Dentistry

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Faculty Affiliation​

Dentistry

Degree Programs

Dentistry

Collaborative Specializations

The following collaborative specializations are available to students in participating degree programs as listed below:

1. Aging, Palliative and Supportive Care Across the Life Course
   • Dentistry, MSc, PhD
2. Biomedical Engineering
   • Dentistry, MSc, PhD
3. Cardiovascular Sciences
   • Dentistry, MSc, PhD
4. Global Health (U of T Global Scholar)
   • Dentistry, MSc (thesis only), PhD
5. Musculoskeletal Sciences
   • Dentistry, MSc, PhD
6. Neuroscience
   • Dentistry, MSc, PhD
7. Women's Health
   • Dentistry, MSc, PhD

Overview

The Faculty of Dentistry offers a graduate program leading to either a Master of Science or Doctor of Philosophy degree. This graduate program appeals to:

1. applicants who have a degree in dentistry and who are pursuing research training and advanced clinical education in one of the dental specialties; and

2. applicants, both dentists and non-dentists, who are pursuing graduate research training without advanced clinical education.

Consequently, both the MSc and the PhD degrees have a common core of coursework and consist of three options, with each having varying additional research and training requirements.

Contact and Address

Web: www.dentistry.utoronto.ca
Email: gradstudies@dentistry.utoronto.ca
Telephone: (416) 864-8114
Fax: (416) 979-4944

Faculty of Dentistry, Student Services Office
University of Toronto
Room 104, 124 Edward Street
Toronto, Ontario M5G 1G6
Canada

Master of Science

1. Thesis Option

Minimum Admission Requirements

• Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Graduate Department of Dentistry's additional admission requirements stated below.

• An appropriate bachelor of science, doctor of dental surgery, or an equivalent degree, with at least a B+ standing (3.3 out of 4.0 grade point average [GPA]) in the final year from a recognized university.

Program Requirements

• Ordinarily, one year of full-time registration; however, it is the Faculty of Dentistry's expectation that students will normally remain in full-time attendance on campus to enable full participation in departmental activities for two years.

• Year 1: development of a research project and proposal, and coursework. Coursework will normally include, as a minimum, fulfilment of the requirements for the courses DEN 1001Y⁰ Seminars in Oral Health Sciences and DEN 1010H Research Ethics and successful completion of an additional 1.5 full-course equivalents (FCEs) that includes the course DEN 1015H Introduction to Biostatistics. Exemptions may be granted for previously completed coursework at the bachelor's level.

• Year 2: research, thesis completion, and the oral defence of the written thesis.

Program Length

6 sessions full-time (typical registration sequence: F/W/S/F/W/S);
12 sessions part-time

Time Limit

3 years full-time;
6 years part-time

⁰ Course that may continue over a program. The course is graded when completed.
 

2. Specialist Dental Training: Thesis Option

The Faculty of Dentistry offers an MSc degree for dental graduates seeking advanced training in a clinical specialty as well as training in research.

Minimum Admission Requirements

• Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Graduate Department of Dentistry's additional admission requirements stated below.

• Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or an equivalent degree with at least a B+ standing (3.3 out of 4.0 GPA) in the final year from a recognized university.

Program Requirements

• Two to four years of full-time registration, depending upon the clinical specialty.

• Completion of an original research project culminating in the oral defence of a written thesis.

• Completion of clinical and didactic coursework program requirements as necessary to meet the Commission on Dental Accreditation of Canada requirements for the chosen clinical specialty that includes successful completion of the courses DEN ​1014H Clinical Epidemiology and Evidence-Based Care and DEN 1015H Introduction to Biostatistics.

• Course DEN 1001Y⁰ Seminars in Oral Health Sciences for a minimum of one year.

• Completion of DEN 1010H Research Ethics.

• Upon completion of all program requirements, students are eligible for the MSc degree and certification in the chosen dental specialty. For further information, consult the Faculty of Dentistry calendar or website.

Program Length

2 to 4 years full-time; varies by graduate specialty program undertaken and must conform to the accreditation requirements of the Commission on Dental Accreditation of Canada.

Time Limit

3 to 5 years full-time depending on specialty

⁰ Course that may continue over a program. The course is graded when completed.
 

3. Specialist Dental Training: Coursework-Only Option

The Faculty of Dentistry offers a master of science degree for dental graduates seeking advanced training in a clinical specialty in which additional coursework is undertaken as an alternative to a thesis. The MSc with training in Dental Public Health is also offered to dental hygienists. The availability of this option will vary by specialty.

Minimum Admission Requirements

• Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Graduate Department of Dentistry's additional admission requirements stated below.

• DDS or an equivalent degree, with at least a B+ standing (3.3 out of 4.0 GPA) in the final year from a recognized university. For the MSc with training in Dental Public Health, dental hygienist applicants should have an appropriate undergraduate dental hygiene degree from a recognized university, or an appropriate undergraduate degree from a recognized university and dental hygiene training.

Program Requirements

• Two to four years of full-time registration, depending upon the clinical specialty.

• Completion of all clinical and didactic coursework program requirements as necessary to meet the Commission on Dental Accreditation of Canada requirements in the chosen dental specialty that includes successful completion of the courses DEN 1014H Clinical Epidemiology and Evidence-Based Care and DEN 1015H Introduction to Biostatistics.

• Course DEN 1001Y⁰ ​Seminars in Oral Health Sciences for a minimum of one year.

• Completion of DEN 1010H Research Ethics.

• 1.5 full-course equivalents (FCEs) in clinical, epidemiological, or basic science research methodology appropriate for clinical or public health practice.

• A research practicum (0.5 FCE) and successful completion of an oral examination of the research practicum.

