Capstone Information
The 15 page Capstone paper is a culminating experience whereby students choose to research a topic that is relevant to the field of dentistry. The paper is overseen by a faculty mentor.
The Capstone form must be submitted online by May 1st for August graduation (or by April 1 if walking in May commencement).
In most cases, the paper will be completed over the summer. Capstone papers will be graded as Pass/Fail and are designed for students completing the degree in 12 months.
The topic chosen is open-ended but should be a reasonable scope for the length of the paper. Topics can cover almost any field related to dentistry such as:
· Community or public health dentistry
· Dental disparities (US or abroad)
· Hot topics in dentistry (e.g. stem cell research, teeth whitening, fluoridation)
· Current clinical approaches and practices
All Capstone papers are required to follow the content and format guidelines and to contain a comprehensive literature review of the chosen topic, published studies of data that will be evaluated, and a discussion that reflects overarching insights and a broader evaluation of the studies presented. See the Capstone Guidelines for additional details and important information.
Capstone Deadlines
|
August Graduation
Students walking in May Commencement
|
January Graduation |
May Graduation |
August Graduation
Students NOT walking in May Commencement
|
Submission deadline
Capstone Form |
April 1st |
October 1st |
February 1st |
May 1st |
| Draft of Introduction and Published Studies submitted to Mentor |
May 15th |
October 15th |
February 15th |
May 15th |
| Submission deadline Capstone Mentor Review Form |
May 15th – May 25th |
October 15th – October 25th |
February 15th – March 1st |
May 15th – May 25th |
| Full draft of Capstone submitted to Mentor for review & feedback |
May 30th – June 15th |
November 1st – November 15th |
March 1st – March 15th |
May 30th – June 15th |
Submission deadline final
Capstone paper |
July 8 |
December 3 |
March 30th |
July 8th |
Grade of Pass/Fail will be posted in the month of graduation.
Capstone Guidelines
All students must review the Capstone Guidelines for important details and information, including Capstone content & formatting requirements, mentor requirements, deadlines, and submission details.
Capstone Mentor Review Form
Capstone Checklist and Plagiarism Check
- Capstone Checklist: Use the Capstone Submission Checklist to verify the content and formatting of the Capstone paper. Submit the completed checklist together with your Capstone paper.
- Turnitin Plagiarism Check:
- Make sure to check your Capstone using the Turnitin Plagiarism Check and include the printout and % similarity with your checklist.
- Directions on how to gain access to the site can be found here, near the bottom of the page.