Periodontics
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Graduate Program in Periodontology
The primary mission of the UNC Graduate Program in Periodontology is to advance the practice and science of periodontology and implantology through excellence in education, research, and innovation. We seek to serve our community and profession by providing and fostering periodontal care to improve oral and general health. We aspire to educate periodontists who will become outstanding clinicians, educators, researchers, and leaders. The program provides opportunities for interprofessional education and interdisciplinary collaborations.
The Graduate Program in Periodontology is approved and accredited by the Council on Dental Education of the American Dental Association.
Curriculum
To that end, we seek to offer a rigorous graduate experience that:
- Comprehensively trains periodontists in accordance with the standards and guidelines outlined by the Commission on Dental Accreditation, American Academy of Periodontology, and American Board of Periodontology
- Educates clinical scholars and scholarly clinicians who can make evidence-based decisions about the periodontal and peri-implant health of patients and/or populations
- Prepares and qualifies graduates for successful completion of the American Board of Periodontology certifying examination
- Fosters commitments to teaching and community engagement and service
- Improves the oral health quality of life of the people of North Carolina and beyond
The Graduate Periodontology Program is a combined academic degree (MS, MPH, or PhD) and certificate-training program spanning three or more years with didactic and clinical requirements.
Admissions
Applicants must utilize the Postdoctoral Application Support Service (PASS) administered by the American Dental Education Association and the Postdoctoral Dental Matching Program (MATCH).
“I have seen Shireen Chakkiwala, DDS ’25, and Natalia Acosta-Farhadi, DDS, MS, and receptionist Heather Quackenbush for my dental needs at Adams School of Dentistry, and they are great — very helpful, nice and professional.”
Periodontics patient
Additional Information
Application Deadline: August 1
Applicants must utilize the Postdoctoral Application Support Service (PASS) administered by the American Dental Education Association and the Postdoctoral Dental Matching Program (MATCH).
Applicants should not apply to the UNC graduate school until accepted into the program.
All prospective residents must hold a DDS, DMD or equivalent degree from a dental school. Additional training such as AEGD, GPR or practice experience is not required.
Admission criteria are applied equally to all applicants regardless of race, sex, color, national origin or religion. Minority students are encouraged to apply.
Residents receive a certificate in the specialty of periodontics and a Master of Science, Master of Public Health or PhD degree.
In addition to the above items, international applicants must include the following in their PASS application:
- Foreign transcripts evaluation
- TOEFL examination scores
International students are required to take the TOEFL exam with a minimum of 90 on the internet-based test, or the IELTS with a minimum score of 7.5. The exam score must be less than two years old.
International applicants must submit official academic records bearing the signature of the registrar or another academic official and either a raised or ink stamp or seal of the issuing institution. Records must be issued in the original language and be accompanied by certified English translations. International applicants must also submit verification that the degree has been awarded or a copy of the degree award.
Applicants may view the Adams School of Dentistry policies using the links below including, but not limited to, Bloodborne Pathogens and Infectious Disease.
The cost of attending graduate school includes tuition, fees, and health insurance, for which the student is billed directly. Tuition and fees for the master’s programs in the Adams School of Dentistry are available through the University Cashier.
Graduate students must pay tuition and fees during all years of study and training. These charges are subject to change at any meeting of the NC Board of Trustees and a yearly increase of 5-10 percent should be anticipated each year. Estimates for living expenses are available through the Office of Scholarships and Student Aid.
Out-of-state students and international students with permanent resident status (“green card”) are required to establish legal residence in North Carolina and to apply for classification as a state resident for tuition purposes when eligible. Failure to do so will result in the denial of tuition remission and in-state award. Guidelines and application forms for establishing residency are available from the UNC-Chapel Hill Graduate School.
Stipend Support
Stipends are contingent on availability of funds. Regardless of the availability of stipend support, teaching responsibilities are required as a part of the program.
Tuition Remission
Tuition remission, or the reduction by 50% of the out-of-state to the in-state tuition rate, is awarded by the semester as is a 50% in-state award which also reduces tuition cost.
To meet the general eligibility requirements, the student must be enrolled as a full-time student during the semester of the award.
Awards are contingent on availability of funds; having a teaching or research assistantship does not guarantee remission will be awarded. There is no application process for tuition remission. Tuition remission is not offered during the summer.
Graduates are expected to participate in research oral presentations during the 1st year of residency, and to present their thesis research in the Adams School of Dentistry’s Research Day during the third year of residency. Preparation of a master’s level project with submission to a peer reviewed journal and an oral defense are required. Students will be encouraged to prepare abstracts and/or table clinics for scientific or educational meetings, as appropriate.
