Advanced Graduate Degree Programs
MASTER’S & DOCTORATE DEGREES
BUILDING CAREERS ACROSS DISCIPLINES
ADVANCED GRADUATE DEGREE PROGRAMS
Experience a dynamic, interdisciplinary learning environment at Penn Dental Medicine, which offers diverse advanced graduate degree programs tailored to every stage of your dental career. Our innovative courses equip you with the skills and expertise to advance your professional journey. Hear from our alumni, faculty, and students about the impact of our programs.
DScD
“The DScD program positions me at the intersection of clinical practice and scientific research. I’m learning to identify challenges at chairside, then translate them into meaningful research questions. This dual perspective energizes my commitment to advancing dental medicine through investigation that directly enhances patient outcomes.”
Dr. Bushra Alghamdi, GD’26, DScD/Endodontics
MADS
“The MADS program was transformative. The program’s professional and passionate faculty, well-structured curriculum, and clinical shadowing provided me with invaluable knowledge and experience. Since completing the program, I’ve seamlessly integrated the orthodontic theories and clinical skills I learned into my practice, significantly enhancing my patient care. I highly recommend this program to colleagues seeking to elevate their dental expertise and clinical proficiency.”
Dr. Xixi Cao, GD’ 25, MADS/Orthodontics
MOHS
“The MOHS program provided me with invaluable experience, offering a comprehensive view of the dental field through dental school courses, research, and a supportive community of faculty and students. This preparation was instrumental for my dental school journey. I am thrilled to have started my Penn Dental experience with the MOHS program and to now continue it through the DMD program.”
Renali Patel, GD’24, D’28, MOHSPredentalTrack
MSOB
“The MSOB program has been invaluable in my academic career development. I’ve co-authored multiple manuscripts and built relationships with experienced faculty at the forefront of my discipline. It has allowed me to cultivate research and medical writing skills as I transition into my next stage in academia.”
Andres Davila, GD’23, MSOB
MOPH
“The MOPH program has challenged what I thought I knew about health from just about every perspective. The coursework has introduced me to experts from all over the world in areas ranging from planetary health to biostatistics. As someone passionate about working in global health, I believe this innovative program uniquely prepares the next generation of policymakers, thought leaders, and culturally competent oral health professionals to drive meaningful change.”
John Button, D’26, GD’25, MOPHDualDegree
MASTER OF ORAL HEALTH SCIENCES (MOHS)
The Master of Oral Health Sciences (MOHS) program is designed to strengthen dental school applications and prepare graduates for careers in the health sciences through two specialized tracks. The Predental Track provides college graduates with advanced academic training, clinical exposure, and Dental Admission Test (DAT) preparation to enhance their dental school applications. The Non-U.S.-Trained Dentists Track equips international dental graduates with the knowledge, clinical insights, and Integrated National Board Dental Examination (INBDE) preparation needed to strengthen their U.S. dental school applications. This program provides a unique opportunity to gain the academic foundation, clinical exposure, and research experience needed to stand out in the competitive dental school admissions process.
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS:
• Rigorous graduate-level coursework in oral health sciences
• Clinical rotations in general dentistry, specialty clinics, and community health sites
• Dedicated DAT preparation for predental students & INBDE preparation for non-U.S.-trained dentists
• Capstone research project focused on an oral healthrelated topic
PREPARE FOR DENTAL SCHOOL ADMISSIONS & HEALTH SCIENCE CAREERS LEARN
“The MOHS program is a great way to bridge the gap between an undergraduate and dental school education. It was extremely helpful to be able to take ‘actual’ dental school courses prior to matriculation into dental school.”
Rachel Wade, GD’22
MOHSPredentalTrackandBostonUniversityHenryM. GoldmanSchoolofDentalMedicinestudent
“Everything a foreign-trained dentist needs to stand out as a dental school applicant in one place.”
Chiraag Kumbhat, GD’24
MOHSNon-U.S.-TrainedDentistTrack
www.dental.upenn.edu/MOHSPredental
LEARN MORE
www.dental.upenn.edu/MOHSnon-UStrained
DOCTOR OF SCIENCE IN DENTISTRY (DScD)
ENTER THE FIELD OF ACADEMIC DENTISTRY
The Doctor of Science in Dentistry (DScD) program prepares students for successful careers in academic dentistry as clinical and basic science researchers. This program can be pursued concurrently with a postgraduate specialty certificate or independently through the non-certificate track for those who have already completed clinical specialty training.
Students conduct research across disciplines with the option to not only work with researchers from Penn Dental Medicine but also with faculty from Penn’s School of Engineering and Applied Science, Perelman School of Medicine, School of Nursing, and School of Veterinary Medicine.
