Advanced Education Program in Prosthodontics

The Advanced Education Program in Prosthodontics provides a comprehensive course of study in clinical and didactic prosthodontics. In addition, a publishable paper on an approved prosthodontic subject must be completed. Successful completion of the curriculum fulfills all the educational requirements for eligibility for the examination by the American Board of Prosthodontics.

Jump to: Program Overview  Admission Requirements  Certificate Program Tuition & Benefits  Masters Program

Program Overview

Program Director:
Dr. Geoffrey Thompson, Professor 
Program administrative support contact:
Ashley Rome, Office Specialist
Department phone:
(706) 721-8232
Department fax:
(706)  721-7696
Program length:
36 months
No. of residents accepted:
3/yr 
PASS participant:
Yes
MATCH participant:
No
Accreditation status:
The program in prosthodontics is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation and has been granted the accreditation status of “approval without reporting requirements”. The Commission is a specialized accrediting body recognized by the United States Department of Education. The Commission on Dental Accreditation can be contacted at (312) 440-4653 or at 211 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611. The Commission’s web address is: http://www.ada.org/en/coda. The Commission on Dental Accreditation has accredited the program in prosthodontics. However, accreditation of the program does not in itself constitute recognition of any dental specialty status.
Beginning date:
July 1 each year
National Boards:
Applicants must have successfully passed the INBDE - Integrated National Boards Examination or both NBDE Parts 1 and 2 of the National Board Dental Examination by the program application deadline.

Admission Requirements

Dentists graduated from accredited United States and Canadian or other international Dental Schools that possess equivalent educational background and standing are eligible for admission to the Advanced Education Program in Prosthodontics.

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 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 Certificate Program

The Advanced Education Program in Prosthodontics provides a comprehensive course of study in clinical and didactic prosthodontics.  In addition, a publishable paper on an approved prosthodontic subject must be completed.  Successful completion of the curriculum fulfills all the educational requirements for eligibility for the examination by the American Board of Prosthodontics.

Program Fee, Stipends, Equipment and Benefits

Tuition: 

There is no tuition associated with the certificate program in prosthodontics.  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.

Program Fee: 

There is no program fee associated with the certificate program in prosthodontics. 

Stipends: 

The residents in prosthodontics share a small amount of stipend funds provided by the Augusta University Medical Center.  The monthly stipend support ranges from zero to approximately $2,100 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: 

Some supplies and equipment associated with the clinical program are provided by the institution.  The resident must supply their own camera and relative photography equipment.  

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. Prosthodontic residents are eligible to participate in the Student Health Care Insurance 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 may be entitled to up to 12 days annual leave, up to 10 days of professional leave and up to 5 days of educational leave at the discretion of the Program Director. 12 days of medical leave are also granted to residents as outlined in the Dental College of Georgia Leave Policy for Dental Residents.

The Facilities:

The prosthodontic residents treat patients in a 14-chair clinic housed in the Dental College of Georgia and devoted exclusively to providing prosthodontic patient care.  Immediately adjacent to the clinic are laboratories, a seminar room and shared office space for residents.

The Master's Degree Program

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.