Students who are not graduates of an ADA-accredited dental school must complete a simulation exam as part of their NC intern permit process. Such candidates must pass and complete the simulation exam within two months of their formal matriculation in the program. If a candidate does not pass the simulation exam within the two-month interval, they cannot advance in the clinical program and will be subject to dismissal from the program. These students are also required to take and pass Applied Pharmacology in Summer Term II.
Meet the Residents
Chandler Conner, DMD
UNC Periodontology Class of 2025
About Chandler
Chandler Conner, DMD, is a native of North Carolina. Growing up as an avid NC State fan, he is happy to be at UNC to further his dental education. After completing his undergraduate degree at NC State, he continued his education at East Carolina School of Dental Medicine to complete his Doctor of Dental Medicine degree. As a dental student, Chandler helped establish the Periodontal Interest Group at ECU SoDM. Chandler loves spending time with his fiancé, family, friends, and traveling. He loves to talk sports and attend Durham Bulls games whenever possible.
Shadoe Stewart, DDS
UNC Periodontology Class of 2025
About Shadoe
Shadoe Stewart, DDS, was technically born in southern Illinois, but after short stints in Anchorage, AK and San Antonio, TX, he eventually found his way to beautiful Goldsboro, North Carolina where he spent the majority of his formative years. Shadoe studied Geography, City & Regional Planning, and Southern Studies as an undergraduate at UNC-CH. He went on to work for five years at Bull City Burger and Brewery in Durham, NC where he worked as a brewer, bartender, and restaurant manager. Shadoe discovered a passion for molecular biology and biochemistry after completing the Intensive Brewing Science and Engineering program through the American Brewers Guild. He would go on to earn his Masters of Physiology from NC State University where he also served as a TA and private tutor in Organic Chemistry. After three years at NC State, Shadoe returned to Chapel Hill, this time as a student at the Adams School of Dentistry. In dental school, he discovered his interest in periodontology and affirmed his interest in teaching. He hopes to pursue a career in academic dentistry after residency. Shadoe enjoys hiking, spending time with his wife, Casey, and their dog, Ruth, and watching San Antonio Spurs basketball.
Kameron Wilding, DDS
UNC Periodontology Class of 2025
About Kameron
Kameron Wilding, DDS, was raised in Plano, Texas until the time he graduated high school. After high school, Kameron went on a two-year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints to the country of Paraguay, where he learned to speak Spanish fluently. After his mission, Kameron attended Brigham Young University where he studied Exercise Science and Business Management. During that time, Kameron met his wife of 6 years at a wedding where both of their best friends happened to be marrying each other. After graduation from BYU, Kameron started dental school in San Antonio, Texas. Kameron and his beautiful wife celebrated the birth of a healthy baby boy in June before moving to Chapel Hill. When Kameron is not busy with school, he enjoys traveling and trying new restaurants with his wife, playing golf, and making things on his smoker.
Natalia Acosta-Farhadi, DDS
UNC Periodontology Class of 2026
About Natalia
Natalia Acosta-Farhadi grew up living in the sunny state of Florida where she spent her days at the beach, playing softball, and visiting theme parks. She graduated high school with her Associate of Arts degree and then went on to obtain a Bachelor’s degree in Microbiology and Cell Sciences at the University of Florida (UF) in Gainesville, Florida.
After completing her undergraduate degree, Natalia worked as a research technician in the Oral Biology Department at the UF College of Dentistry. Her research in the Abranches lab, in collaboration with the UF Pediatric Dentistry, focused on the association of Candida albicans and Streptococcus mutans with collagen binding properties in early childhood caries (ECC) recurrence. Natalia’s research is published in the journal Scientific Reports and the Journal of Endodontics, and her work has been presented at multiple international research conferences.
While at UF, Natalia obtained a Master of Science in Health Education and Behavior. Her thesis focused on building collaborations between local, state, and federal health agencies, health organizations, and patient care settings to plan, implement, and evaluate beneficial oral health programs that improve public health.
Natalia then moved to San Francisco to attend the University of California – San Francisco (UCSF) School of Dentistry where she obtained her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree. During her dental training, Natalia was an active board member for UCSF’s American Student Dental Association, American Association of Women Dentists, and Hispanic Student Dental Association where she was involved with her community by participating in outreach, advocacy, and mentorship events. Natalia proudly served as Class President for three years and was nominated to be the student speaker for the UCSF Class of 2023 commencement ceremony.
Natalia’s passion for providing her patients with the highest level of dental care, and her interest in learning state-of-the-art periodontal surgeries brought her to the UNC Adams School of Dentistry Graduate program in Periodontology. While at UNC-Chapel Hill, she looks forward to exploring everything the beautiful state of North Carolina has to offer. When she’s not in the clinic, Natalia loves traveling with her husband and spending time with her pets. She enjoys reading, yoga, hiking, baking, playing the piano, and exploring new restaurants in her spare time!