For those pursuing the DScD with a specialty certificate, the program integrates clinical, didactic, and research training over five to six years, depending on the specialty. The non-certificate track is completed in four years.
“As a DScD student, you have access to resources and mentors across the entire Penn ecosystem. You have the freedom to pursue diverse clinical and research interests.”
Dennis Sourvanos, GR’22, GD’23 DScD/Periodontics
LEARN MORE
www.dental.upenn.edu/DScD
MASTER OF SCIENCE IN ORAL BIOLOGY (MSOB)
ENHANCE POSTGRADUATE STUDY, ACADEMIC CREDENTIALS
The research-focused Master of Science in Oral Biology (MSOB) can be pursued alongside a graduate dental specialty program and is designed to help prepare students for opportunities in academic dentistry. Graduates earn the MSOB degree upon completing both their specialty training and the master’s curriculum.
LEARN MORE
www.dental.upenn.edu/MSOB
“The MSOB program has been an important step in my journey to becoming a more skilled and evidence-driven clinician. The curriculum has enhanced my expertise in statistics and critical analysis of scientific literature, equipping me to apply evidence-based dentistry more effectively. It has also been rewarding to participate in meaningful research that can contribute to advancements in periodontics.”
Dr. Kristen Richey, GD’25 MSOB/Periodontics
MASTER OF ADVANCED DENTAL STUDIES (MADS)
A HYBRID PROGRAM // STRENGTHEN KNOWLEDGE IN A DENTAL SPECIALTY
The Master of Advanced Dental Studies (MADS) program offers a flexible curriculum that combines synchronous and asynchronous coursework with an on-campus clinical rotation. Designed for dentists seeking professional enrichment, the program allows participants to deepen their expertise in a clinical discipline while continuing their dental practice or training. A six-week clinical rotation provides hands-on experience in diagnosis, treatment planning, and patient care through observation.
DIRECTED TO:
• Domestic and international dentists looking to expand their clinical knowledge or strengthen their qualifications for U.S. residency programs.
• International dentists with U.S. specialty degrees whose home countries require a master’s degree for specialty recognition.
• U.S. specialty program graduates seeking a structured program to refresh and enhance their expertise.
EARN A MADS IN ONE OF SIX CLINICAL DISCIPLINES:
• Endodontics
• Oral Medicine
• Orthodontics
• Pediatric Dentistry
• Periodontics
• Prosthodontics
LEARN MORE www.dental.upenn.edu/MADS
MASTER OF SCIENCE IN ORAL AND POPULATION HEALTH (MOPH)
ONLINE PROGRAM // BUILDING LEADERS AT THE SCIENCE & POLICYMAKING INTERFACE
The Master of Science in Oral and Population Health (MOPH) program is designed to meet the growing need for public and population health leaders who can develop, implement, and evaluate policies addressing current and future challenges in oral health—both locally and globally.
This full-time, online program (synchronous and asynchronous) equips students with cutting-edge knowledge and skills in population health, emphasizing oral health as a vital component of overall well-being. Participants will engage with and learn from renowned experts in population health research and evidence-based policy, gaining exposure to a variety of disciplines, research methodologies, and cultural perspectives.
LEARN MORE WWW.DENTAL.UPENN.EDU/MOPH
PROGRAM DIRECTORS
MASTER OF ORAL HEALTH SCIENCES (MOHS)
Sunday Akintoye, BDS, DDS, MS
Professor, Department of Oral Medicine
PDM-MOHS@dental.upenn.edu (general program information)
PDM-MOHSAdmissions@dental.upenn.edu (admissions information)
MASTER OF ADVANCED DENTAL STUDIES (MADS)
Esra Sahingur, DDS, MS, PhD
Associate Professor, Department of Periodontics
Associate Dean of Graduate Studies and Student Research
PDM-MADS@dental.upenn.edu (general program information)
PDM-MADSAdmissions@dental.upenn.edu (admissions information)
DOCTOR OF SCIENCE IN DENTISTRY (DScD)
Dana Graves, DDS, DMSc
Professor, Department of Periodontics Vice Dean for Research and Scholarship dtgraves@dental.upenn.edu
MASTER OF SCIENCE IN ORAL BIOLOGY (MSOB)
Jonathan Korostoff, DMD, PhD Professor of Periodontics jkorosto@dental.upenn.edu
MASTER OF SCIENCE IN ORAL & POPULATION HEALTH (MOPH)
Alonso Carrasco-Labra, DDS, MSc, PhD
Associate Professor, Division of Restorative Dentistry, Preventive & Restorative Sciences Director, Cochrane Oral Health Collaborating Center carrascl@upenn.edu
