Department of Endodontics: International Program

Faculty/Staff | Research | International Program | Microscope Training

Challenges and Opportunities
Endodontics has changed fundamentally during the past decade: the concepts were reconsidered, the instruments were redesigned and the clinical approaches were re-evaluated and changed. This residency for foreign dentists has been especially designed for the dentists who would like to incorporate state-of-the-art endodontic techniques and technologies into their private dental practices. The program is suitable for those clinicians who have a particular interest in endodontics, would like to expand their endodontic knowledge and skills, so as to provide advanced endodontic care to their patients, but are not able to commit to a full two-year postgraduate program.

Two-Year Program/Four Phases

• Phase I: Required Residency at the Department of Endodontics
  Three separate months within the first year of the residency. Additional months may be added for up to 6 months for those residents who wish to benefit from additional interaction and to gain a deeper understanding of the underlying philosophy and goals.
  
  Academic Training
  During this phase the "student" learns the complete use of the operation microscope as well as attends all postgraduate seminars, lectures and discussions. Text books and selected endodontic literature are assigned for reading. In addition, new CD-ROM endodontic programs will be available for viewing. The CD-ROM learning material may be used to reinforce the philosophy as well as of the concepts and techniques in micro-endodontics and endodontic microsurgery.
  
  Pre-clinic Training
  The resident is required to perform endodontic therapy under the microscope on 100 extracted teeth using hand- as well as NT rotary instruments. The progress in endodontic technique is evaluated twice a month in meetings with an assigned endodontic faculty member. During this time, the resident is also introduced to microsurgical techniques and may assist with microsurgery performed on patients in the Surgical Suite of the Department. As part of the final performance evaluation, the resident presents a fully documented portfolio of all completed cases.



• Phase II: Remote Supervised Clinical Work
  Following the required residency of 3 months at the department and the successful completion of the preclinic phase, the student is required to present 50 perfectly documented micro-endodontic cases of moderate difficulty and 15 microsurgical cases. These are cases treated in the resident's private practice within one year of completion of Phase I.
  
  
• Phase III: Presentation and Evaluation of Completed Cases
  The resident will return to the Department of Endodontics for a formal presentation to the faculty of a minimum of 10 selected, fully documented, micro-endodontic and a minimum of two microsurgical cases.
  
  
• Phase IV: Evaluation of Clinical Performance
  In his/her private practice, the clinician performs micro-endodontics in the presence of one of the department's faculty on three cases: one anterior, one premolar, one molar and one microsurgical case, which may be either a premolar or a molar.

Environment
The Department of Endodontics is the first department to incorporate operation microscopes in clinical teaching and practice and is one of the largest Endodontic Postgraduate Programs in the USA. A fully equipped preclinic laboratory, state-of-the-art surgical suite and 20 clinical dental units offer microscopes, ultrasonic units, System Bs, micromotors and other state-of-the art equipment and supplies. Macintosh computers with translators for PC versions and the latest software versions of Power Point, Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator are available for documentation purposes.

Qualifications
DDS or DMD holder of a foreign dental school with a sincere interest in endodontics and of good moral character.

Tuition
US $21,000 for two years. This tuition includes the required residency of 3 months. The tuition for each additional month in the department is US $3,000. The cost for the final examination given in the dental practice of the resident is also to be borne by the resident.
Note: Prof. Kim or Dr. Kratchman will give the final examination in the resident's dental practice and the transportation, hotel and meal expenses are to be borne by the resident. Whenever possible, every effort will be made to schedule this examination when the Drs. Kim or Kratchman are already in the country or vicinity of the resident's office so that the cost is minimized.

Residency at Penn Endodontics
The program is available throughout the year with the exception of June, July, and December.

Department of Endodontics School of Dental Medicine University of Pennsylvania
A visiting resident participates in these 1st and 2nd year courses as they are available during the time the resident is at Penn Dental Medicine:

Postgraduate Program Courses - First Year

• Anesthesia and Pain Control
• Introduction to Clinical Endodontics
• Endodontics I
• Pulp Biology I
• Current Literature I
• Endodontic Anatomy & Physiology
• Introduction to Endodontic Examination
• Diagnosis, Radiology & Treatment Planning
• Case Presentation
• Intro: Surgical Operation
• Microscope Endodontic Materials, Medicaments
• Instrumentation, Obturation
• Endodontic Microbiology
• Clinical Seminars
• Guest Lecture Series

Postgraduate Program Courses - Second Year

• Advanced Endodontics II
• Pulp Biology & Inflammation
• Current Literature II
• Practice Management
• Advance Endodontic Microsurgery
• Case Presentation
• Selected Topics in Endodontics
• Endodontic Examination, Diagnosis and Treatment Planning
• Traumatic Injuries to the Teeth and Supporting Structures
• Periodontics
• Restoration of Endodontically Treated Teeth
• Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction
• Clinical Seminars
• Guest Lecture Series

To inquire, contact Jutta Dörscher-Kim
Phone: 215-898-4617
Fax to 215-573-2148