0.0 |
| ORTH 609 | Craniofacial Anomalies Clinic IV | 0.0 |
| ORTH 611 | Biomechanics II | 1.0 |
| ORTH 612 | Material Science in Orthodontics | 1.0 |
| ORTH 614 | Orthognathic Surgery Conference I | 0.0 |
| ORTH 615 | Orthognathic Surgery Conference II | 0.0 |
| ORTH 616 | Orthognathic Surgery Conference III | 0.0 |
| ORTH 617 | Orthognathic Surgery Conference IV | 0.0 |
| ORTH 618 | Orthognathic Surgery Conference V | 0.0 |
| ORTH 619 | Orthognathic Surgery Conference VI | 0.0 |
| ORTH 620 | Orthognathic Surgery Seminar | 0.5 |
| ORTH 622 | Clinical Specialty Seminars II | 2.0 |
| ORTH 623 | Clinical Specialty Seminars III | 1.0 |
| ORTH 624 | Clinical Specialty Seminars IV | 2.0 |
| ORTH 625 | Clinical Specialty Seminars V | 2.0 |
| ORTH 626 | Clinical Specialty Seminars VI | 1.5 |
| ORTH 627 | Clinical Specialty Seminars VII | 2.0 |
| ORTH 628 | Clinical Specialty Seminars VIII | 2.0 |
| ORTH 629 | Clinical Specialty Seminars IX | 2.0 |
| ORTH 630 | Advanced Orthodontic Practice Management I | 2.0 |
| ORTH 631 | Advanced Orthodontic Practice Management II | 2.0 |
| ORTH 634 | Independent Research I | 2.0 |
| ORTH 639 | Independent Research-Manuscript Development III | 2.0 |
| ORTH 647 | Clinical Orthodontics I | 1.0 |
| ORTH 648 | Clinical Orthodontics II | 3.0 |
| ORTH 649 | Clinical Orthodontics III | 3.0 |
| ORTH 650 | Clinical Orthodontics IV | 2.0 |
| ORTH 651 | Clinical Orthodontics V | 3.0 |
| ORTH 652 | Clinical Orthodontics VI | 3.0 |
| ORTH 653 | Clinical Orthodontics VII | 2.0 |
| ORTH 654 | Clinical Orthodontics VIII | 2.5 |
| ORTH 655 | Clinical Orthodontics IX | 3.0 |
| Total Semester Credit Hours | 47.5 | |
Must complete 34.5 months of residency, total credit hours specified, any noncredit courses specified, and be approved by the Promotions Committee for this certificate to be awarded.
The MS in Oral Biology is also required, for which students must complete an additional 32 semester credit hours, conduct a research project, and successfully defend a written thesis. The coursework for the Certificate and the MS are completed simultaneously.
In accordance with Student Rule 10.4.1, grades of S or U may be assigned in certain officially designated certificate courses.