The Department of Periodontics at UT Health San Antonio is one of 5 Departments in the Dental School and comprises 4 divisions: Predoctoral, Graduate/Specialist Postdoctoral, Research and Dental Hygiene. ITI Scholars will be actively engaged within the Research and Graduate divisions receiving mentorship from the Departmental faculty throughout their Scholarship year. The Research Division includes basic, translational and clinical research involving laboratory, animal preclinical and human investigations. The internationally renowned Graduate Division has approximately 4-5 postdoctoral students in each year of its three-year curriculum. The mission of the Department of Periodontology at UT Health San Antonio is well aligned with the ITI’s mission both in terms of quality education and innovative research. The Department has a long-standing history in patient care and has established a legacy of excellence in training periodontal surgeons who are leaders in clinical care and continuing education. A vast number of cutting-edge biomaterials and techniques have been supported by our research, such as enamel matrix derivatives and BMP-2. Integrity, excellence, collaboration and social responsibility in education and research are core values shared both by our Department and the ITI.

The ITI Scholar will participate in the following clinical activities:

• Treatment planning sessions
• Observing clinical patient treatment
• Assisting in patient treatment

The Scholar’s time will be allocated to the following activities as follows (estimate):

• 15% patient care
• 75% research
• 10% didactic

ITI Scholars are expected to participate in ongoing studies in the Department and focus specifically on implant and regenerative biomaterials research. The scholarship experience at UT Health San Antonio will be research-intensive and the Scholars will be primarily housed within the Translational Periodontal Research Lab. There they will be exposed to various research projects across the translational spectrum with a focus on implant and peri-implantitis research. Candidates should be able to understand and speak English well and have some previous exposure to dental research. During the one-year curriculum, the ITI Scholar is expected to complete a project that results in the submission of a manuscript to a peer-reviewed journal. In addition, the ITI Scholar will work closely with the Graduate residents and the Director of the Graduate program and will participate in didactic and preclinical implant training, and in multidisciplinary treatment planning. The ITI Scholar will be able to observe graduate implant cases including diagnosis, treatment planning and advanced surgical procedures. Individual patient care by the Scholar is not permitted. Our overall goal is for Scholars to enhance their knowledge of dental implants and become immersed in the ITI philosophy. The vision is that ITI Scholars will leave with new tools, ideas and knowledge that they can use in their professional careers.

The right to come to work and study in the United States is determined by U.S. Immigration laws. Acceptance into the program is contingent upon the receipt of the appropriate visa and immigration status. The candidate must be able to obtain J-1 visa. UT Health San Antonio is an official program sponsor for the J-1 Exchange Visitor Program as authorized by the U.S. Department of State. Applicants must hold a TOEFL certificate obtained within the past two years as proof of proficiency in English for non-native English speakers by the beginning of the ITI Scholarship program.

Dr. Georgios A. Kotsakis
UT Health San Antonio School of Dentistry
Department of Periodontics
7703 Floyd Curl Drive
San Antonio TX 78229-3900
USA
Email: [email protected]