A new program at the University of Michigan School of Dentistry that immerses graduate students in regenerative dentistry research is considering applications for its first cohort of students, who will enroll this fall.
The Dental Postgraduate Program in Regenerative Dentistry is one of only a few in the world for this specialty, according to the university. The 12-month program focuses on biomaterials and tissue engineering applied to dental, oral, and craniofacial tissue regeneration.
Regenerative dentistry is an interdisciplinary field exploring how to repair or regenerate damaged tissues using biomaterials and cell technologies. The program is designed for graduates with degrees in the biological sciences, including dentistry, pharmacy, medicine, and veterinary medicine, or the physical sciences, such as areas related to engineering.
Students will receive in-depth didactic and research training in tissue engineering and its applications in regenerative dentistry. The program also will provide students with an opportunity to observe affiliated residents in endodontics and restorative dentistry.
Core courses will include stem cell and molecular biology, organogenesis, fundamentals of biomaterials, tissue engineering, and biostatistics. A full-year research project will provide hands-on experience in biomaterials and tissue engineering research.
“This is a groundbreaking program and a tremendous opportunity for graduate students to advance into regenerative dentistry, which is a rapidly growing field,” said Marco Bottino, DDS, MSc, PhD, program director and associate professor in the Department of Cariology, Restorative Sciences, and Endodontics.
“What sets this program apart is its full year of continuous research immersion,” Bottino said. “That will strengthen the researcher’s ability to analyze and interpret data and to summarize findings with written reports and oral presentations.”
When students complete the program, they will be well positioned to seek further academic clinical training in dental specialties or other PhD training, Bottino said. Completion of the program leads to a Certificate in Regenerative Dentistry.
Up to four students will be accepted each year. The deadline for the January 2019 to December 2019 track is October 1, 2018. For more information, visit the program’s website.
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