Corey Lopes, DMD
UNC Periodontology Class of 2026
About Corey
Corey Lopes was raised on Cape Cod, Massachusetts. She attended the University of Connecticut where she received her Bachelor of Science in Physiology and Neurobiology. During her time at university, she participated in a neuroscience program in Salamanca, Spain.
She began her dental education by attending Boston University and receiving her Master’s of Science in Oral Health Sciences. Corey continued her studies at Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine. She served as a tutor and teaching assistant in multiple courses, and was inducted into the Omicron Kappa Upsilon dental honor society.
After graduation, she moved to Chapel Hill to begin her periodontology residency at the UNC Adams School of Dentistry.
In her free time, Corey enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, reading, and staying active. She is looking forward to attending UNC sporting events and exploring the Chapel Hill area.
Jaclyn Smollett, DMD
UNC Periodontology Class of 2026
About Jaclyn
Jaclyn Smollett was born in Boynton Beach, FL. She and her family then moved to Charlotte, NC. Shortly after high school, she attended Central Piedmont Community College to pursue a dental assistant diploma and an associate of applied science in dental hygiene.
While working as a dental hygienist, she went on to receive a bachelor’s degree in biology at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte in Biology. From there she felt the calling to further her education and attended East Carolina School of Dental Medicine and received her Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry degree.
Her passion for dentistry, her previous work and educational background inspired her to become passionate about periodontology. She moved to Chapel Hill, NC to start her periodontology residency at the UNC Adams School of Dentistry.
In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her husband, son, and two rescue dogs, traveling, and watching the Washington Commanders football team.
Christine Sulzer, DDS
UNC Periodontology Class of 2027
About Christine
Christine Sulzer was born and raised in a small town outside of Asheboro, North Carolina. She attended Guilford Technical Community College to receive an associate in applied science in dental hygiene. After working several years as a clinical dental hygienist, she felt led to pursue a higher education in dentistry and completed pre-dental school course work at the University of North Carolina Greensboro.
Christine graduated from UNC Adams School of Dentistry with honors in the area of a clinician. In her time there she was a teaching assistant for several courses, served on the executive board of her class, completed a semester long externship as an Adams Rural Oral Health and Wellness Scholar in the beautiful NC mountains, and was inducted into Omicron Kappa Upsilon dental honor society. Christine did not intend on specializing when entering dental school, but quickly found that she could not deny her dental hygiene roots and found her passion in periodontology. She was awarded The American Academy of Periodontology Student Award.
Christine enjoys spending her free time with her husband, Pete, and their pup, Darcy, hiking, traveling, and cooking.
Maya Fedhila, DDS
UNC Periodontology Class of 2027
About Maya
Maya Fedhila was raised in Tunis, the capital of Tunisia, a sunny country bordered by the Mediterranean Sea. Following high school, she relocated to Monastir to complete a six-year program and obtained her DDS from the University of Dental Medicine of Monastir. During that time, she served as an educator in Dental Anatomy and was a dedicated research workforce member of the International Association of Dental Students, thus fostering her passion for research.
Two years ago, she moved to Greenville, North Carolina, to pursue her long-standing dream of attending a Periodontology specialty program in the USA, and to join her husband who started his internal medicine residency at ECU Health. She had the privilege of shadowing esteemed mentors in their practice of Periodontology at ECU School of Dental Medicine and volunteering as a research assistant to investigate the role of long non-coding RNA in Periodontitis Grad C.
With the sun at heart, Maya loves to explore nature in her free time, engaging in outdoor activities such as hiking, biking, and beach outings with her husband and friends. Her culinary curiosity and appreciation for diverse flavors make her a discerning foody. After falling for the state of North Carolina with its natural splendor and nicest residents, she looks forward to staying in the state and embarking on her periodontology residency at UNC Adams School of Dentistry.
Megan Blackstock, DMD
UNC Periodontology Class of 2027
About Megan
Megan Blackstock, DMD, Periodontology Class of 2027, grew up in Eden, NC. She attended high school at the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics in Durham, NC where she gained a passion for chemistry and environmental science. Megan then entered Wake Forest University as a first-generation Magnolia Scholar where she received her Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry with a concentration in biochemistry.
After completing her undergraduate degree, Megan worked as a chemist for two years in Greensboro, NC. She then went on to receive her Doctor of Dental Medicine with honors from the East Carolina University School of Dental Medicine. As a student, Megan was involved in various research experiences including studying the impact of custom healing abutments on soft tissue healing and evaluating the accuracy of CBCT reconstructed panoramic images in periodontal assessment. During her time in dental school, Megan served as a didactic and lab tutor and was inducted into the Omicron Kappa Upsilon dental honor society.
In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, gardening, and tending to her farm animals.
Contact
Mailing Address
UNC Adams School of Dentistry
Campus Box #7450
Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7450
Program Director: Cristiano Susin, DDS, MS, PhD
csusin@unc.edu
