Advanced Prosthodontics

Advanced Prosthodontics Preceptorship

• Program Overview
• Admissions Requirements
• Application Procedure
• Decisions Process
• Immigration Regulations
• Health Insurance
• Contact Information

Program Overview

Kumar Shah, BDS, MS, FACP
Program Director

A primary aim of the Advanced Prosthodontics Preceptorship is to teach students not only the importance of replacing oral structures but to stress preservation and optimization of the supporting structures through a coordinated effort with the other dental specialties. Within the clinical area, perceptors are exposed to the philosophies and principles of prosthodontic treatment with fixed, removable, implant, and maxillofacial prosthodontics. Advanced and specialized methods required for care of extraordinary and unusual cases are stressed. While preceptors do not treat patients in the clinic, they participate in sessions for treatment planning and sequencing clinical work. Clinical practice will be limited to observation and required chair-side assistance for prosthodontics procedures. Additionally, preceptors attend weekly literature review seminars to develop the ability to critically evaluate dental literature.

This program also provides some opportunity to interact with a broad spectrum of researchers in the Weintraub Center for Reconstructive Biotechnology. Innovative research on bone biology, gene therapy, cellular responses to biomaterials, and evaluation of outcomes of prosthodontic research are ongoing in the center.

A certificate of attendance is awarded upon successful completion of the program. This certificate is not the same as the postgraduate program certificate awarded to full-time international postgraduates in specialty training as a qualification for recognition by the Commission on Dental Accreditation.

Length of Program: 1 – 4 quarters. This program offers 4 options to suit each enrollee’s academic interests and needs. Applicants must specify the quarter they would like to begin and the length of program they desire.

Number of Positions: 2 – 4

Tuition: $4,700 per quarter (subject to change)*

Certificate Fee: one-time payment of $200

International Student Fee: $1,300 (only for those requesting I-20s for F-1 student status)

*Tuition is due two weeks before the first day of the academic quarter.

Admissions Requirements

• Degree from a dental school accredited by the local government jurisdiction
• English language proficiency

Application Procedure

Applicants must submit all of the following materials:

• UCLA Preceptorship Program Application
• Official dental education transcripts translated into English or ECE Course-by-Course Report
• 3 confidential reports from people with knowledge of the applicant’s skills and potential
• Proof of English language proficiency for applicants with English as a second language
• (an interview in English may also be required)
• One-time, non-refundable application fee of $150.00 (the application fee must be paid in US dollars in the form of a check drawn from a US-affiliated bank, cashier's check, or money order made payable to UC Regents.)

All application materials must be sent directly to:

If you wish to use a courier service please use the following address:

Incomplete files will not be considered.

Photocopies of official transcripts and TOEFL score will not be accepted.

Application Deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the initial quarter of enrollment.

Upon Acceptance: There is a non-refundable fee of $1,300 due after acceptance for those who need an I-20 to apply for an F-1 student visa. There is also a $200 certificate fee to confirms your acceptance of the program. These fees are not applied towards your tuition and are non-refundable.

Decisions Process

The admissions committee considers the following criteria in its decisions:

• Academic achievement (GPA and class rank if available)
• Research interests
• Content of personal statement, including the applicant's interest in prosthodontics, reason for applying to the program, and goals for the program if he/she is accepted
• Content of confidential reports

The decision on acceptance will be made on a rolling basis.

Immigration Regulations

All preceptors who are not U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or on a visa status authorized for enrollment in full-time studies must enter the United States on an F-1 visa. The 1-20AB necessary for application for an F-1 visa is processed by the School’s International Advisor.  This is a non-immigrant visa which presumes you are in the United States for the purpose of studying for a limited time. The I-20AB request form will be sent to you after acceptance to the program.

Health Insurance & Clearance

All foreign students attending UCLA are required to be insured under an adequate medical insurance plan during all periods of registration. Medical insurance is not provided by UCLA for preceptorship students, and preceptors cannot be seen at the on-campus student health facility. The School of Dentistry requires that you obtain a health clearance prior to enrollment in the program for individual and community health reasons. The health clearance must include a complete physical examination and demonstration of immunity to certain communicable diseases. Annual monitoring for tuberculosis will also be necessary.

Contact Information