MS/Certificate in Periodontics

Applications are accepted from May 1 through August 1 for admission the following academic year. Early applications are strongly encouraged.

Application must be made directly to the Ohio State Graduate Periodontics program. We do not use the PASS system.

A nonrefundable fee of $75.00 is charged for each admission application you submit.

Our program participates in the Postdoctoral Dental Matching Program through National Matching Services Inc. (NMS). Interviews will only be offered to applicants who certify in writing that they are applying exclusively to programs participating in the Matching program.

The application deadline is August 1. The application, application fee and all required documents must be received by that date.

Please note: There are required documents for all applicants and additional requirements for foreign-trained applicants.

Application fee: $75.00. The fee may be paid by credit or debit card by visiting https://go.osu.edu/dentperiogradfee. If you are unable to, or prefer not to, make the fee payment by credit or debit card, please email GradPerioApplications@osu.edu for other payment options.

• Application form 

The following documents must be uploaded with your online application.

• Curriculum vitae
• Statement of intent

The following documents MAY be uploaded with your online application OR emailed separately to GradPerioApplications@osu.edu.

• National Board Examination Scores (required from US and Canadian trained dentists or dental students only.)
• Undergraduate transcript
• Dental School transcript

The following documents MUST be sent directly by the recommender/dental school to GradPerioApplications@osu.edu.

• Letter from your dental school Dean, written and signed on academic letterhead stationery. Must include year of graduation, class ranking, class size, cumulative GPA, and overall evaluation. If your dental school does not use class ranking and/or GPA, then the letter must include a statement of that fact.
• Three recommendation letters. At least one of the three letters must be from a periodontal faculty or practicing periodontist. Each recommendation letter must include a completed  Reference Form, as well as a separate letter written and signed on academic or business letterhead stationery.

Unofficial transcripts are acceptable. If you are admitted to the program, you will be required to submit official transcripts at that time.

Email is the preferred method for sending application materials. However, if paper copies need to be mailed, please use the following address:

The Ohio State University College of Dentistry

Attn: GRADUATE PERIODONTICS APPLICATION

305 W. 12th Ave. Room 4103

Columbus, OH 43210

Fax: 614-292-4612

• English Proficiency Requirement: TOEFL or IELTS score reports are required. Obtain a copy of your results and email it to GradPerioApplications@osu.edu.
  • TOEFL: Minimum acceptable score is 595 on the paper-based test or 100 on the internet-based test.
  • IELTS: Minimum acceptable score is 7.5.
• NBDE scores are not required for foreign-trained dentists, but will be accepted and considered as part of your application.
• All documents should be submitted in their original language, along with English language translations that follow the format of the original documents. English translations must be certified by the issuing institution or a certified translator.
• Financial documentation: Please review the financial review information found at gpadmissions.osu.edu/intl/additional-requirements-after-you-are-admitted. In order to receive a visa to study at Ohio State, you will have to submit proof that guaranteed funding for tuition, fees, living expenses, health insurance, books and supplies is immediately available and will continue to be available for the length of the program.

We participate in the Postdoctoral Dental Matching Program through National Matching Services Inc. (NMS). In addition to the application to the program discussed above, applicants must register with NMS and submit a Rank Order List of desired programs. An overview of the Postdoctoral Dental Matching Program, and list of deadlines, can be found at natmatch.com/dentres/overview.

We do NOT participate in the ADEA PASS application service. Therefore, applicants to the Ohio State graduate periodontology program must apply directly to the program.

Following application, candidates are selected and invited for an interview. An in-person interview is mandatory in order to be considered for acceptance. Interview dates (typically in early to middle August) are fixed. Interviewees meet with all available full-time faculty and current postdoctoral students to receive all pertinent information about the program, its attributes and problems, as well as to be further evaluated personally as to their candidacy.

Following the interview process, applicants are ranked for acceptance and the program's Rank Order List is submitted to NMS. The Match then places individuals into positions based on the preferences stated in the Rank Order Lists of programs and applicants. A position will be offered to each applicant matched to our program. Acceptance letters to each successful applicant inform and contain the specifics of the program, to include that the program is a combined advanced degree/certificate program, financial costs (e.g., clinical equipment, books, copy services, licenses, dues, etc.), and expectations. Each successful applicant must return a signed copy of this letter.

I’m an international applicant. Do I still need to submit the Dean’s Letter?

Yes, the Dean’s letter is still required from international applicants. 

