Stephen Davis, D.D.S., Director, Endodontic Residency
Phone: 562-826-5407
Fax #: 562/826-8007

I.  PURPOSE
The Department of Veterans Affairs Endodontic Residency Program was established in Long Beach in 1968.
The purpose of the residency program is to develop clinically skilled endodontists who have a sound biological understanding of the field of endodontics. The program is designed to develop proficiency in the specialized field and to provide the educational background for continual development throughout a professional career. The program meets the requirements of eligibility for the American Board of Endodontics and is accredited by the Council of Dental Education of the American Dental Association. The program is two years (24 months) in length with two residents in each year. The basic science education is integrated with the clinical training and is presented within the hospital environment. There is also a close working relationship with the endodontic residency program at University of Southern California as well as University of California Los Angeles, and Loma Linda University.

II. INITIAL ACTIVITIES
Orientation: At the beginning of the residency year, a period of orientation will be provided so that each resident will attain a working knowledge of the functions and administration of the Medical Center and Dental Service. The following subjects are included in this period of instruction:
1. Tour of the medical center to visit other services and departments for general familiarization.
2. General policies of the medical center related to resident responsibilities.
3. Standard procedures in the medical center related to patient care, including the use of medical records for recording all clinical and laboratory findings, as well as the treatment rendered.
4. General policies and procedures of the Dental Service, such as patient eligibility and on-call responsibilities.
5. Dental Examination Room procedures, records and policies.
6. A one- week intensive Hospital Dentistry Course will be given to familiarize the resident with the dental management of the medically compromised patient.

III. EDUCATIONAL PROCEDURES
A. The advanced educational program in Endodontics offers the opportunity for increasing diagnostic ability and the development of clinical judgment and surgical skills to practice the specialty to its fullest scope as defined by the American Dental Association. Lectures, literature review and treatment planning seminars reinforce the clinical course. Clinical practice is approximately 55-60% of the resident's time. The complete spectrum of microsurgical and non-surgical techniques are presented.

B. RESEARCH: All residents must satisfy a research requirement in accordance with Requirements and Guidelines for Advanced Education Programs in Endodontics. The research may take the form of clinical or laboratory investigations or a critical analysis and synthesis of a selected topic in the scientific literature.

C. GUEST LECTURES: Through cooperation with other endodontic residency programs, opportunities are available for residents to attend presentations by guest speakers.  Some travel is necessary when speakers are appearing at other facilities.

D. FEES AND STIPEND: There is no application fee to submit an application to VA Long Beach. The Endodontic Residency Program is hospital-based and has no required tuition.  Residents are required to purchase some personal study materials.  Stipends range from $45,000 to 52,000 (PGY1-5) depending on the number of years of post graduate training the resident has already received (GPR, AEGD, other specialty).

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS AND PROCEDURE FOR RESIDENCY IN ENDODONTICS

A. Graduation from a United States or Canadian dental school which has been approved by the American Dental Association Council on Dental Education

B. A valid, active dental license issued by any state in United States of America

C. Personal Interview upon invitation

D. United States citizens are given first consideration

The following materials must be forwarded before the deadline of August 15

1. Three Letters of Recommendation, (each letter in a separate envelope and signed across the flap by the author)

2. Letter from the Dean of the candidate's dental school

3. Application for Residents (VA Form 10-2850b)  can be downloaded and then filled out.

4. National Board Scores (in sealed official ADA envelope)

5. College (undergraduate) Transcripts (in sealed official college envelope)

6. Dental School Transcripts (in sealed official dental school envelope)

7. Curriculum Vitae and personal statement 

8. Other Information you wish to include

The above materials should be completed, signed where needed and mailed to:

Applicants who submitted a complete application to VA Long Beach one year prior may simplify their present application by submitting:

1. a new, updated application form
2. an updated curriculum vitae
3. one new letter of recommendation