Prosthodontics, Certificate & Oral Biology

The Advanced Specialty Education Program in Prosthodontics, established in 2017, is the latest addition to the Graduate Dental Education Programs at Penn Dental Medicine. The program is designed to prepare graduates to excel in clinical practice, research, and teaching within the specialty of Prosthodontics. The program begins on July 1, and continues through 36 calendar months. In addition to the core basic science courses required for all postgraduate students, the prosthodontic specialty curriculum provides progressive clinical, laboratory and didactic training, closely supervised, at the postgraduate level in fixed, removable, implant and digital prosthodontics. Dental microscopy, maxillofacial prosthodontics, surgical implant planning, placement, and restoration, full digital dentistry workflow, esthetics, and the interrelation of other medical/dental clinical specialties are integrated aspects of the training, culminating in the award of the Certificate in Prosthodontics.

The highly respected research environment at Penn Dental Medicine and throughout the University of Pennsylvania provides a valuable opportunity for students applying to residency programs to combine their specialty training with advanced research and academic opportunities. To that end, a Master of Science in Oral Biology degree will be earned concurrent with the specialty certificate, preparing students to successfully enter the field of academic dentistry, while also becoming skilled clinicians in specialty care. The curriculum is integrated so that both the certificate and the Master of Science degree will be awarded simultaneously upon the completion of requirements. Successful completion of the program will satisfy the formal training requirement for eligibility for the American Board of Prosthodontics certification examination.

Program Timeline

• Academic Track
  • MSOB and Certificate: 3 years

Offline Recommendation

Penn strongly prefers that recommenders submit letters of recommendation online through the admissions system. If, however, your recommender is unable to submit an online recommendation, please follow these instructions:

1) Select the “Recommendation Form PDF Download” and download the form.
2) Complete the first section. Be sure to include the address of the appropriate admissions office — refer to the "Contact Graduate Admissions" list below. 
3) Print out the form and provide it to your recommender.

Please note:

• If you are applying to a program in Nursing, print out and provide your recommender with these special instructions for completing your letter of recommendation.
• If you are applying to a program in the School of Social Policy & Practice, print out and provide your recommender with these special instructions for completing your letter of recommendation.

4) Your recommender should send the form directly to the admissions office you designate, along with the letter of recommendation.