Program Director
Tory L. Silvestrin, DDS, MSD, MSHPE
Tory L. Silvestrin, DDS, MSD, MSHPE
Associate Professor & Chair of Endodontics

For a list of other faculty or the Advanced Dental Education Program in Endodontics, click here.

Important Update

The application process for all Advanced Dental Education Programs has changed. Please apply directly through PASS beginning May of this year.

Advanced Dental Education Program in Endodontics'

General Information

Accreditation status: "Approval" (next accreditation 2024)
Length of program: 27 months in residence
Number of applicants accepted each year: Three (3)
Applications accepted: May
Application deadline: July 15
Program start date: June 30 following year

Application Method

PASS application: An PASS application is required
LLU supplemental application:: Is required and will be emailed to applicant
Match application: Not applicable

Contact Information

Program phone number: 909-558-4681
Email address: endodontics@llu.edu
Fax number: 909-558-0122

Program Description

The mission of the Advanced Dental Education Program in Endodontics is to train endodontists who are competent in treating teeth that require root canal therapy (art), possess an in-depth biological knowledge related to endodontics (science), and have participated in endodontic research and teaching.

The goals of the Loma Linda University School of Dentistry Advanced Education Program are to train endodontists to be able to:

  1. To train endodontists who have the knowledge required for diagnosing and treatment planning for pulpal and periapical conditions and possess skills at an advanced level to treat, alone or in concert with other dental and medical practitioners, pulpal and periapical conditions.
  2. To train endodontists who have formally studied biomedical sciences related to endodontics and health sciences at an advanced level.
  3. To train endodontists who have participated in endodontic research and teaching.
  4. To train endodontists for careers in clinical practice. 


Two Master's Degree Tracks Available

Loma Linda University School of Dentistry offers two master's degree tracks for graduate students/residents enrolled in the advanced education certificate programs.

Master of Science (MS) degree track:

The Master of Science (MS) degree track can be invaluable to students who wish to pursue an academic career in clinical dentistry, research, and teaching. The didactic and clinical components of the certificate program fulfill the academic requirements for the MS degree. Candidates must be admitted to the Faculty of Graduate Studies (FGS), conduct a graduate level research project, write a thesis, and hold a public thesis defense. Students have five years from the date of acceptance of the certificate program to complete the requirements for the MS degree.

Candidates who meet the admissions requirements must submit an application to FGS through the Office of Advanced Dental Education and that application must be supported by the applicant's program director.

Master of Science in Dentistry (MSD) degree track:

Graduate students/residents may elect to apply for the Master of Science in Dentistry (MSD) degree track.  The MSD degree track is intended to provide individuals with an advanced degree widely recognized as having completed a dental specialty program.  Applicants must be recommended for admission to this degree track by their program director and subsequently approved for admission by the Associate Dean for Advanced Education. The MSD degree is awarded upon successful completion of the certificate program, completion of an approved graduate research project, and submission of a report of that research project in the form of a publishable paper in the format of a journal selected by the candidate and approved by the program director.  Candidates must also hold a public presentation of their research in a format similar to a thesis defense.  All the MSD requirements may be complete during the program but no later than one year from the candidate’s program completion date.

Graduates of the certificate, MS degree program, and MSD degree program are educationally qualified for certification by the American Board of Endodontics.

Application and Admission Process

 

Submit application to the Postdoctoral Application Support Service (PASS) beginning May of this year. PASS application. The Advanced Dental Education Program in Endodontics participates in the PASS application service of the American Dental Education Association (ADEA) allowing applicants to apply to multiple participating institutions using one standardized format. We strongly recommend that you apply within the first two months. After your PASS application is received by LLUSD, a supplemental application invitation will be emailed to you. This can take several weeks after the PASS application has been submitted.

Loma Linda University Supplemental Application - In addition to the PASS application, applicants for the Endodontic Program must complete the Loma Linda University supplemental application. A link with the supplemental application will be sent 1 week after the PASS application has been marked complete. 

 

Advisory to Applicants: To ensure prompt posting of your required supporting documents, complete your application before you request transcripts and test scores.

Invitation to interview - All complete applications that meet the minimum admissions requirements are reviewed (refer to Admissions Requirements below). The top candidates are invited for an interview by a selection committee composed of department faculty and outside faculty/administrators and chaired by the program director. The candidates are ranked in two categories: 1) nominations for admission and 2) nominations as alternates.

Admissions decisions - The program director presents the list of nominations for admission (with alternates) for discussion and approval by the graduate admissions committee. The committee meets monthly, and candidates will be notified of a decision as soon as possible.

Acceptance - Candidates offered acceptance are required to submit a nonrefundable electronic deposit of $1,000 to hold a place in the entering class. These funds will be applied towards tuition and fees for the first quarter of study.

Background check - Accepted students must complete a background check in order to register and begin the program.

Health Clearance Information and CPR Training for Incoming Graduate Students and Residents - All individuals accepted into an Advanced Education Program must receive a health clearance from Student Health Service before they are permitted to start their program. A health clearance includes passing a PPD (tuberculosis), Hepatitis B, and MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) test. In addition, all incoming graduate students/residents also must undergo Health Care Provider CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) training and obtain certification prior to the start of their program.

How to obtain information regarding policies on blood-borne and infectious diseases:
Federal OSHA (www.osha.gov) In search menu type: Bloodborne Pathogens 1910.1030
State Cal/OSHA (www.dir.ca.gov) In search menu type: Bloodborne Pathogens Standards 5193

Admissions Requirements

The following information and documentation are required for all applications to the Endodontics Program:

1.  Transcript(s) - from all post-secondary institutions from which the applicant received credit whether or not the work pertains to their LLU degree.  Only official transcript(s) will be accepted.  An official transcript is one that is submitted directly from the school, college, or university to Loma Linda University.  Transcripts that are hand-carried or mailed by an applicant, even if in a sealed envelope, cannot be considered official and will be recorded as still missing.  Transcripts should be mailed directly to: Admissions Processing, 11139 Anderson Street, Loma Linda, CA 92350.

