Externships and Visits

General Information

The Postdoctoral Periodontal Program at The Ohio State University College of Dentistry offers externship opportunities to qualified dental students. The purpose of the externship is to expose dental students to advanced study in periodontics as well as postdoctoral periodontal students and faculty. An externship is ideal for students considering a career in periodontology to find out if this is the field for them.

In addition, we welcome visits from any students or dental professionals who are considering an application to our residency program. A visit will allow prospective applicants to meet and interact with current residents and faculty, and to see the attributes of the program firsthand.

An externship or visit can vary in length from one day to two weeks. There is no tuition or cost charged for this visit. However, all externs and visitors are responsible for their own travel, lodging, meals and other expenses.

Depending on length, a visit to the Ohio State periodontics program will expose the student or prospective resident to the following aspects of the program: classes, periodontal literature seminars, treatment plan and/or surgical seminars, interdisciplinary seminars, and observation in the postdoctoral clinic. Observation in the clinic may include exposure to non-surgical and surgical techniques, including guided tissue regeneration, soft and hard tissue augmentation, periodontal plastic surgery, dental implant surgery, and IV sedation.  

Visitors to the program are not allowed to provide patient care. Clinical activities are limited to observation only.

A student participating in an externship is responsible for complying with all rules and policies of their dental school regarding externships to other institutions.

Applying for a Visit

To be considered for an externship or visit:

• Complete the Externship/Visit Application
• Send the application, along with your current CV, to Dr. Binnaz Leblebicioglu at (leblebicioglu.1@osu.edu).
• Please include in your email message the reason that you are interested in visiting the program (for example, as a dental student externship, interest in applying to the program).

Required Documents — to be submitted after acceptance for an externship or visit 

The following are required of all visitors to the program: 

1. Completed and signed Confidentiality Agreement and Liability Release
2. For each of the following, either documentation of vaccination or a blood test showing immunity:
   1. Hepatitis B
   2. Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR)
   3. Varicella (chicken pox)
   4. Diphtheria, Tetanus and Pertussis (Tdap)
3. Negative Tuberculosis test or medical clearance with positive test, within the past year
4. During the period of September 1st through March 31st of each year, documentation of the seasonal influenza vaccination
5. Certificates of training:
   1. HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) compliance
   2. OSHA bloodborne pathogens
   3. Basic Life Support (BLS)

For students or residents of a dental school or other medical/academic institution in the United States, an Attestation and Request Form, signed by the institution’s administration, is acceptable in place of the certificates. Online course certificates are acceptable.

The following is required of dental students only:

Written consent from the student's dental school or college of enrollment that their visit is approved and that they are in good standing at the institution. For students in dental schools in the United States, the Attestation and Request Form will suffice for this requirement.

Once this documentation has been received and verified, you will receive an email confirming the dates of your visit, along with pertinent information regarding hotels, parking, schedule and dress requirements.

Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions.