The Center for Implant Dentistry at the University of Florida College of Dentistry has been involved in the ITI Scholarship Program since it was established in 1999. The Center offers a unique interdisciplinary environment for ITI Scholars as its mission includes education, research and service.

Although a significant volume of simple edentulous and partially dentate patients are treated, the Center has become a referral resource for patients with complex esthetic needs and has a growing association with treatment of a range of genetic disorders. Many patients receive augmentation procedures that are performed as part of a comprehensive, crown-down planning and treatment philosophy. In addition, the Center continues to develop research standing associated with loading protocols, implant components and patient health. Many of the research initiatives are designed in cooperation with faculty both within the College of Dentistry and the surrounding Health Science Center Colleges.

During the Scholatship year, the ITI Scholar will participate in the following clinical activities:

☒     Treatment planning sessions
☒     Performing oral hygiene procedures and maintenance
☒     Observing patient treatment
☒     Assisting in patient treatment
☒     Treating patients under faculty supervision
              ☒      Placing implants
              ☒      Restoring implants
☒     Treating patients alone
              ☐      Placing implants
              ☒      Restoring implants
☒     Laboratory and procedures associated with treatment and digital workflow procedures (scanning, smile design, digital tooth arrangement, implant planning and guide design and fabrication via 3-D printing, provisional fabrication via 3-D printing and, hardware and software maintenance).

The State of Florida may provide limited permits for appropriately credentialed candidates, allowing for the provision of clinical patient care services under faculty supervision. The CID Faculty will determine the extent of patient treatment based on the progression of skills demonstrated by the scholar during their time in the Center.  

During the Scholarship year, the ITI Scholar will participate in the following research activities: 

☒      Development and coordinated involvement with existing center research activities 
☒      Involvement in preclinical research  
☐      Involvement in translational research 
☐      Involvement in clinical research   
☒      Mentors will be assigned to the Scholar according to their research preference  
☒      Scholars will be able to start their own research projects  
We will support the scholar in desired research activities, but research is not a requirement for acceptance into the program. 
 
The Scholar’s time will be allocated to the following activities as follows:  

• 75% patient care 
• 10% research 
• 15% didactic (lectures and/or courses the Scholar can attend) 

The Scholarship program is directed towards specialists in the field of dentistry who want to build upon the foundation of implant dentistry that was established in their respective specialty training programs (prosthodontic training required). The program requires participation in the clinical sessions located in the Center for Implant Dentistry on Mondays – Fridays as well as scheduled didactic sessions with the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Prosthodontic Residents.

During the program, ITI Scholars will have the opportunity to participate in the daily implant center clinical practice activities including consultations, treatment planning, surgical and restorative procedures, in addition to limited laboratory time including template and provisional fabrication. When patients are treated in an operating room setting (hospital), Scholars will have the opportunity to observe OMFS faculty and residents as well as accompany the residents on hospital rounds.

Attire: Scholars may wear Implant Center or OMFS approved scrubs while in the OMFS/Implant Center clinic. Hospital scrubs are required in the Operating Room. Proper hygiene must be maintained during the year program.

Scholarship Goals

• Educational: Our educational goal for this scholarship program is to assist clinicians by increasing their knowledge in clinical oral surgery and prosthodontics and their interdisciplinary relationship to the treatment of patients with dental implants.
• Patient Care: Our patient care goal is to develop qualified, skillful clinicians who practice using an evidence-based and clinically effective approach to implant dentistry while making use of state-of-the-art armamentaria and treatment modalities.
• Research: Our research goal is to provide an environment for laboratory-based research and the dissemination of scholarly activity.

Scholarship Year Learning Objectives

• ITI Scholars at the Center for Implant Dentistry have and will continue to be able to participate in all aspects of implant-based care. They will work in a team environment under the direction of Center faculty. ITI Scholars will be required to develop a fundamental understanding of planning and treatment philosophy, before being, where possible, afforded the opportunity to plan and treat patients of their own. All ITI Scholars are encouraged to attend continuing education programs offered by Center faculty at the University of Florida. In addition it is expected that each ITI Scholar will be involved in research programs, either established within the Center or where possible following individual initiative.

At the conclusion of this scholarship, participants should be able to:

• Provide a comprehensive implant consultation including: diagnosis, examination (intra- and extra-) and data collection. Record legible progress notes and generate a comprehensive restorative and surgical treatment plan.
• Understand the communication between other specialists and technichians in the overall rehabilitation of patients with dental needs.
• Perform Straightforward and Advanced surgical procedures as highlighted by the ITI SAC Publication, 2007.
• Perform Straightforward, Advanced and Complex restorative procedures as highlighted by the ITI SAC Publication, 2007.
• Be able to troubleshoot complications as they relate to patients who report to the CID after treatment performed elsewhere.

Language requirements:

☒      Fluency in English
☒      TOEFL or IELTS certificate as proof of proficiency in English (for non-native English speakers) by the beginning of the ITI Scholarship year. Applicants are recommended to have a cumulative score of 80 on the Internet-Based TOEFL (iBT) or 6 overall band score on the IELTS.

Special requirements:

At least 2 years’ postgraduate training in Prosthodontics is required and is mandatory for acceptance. Postgraduate training must be finished by the time the Scholarship year starts.

The State of Florida may provide limited permits for appropriately credentialed candidates, allowing for the provision of clinical patient care services under faculty supervision. Acceptance into the program is contingent upon the receipt of appropriate visa and immigration status. The right to provide patient care under supervision is regulated by the Board of Dentistry, State of Florida. Proficiency in English is required, TOEFL or IELTS certificate may be used as proof of proficiency.

Scholars will need an Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE) – prior to coming to the University of Florida. This is an evaluation of their education transcript and its relation to US coursework. Additional information will be provided to the Scholar upon acceptance by the Scholarship Center.

Scholarship Center Chair: Dr. William Martin
Scholarship Center Co-Chair: Dr. Luiz Gonzaga
University of Florida 
Dept. of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
PO Box 100416
32610 Gainesville FL
USA
Email: [email protected]