Introduction
Periodontology is a rewarding, high-impact field. It’s perfect for dentists who want to specialize and focus on the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of gum disease.
As a dentist and periodontist in West Allis, I know how important it is to have a strong educational foundation. Choosing the right school is crucial if you want to specialize, provide advanced care, and be the expert that patients turn to for gum disease prevention.
In Wisconsin, there’s only one school to earn a periodontology specialization: Marquette University’s School of Dentistry. Marquette’s program equips you with clinical expertise and hands-on training to excel in practice. If you’re serious about a career in periodontics, read on to see what this program offers.
Marquette University’s Periodontics Program (All You Need To Know)
Marquette University’s School of Dentistry is the only dental school offering a periodontics program in Wisconsin.
The 36-month master’s program is fully accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association (ADA) and provides training in four areas: didactic, clinical, research, and teaching.
It also ticks all boxes for eligibility to the American Board of Periodontology.
Program Description
The program trains highly skilled oral healthcare practitioners and prepares graduates for practice immediately upon graduation. You’ll learn good gum practices such as regular flossing and how to do dental implants the right way. In addition, you’ll learn the best dental hygiene practices to ensure a happy, healthy mouth.
As a periodontal resident at Marquette University, you must complete at least 50 credit hours of coursework (which includes 12 credit hours of clinical practice and 6 credit hours of thesis work).
Other credits will be added from periodontology-specific courses assigned by the program director:
Dr. Vrisiis Kofina, D.D.S., M.S., heads the program as an Assistant Professor and Grad Program Director in Periodontics. She obtained her D.D.S. from the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece, and her M.S. and Certificate in Periodontics from The Ohio State University, before specializing in Periodontology.
After completing this program, you’ll earn a specialty master’s degree certificate awarded by the Marquette University Graduate School.
How To Apply?
To apply for periodontal residency at Marquette University, you must participate in the ADEA PASS application process and post-doctoral national matching program (Match).
The deadline for application is August 1 and international students are always accepted.
The online application is available on the school’s website and must be completed after the Match results and only by the chosen candidates.
- Program Length: 36 months
- Enrollment: 2 residents per year (6 residents total)
- Program degree: Certificate and Master of Science
- Tuition fees: $45,035 (Billed $9,005 Summer, $18,015 in Fall and Spring)
- Stipend: $1,000/week of on-call service as tuition discount
- Eligibility to the American Board of Periodontology: Yes
FAQs
How long is Periodontology school?
According to the American Dental Education Association (ADEA), most periodontal education programs last 35 months, though program length may vary. There are currently 57 periodontology programs in the United States.
What are the admission requirements for a periodontology program?
To gain admission into most periodontology programs within the States, you’ll need a DDS or DMD degree. You’ll also need to pass the National Board Dental Examinations (NBDE), and participate in the Postdoctoral Application Support Service (PASS) and the Postdoctoral Dental Matching Program (the Match).
What is a dentist salary in Wisconsin?
As of March 01, 2025, the average annual salary for a Dentist in Wisconsin is $195,234. Salary.com reports that pay typically ranges from $174,518 to $219,877, with most professionals earning between $155,658 and $242,314.
What is the difference between a dentist and a periodontist?
In simple terms, a dentist is a general dental practitioner that provides comprehensive oral care, which includes teeth cleaning, implants, removal of wisdom teeth, fillings, and root canals.
While a periodontist is a dental specialist that only treats diseases affecting the gum, tissues and bones supporting the teeth. The periodontist typically sees severe cases that require a specialist.