Frequently asked questions
Have a question about VCU's Department of Periodontics graduate program? Scan through our list of the most frequently asked questions.
- To provide an academic environment for inquiry in which expertise and knowledge in basic sciences and clinical periodontics can be achieved
- To provide a sound background in medicine as it applies to the periodontal patient
- To provide a sound background in oral pathology
- To be able to interpret, critique and apply periodontal and associated literature
- To develop sound diagnostic, clinical, nonsurgical and surgical skills
- To provide didactic instruction and clinical training in the area of dental implants
- To provide methods of pain and anxiety control, including ADA certification in intravenous conscious sedation
- To provide an environment for the interpretation and implementation of research
- To enable successful completion of the American Board of Periodontology certification
- To develop sound lifelong didactic and clinical learning skills
- To provide specialists in periodontics for community health care, professional service and dental education
- To be exposed to the basic sciences and be able to apply concepts to clinical periodontics
- To be able to critically critique and interpret the old and new literature
- To have an understanding of oral pathology and medicine as it applies to management of the periodontal patient
- To have residents exposed to and become proficient in multiple nonsurgical and surgical treatment modalities
- To become competent in the treatment planning, site preparation, surgical placement and maintenance of dental implants
- To obtain competency and certification in enteral and parenteral conscious sedation
- To complete research, M.S.D. and prepare a paper for presentation and publication
- To prepare the student to successfully complete Part I and II of the American Board of Periodontology
- To develop communication and presentation skills and lifelong learners
- All program requirements for a Specialty Certificate in Periodontics
- All requirements for a Master of Science in Dentistry
- All requirements for conscious sedation as defined by the American Dental Association
- All residents are required to hold a Virginia temporary resident’s license. Requirements for licensure are:
- Be eligible to obtain a Virginia temporary resident's license from the Virginia Board of Dentistry. All residents must attain a Virginia temporary resident's license from the Virginia Board of Dentistry. Eligibility for the Virginia temporary resident's license from the Virginia Board of Dentistry is no longer dependent on graduation from a dental school accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) of the American Dental Association. Therefore, graduates from CODA-approved programs as well as from foreign dental schools not approved by CODA can be considered for admission.
- Successfully completed Part 1 with application and will complete Part 2 of the NBDE by the time of acceptance or the INBDE.
- Minimum grade point average of 3.0 (4.0 scale) or the equivalent, or a ranking of the top 50% of the dental school class.
- Successful interview with the program director, faculty, and residents.
The Commonwealth of Virginia self-insurance program provides professional liability (malpractice) coverage, subject to policy limits, for advanced dental education students. Coverage includes professional service on duty within the institution and professional service on assigned duties in one of the affiliated hospitals or programs. It does not cover any other professional service.
Residents fall under the direct supervision of the department’s graduate program director. Residents are taught by full- and part-time board-certified periodontists. All faculty members are recognized as leaders and authorities in the field of periodontics.
The periodontics graduate program is located in the heart of downtown Richmond on the university’s MCV Campus. The graduate periodontal clinic is located in the 55,000-square-foot W. Baxter Perkinson, Jr. building, the newest of three dental structures on the MCV Campus.
The periodontal clinic is a state-of-the-art clinic consisting of 10 surgical operatories and nine general-use, hygiene and undergraduate operatories. Surgical operatories are equipped for four-hand dentistry, digital X-rays, patient monitoring and sedation, and with clinical computer monitors for patient education and documentation. One surgical suite is equipped with audiovisual capabilities for surgical demonstrations and recording. The clinic also has sterilization/storage, cone beam CT capabilities and a conference room.