I have already graduated from dental school. Do I still need to submit the Dean’s letter?

Yes, the Dean’s letter is still required even if you have already graduated from dental school. In some cases, when the applicant graduated a long time ago and the dean’s letter is difficult to get, it is possible to waive the dean’s letter. If this applies to you, please send an email to GradPerioApplications@osu.edu to inquire.

I’m an international applicant and I haven’t taken the American board exams. Can I still apply?

Yes. The board exams (e.g., NBDE) are not required from international applicants. If you have taken them, you can submit your scores and they will be taken into account. But if you have not taken them, you can apply without them.

I’m an international applicant, and I have passed the NBDE or INBDE. Should I submit those scores?

Although we do not require board scores for international applicants, any additional credentials sent will be considered as part of your application.

I don’t have my board scores yet. Should I send the application now, or wait until I have the scores?

You should submit your application along with all of the materials you have ready, and then submit the scores when you get them.

I am scheduled to take the INBDE, but I won't have taken it or won’t have my scores before the application deadline. Can I still apply?

Yes, you can still apply. Submit all of the rest of your application, and send us an email to GradPerioApplications@osu.edu to tell us your INBDE testing date. Your application will be reviewed and considered. When you get your scores, please send them to us.

I applied through PASS. Do I still have to apply separately?

We do not use the PASS system. To apply to our program, you must submit a separate application as described at (URL)

My recommenders sent recommendation letters through PASS. Can you use those letters?

Since we do not use PASS, we do not have access to recommendation letters sent there. Separate copies of your recommendation letters must be sent to GradPerioApplications@osu.edu or mailed to us.

My TOEFL/ITS score is lower than your requirement. Can I still apply?

You can still apply. In special cases where the applicant is otherwise very well-qualified, they will be considered with scores lower than the program requirement. However, it is possible that, if accepted, you will be required to take English classes before you can begin the program.

I applied last year. Can I reactivate that application?

To reactivate your previous application, you will need to submit:

• A new application form
• Application fee
• Updated CV
• A new Match Participation form

Your remaining documents from the previous application, i.e., your transcripts, Dean’s letter, letters of recommendation, board scores, and TOEFL/ITS scores (if applicable), will be transferred over. 

If you have taken any courses for academic credit since your previous application, please send updated transcripts as well. If you have retaken the Board exam or TOEFL/ITS, please send updated scores.

Optionally, you may send a new Statement of Intent and/or new recommendation letters.

Can I send more than three recommendation letters?

You can submit up to four recommendation letters. More than that will not be accepted.

Is the Reference Form required with recommendation letters?

The Reference Form is required for all recommendation letters from domestic (US or Canadian dental school) applicants. For international applicants, please make every effort to have the Reference Form included with your letters of recommendation. We realize that in some cases, this will not be possible. In this case, please email us at GradPerioApplications@osu.edu for more information. 

Can the recommenders submit the reference form and recommendation letter by email?

Email is the preferred method for recommendation letters. Please give the Reference Form to the recommender and ask them to email it, along with the letter, to GradPerioApplications@osu.edu. If they prefer to mail the form and letter directly to us, they can send it to:

The Ohio State University College of Dentistry

Attn: GRADUATE PERIODONTICS APPLICATION

305 W. 12th Ave, Room 4103

Columbus, OH 43210

My recommenders gave me their recommendation letters in sealed envelopes. How should I submit them?

You can send the sealed envelopes to:

The Ohio State University College of Dentistry

Attn: GRADUATE PERIODONTICS APPLICATION

305 W. 12th Ave, Room 4103

Columbus, OH 43210

Do I have to submit official transcripts?

At this stage in the application process, unofficial transcripts are acceptable. If you are matched to the Program through the Match process, then you will be required to submit official transcripts at that time, even if you have already sent official transcripts.

I am an international applicant, and I have a limited number of official transcripts in sealed university envelopes. Should I submit those?

We would recommend that you not submit those official transcripts right now. If you are matched to the Program through the Match process, then you will be required to submit official transcripts at that time, even if you have already sent official transcripts. Therefore, it will be better to keep the official transcripts until then, and instead send a photocopy or scan if you have one.

How can I know the status of my application?

You will receive a confirmation email to the primary email address on the application when the application is received, when supporting documents are received, and when the application is complete. In addition, you can check the status of your application at any time by sending an email to GradPerioApplications@osu.edu. Please allow 3-5 business days to receive a confirmation email or a response.