The General Practice Residency (GPR) Program at Augusta University is a one-year, CODA-accredited postdoctoral certificate program designed to deliver comprehensive clinical and didactic training in advanced dentistry. Operating within state-of-the-art facilities that simulate a private group practice, residents gain extensive hands-on experience in complex treatment planning, implant dentistry, rotary endodontics, and IV sedation. The curriculum emphasizes the care of medically compromised, geriatric, and phobic patients, and is enhanced by core clinical rotations in anesthesiology, pedodontics, and emergency medicine.
Jump to: Program Overview Admission Requirements Certificate Program Program Fee Masters Program
Dentists graduated from American Dental Association (ADA) Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) accredited Dental Schools are eligible for admission to the Advanced Education Program in Orthodontics.
We only consider candidates who are U.S. Citizens or Permanent Residents.
Applications for the Advanced Education Program are received through the PASS program.
Application materials are reviewed and candidates with the highest qualifications
are selected for an interview. Applicants are required to complete the GRE and should
submit scores through PASS by the program application deadline.
Applicants born outside the United States and whose native language is not English
must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language, the Internet-based version of
TOEFL (iBT TOEFL). Minimum scores are 100, and 26 in the speaking component. No candidates
are admitted to the program without a personal interview. Non-discriminatory policies
are followed in selecting the applicants.
TOEFL Waiver
A TOEFL waiver may be available for applicants who have graduated from a U.S.-accredited institution with a doctoral degree.
Applicants who meet this requirement and wish to request a TOEFL waiver must contact the Office of Advanced Education for consideration.
Applicants who have not graduated from a U.S.-accredited institution with a doctoral degree are required to submit TOEFL scores that meet the program’s stated requirements. Minimum overall scores need to be at least a 5.
Please contact the Office of Advanced Education if you have questions regarding TOEFL waiver eligibility.
The Advanced Education Program in Orthodontics provides a comprehensive course of study in clinical and didactic orthodontics. In addition, a publishable paper on an approved orthodontic subject must be completed. Successful completion of the curriculum fulfills all the educational requirements for eligibility for the examination by the American Board of Orthodontics.
Tuition:
There is no tuition associated with the certificate program in orthodontics. If the resident is enrolled in the Master of Science in Oral Biology degree program, he must pay tuition for courses taken through the Graduate School. References should be made to the current Augusta University Catalog for specific information regarding Graduate School tuition and fees.
Stipends:
The residents in orthodontics share a small stipend provided by Wellstar/MCG Health. The stipend support ranges from zero to approximately $4,100 depending on the year in the program. Augusta, Georgia is a beautiful city with a low cost of living. This makes it ideal for residency training from a financial standpoint.
Equipment:
Most supplies and equipment associated with the clinical program are provided by the institution.
Benefits:
The Dental College of Georgia provides malpractice insurance coverage for residents while providing patient care at Augusta University. This insurance does not cover any outside dental practice. Orthodontic residents are eligible to participate in the Student Health Care Program at Augusta University at no cost.
Leave:
Residents are entitled to Augusta University employee holidays, though assignments for emergency coverage must be maintained. Residents are entitled to annual leave, educational leave and sick leave, at the discretion of the Program Director, as outlined in the Dental College of Georgia Leave Policy for Dental Residents.
The Facilities
The orthodontic residents treat patients in a 16-chair clinic housed in the Dental College of Georgia that is devoted exclusively to providing orthodontic patient care. Immediately adjacent to the clinic are laboratories, a seminar room and shared office space for residents.
The Graduate School offers a Master of Science in Oral Biology degree which may be taken in conjunction with the certificate curriculum. This joint program gives the student more extensive experience in research and basic science education and requires an in-depth original research project leading to a defended thesis.
Application to the graduate program is made after acceptance to the certificate program. If the applicant desires to concurrently pursue a Master of Science in Oral Biology degree with the specialty program, the program length could be approximately 6-12 months longer. Tuition is charged on a per hour basis for the graduate courses taken. The applicant must be accepted by The Graduate School and the Department of Oral Biology.