Applicants who have transcripts from non-US dental schools must submit a translated course-by-course transcript report from one of the following agencies (See International Transcript Information):

  1. World Education Services (WES) *
  2. American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO)
  3. Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc (ECE)
  4. American Education Research Corporation (AERC)

* If ordering an evaluation from WES, you must order a WES ICAP course-by-course evaluation. Academic copies of transcripts/mark sheets and degree certificates included in official WES reports, are considered by Loma Linda University, as official and fulfill the document requirements for those schools listed on the report.

2.  Official Degree Certificate (for all international applicants) - Any foreign transcript (or mark sheet) that does not list on it the graduation information, including the actual degree earned, must be supported by an official degree certificate or school-verified copy of the degree certificate mailed directly from the issuing institution to Admissions Processing, Loma Linda University.

Applicants who are uncertain as to whether or not their transcript lists graduation information and degree earned should contact their school before requesting a separate degree certificate.

3. Dental License (for all international applicants) - All applicants for the Endodontics Program who have received their dental school training outside of the United States or Canada must have a current dental license from their country and submit a notarized copy with their application.

4.  GPA and Class Rank- A cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher. Applicants should request the dean of their dental school to provide a letter with their official GPA and class rank.

5.  National Board Dental Examination (NBDE) - Successful completion of the National Board Dental Examination Part I and Part II (when available) or Integrated National Board Dental Examination (INBDE) (if applicable) is required for all U.S.-trained applicants. Please allow plenty of time for NBDE score report requests to be processed by the ADA. Have NBDE scores sent to admissions.app@llu.edu. We cannot accept NBDE scores reported in a Dean's letter as an official report of test results.  Request NBDE scores

6. English Proficiency Exam - Regardless of nationality or citizenship, an applicant whose native language is not English or whose secondary education has been given outside the U.S. is required to pass one of the following English proficiency tests:

  1. TOEFL scores are valid for two years from the test date.  The institution code for Loma Linda University is 4062. TOEFL minimum scores are: 80 - Internet-based test , 550 - Paper-based test, including a minimum final score of 5.0 on the TWE part (Test of Written English)
  2. IELTS scores are valid for two years from the test date. LLU minimum score is 6.5
  3. MELAB LLU minimum score is 77

7.  Letters of recommendation - Three letters of recommendation from individuals who have known and worked closely with the candidate are required in support of an application.  Letters of recommendation are valid for no more than two consecutive years for the same program.  Letters of recommendation also must be program specific (ie, support an applicant for the actual program to which he/she is applying).  Electronic notifications to the recommenders are sent out after submitting the online application.  Alternatively, an applicant applying to the program through PASS may use their Personal Potential Index (PPI) evaluation report, Professional Evaluation Forms (PEF), and Institutional Evaluation Form (IEF) for their LLU application as well.  Applicants who would like to use their PASS letters of recommendation should leave the recommendation section of their LLU online application blank and after submitting the application, the PPI evaluations will be matched up.

8.  Curriculum Vitae - Applicants must include their curriculum vitae sent electronically with the online application or mailed directly to the Office of Advanced Dental Education.

Important Instructions for the Transmittal of Official Documents

All official documents must be mailed from the issuing institutions. Applicants must not mail originals or official copies of transcripts, GRE scores, National Dental Board scores, and TOEFL scores themselves.

An application is not considered complete until all required supporting documents have been received. Only completed applications go to committee for consideration. This policy holds true for both U.S. and non-U.S. applicants. So please apply early.

Tuition and Fees

Get details on the standard cost of attendance at LLU. View Estimates

Graduation

Study may extend beyond 27 months for those pursuing a Master of Science (MS) degree or the Master of Science in Dentistry (MSD) Degree.

Fellowship in Endodontics

Dentists who have completed training in an American Dental Association recognized specialty (including Endodontics) may apply for a fellowship in Endodontics.  Fellowship program length may vary, but typically does not exceed 12 months and training commences on July 1st of the Summer quarter.  Participants will attend all classes and seminars scheduled for the endodontic post-doctoral students as well as observe clinical procedures in the graduate endodontic clinic.  The decision regarding patient treatment is determined by the program director and is based on the performance of the non-degree student during the preclinical course and the availability of space in the endodontic clinic.

Externship and Internship Programs in Endodontics

• Externship Program.  Intended for dentists with an interest in endodontics who wish to study periods of more than one month, but less than 12 months.

• Internship Program.  Intended for dentists with an interest in endodontics who wish to study for a period of 12 months.

The externship and internship programs are designed to provide general dentists an opportunity to expand their knowledge and understanding of Endodontics.  Trainees attend didactic courses, literature seminars, and interdisciplinary treatment-planning sessions but do not treat patients.
* Only one Extern/Intern is accepted per year. All Externships/Internships commence on July 1st of each year.

Participants can expect to obtain training in the following areas:

• Observation in basic and advanced procedures in endodontics (laboratory and clinical)
• Attendance in didactic core courses common to other graduate programs
• Attendance in didactic courses exclusively related to graduate Endodontics

Cost for Fellowship, Internship, and Externships programs (adjusted July 1st of each year):

1 month or less = 1/3 quarterly tuition
Up to 2 months = 2/3 quarterly tuition
Up to 3 months = full quarter's tuition

12 months (one year) = full tuition for four quarters

Application: THE APPLICATIONS BELOW ARE FOR NON-DEGREE STUDENTS ONLY and are not to be used for anyone applying to the certificate program. Please select the correct application below: