Program Description
As a leading postgraduate orthodontic program in USA, NYU has been spearheading the path of clinical excellence built on a strong foundation of evidence-based orthodontics. The program is an intensive and exciting three-year journey which aims not only to develop orthodontists but to develop leaders in our field, pioneers of a new generation of orthodontists. The postgraduate orthodontic program adheres to the Academic Standards and Policies for Advanced Education Programs in Dentistry.
Eligibility for Licensure
Completion of the CODA-accredited Advanced Education Program in Orthodontics & Dentofacial Orthopedics satisfies the training requirements for eligibility for participation in the board certification process for the American Board of Orthodontics. Eligibility for dental licensure is based on pre-professional, professional, and post-graduate training and varies by state/jurisdiction. Candidates should check the state/jurisdiction regulations for dental licensure for the state(s)/jurisdictions(s) in which they are seeking licensure in order to ensure that they comply with all requirements.
Accreditation
The Advanced Education Program in Orthodontics & Dentofacial Orthopedics 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:
Commission on Dental Accreditation
211 East Chicago Avenue
Chicago, IL 60611
Please visit the Commission’s website.
Educational Visits/Observership Opportunities
At this time, NYU Dentistry is not offering individual educational visits. Individuals interested in learning more about our PG Information Sessions should contact dental.pgadmissions@nyu.edu.
Admissions
See Admissions & Application Process for admission requirements and instructions specific to this program.
Program Requirements
Education
Postgraduate (PG) students are involved in a range of courses, from basic sciences, craniofacial development, and material science courses to more orthodontic-specific courses such as orthodontic diagnosis and treatment planning, mechanotherapy, growth and development, and orthodontic practice management.
While providing didactic education to the predoctoral dental students, our postgraduate students also engage in peer-to-peer teaching through our unique clinical team approach. PG students are expected to actively participate in diagnostic conferences and faculty presentations and lectures.
Clinic
Postgraduate students are involved in the diagnosis and treatment of all severities of malocclusion and spend the majority of their time gaining a vast clinical experience. Clinical exposure includes but is not limited to multidisciplinary treatment plans and working closely with the orthognathic surgery department and the craniofacial team. All PG students are mentored and encouraged not only to be ABO eligible but also ABO certified by graduation. All the graduating PG students have obtained ABO certification. Our PG students also consistently win national and international awards for their clinical excellence.
Research
All postgraduate students are required to complete a research project and thesis, which they present at graduation. The department has pioneered the effort to develop new methodologies to move teeth faster and safer. Our research is recognized not only nationally through awards and presentations, but also internationally, with our PG students presenting the department's research during the annual meetings of the International Association of Dental Research and the European Orthodontic Society.
Required Courses
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the program, graduates will:
- Distinguish between normal and abnormal skeletal growth and development of the hard and soft tissues of the maxillofacial region
- Diagnose and develop treatment plans for skeletofacial disorders including but not limited to the prevention and treatment of pathology of oral tissues
- Demonstrate through discussion, their foundation knowledge of anatomy and histology and the impact embryology and genetics influences in planning treatment
- Apply evidence-based, clinical-relevant scientific research to the approach in managing the patient’s oral and medical condition and history, combining the dentist’s clinical expertise and the patient’s treatment needs and preferences
- Manage the treatment of a variety of orthodontic problems that reflect the experience of a private practitioner whose patient population includes both children and adults
- Coordinate and document detailed interdisciplinary treatment plans which may include care from other providers, such as restorative dentists and oral and maxillofacial surgeons or other dental specialists
- Treat and manage developing dentofacial problems which can be minimized by appropriate timely intervention
- Use dentofacial orthopedics in the treatment of patients when appropriate
- Treat and manage major dentofacial abnormalities and coordinate care with oral and maxillofacial surgeons and other healthcare providers
- Provide all phases of orthodontic treatment including initiation, completion and retention
- Treat patients with at least one contemporary orthodontic technique
- Manage patients with functional occlusal and temporomandibular disorders
- Treat or manage the orthodontic aspects of patients with moderate and advanced periodontal problems
- Develop and document treatment plans using sound principles of appliance design and biomechanics
- Obtain and create long term files of quality images of patients using techniques of photography, radiology and cephalometrics, including computer techniques when appropriate
- Use dental materials knowledgeably in the fabrication and placement of fixed and removable appliances
- Develop and maintain a system of long-term treatment records as a foundation for understanding and planning treatment and retention procedures
- Practice orthodontics in full compliance with accepted Standards of ethical behavior
- Manage and motivate patients to participate fully with orthodontic treatment procedures
- Study and critically evaluate the literature and other information pertaining to this field
- Identify patients with sleep-related breathing disorders/sleep apnea
- Identify patients with Craniofacial Anomalies and Cleft Lip and Palate
- Treat and effectively manage malocclusions that require four (4) quadrants of bicuspid extractions or of comparable space closure
- Treat and effectively manage Class II malocclusions, defined as a bilateral end-on or greater Class II molar or a unilateral full cusp Class II molar, through a non-surgical treatment approach
- Manage patients with intellectual and developmental disabilities
- Complete a research project including a critical review of the literature, development of a hypothesis, design of the project combined with the appropriate statistical analysis and interpretation of data concluding with the outcome/findings of the project
Additionally, graduates will have an understanding of:
- Biostatistics;
- History of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics;
- Jurisprudence;
- Oral Physiology;
- Pain and Anxiety Control;
- Pediatrics;
- Periodontics;
- Pharmacology;
- Preventive Dentistry;
- Psychological Aspects of Orthodontic and Dentofacial Orthopedic Treatment;
- Public Health Aspects of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics;
- Speech Pathology and Therapy;
- Practice Management; and
- The variety of recognized techniques used in contemporary orthodontic practice
The assessment of competence in each of the above subjects is demonstrated throughout the program as the student matriculates into each level of education, culminating with eligibility to undertake the written component of the AAO Board leading to certification and later demonstrating the clinical acuity and skill as required by the AAO for the oral presentation for Board certification.
Policies
NYU Policies
University-wide policies can be found on the New York University Policy pages.
College of Dentistry Policies
A full list of related academic policies can be found on the College of Dentistry Academic Policies page.