By Mackenzie Meleski 

Virginia Commonwealth University School of Dentistry is expanding its graduate offerings with a new Graduate Prosthodontics program that was recently granted initial accreditation by the Commission on Dental Accreditation.  

The certificate and master’s prosthodontics program has a length of 36 months, allowing residents to become experts in the field of prosthodontics. The program will accept two students into its inaugural cohort, with the hope of increasing its numbers in the future.  

The starting date of the graduate program is July 1, 2025. Applications for the July start date are now open through April 15.   

Sandra Al-Tarawneh, D.D.S, M.S., is the program’s inaugural director. She describes prosthodontics as “a comprehensive art” that has the power to transform the lives of patients for the better. When she saw the chance to help craft a brand new program to train residents, she jumped at the opportunity to work closely with the other specialties and create a collaborative environment that overall enhances patient care.  

“Ever since I was a dental student, I always liked the transformation that I see on the patients,” Al-Tarawneh said. “Whether it’s a denture or something more complex, there’s an immediate difference that the patient can see right away and a new boost in confidence. It’s really rewarding to be part of.” 

Sandra Al-Tarawneh, D.D.S, M.S., and Bryan Limmer, D.M.D., M.S., are spearheading the new prosthodontics program. (VCU School of Dentistry)

While prosthodontics has long been a part of the clinical operations and curriculum at VCU, a new graduate program will allow not only for a more comprehensive clinical education overall, but better care for patients.  

For Lyndon Cooper, D.D.S., Ph.D., dean of VCU School of Dentistry, the addition of prosthodontics as a graduate program is a project of passion and dedication to the field. As an internationally recognized prosthodontist, he was encouraged to consider revitalizing the graduate program soon after joining VCU. He also worked to further incorporate prosthodontics into the dental school curriculum. 

“Our patients can experience a broader choice and enhanced care with the elevation of our prosthodontics programs,” Cooper said. “Integrating our prosthodontic faculty into the group practice environment has already enabled point of care consultations without referral appointments. Also, our students will benefit greatly from not only having more faculty mentors with specific prosthodontic training, but the opportunity to obtain a broader and deeper skill set through internal rotations through our new Graduate Prosthodontics clinic.” 

VCU School of Dentistry Dean Lyndon Cooper, D.D.S., Ph.D, is an internationally recognized prosthodontist who was encouraged to revitalize the program. (VCU School of Dentistry)

Bryan Limmer, D.M.D., M.S., director of prosthodontics and implant dentistry at VCU School of Dentistry, envisions the Graduate Prosthodontics program as an opportunity to not only educate, but to create a collaborative environment that fosters clinical excellence. He also views the new program as an opportunity to take on complex cases that overlap with other specialties. 

“Being next to the Massey Cancer Center, you can see a glimpse of the need for complex reconstructive work that exists in our community,” Limmer said. “Prosthodontics fits that niche of the most complex cases. We will work closely with other specialties to address these needs; having a dedicated program to really dig into managing these cases and connect the specialties is a crucial need within our school and the Health Sciences campus as a whole.” 

“I envision the program to be a top-notch experience for our residents and prepare them to be very highly skilled professionals in what they do, as well as contribute to their communities,” Al-Tarawneh said. 

A version of this story was originally published by VCU School of Dentistry

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