Our students learn how to provide excellent and compassionate care in state-of-the-art facilities, including an 18-station technique lab, a large multimedia auditorium, classrooms, libraries and labs.
Saint Louis University's orthodontic program strives to balance progressive excellence with the highest standards and the compassionate service of our Catholic, Jesuit heritage. Graduates leave SLU prepared to be astute and aware clinicians using an integrated, multidisciplinary approach to caring for craniofacial and dental patient problems.
Saint Louis University's orthodontic program offers three basic areas of training: an extensive and comprehensive clinical experience that involves diagnosis, treatment planning, active treatment and retention of patients representing a variety of malocclusions and craniofacial deformities; core courses that include biomedical sciences and clinical concepts; and orthodontic research. Students will need to complete 89 credits to graduate.
Specific courses include facial development, biomechanics, clinical cephalometrics, oral biology, surgical orthodontics, orthodontic problems related to the cleft-palate patient, speech problems related to the oral mechanism, history of orthodontics, diagnosis and treatment planning, clinical diagnosis, orthodontic analysis and treatment modalities, introduction to clinical orthodontics, principles of orthodontic techniques, seminar on child and adolescent psychology, digital orthodontics, scenario-based case analysis, orthodontic business management, review for the ABO examination and thesis research.
Following preliminary laboratory and classroom instruction, each resident in the orthodontic program initiates treatment on a large number of patients who present a broad array of dental malocclusions and skeletal deformities. Although residents are first introduced to the Tweed edgewise philosophy form of treatment, students are also exposed to Tip-Edge mechanics (the sequel to Begg therapy), functional and other removable appliances, and various straight wire appliances. The supervising faculty members present their philosophies and techniques by means of lectures, seminars, laboratory exercises and demonstrations.
In the clinic, students are exposed to a wide array of patient types. Children, adolescents and adults are treated; consequently, students are exposed to treatment in the deciduous, mixed and adult dentitions. Students are also exposed to cases with compromised oral health that require consideration of periodontal, restorative and temporomandibular joint treatment. As a result, many patients are treated by an interdisciplinary approach with other healthcare professionals. Throughout the clinical experience, each student receives a great deal of faculty attention. The development of diagnostic and treatment skills is emphasized as a major responsibility to students.
Additional courses and seminars augment the clinical experience, covering the topics of diagnosis and treatment planning, cephalometrics, theoretical and practical biomechanics, oral pathology, oral medicine, multidisciplinary treatment, speech disorders, craniofacial defects with particular emphasis on cleft lip/palate rehabilitation, adolescent and adult psychology, implants, dentofacial orthopedics, surgical orthodontics, TMJ disorders, and practice management.
Students also receive training in research design and statistics and must conduct an original research project. This effort leads to the preparation and defense of a thesis and, subsequently, the production of a manuscript suitable for publication in a journal relating to the specialty of orthodontics. The experience of discovery provided by such research is an integral part of the graduate program, and students are expected to produce a meaningful contribution to the field of orthodontics.
Our goal is to prepare orthodontic graduates to pursue a career with many possibilities: as a clinician with a practice limited to orthodontics, as a researcher or as a teacher of orthodontics.
A D.D.S., D.M.D., or equivalent general dental degree is required for matriculation in this and all other Saint Louis University Center for Advanced Dental Education dental training programs.
All admission policies and requirements for domestic students apply to international students along with the following:
Applications must be completed by Sept. 1 to be considered for the orthodontic program beginning the summer semester of the following year.
Promising applicants are invited for on-site interviews beginning in October. The orthodontic program subscribes to a national matching service and the "tell date" occurs in late November or early December.
For priority consideration for graduate assistantship, applicants should complete their applications by Feb. 1.
For more information, visit the student financial services office online at http://finaid.slu.edu.
The orthodontic program is fully accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association. Following completion of the program, graduates are educationally qualified for certification by the American Board of Orthodontics.
