Your Dental Career Starts Here
How can we help?
PDA is committed to you throughout your entire career, starting as a dental student. When you are enrolled at one of our PA dental schools, you have access to the many resources and benefits that we offer our licensed dentists.
We invite and encourage you to take advantage of career resources, mentor programs, participate in events, webinars and even be involved in advocacy efforts. We offer many resources on initial licensure, associateships and residency programs as well.
Dental Education in PA
We are proud of our dental schools and the incredible reputations they maintain as well as the educated and skilled dentists that they send out to the work force. Each school has something unique to offer the potential dental student. Read more below to see what interests you!
LECOM
School of Dental Medicine, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine
As a leader in medical education, LECOM offers innovative and affordable education in osteopathic medicine, pharmacy and dental medicine. From campuses in Erie and Greensburg, Pennsylvania, Bradenton, Florida, and Elmira, New York, LECOM provides student-centered pathways to prepare the next generation of health care professionals.
Temple University
Temple University Kornberg School of Dentistry
The “City of Brotherly Love” boasts this R1 research institution with renowned faculty, outstanding alumni as well as state-of-the-art clinical labs and facilities.
University of Penn
University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine
Established in 1878, Penn Dental Medicine is among the oldest university-affiliated dental schools in the nation. Penn’s 12 schools are located on a singular campus within walking distance of one another.
University of Pitt
University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine
The mission of the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine is to improve oral health through teaching, research and service.
Career Resources
Career Resources
When you consider dentistry as an occupation, you have many options when applying your knowledge and skills. Some ideas include:
- Solo practice
- Group practice
- DSO (Dental Service Organization)
- Public Health
Click or tap below for more information.
Helpful Links
Path to Licensure
Pathway to Initial Licensure
Applications and all supporting documentation can be submitted online.
INITIAL APPLICATION FEE: $200
RENEWAL FEE: $263
BASIC REQUIREMENTS FOR INITIAL LICENSURE
- OPIOID CE: Applicants for initial licensure must complete 4 hours of continuing education – 2 hours of pain management or identification of addiction and 2 hours of prescribing or dispensing of opioids, from a board approved program provider.
- Important laws, rules and regulations can be obtained by visiting the SBOD website.
- The state board accepts all regional exams towards licensure, including: CDCA, WREB, SRTA, CRDTS and CITA.
Self-Study (Online) CE Courses Available - 24/7 here.
The following online self-study CE courses are complimentary for PDA member dentists (fee charged for non-dentist staff and non-member dentists):
- HIPAA Compliance for Dental Teams – 1 CE credit
- Principles of Infection Prevention and Control for Dentistry – 1 CE credit
- Child Abuse Recognition and Reporting for Dental Professionals (satisfies Act 31) – 2 CE credits
- Pain Management Alternatives and Identification of Addiction (satisfies Act 124) – 2 CE credits
- Promoting Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccination in Primary Care and Dental Practices – 2 CE credits
- Radiation Protection Update – 2 CE credits
Residency Info
Residency Program
If you are enrolled in a residency program, you are eligible to join the tripartite for $0 dues. This means that your ADA, PDA and district/local society membership is complimentary while you are enrolled in your Pennsylvania residency program.
You will be eligible for the dues reductions of the Graduated Dues Structure when you complete your residency program. The following residency programs are available in Pennsylvania:
- GENERAL PRACTICE RESIDENCY
- ADVANCED EDUCATION IN GENERAL DENTISTRY
- ORAL & MAXILLOFACIAL SURGERY
- ORTHODONTICS & DENTOFACIAL ORTHOPEDICS
- PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY
- PERIODONTICS
- ENDODONTICS
- PROSTHODONTICS
- PERIODONTICS PROSTHESIS
- ORAL & MAXILLOFACIAL PATHOLOGY
- ORTHODONTICS/PERIODONTICS
- ORAL MEDICINE
- DENTAL ANESTHESIOLOGY
Student Loans
Student Loan Refinancing
PDA has partnered with SoFi, the largest provider of student loan refinancing. By refinancing your student and part PLUS loans at competitively low rates, you can save thousands. Check your rates online in just two minutes and get a 0.125% interest rate discount when you refinance! Call (877) 732-4748 for more information.
ADA exclusively endorses Laurel Road Student Refinancing Program, which provides unmatched opportunities for members to refinance existing federal and private undergraduate and graduate school loans at a 0.25% lower rate than Laurel Roads’ already low rates, Call (855) 277-6771 for more information or submit your application here.