Fellowship in Periodontics

Mission

To establish high standards of competency in the specialty of Periodontics by qualifying specialists with excellent clinical skills enabling graduates to:

1. Provide quality dental care to patients in need of complex dental treatment. 
2. Teach dental students. 
3. Conduct and publish research in the field of Periodontics and related areas of dentistry.
4. Educate Saudis in the prevention and treatment of oral and dental diseases.
5. Develop school and community-based preventive dentistry programs.

College

College of Dentistry

Campus

Dammam

Track

Health

Level

Postgraduate

Degree

Fellowship

Required Documents

1. Curriculum Vitae
2. A notarized official copy of the BDS certificate.
3. A notarized official copy of the transcript.
4. Three recommendation letters signed and dated within the last three months by recommenders who know the candidate well.
5. Copies (not originals) of English Language certification - TOEFL scores are only acceptable within the last 12 months. A minimum TOEFL score of 85 [Internet based or equivalent).
6. Proof of successful attendance of the internship program.
7. A letter of approval from the applicant’s sponsor on entering a full-time program.
8. A pledge to submit the approval of the applicant’s sponsor at a later date, if the applicant was not employed at the time of admission but was employed after the start of the program.
9. Four (4) recent "3 × 4" portrait photographs (not older than 6 months).
10. An application form completed in both Arabic and English with all the requested details provided.

Admission Portal for the Deanship of Graduate Studies>

The applicant must have a bachelor’s Degree in Dental Surgery (BDS) or equivalent from a recognized university, and the following requirements must be met:

1. Cumulative Grade Point Average [GPA] of at least 3.75 or equivalent
2. Provide evidence of completion of an internship year in general dentistry (12 months)
3. Possess a valid Dental License with the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties by the start of the program.
4. Demonstrate English fluency (a minimum score of 85 in TOEFL or equivalent test)
5. Submit three letters of recommendation from individuals who know the applicant well.
6. Submit a letter from the applicant’s sponsor stating approval for full-time attendance of the entire program
7. Agree to sign an obligation to adhere to the rules and regulations of the Program
8. The student should not be registered during the Program in any other postgraduate studies
9. Be approved by the Preventive Dental Sciences Department Council.

Special Requirements

1. Applicants must pass both the written and the laboratory practical components of the Admission Examination created by the Department of Preventive Dental Sciences. These examinations are designed to evaluate the applicant’s clinical experience, scholastic achievement and assess their interest in research
2. Short listed candidates will be invited for an on-campus interview before the Admission Committee makes it final selection of candidates to be admitted to the program.

First Year

• The program begins with pre-clinical training in basic technical aspects of periodontal treatment, surgery and dental implants to assess students' individual knowledge and calibrate their technical skills to the standards of the College of Dentistry.
• Core and specialized courses are offered alongside clinical training.

Second Year

• Continuing to enroll students in the prescribed basic and specialized curricula.
• Continuing patient care in clinical courses.
• Familiarizing students with scientific research tools through courses in scientific research methodologies as well as biostatistics.
• Each student selects an appropriate research project and prepares a proposal for it and submits it for approval by the end of the second year
• Residents participation in teaching Periodontics to undergraduate students.
• Teaching allows the residents of the program to identify both their strengths and weaknesses. 
• Teaching improves students’ understanding of concepts and practices that are an integral part of the major. In addition, it also helps them learn how to convey their theoretical and clinical knowledge to undergraduate students, patients, and faculty members.

Third Year

• Expanding the scope of student participation in basic and specialized courses.
• Students begin to complete some advanced clinical cases.
• Students continue to complete their research project by the end of the third year and each student prepares a manuscript for his research project and submits it for publication.
• Register for special courses entitled "Guided Study", to provide students with expertise in a wide range of fields related to dentistry, teaching and scientific research. The following is a partial list of topics: dental photography, presentation skills, ethics, practice management and marketing, clinic management, competencies, electronic patient records, faculty development, electronic media, interdisciplinary interaction (referrals), scholarly writing, strategic planning, And technology in dentistry and trends in dental education.
• Students are expected to register in at least two directed study units (1 unit per semester) with the approval of the supervising faculty member and the proposed plan for each term by the program director.

Fourth Year

• Students fulfilling all basic and specialized educational requirements.
• Students complete clinical cases by the end of the academic year.
• Provide evidence of acceptance or publication of an article on the research project in a scientific journal.