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The Endodontics program has a mission to graduate specialists in endodontics who are biologically oriented, technically competent, and socially sensitive. Graduates will embrace our core values of active learning, critical thinking, evidence-based medicine, respect for the patient, as well as personal responsibility and integrity. They will be prepared to practice endodontics at a high level and contribute to the profession and specialty through teaching, research, and service.  

The program's facilities are located inside the College of Dentistry's Dental Science Building on UK's main campus. 

The certificate program is a full-time 24-month program consisting of didactic, clinical, teaching, and research components. There are three (3) graduate student openings per year. Completion of the program will produce graduates with specialty training in the areas of non-surgical and surgical management of endodontic disease.

Program Overview

The educational component of the 24-month certificate program in endodontics will consist of a comprehensive didactic component, clinical treatment, teaching experience, and research development. Upon successful completion of the program, the graduate student will receive a certificate to practice the specialty of endodontics and meets eligibility requirements for the American Board of Endodontists examination.

Didactic Component

The didactic component, 32% of the program, consists of seminars and coursework in a variety of endodontic topics including:

  • Endodontic Therapy Lectures
  • Introduction to Advanced Endodontic Lab Curse
  • Endodontic Textbook Seminar
  • Advanced Clinical Endodontics I
  • Graduate Endodontic Research Project
  • Endodontic Literature Review
  • Advanced Clinical Endodontic II

In addition, program participants will take additional core courses in the following areas:

  • Research Design-Methodology
  • Oral Biology I
  • Oral Facial Pain & TMJ Disorder
  • Clinical Medicine
  • Oral Biology II
  • Advanced Oral Maxillofacial Pathology

A strong emphasis is placed on evidence-based decision making supported by literature and research documentation. Program participants will develop and present their cases in a formal case presentation/treatment planning seminar to both endodontic and other discipline faculty. Case analysis and defense exercises are patterned after the oral examination of the American Board of Endodontics.

Several interdisciplinary learning opportunities and seminars covering topics of mutual interest will be incorporated into the curriculum, including radiology, orofacial pain, traumatology, implantology, periodontics, and pediatrics.

Clinical Component

The clinical component, approximately 55% of the program, consists of program participants treating a variety of cases that would present to a practicing endodontist. Cases will vary from non-surgical root canal therapy to microsurgical intervention, diagnosis of orofacial and non-odontogenic disease to consultation and decision making in treatment planning cases. All clinical treatment is conducted under an endodontist's oversight, which fosters best evidence-based approaches and critical thinking. Faculty will emphasize standards and practices of the American Association of Endodontists and strive for clinical excellence among our students.

Teaching Component

The teaching component, 8% of the program, requires program participants to teach in the predoctoral endodontic laboratory course, the predoctoral endodontic clinic, and urgent care clinic.

Research Component

The research component, 5% of the program, requires program participants to participate in a research project and prepare an initial manuscript suitable for publication to meet the graduation requirements. Research opportunities are available with consultation with the Director of Graduate Studies within the College of Dentistry.

Facilities

The post-graduate endodontic suite is located on the third floor of the College of Dentistry's Dental Science Building, 770 Rose Street, Lexington, Kentucky.  The clinic is a newly renovated, state of the art space that consists of well-equipped individual operatories. Each operatory has its own Global microscope suspended from the ceiling, ultrasonic units incorporated into the chairside delivery system, and chairside x-ray capability. Each treatment operatory has its own computer with two available LED monitors for viewing.   

Adjacent to the endodontic suite is the Endodontic Conference Room which has a 72” high definition monitor capable of viewing cases in the endodontic suite in real-time. Lectures, case presentations, and seminars take advantage of this technology daily, including the review of images for endodontic consolations for the college. In addition, there is a new Kodak CS 8100 CBCT machine conveniently located on the same floor as the endodontic suite.

Endodontics Admissions & Application

Explore admissions requirements, application procedures, and program details for the Endodontics Certificate Program. Review deadlines, eligibility criteria, and instructions for submitting your application through ADEA PASS. 

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UKCD Cost of Attendance

The Cost of Attendance (COA) budgets represent the University of Kentucky’s (UK’s) best estimate of both institutional (directly billed) and non-institutional (variable and not billed by UK) costs, students will incur during the 2025-26 academic year and should help students budget their resources effectively.

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Endodontics Program Questions

Dr. Mark Schachman
Mark Schachman Endodontics Program Director
Email
mark.schachman@uky.edu

Faculty

Dr. Alfred Wiemann

Alfred Wiemann

Assistant Professor; Division Chief of Endodontics

alfred.wiemann@uky.edu

Dr. Mark Schachman

Mark Schachman

Assistant Professor; Director of Advanced Endodontics

mark.schachman@uky.edu

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Jacob Weigle

Assistant Professor

jacob.weigle@uky.edu

Second-Year Graduate Students

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Sarah Goff

Endodontics Graduate Student

smgo224@uky.edu

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Michael Skanchy

Endodontics Graduate Student

Michael.Skanchy@uky.edu

First-Year Graduate Students

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Tyler Bare

Endodontics Graduate Student

Tyler.Bare@uky.edu

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De-Andrea Blaylock-Solar

Endodontics Graduate Student

Blaylock-Solar@uky.edu

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Amelia Coleman

Endodontics Graduate Student

anews2@uky.edu

Dr. Sierra Nunn

Sierra Nunn

Endodontics Graduate Student

sbwi222@uky.edu

Accreditation

The Endodontics Program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) and has been granted the accreditation status of "fully accredited without any recommendations". CODA is a specialized accrediting body recognized by the United States Department of Education.