Endodontics Program

Program Strengths

• Ethnically diverse patient population
• Large patient population
• Modern clinical facilities
• Close professional relationship with the medical staff
• Attendings supervising the residents are all very experienced and have many years of private practice experience.
• University affiliation
• Extensive training in the use of pharmacological/non-pharmacological modalities of treatments
• Specialists in all disciplines of dentistry including but not limited to orthodontics, pediatric dentistry, prosthodontics, special needs patients, oral surgery, oral pathology and periodontics.

Program Type and Description

The Endodontics program is both hospital-based and dental school-based leading to a certificate in endodontics and meets eligibility requirements for the American Board of Endodontics examination. In July 2005, Lutheran established its Advanced Specialty Education Program in Endodontics. There are three first-year and three second-year positions in this twenty five (25) month program located at Lutheran Medical Center in Brooklyn NY. In July 2008, Lutheran added an additional training site for the endodontic program in Puerto Rico at the University of Puerto Rico School of Dental Medicine. There are three first year and three second year positions in Puerto Rico. The program is hospital based and residents receive extensive clinical training. The program encourages the use of all current technologies and methodologies including surgical operating microscopes, a variety of rotary instruments, and ultrasonics. Residents are taught to use these for numerous procedures in endodontics. Attending endodontists oversee the residents and all of them work in the private sector. This affords residents exposure to clinicians with many years of private practice experience. In addition, the residents have an opportunity to observe the attendings at their private offices. Since the program is hospital-based, there is ample opportunity to treat patients under sedation or in the operating room. First-year residents participate in relevant aspects of the core curriculum. These include embryology, infectious and immunological processes in health and disease, oral medicine, and pharmacotherapeutics. Residents are also exposed to lectures in implant dentistry and have the opportunity to work closely with an implantologist. The endodontic curriculum includes diagnosis and treatment planning, outcome evaluation, surgical and non-surgical endodontic treatment and re-treatment, immunology, and microbiology. Because the program is in a hospital setting, there is an emphasis on treatment of the medically compromised patient. Residents take part in crucial reviews of the literature and in-depth courses in research methods and materials. Along with dental and medical peers they complete a research project under the guidance of the Office of Clinical Research and make presentations at the Lutheran Medical Center Annual Research Fair held each spring. Upon graduation, residents will be board eligible. In July 2008 the endodontic program added an additional site in Puerto Rico. It is the first endodontic program to have multiple clinical training sites. The residents are based at the University of Puerto Rico, School of Dental Medicine, however, receive their certificate from Lutheran Medical Center. All Endodontic residents receive the same lectures and literature review regardless of their location as the didactic curriculum is offered via live weekly video teleconferencing.

Program Length and Number of Positions

The program is 25 months in length, commencing July 1st of each year. Three PGY1 resident positions are offered each year at Lutheran Medical Center in SW Brooklyn and an additional three PGY1 positions in Puerto Rico at the University of Puerto Rico School of Dental Medicine.

Application

The application deadline is August 1st of the year preceding matriculation. The program participates in PASS. Application materials may be obtained from PASS.

Curriculum

The distance learning curriculum of structured lectures and learning activities occur weekly via live video teleconference in addition to small resident group interactions. There are multidisciplinary seminars with PGD residents as well as specialty-focused seminars. Biomedical courses include: oral biology, anesthesia, physical diagnosis, endodontic series, orofacial pain, craniofacial development, research methods and materials and extensive literature review. Clinical rotations to enhance the didactic curriculum include: anesthesia, sedation and OR. Residents complete a clinical research project and they participate in a poster presentation at the annual meeting of American Association of Endodontics as well as the annual Lutheran Medical Center Research Fair leading to a publishable paper. The research symposiums throughout the first and second year guide the residents through their research. In addition, the residents have a teaching rotation. During the last few months of training, the residents visit a number of private endodontic dental offices to gain experience in practice management and practice administration. The endodontic residents present cases to residents assigned in extramural sites, including upstate New York, Metropolitan NYC, Boston, Arizona, Hawaii, Colorado, Alaska and Tennessee through distance learning via live video teleconference.

Competency and Proficiency Statements

Download the Endodontic Program Competency and Proficiency Statements

Program Stipend and Tuition

First year residents receive a stipend of $30,000 plus fringe benefits. Second year residents receive $35,000 plus fringe benefits. There is an additional stipend for the chief residents at each site. Fringe benefits include medical and dental insurance, prescription plan, $750/per year for course registration, nine holidays, four weeks paid vacation and paid sick days.

Admission Requirements

• DDS or DMD from one ADA accredited American or Canadian Dental School
• Must be eligible for temporary license in New York State
• Non U.S. Candidates must be proficient in the English language
• PASS application
• Recent photograph sent directly to Lutheran Medical Center
• Application fee of $50 sent directly to the address below and made payable to: Lutheran Medical Center Department of Dental Medicine Continuing Education