General practice residency
Get the hands-on training you need for a career in advanced general dentistry in a variety of settings.
About us
The General Practice Residency program at Geisinger provides a comprehensive, hospital-based training experience to prepare you for advanced clinical practice in a multidisciplinary environment.
Our program offers:
- Comprehensive clinical training
Our curriculum is designed to strengthen clinical proficiency, expand procedural capabilities and prepare residents for the demands of advanced general dentistry in hospital and private practice settings. - Robust hospital-based dentistry experience
Residents will work in Geisinger’s integrated medical environment, gaining extensive exposure to inpatient consultations, management of medically complex patients and coordination of care across specialties. - Oral & maxillofacial surgery rotations
Residents will participate in hands-on OMFS rotations with opportunities to assist in surgical procedures, participate in sedation cases and build strong clinical and diagnostic skills alongside experienced surgeons. - Pediatric dentistry rotation
Residents will develop competence in treating children with a wide range of dental needs, including those requiring behavior guidance or medically complex care.
Training at Geisinger means becoming part of a nationally recognized health system known for innovation, quality and patient-centered care.
Message from the program director
Welcome to the general practice residency program at Geisinger. As program director, I am pleased to introduce you to a training environment designed to support both your clinical and professional growth. While our residency program is new, it’s built upon a strong and enduring foundation. The dental clinic at Geisinger Medical Center has been an integral part of the hospital system for over 50 years, providing comprehensive care to a diverse and medically complex patient population. This longstanding presence allows us to offer a depth of clinical experience within a well-established, interdisciplinary healthcare setting.
Our mission is to provide a rigorous and supportive educational environment where residents develop advanced clinical skills, sound clinical judgment and the confidence necessary to manage complex dental cases. We emphasize comprehensive, patient-centered care and foster a culture of collaboration with medical and surgical teams, reflecting the realities of hospital-based dentistry.
Residents benefit from exposure to a wide range of cases, including medically compromised patients, patients with special needs, operating room dentistry and multidisciplinary care coordination. At the same time, we are committed to mentorship, individualized learning and helping you achieve your specific career goals.
We look forward to guiding you through this important stage of your professional development and preparing you for a successful and rewarding career in dentistry.
Maya S. Popova, DMD
Program overview
The Geisinger GPR program provides intensive training in all aspects of general dentistry with a strong focus on comprehensive care in a hospital setting.
Clinical training
You’ll gain experience in:
- Comprehensive restorative dentistry
- Oral surgery and exodontia
- Pediatric dentistry
- Endodontics and periodontics
- Prosthodontics (fixed and removable)
- Management of medically complex patients and patients with special needs
- Emergency dental care
Hospital experience
- Rotations in anesthesia, internal medicine and emergency medicine
- Exposure to operating room dentistry and sedation techniques
- Management of inpatient and outpatient consults
Didactics
- Weekly lectures and seminars covering core and advanced topics
- Case presentations and treatment planning conferences
- Evidence-based dentistry and literature review
Call schedule
Residents participate in an on-call schedule to manage dental emergencies and hospital consults, providing valuable real-world experience.
Frequently asked questions