Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics (Advanced Certificate)

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. A unique and innovative aspect of our program is the career development option, which allows our postgraduate students to choose to focus their effort on either an education, research or clinic track. 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.

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. Second and third year PG students are given the opportunity to apply for a track in education which will train them to become orthodontic teachers and educators. PG students who successfully complete the education track will be awarded a Certificate in Orthodontic Education.

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. Final year PG students have the option to pursue a clinic track, which enables them to gain additional skills in practice management through rotations in private practices.

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. PG students who are particularly keen to pursue a career in academia or to gain a deeper insight into research are eligible to apply for the research track during the second and third year in the program. PG students who successfully complete the research track are awarded a Postdoctoral Certificate in Orthodontic Research.

Sample Plan of Study  

Plan of Study Grid

1st Semester/Term		Credits
DGSCI-DN 9312	Multidisciplinary Seminars A:	0.5
BASCI-DN 5055	Advanced Education Core Sciences	4.5
BASCI-DN 8046	Growth & Development I	1
PRECL-DN 8077	Principles of Orthodontics I A	2.75
PRECL-DN 8092	Conferences in Orthodontics I A	1
PRECL-DN 8091	Orthodontics Interdisciplinary Conferences I A	0.25
PRECL-DN 8076	Advanced Education in Orthodontics Clinic I A	20
	Credits	30
2nd Semester/Term
DGSCI-DN 9512	Multidisciplinary Seminars B:	0.5
BASCI-DN 8047	Growth & Development II	0.75
PRECL-DN 8577	Principles of Orthodontics I B	2.75
PRECL-DN 8592	Conferences in Orthodontics I B	1
PRECL-DN 8591	Orthodontics Interdisciplinary Conferences I B	0.25
PRECL-DN 8576	Advanced Education in Orthodontics Clinic I B	21
	Credits	26.25
3rd Semester/Term
DGSCI-DN 9312	Multidisciplinary Seminars A:	0.5
BASCI-DN 5056	Applied Sciences	0.75
PRECL-DN 8079	Principles of Orthodontics II A	3
DGSCI-DN 9319	Conferences in Orthodontics II A	0.75
DGSCI-DN 9318	Orthodontics Interdisciplinary Conferences II A	1.25
PRECL-DN 8078	Advanced Education in Orthodontics Clinic II A	20
	Credits	26.25
4th Semester/Term
DGSCI-DN 9512	Multidisciplinary Seminars B:	0.5
PRECL-DN 8579	Principles of Orthodontics II B	3
DGSCI-DN 9519	Conferences in Orthodontics II B	0.75
PRECL-DN 9518	Orthodontics Interdisciplinary Conferences II B	1.25
PRECL-DN 8578	Advanced Education in Orthodontics Clinic II B	21
	Credits	26.5
5th Semester/Term
DGSCI-DN 9312	Multidisciplinary Seminars A:	0.25
PRECL-DN 8081	Principles of Orthodontics III A	3
DGSCI-DN 9321	Conferences in Orthodontics III A	1
DGSCI-DN 9320	Orthodontics Interdisciplinary Conferences III A	1
PRECL-DN 8080	Advanced Education in Orthodontics Clinic III A	20
	Credits	25.25
6th Semester/Term
DGSCI-DN 9512	Multidisciplinary Seminars B:	0.25
DGSCI-DN 8581	Principles of Orthodontics III B	3
DGSCI-DN 9521	Conferences in Orthodontics III B	1
PRECL-DN 9520	Orthodontics Interdisciplinary Conferences III B	1
PRECL-DN 8580	Advanced Education in Orthodontics Clinic III B	21
	Credits	26.25
	Total Credits	160.5

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the program, graduates will:

1. Distinguish between normal and abnormal skeletal growth and development of the hard and soft tissues of the maxillofacial region
2. Diagnose and develop treatment plans for skeletofacial disorders including but not limited to the prevention and treatment of pathology of oral tissues
3. Demonstrate through discussion, their foundation knowledge of anatomy and histology and the impact embryology and genetics influences in planning treatment
4. 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
5. 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
6. 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
7. Treat and manage developing dentofacial problems which can be minimized by appropriate timely intervention
8. Use dentofacial orthopedics in the treatment of patients when appropriate
9. Treat and manage major dentofacial abnormalities and coordinate care with oral and maxillofacial surgeons and other healthcare providers
10. Provide all phases of orthodontic treatment including initiation, completion and retention
11. Treat patients with at least one contemporary orthodontic technique
12. Manage patients with functional occlusal and temporomandibular disorders
13. Treat or manage the orthodontic aspects of patients with moderate and advanced periodontal problems
14. Develop and document treatment plans using sound principles of appliance design and biomechanics
15. Obtain and create long term files of quality images of patients using techniques of photography, radiology and cephalometrics, including computer techniques when appropriate
16. Use dental materials knowledgeably in the fabrication and placement of fixed and removable appliances
17. Develop and maintain a system of long-term treatment records as a foundation for understanding and planning treatment and retention procedures
18. Practice orthodontics in full compliance with accepted Standards of ethical behavior
19. Manage and motivate patients to participate fully with orthodontic treatment procedures
20. Study and critically evaluate the literature and other information pertaining to this field
21. Identify patients with sleep-related breathing disorders/sleep apnea
22. Identify patients with Craniofacial Anomalies and Cleft Lip and Palate
23. Treat and effectively manage malocclusions that require four (4) quadrants of bicuspid extractions or of comparable space closure
24. 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
25. Manage patients with intellectual and developmental disabilities
26. 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:

1. Biostatistics;
2. History of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics;
3. Jurisprudence;
4. Oral Physiology;
5. Pain and Anxiety Control;
6. Pediatrics;
7. Periodontics;
8. Pharmacology;
9. Preventive Dentistry;
10. Psychological Aspects of Orthodontic and Dentofacial Orthopedic Treatment;
11. Public Health Aspects of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics;
12. Speech Pathology and Therapy;
13. Practice Management; and
14. 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

Program Policies

Educational Visits/Observership Opportunities

NYU College of Dentistry welcomes dentists and dental students who are interested in applying for specialty dental education to visit our programs. Visitors to the Advanced Specialty Education Programs at NYU College of Dentistry may attend lectures/seminars and may observe, but may not participate in, direct clinical patient care.

For additional information and application, interested individuals should email dental.ortho.observe@nyu.edu.

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.

COVID-19 Vaccine-Related Requirements

Mandatory Vaccinations, Boosters, and Records Upload

All members of the NYU community — students, faculty, employees, vendors, affiliates, and campus visitors — are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, to upload proof of their vaccination to NYU's portal, and to have that vaccination documentation accepted by NYU.

NYU Dentistry also must abide by the New York State Department of Health (DOH) regulations "Prevention of COVID-19 Transmission by Covered Entities" (10 NYCRR 2.61).

Note: As of January 13, 2023, the information regarding the applicability and scope of DOH regulations is subject to change, as the regulations are subject to ongoing litigation between the state of New York and a non-NYU party. NYU is monitoring the status of the regulations and this page will be updated prior to matriculation of currently admitted students.

Read the Message to all Admitted Students regarding Proof of COVID-19 Vaccination

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.