“Periodontics is the specialty of dentistry which encompasses the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the supporting and surrounding tissues of the teeth or their substitutes and the maintenance of the health, function and esthetics of these structures and tissues” (ADA).
How long is a periodontics residency?
36 months
What makes a competitive applicant?
Past applicants highly recommend you go on externships at schools you are interested in. If they don't have a formal externship program, call the program director and ask if you can shadow their residents. This is an experience that will set you apart from other applicants and you'll get to know the residents, directors, and faculty - some of which may even be interviewing you! Dr. Lungergan advises that you have a reasonable GPA, but you don't necessarily need to be in the top 20%. We also know that program directors are looking for students with leadership, peer teaching experiences, research, or community service. Residents aren't guided like we are in dental school, so program directors are looking for someone who can be independent. Research helps because a lot of programs require a master's degree. They also want you to show dedication to the specialty. Some ways you can achieve this is by shadowing periodontists inside and outside of school, and assisting Dr. Grill's periodontal surgeries. Lastly, because most residencies have a tiny class size, the biggest selector will be your personality. They want someone who can fit in to what they want the next class to look like. Be good to your patients and show humanism.
Tips before applying:
Talk to the periodontists at school to gather multiple perspectives on periodontics and how they got to where they are. Shadowing an office of a fairly recent graduate will allow you to see what your life will be like 4 or 5 years down the road. Talk to Dr. Lundergan, upperclassmen, and hang out in the oral surgery clinic to practice more periodontal surgeries.
Why should you do Periodontics?
Long-term relationships with patients
Ability to perform aesthetic procedures
Focuses on maintaining natural teeth
Microsurgery rather than larger surgeries with higher risk
Lifestyle: rarely have to be on call if at all
Why should you not do Periodontics?
If you do not enjoy surgery
If you struggle with delicate procedures
Longer residency program
Training is often an additional cost
Statistics of Accepted Applicants
Rank
Class of 2023: N/A
Class of 2022: N/A
Average GPA
Class of 2023: N/A
Class of 2022: N/A
Accepted Applicants
Class of 2024: 2/4 (50%)
Class of 2023: 1/1 matched (100%)
Alumni Applied in 2023: 0/3 matched (0%)
Class of 2022: 1/2 matched (50%)
Alumni Applied in 2022: 3/5 matched (60%)
Class of 2021: 0 applied
Alumni Applied in 2021: 0/1 matched (0%)
Class of 2020: 1/1 matched (100%)
Alumni Applied in 2020: 1/2 matched (50%)
Class of 2019: 1/1 matched (100%)
Alumni Applied in 2019: 1/2 matched (50%)
Class of 2018: 2/2 matched (100%)
Alumni Applied in 2018: 0 applied
Periodontics Department Chair:
Dr. William Lundergan, DDS, MA | wlundergan@pacific.edu
UoP Alumni:
Beniel Tamraz, DDS '20 | b_tamraz@u.pacific.edu | UCSF, San Francisco, CA
Ethan Madison, DDS '23 | aadsas@ethanmad.com | University of Alabama, Birmingham, AL
Alia Rubaie, DDS '24 |a_rubaie@u.pacific.edu| Veterans Association Greater Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
Marques Robinson, DDS '24 |m_robinson@u.pacific.edu|Boston University, Boston, MA