Dental Specialty and Ph.D. Program

The UCLA Dental Specialty/Ph.D. Program (UCLA DSPP) is a new career development program (K12) funded by the NIH's NIDCR. It is open to a small, but select, group of dentists who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents interested in pursuing dual training in a clinical specialty as well as rigorous scientific research training, which will result in earning a specialty certificate and a Ph.D. degree. UCLA DSPP scholars are expected to take a leadership role in advancing patient-oriented challenges facing the current and future of dentistry. 

The program director is Dr. Yvonne Hernandez-Kapila, Professor and Associate Dean of Research.

The UCLA School of Dentistry does not have a combined dental specialty and Ph.D. program for international applicants. At this time, international dentists who have an interest in pursuing a UCLA DSPP will need to apply to two separate programs: The Oral Biology Ph.D. Program and a clinical specialty of interest.  

Specialty Options

The postgraduate programs that are listed below are currently offered under the UCLA DSPP. All of UCLA's sought-after postgraduate programs are accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) and were recently granted the accreditation status of "Approval without Reporting Requirements.” All dental specialty programs are affiliated with the Ronald Regan UCLA Medical Center and supported by Graduate Medical Education (GME) with a competitive residency stipend.

  • Endodontics

  • Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology

  • Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

  • Orthodontics

  • Pediatric Dentistry

  • Periodontics

  • Prosthodontics (optional Maxillofacial Prosthetics)

PhD Research Areas

The School of Dentistry is at the forefront of oral biology research. UCLA DSPP Scholars may participate in a wide range of research areas towards a Ph.D. degree in Oral Biology.

  • Oral Cancer and Cancer Biology

  • Craniofacial Biology and Bioengineering

  • Oral Microbiome and Immunity

  • Oral Dental & Craniofacial Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine

  • Big Data to Knowledge for Oral, Dental and Craniofacial Research

  • Neuroscience and Neuronal Molecular Pathology

  • Public Health and Community Dentistry

Contact Us

If you meet the qualifications and are interested in the K12 Program, please contact:

Alice Young-Singleton, Ed.D.
Training Grants Administrator
(310) 206-3282
SODResearchOffice@dentistry.ucla.edu

UCLA School of Dentistry
10833 Le Conte Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90095-1668