Director:

James C. Kulild, D.D.S., M.S., Diplomate, American Board of Endodontics; Fellow, American College of Dentists; Fellow, International College of Dentists; Fellow, Pierre Fauchard Academy; President, American Association of Endodontists

Faculty:

Robert Blundell,, D.D.S., M.S., Diplomate, American Board of Endodontics, Ron Riley, D.D.S., Diplomate, American Board of Endodontics; Robert Edwards, D.D.S., Diplomate, American Board of Endodontics; Charles Lee, D.D.S., Jim Tinnin, D.D.S., Diplomate, American Board of Endodontics; Robert H. Altomare, D.D.S., Dan Lavitt, D.D.S., M.S., Diplomate, American Board of Endodontics

 

Program Overview

The endodontic postgraduate program is designed to prepare a dentist for a career in clinical endodontics, research and teaching. The overall goal is to educate dentists to become competent clinical endodontists who will serve the public and the profession at a high level of excellence. It stresses the importance of knowledge and skills in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases associated with the dental pulp and related periapical tissues. Didactic and clinical training is also conducted in other related areas within the scope of practice of the field of endodontics as established by the Endodontic Standards of the Commission on Dental Accreditation. The correlation of basic sciences and clinical sciences is an integral part of the program. A research project is required and comprehensive examinations must be successfully completed. The program is also designed to prepare the graduate endodontist to challenge the requirements for certification as a Diplomate by the American Board of Endodontics. Individuals who successfully complete this advanced education program will be awarded a Certificate in Endodontics.

 

Accreditation

The program in endodontics 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 211 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611.

 

Eligibility

An applicant for this program must be a citizen of the United States or permanent resident in the United States. Applicants must also submit evidence of graduation from a school of dentistry accredited by the American Dental Association or the Canadian Dental Association. International students must additional apply and submit additional credentials through the International Student Affairs Office http://www.umkc.edu/isao/ 

 

Program Duration

The 24-month program covers six continuous semesters and begins on July 1.

 

Number of Residents

There are generally two first-year and two second-year residents.

 

General Applicant Information

Application to this program is through the ADEA Postdoctoral Application Support Services (PASS).  The deadline for receipt of application at the school is August 15th of the year prior to planned enrollment.  Detailed application information is available at http://dentistry.umkc.edu/Future_Students/AdvancedEd.shtml

 

Graduate Medical Education (GME) Stipends

Currently, residents are eligible for GME stipends of approximately $21,000 per year. This is a federal, not School of Dentistry, program and is subject to current federal guidelines.

 

Income from Endodontic Program Practice

Residents will also be paid approximately 33 percent of the net fees collected for clinical treatment they provide in the program. Net collected clinical fees are defined as gross clinic fees collected, less scheduled laboratory fees incurred as a part of the treatment procedures, and/or less any fee waivers granted. Generally, this amounts to between $20,000-$30,000 additional income per year.Residents are not allowed to practice outside of the endodontic program.

 

 

Tuition and Fees

Estimated school tuition costs can be found in the Fees section of this catalog. If selected for the program, there is a $2,000 nonrefundable acceptance fee which must be paid within two days of the time of acceptance of the position. More information will be provided to the applicant once he/she is accepted into the program.

 

 

Instruments and Equipment

Residents will be required to lease their dental instruments through the school and purchase some other instruments and equipment. The school employs a centralized sterilization program for the lease instruments. Additionally, each resident is required to purchase an endodontic operating microscope head with beam splitter and attachment to accommodate a minimum 4 mega pixel digital camera which must also be purchased. A list of other required instruments and textbooks will be provided when an applicant is selected to attend the program. Estimated cost for purchases for the 24-month program are approximately $20,000. All of these purchases go with the resident when he/she graduates from the program. Estimated lease expenses are approximately $8,800 for the 24-month program, $2,200 per each fall and spring semesters. Currently, there are no charges for leased instruments for the summer semesters. Many of the costs associated with this Advanced Education Program may be tax deductible expenses since they produce earned income for the resident. Consult your tax adviser.

 

 

Postgraduate Endodontic Clinic

The postgraduate endodontic clinic is a true state-of-the-art facility made possible by the generous donations of Mrs. Virginia Stowers, Dr. Ben Johnson, and other benefactors. All rooms are equipped with resident-purchased dental operating microscopes.  Each room has its own x-ray head, Adec track light system, and ASI dental unit carts complete with air-driven high and low speed fiber optic handpieces, two electric handpieces, two ultrasonics, dual micro irrigators, micro air syringes, and curing light. The program is linked into the all-electronic paperless patient record management system which also integrates the digital x-ray sensors available in each operatory. Please go to the clinic web page at for a 360 degree photo tour. Also please see http://dentistry.umkc.edu/Patient_Information/stowers.shtml for more information about faculty, residents and staff.

 

 

Study Areas

Residents have excellent dedicated office space with high-speed computer and printer support connected to a high-speed LAN. The program also has a dedicated seminar room for literature reviews, case presentation, lectures, etc.

 

 

Financial Assistance

Up-to-date additional information on financial assistance can be found in the School of Dentistry portion of the Financial Aid Charts at http://www.sfa.umkc.edu

 

 

Interview

Selected applicants will be invited to Kansas City for an interview with the program director and other selected faculty and staff. If invited, the interview is a required part of the application process, and travel expenses are the responsibility of the applicant.

Point of Contact

To request further information, please contact either the Office of Student Programs at (816) 235-2080 or dds@umkc.edu or the program director, Dr. James C. Kulild, at (816) 235-2479 or kulildj@umkc.edu