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
BBS 5100 | Ethics for Research Scientists | 0 |
CAD 5010 | Pain: Anatomy, Physiology, Psychology, Treatment | 1 |
CAD 5050 | Introduction to Statistical Inference | 3 |
CAD 5060 | Ethics and Dentistry | 0 |
CAD 5070 | Bone and Periodontal Physiology | 2 |
CAD 5110 | Small Business Basics | 1 |
CAD 5140 | Temporomandibular Disorders | 1 |
CAD 5160 | Advanced Oral Medicine | 2 |
CAD 5170 | Advanced Oral Pathology | 1 |
CAD 5190 | Advanced Head and Neck Anatomy | 2 |
CAD 5240 | Temporary Skeletal Anchorage | 1 |
CAD 5250 | Multidisciplinary & Evidence Based Diagnosis & Treatment Planning (taken every semester) | 0 |
ORES 5100 | Research Methods in Health & Medicine | 3 |
ORTH 5020 | Orthodontic Business Management | 2 |
ORTH 5030 | Facial Growth | 2 |
ORTH 5010 | Fundamentals of Orthodontics | 2 |
ORTH 5100 | Biomechanics | 1 |
ORTH 5250 | Clinical Cephalometrics | 2 |
ORTH 5350 | Surgical Orthodontics | 1 |
ORTH 5370 | Orthodontic Problems Related to Cleft Palate Patient | 1 |
ORTH 5390 | Speech Disorders Related to the Oral Mechanism | 1 |
ORTH 5400 | History of Orthodontics | 0 |
ORTH 5490 | Diagnosis Procedures in Orthodontics | 1 |
ORTH 5530 | Clinical Diagnosis I | 1 |
ORTH 5540 | Clinical Diagnosis II | 1 |
ORTH 5550 | Orthodontic Analysis & Treatment Modalities | 1 |
ORTH 5560 | Clinical Case Conferences (taken over multiple semesters) | 5 |
ORTH 5580 | Clinical Specialty Seminars (taken over multiple semesters) | 8 |
ORTH 5590 | Orthodontic Aspects of Sleep Breathing Disorders | 1 |
ORTH 5600 | Introduction to Clinical Orthodontics I | 1 |
ORTH 5620 | Principles of Orthodontic Techniques I | 2 |
ORTH 5630 | Principles of Orthodontic Techniques II | 2 |
ORTH 5650 | Orthodontic Treatment with Clear Aligners | 2 |
ORTH 5660 | Contemporary Orthodontics I | 1 |
ORTH 5670 | Contemporary Orthodontics II | 1 |
ORTH 5700 | Clinical Procedures | 1 |
ORTH 5710 | Clinical Orthodontics I | 2 |
ORTH 5720 | Clinical Orthodontics II | 3 |
ORTH 5730 | Clinical Orthodontics III | 1 |
ORTH 5740 | Clinical Orthodontics IV | 3 |
ORTH 5750 | Clinical Orthodontics V | 3 |
ORTH 5760 | Clinical Orthodontics VI | 1 |
ORTH 5770 | Clinical Orthodontics VII | 3 |
ORTH 5780 | Clinical Orthodontics VIII | 0 |
ORTH 5800 | Child and Adolescent Psychology | 1 |
ORTH 5840 | Early and Mixed Dentition | 1 |
ORTH 5850 | Adult Treatment | 2 |
ORTH 5890 | Review for the American Board of Orthodontics Examination | 0 |
ORTH 5910 | Literature Review (taken over multiple semesters) | 2 |
ORTH 5940 | Orthodontic Internship | 1 |
ORTH 5950 | Special Study for Exams | 0 |
ORTH 5990 | Thesis Research | 6 |
ORTH 6000 | Treatment Planning with Digital Technology | 1 |
ORTH 6010 | Digital Orthodontics I | 1 |
ORTH 6020 | Digital Orthodontics II | 1 |
ORTH 6050 | Scenario Based Case Analysis | 0 |
Total Credits | 89 |
Supervised active and retention clinical orthodontic treatment of patients; comprehensive orthodontic specialty examinations utilizing written, oral, and practical clinical formats.
Students must maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 in all graduate/professional courses.
Roadmaps are recommended semester-by-semester plans of study for programs and assume full-time enrollment unless otherwise noted.
Courses and milestones designated as critical (marked with !) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation. Transfer credit may change the roadmap.
