University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine/UPMC Presbyterian Shadyside GME
- Pennsylvania
- General Practice Residency
- dental.pitt.edu
Program Contact
University of Pittsburgh
School of Dental Medicine
3501 Terrace Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15261
The University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine General Practice Residency Program is designed to provide training that extends beyond the level of pre-doctoral education in oral health care, utilizing applied basic and behavioral sciences. Education in this program is based on the concept that oral health is an integral and interactive part of total health. The program is designed to expand the scope and depth of residents’ knowledge and skills, enabling them to provide comprehensive oral health care to diverse population groups. The goals of this program are derived from the Commission on Dental Accreditation’s (CODA) Standards for the advanced education program in General Practice Residency, and are as follows:
1. Ensure residents achieve competence in General Dentistry
The program will develop residents into confident primary oral health care providers capable of independent, comprehensive practice.
2. Strengthen Resident Education beyond the predoctoral level
The program ensures residents grow intellectually and clinically through structured experiences, mentored feedback, and progressive responsibility.
3. Provide high-quality, safe, and ethical Patient Care
The program emphasizes comprehensive, patient-centered care that balances clinical needs, medical status, behavioral considerations, and patient preferences.
4. Promote Community Service and advance oral health outcomes
The program will instill a commitment to service and provide opportunities to address unmet needs locally and regionally.
5. Prepare residents to Provide Oral Health Care in a Hospital Setting
The program ensures graduates understand hospital systems and can deliver dental care as part of integrated health care delivery.
Our program offers residents two exciting and advanced education experiences. Additionally, applicants have a unique opportunity to choose from multiple residency locations with a single application. Residents can apply for consideration at one location or rank multiple locations:
1. GPR at our Regional Training Centers: This program provides education and clinical experience in one of several rural communities across Pennsylvania, in partnership with regional hospitals in those areas. This program provides training in an environment similar to a private practice in a brand-new, state-of-the-art facility, while making a meaningful impact on the oral health of communities in underserved areas. 2027-2028 locations include Titusville, Bradford, and Johnstown, Pennsylvania.
2. GPR at our Oakland Campus: This traditional program is based on the University of Pittsburgh’s urban Oakland campus in partnership with UPMC Hospital.
The programs offer clinical and didactic training across a range of dental specialties, including endodontics, periodontics, implant dentistry, prosthodontics, oral and maxillofacial surgery, oral pathology and oral medicine, and management of patients with special needs and complex medical histories. All locations have hospital-based rotations in Internal Medicine, Emergency Medicine, and Anesthesiology.
Journal Club, treatment planning conferences, resident portfolios, and off-site local and national dental meetings are also part of the program content. Research is encouraged and supported, but is not a formal part of the program.
Program Information
| Accreditation | This program is accredited by CODA |
|---|---|
| Program Type | General Practice Residency |
| Program Code | GPR534 |
| Degrees Offered | Certificate |
| Program Size | 12 (estimate) |
| Program Length | 12 months |
| Application Deadline | November 15 |
| Program Start Date | July 1 |
| Supplemental Application | No |
| Supplemental Fee | No |
| Stipend Offered | Yes |
| Match Participating | No |
| Program Website | dental.pitt.edu |
Application Requirements
Required Standardized Tests
- INBDE
- Passing the INBDE before matriculation into the advanced dental education program
Letters of Evaluation Instructions
Letters of Evaluation should include at least one clinical instructor from the restorative department who has known the applicant for at least one year and can speak directly to clinical skill. No more than one evaluation should be from an evaluator who is not affiliated with the dental institution attended. (A preceptor for an off-site or community based clinic is considered to be affiliated with the dental institution attended.)
Other Requirement Instructions
-
Graduate, or planned to graduate, from a CODA-accredited dental school. Trainees must be eligible for full PA licensure by July 1st, 2027
-
US Citizen or Permanent Resident
-
Non-US Citizen with ability to obtain their own sponsorship
International Student Eligibility
This program will consider applicants who graduated, or plan to graduate, from a non-CODA accredited dental school: No
Applicants are eligible to enroll if they are:
- US Citizen
- US Permanent Resident
- Canadian Citizen
- Canadian Permanent Resident
- Non-US Citizen/Resident (applicant must obtain their own sponsorship)
Interview Schedule
Interviews will be held continuously after applications are submitted and reviewed until all positions are filled.
Additional Information
Our program offers a unique opportunity allowing applicants to choose from four residency locations with a single application. After completing the application, applicants will have the option to choose whether to be considered for one location, several locations, or all locations through subsequent correspondence. Applicants will also be able to indicate their location preferences. Each location will have three residents.