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.
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.
The didactic component, 32% of the program, consists of seminars and coursework in a variety of endodontic topics including:
In addition, program participants will take additional core courses in the following areas:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
LEARN MORE
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.
Assistant Professor; Division Chief of Endodontics
alfred.wiemann@uky.edu
Assistant Professor, Director of Endodontics Certificate Program
mark.schachman@uky.edu
Assistant Professor
jacob.weigle@uky.edu
Endodontics Graduate Student
smgo224@uky.edu
Michael.Skanchy@uky.edu
Tyler.Bare@uky.edu
Blaylock-Solar@uky.edu
anews2@uky.edu
sbwi222@uky.edu
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.