This roadmap should not be used in the place of regular academic advising appointments. All students are encouraged to meet with their advisor/mentor each semester. Requirements, course availability and sequencing are subject to change.
Year One | ||
---|---|---|
Summer | Credits | |
CAD 5250 | Multidisciplinary & Evidence Based Diagnosis & Treatment Planning | 0 |
ORTH 5250 | Clinical Cephalometrics (extends into fall) | 0 |
ORTH 5490 | Diagnosis Procedures in Orthodontics | 1 |
ORTH 5560 | Clinical Case Conferences | 0 |
ORTH 5580 | Clinical Specialty Seminars | 1 |
ORTH 5600 | Introduction to Clinical Orthodontics I | 1 |
ORTH 5620 | Principles of Orthodontic Techniques I | 2 |
ORTH 5700 | Clinical Procedures | 1 |
ORTH 5710 | Clinical Orthodontics I | 0 |
Credits | 6 | |
Fall | ||
CAD 5050 | Introduction to Statistical Inference | 3 |
CAD 5240 | Temporary Skeletal Anchorage | 1 |
CAD 5250 | Multidisciplinary & Evidence Based Diagnosis & Treatment Planning | 0 |
ORTH 5030 | Facial Growth | 2 |
ORTH 5100 | Biomechanics | 1 |
ORTH 5560 | Clinical Case Conferences | 1 |
ORTH 5580 | Clinical Specialty Seminars | 1 |
ORTH 5630 | Principles of Orthodontic Techniques II | 1 |
ORTH 5660 | Contemporary Orthodontics I | 1 |
ORTH 5710 | Clinical Orthodontics I | 2 |
ORTH 5250 | Clinical Cephalometrics | 2 |
ORTH 6000 | Treatment Planning with Digital Technology | 1 |
ORTH 5010 | Fundamentals of Orthodontics | 1 |
Credits | 17 | |
Spring | ||
BBS 5100 | Ethics for Research Scientists (online) | 0 |
CAD 5060 | Ethics and Dentistry | 0 |
CAD 5070 | Bone and Periodontal Physiology | 1 |
CAD 5190 | Advanced Head and Neck Anatomy | 2 |
CAD 5160 | Advanced Oral Medicine | 1 |
CAD 5250 | Multidisciplinary & Evidence Based Diagnosis & Treatment Planning | 0 |
ORTH 5010 | Fundamentals of Orthodontics | 1 |
ORTH 6010 | Digital Orthodontics I | 1 |
ORTH 5630 | Principles of Orthodontic Techniques II | 1 |
ORTH 5550 | Orthodontic Analysis & Treatment Modalities | 1 |
ORTH 5560 | Clinical Case Conferences | 1 |
ORTH 5580 | Clinical Specialty Seminars | 1 |
ORTH 5650 | Orthodontic Treatment with Clear Aligners | 1 |
ORTH 5670 | Contemporary Orthodontics II | 1 |
ORTH 5720 | Clinical Orthodontics II | 3 |
ORTH 5840 | Early and Mixed Dentition | 0 |
ORTH 5990 | Thesis Research | 0 |
Credits | 15 | |
Year Two | ||
Summer | ||
CAD 5010 | Pain: Anatomy, Physiology, Psychology, Treatment | 1 |
CAD 5250 | Multidisciplinary & Evidence Based Diagnosis & Treatment Planning | 0 |
ORES 5100 | Research Methods in Health & Medicine (online) | 3 |
ORTH 5560 | Clinical Case Conferences | 0 |
ORTH 5580 | Clinical Specialty Seminars | 1 |
ORTH 5730 | Clinical Orthodontics III | 1 |
ORTH 6020 | Digital Orthodontics II | 0 |
ORTH 5800 | Child and Adolescent Psychology | 1 |
ORTH 5840 | Early and Mixed Dentition | 0 |
ORTH 5910 | Literature Review | 0 |
ORTH 5990 | Thesis Research | 1 |
Credits | 8 | |
Fall | ||
CAD 5250 | Multidisciplinary & Evidence Based Diagnosis & Treatment Planning | 0 |
