Summa Health System

By completing this residency, residents develop the clinical judgment, technical proficiency, and confidence necessary to practice as highly capable general dentists in complex healthcare environments. Our General Practice Residency is designed to create “super GPs” — clinicians who are comfortable managing a wide spectrum of dental procedures while also recognizing their limitations and making appropriate referrals when indicated.

Residents gain substantial experience in comprehensive endodontic therapy, including management of complex molar cases, retreatment considerations, and surgical endodontic exposure alongside specialists. Oral surgery training is equally robust, with routine and surgical extractions, management of impacted teeth, alveoloplasty, pre-prosthetic surgery, and hands-on experience assisting in implant placement and restoration. The goal is not simply exposure, but progression toward proficiency and independence under structured mentorship.

Our program emphasizes comprehensive care planning. Residents serve as primary oral healthcare providers, delivering emergency and definitive care while obtaining informed consent, presenting cases, and coordinating interdisciplinary treatment. They routinely treat medically complex and special needs patients, including cases performed in the operating room when appropriate. These experiences build clinical confidence and reinforce the importance of adaptability, efficiency, and sound decision-making.

Digital dentistry is a growing strength within our clinic.

With updated TRIOS 5 intraoral scanner, residents actively participate in modern digital workflows for restorative and prosthodontic cases, integrating scanning, digital design collaboration, and laboratory communication into daily practice.

The residency is intentionally flexible and individualized. We meet each resident where they are clinically and professionally, then help elevate their skills through structured feedback and progressive responsibility. Residents work closely with general attendings, specialists, and hospital-based colleagues to maximize learning opportunities. Those who are motivated and proactive will find significant autonomy and growth — our program is unique in that residents truly get out of it what they put into it.

Internal rotations in family medicine, geriatrics, anesthesia, and an external rotation at Akron Children’s Hospital provide meaningful exposure to the broader healthcare system. Academic lectures from hospital subspecialties further strengthen residents’ understanding of systemic disease, risk assessment, and interdisciplinary collaboration.

Our goal is lasting impact. Graduates leave prepared to confidently manage the wide array of clinical situations that walk through the doors of private practice, group practice, or hospital-based dentistry — equipped not only with expanded procedural skill, but with sound judgment, professionalism, and respect for the collaborative nature of modern healthcare.

We welcome applicants who are motivated, curious, and ready to challenge themselves.

Summa Health System offers a residency experience that is rigorous, supportive, and deeply rewarding.

Eligibility for our program is contingent on (1) graduating from an ADA-accredited dental school, (2) meeting all Summa Health pre-employment requirements, and (3) receiving passing INBDE or NBDE scores. Please submit proof of a passing score to the program no later than March 15 of the year in which you plan to begin residency.