Become a registered periodontist in New Zealand and Australia
What is Periodontology?
A periodontist is a dentist who specialises in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of periodontal disease, and in the placement of dental implants. Periodontists are also experts in the treatment of oral inflammation. Periodontists receive extensive training in these areas. They are familiar with the latest techniques for diagnosing and treating periodontal disease, and are also trained in performing cosmetic periodontal procedures.
DClinDent in Periodontology
| Duration | 3 years full-time |
|---|---|
| Campus | Dunedin |
Graduate pathway
Graduates of the DClinDent in Periodontology can register as a specialist periodontologist with the Dental Council of New Zealand and the Australian Dental Council. There is also an option to complete examinations with the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons.
Skills you will develop and learn
- Gain a detailed knowledge of the biological foundations of the periodontal tissues
- Understand the causes of periodontal diseases and the many factors which influence the pattern of periodontal destruction
- Be able to recognise and diagnose a wide range of periodontal problems
- Be able to provide a high standard of clinical care in the treatment of periodontal / peri-implant diseases and maintenance of periodontal / peri-implant health
- Be able to diagnose, plan, and execute the surgical phases of dental implant treatment
- Be able to critically appraise scientific literature
- Successfully complete a research project in a relevant periodontal, dental or biomedical field and learn the fundamental principles of scientific investigation
- Write a thesis based upon your chosen scientific investigation
- Acquire the essential attitudes and skills to enable independent continuing education and career development
- Gain the academic qualifications required to embark upon a career as a specialist periodontist either in private practice or academia
Staff expertise
Professor Warwick Duncan
Professor Duncan’s primary research activities involve the fields of Periodontology and Dental Implantology. His expertise is in the use of animal models for testing therapeutic strategies in these fields, including clinical, microbiological, histomorphometric, and radiomorphometric analysis of peri-implant, periodontal, and maxillofacial tissues.
He has international collaborations with universities and implant companies in Korea, South Africa, North America, and Switzerland. He is also involved in basic science and epidemiological research in the areas of clinical periodontics, dental implantology, forensics, and comparative anatomy.
Professor Andrew Tawse-Smith
Professor Tawse-Smith’s research platform is based on clinical research in oral implantology, periodontology and dental education. He has been involved in the prospective evaluation of patients rehabilitated with oral implants. Selected peri-implant parameters have been measured to evaluate implant success, survival rates, health of peri-implant tissues and patient satisfaction. As a part of the University of Otago–International Medical University (IMU) BDS partnership agreement, he has evaluated the transition of IMU students into the University of Otago dental curriculum.
Honorary Professor Patrick Schmidlin
Professor Schmidlin is Head of the Division of Periodontology at the University of Zurich, and Honorary Professor at the University of Otago. His clinical specialisations are periodontology, implant dentistry, and preventive and restorative dentistry. His research interests include anti-infective management of caries and periodontitis, prevention and non-/minimally invasive therapy of caries, non-surgical and regenerative periodontal therapy, peri-implantitis, and dentine hypersensitivity.