CAD 5170 | Advanced Oral Pathology | 1 |
ORTH 6020 | Digital Orthodontics II | 0 |
ORTH 5350 | Surgical Orthodontics | 1 |
ORTH 5370 | Orthodontic Problems Related to Cleft Palate Patient | 1 |
ORTH 5390 | Speech Disorders Related to the Oral Mechanism | 1 |
ORTH 5400 | History of Orthodontics | 0 |
ORTH 5530 | Clinical Diagnosis I | 1 |
ORTH 5560 | Clinical Case Conferences | 1 |
ORTH 5580 | Clinical Specialty Seminars | 1 |
ORTH 5590 | Orthodontic Aspects of Sleep Breathing Disorders | 1 |
ORTH 5740 | Clinical Orthodontics IV | 3 |
ORTH 5840 | Early and Mixed Dentition (grade submitted this term) | 1 |
ORTH 5910 | Literature Review | 1 |
ORTH 5990 | Thesis Research | 1 |
Credits | 14 | |
Spring | ||
CAD 5250 | Multidisciplinary & Evidence Based Diagnosis & Treatment Planning | 0 |
ORTH 5540 | Clinical Diagnosis II | 1 |
ORTH 5560 | Clinical Case Conferences | 1 |
ORTH 5580 | Clinical Specialty Seminars | 1 |
ORTH 5750 | Clinical Orthodontics V | 3 |
ORTH 5850 | Adult Treatment | 0 |
ORTH 5890 | Review for the American Board of Orthodontics Examination | 1 |
ORTH 5910 | Literature Review | 1 |
ORTH 5990 | Thesis Research | 1 |
ORTH 5020 | Orthodontic Business Management | 1 |
CAD 5070 | Bone and Periodontal Physiology | 1 |
CAD 5140 | Temporomandibular Disorders | 1 |
CAD 5160 | Advanced Oral Medicine | 1 |
ORTH 6020 | Digital Orthodontics II | 1 |
ORTH 5650 | Orthodontic Treatment with Clear Aligners | 1 |
Credits | 15 | |
Year Three | ||
Summer | ||
CAD 5110 | Small Business Basics | 1 |
CAD 5250 | Multidisciplinary & Evidence Based Diagnosis & Treatment Planning | 0 |
ORTH 5560 | Clinical Case Conferences | 0 |
ORTH 5580 | Clinical Specialty Seminars | 1 |
ORTH 5760 | Clinical Orthodontics VI | 1 |
ORTH 5850 | Adult Treatment | 0 |
ORTH 5990 | Thesis Research | 1 |
ORTH 5020 | Orthodontic Business Management | 0 |
ORTH 6050 | Scenario Based Case Analysis | 0 |
Credits | 4 | |
Fall | ||
CAD 5250 | Multidisciplinary & Evidence Based Diagnosis & Treatment Planning | 0 |
ORTH 5560 | Clinical Case Conferences | 1 |
ORTH 5580 | Clinical Specialty Seminars | 1 |
ORTH 5770 | Clinical Orthodontics VII | 3 |
ORTH 5850 | Adult Treatment (grade submitted this term) | 2 |
ORTH 5950 | Special Study for Exams (also spring/summer if 36 months) | 0 |
ORTH 5990 | Thesis Research | 2 |
ORTH 5020 | Orthodontic Business Management | 1 |
ORTH 6050 | Scenario Based Case Analysis | 0 |
Credits | 10 | |
Total Credits | 89 |
Year Three | ||
---|---|---|
Spring | Credits | |
ORTH 5780 | Clinical Orthodontics VIII | 1 |
ORTH 5940 | Orthodontic Internship | 1 |
ORTH 5950 | Special Study for Exams | 0 |
ORTH 5990 | Thesis Research | 0 |
Credits | 2 | |
Year Four | ||
Summer | ||
ORTH 5780 | Clinical Orthodontics VIII | 0 |
ORTH 5940 | Orthodontic Internship | 0 |
ORTH 5990 | Thesis Research | 0 |
CAD 5250 | Multidisciplinary & Evidence Based Diagnosis & Treatment Planning | 0 |
Credits | 0 | |
Total Credits | 2 |