A silver dental handpiece and a row of color-coded endodontic files on a blue sterile surface.

Endodontics Postgraduate Program

The UCSF Division of Endodontics offers an outstanding environment for dental graduates seeking specialty training. With state-of-the-art facilities and a faculty that includes experts across dental specialties, residents benefit from a rigorous didactic and clinical curriculum designed to prepare them as leaders in endodontics.

transparent resin tooth model held by gloved hands, showing the red internal root canal system.

Why choose UCSF Endodontics?

Comprehensive curriculum emphasizing the biological basis of endodontic disease and its treatment
Hands-on clinical training comprising 50–60% of the program, including surgical and nonsurgical cases
Advanced technology integration such as CBCT 3D imaging and the surgical operating microscope
Interdisciplinary learning through seminars, case presentations, and collaboration with other dental specialists
Graduates are fully prepared and educationally qualified to pursue board certification through the American Board of Endodontics

Close-up of a dentist using a high-speed drill and a dental mirror during a procedure on a patient's tooth.

Program overview

This full-time, 24-month residency begins July 1 each year. The program blends lectures, seminars, and advanced coursework in microbiology, oral pathology, and endodontic literature with intensive clinical experience. Graduates earn a certificate in endodontics and are educationally qualified to pursue board certification by the American Board of Endodontics.

Residents are expected to devote 100% of their professional activities to the program. Yearly stipends may be available depending on eligibility and funding.

The UCSF Endodontics program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA).

Start your application

To be eligible for admission to the General Practice Residency program, you must:
- Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
- Hold a DDS or DMD degree from a CODA-accredited dental school by program start
- Meet NBDE or INBDE exam requirements:
  - Current students: must pass NBDE Part 1 or INBDE by the application deadline
  - Graduates: must submit NBDE Parts 1 and 2 or INBDE by the application deadline
- Taking the ADAT is optional
1. Submit your application through the Postdoctoral Application Support Service (ADEA PASS) application. Include personal essay, CV, official dental school transcripts, unofficial undergraduate/graduate transcripts, three PASS evaluation forms, dean’s evaluation, and required scores.
2. Register with the Postdoctoral Dental Matching Program to obtain a match code number and submit a rank order list.
3. Pay the $60 nonrefundable UCSF processing fee through the UCSF application fee portal.
4. If you have international coursework: submit a course-by-course evaluation by ECE or WES. A WES ICAP report fulfills both evaluation and transcript requirements.
The admissions committee reviews all complete applications. Selection is based on GPA, NBDE scores, Professional Evaluation Form (PEF), personal essay, class rank, and interviews. Strong consideration is given to applicants committed to hospital-based dentistry and aligned with program goals.
UCSF does not use race, gender, sex, or other protected categories in the selection process.
Interviews are conducted in person from early to mid-November. Invitations are sent directly by the program.