• Upon successful completion of all program requirements, students are eligible for the graduate degree. Students, with the exception of dental hygienists, are eligible for certification in the chosen dental specialty. For further information, consult the Faculty of Dentistry calendar or website.

Program Length

2 to 4 years full-time; varies by graduate specialty program undertaken and must conform to the accreditation requirements of the Commission on Dental Accreditation of Canada.

Time Limit

3 to 5 years full-time depending on specialty

Doctor of Philosophy

1. Full-Time Research Program

Minimum Admission Requirements

• Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Faculty of Dentistry's additional admission requirements stated below.

• Students are normally admitted to a four-year PhD program with an appropriate master's degree, or equivalent, with at least an A– standing (3.7 out of 4.0 GPA) in the final year from a recognized university in a discipline appropriate to the intended field of doctoral study. However, under exceptional circumstances, the Faculty may admit a highly qualified​ student with an appropriate BSc degree in a discipline appropriate to the intended field of doctoral study or a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree with at least an A– standing from a recognized university.

Program Requirements

• Students undertake customized programs, approved by an advisory committee and the Associate Dean, Graduate Education, comprising advanced study and original research culminating in the defence of a thesis.

• Minimum course requirements: completion of the courses DEN 1100Y⁰ Seminars in Oral Health Sciences and DEN 1010H Research Ethics, plus an additional 2.5 full-course equivalents (FCEs) that includes the course DEN 1015H Introduction to Biostatistics.

• Exemptions may be granted for MSc coursework from closely related disciplines. This includes students transferring from MSc to PhD programs. Programs of study for BSc students will normally include additional coursework requirements.

• Although the minimum residency requirement is one year, it is the Faculty's expectation that students will normally remain on campus for four years.

• After 12 months and within 24 months of starting a PhD program, students must pass a qualifying oral examination to demonstrate an adequate capacity for oral health sciences research through previous work and will be examined on their thesis proposal and their breadth of knowledge relative to the research project.

• Participate in all graduate research activities of the advisor's research group.

• Present at meetings and publish original research findings in timely fashion.

• Participate as members of departmental and student committees as applicable.

• Consult with the Associate Dean, Graduate Education, who will appoint a committee to plan and arrange their coursework and research programs. The committee and the Associate Dean must approve the entire course of study. The committee will closely monitor the student's ability to sustain satisfactory performance and will report annually to the Associate Dean for approval and continuance of candidacy.

Program Length

4 years full-time; 5 years direct-entry; 5 years transfer-from-MSc

Time Limit

6 years full-time; 7 years direct-entry; 7 years transfer-from-MSc

⁰ Course that may continue over a program. The course is graded when completed.
 

2. Full-Time Program Combined with Dental Specialty Training Option

The Faculty of Dentistry offers a doctor of philosophy degree for exceptional dental graduates seeking to combine a PhD degree with advanced training in a clinical specialty. Applicants intending to train as clinicians/scientists, aspiring to teaching and research careers in the dental field, are considered on an individual basis.

Minimum Admission Requirements

• Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Graduate Department of Dentistry's additional admission requirements stated below.

• DDS degree or an equivalent degree with at least an A– standing (3.7 out of 4.0 GPA) in the final year from a recognized university. Evidence of research experience or research potential is normally required.

Program Requirements

• Completion of an original research project culminating in the oral defence of a thesis.

• Completion of the courses DEN 1100Y⁰ ​Seminars in Oral Health Sciences​ and DEN 1010H Research Ethics, plus an additional 1.0 full-course equivalent (FCE) pertaining to the research component of the program, together with completion of clinical and didactic coursework requirements as necessary to meet Canadian Dental Association accreditation requirements for the chosen clinical specialty that includes successful completion of the courses DEN 1014H Clinical Epidemiology and Evidence-Based Care and DEN 1015H Introduction to Biostatistics.

• Consult with the Associate Dean, Graduate Education, who will appoint a committee to plan and arrange their course and research programs. The committee and the Graduate Chair must approve the entire course of study. The committee will closely monitor the student's ability to sustain satisfactory performance and will report semi-annually to the Associate Dean, Graduate Education for approval and continuance of candidacy.

• After 12 months and within 24 months of starting the PhD program, students must pass a qualifying oral examination to demonstrate an adequate capacity for oral health sciences research through previous work and will be examined on their thesis proposal and their breadth of knowledge relative to the research project.

• Participate in all graduate research activities of the advisor's research group.

• Present at meetings and publish original research findings in timely fashion.

• Participate as members of departmental and student committees as applicable.

• The addition of the clinical and didactic courses for a clinical specialty will normally increase the amount of time for the PhD degree by a minimum of two years, depending upon the particular clinical specialty undertaken. Program completion will be contingent upon completion of all requirements for the research and specialty training components of the program.

• Upon completion, students are eligible for the graduate degree and to challenge dental specialty certification examinations in Canada and the United States. For further information, please consult the Faculty of Dentistry calendar or website.

Program Length

Varies by specialty; up to 6 years full-time

Time Limit

Varies by specialty; up to 8 years full-time
 

3. Flexible-Time Option

The Faculty of Dentistry offers a flexible-time PhD program for selected students whose career goal is a full-time academic position in a clinical discipline. Students concurrently establish their teaching and academic credentials. The major goal upon program completion is to enable students to compete for university tenure-stream professorial positions in their clinical science discipline.

The program is dedicated to research experience and therefore does not involve clinical training other than clinical research methodology. It entails completion of the research and coursework requirements for the PhD degree half time, while teaching in a clinical discipline half time.

Minimum Admission Requirements

• Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Graduate Department of Dentistry's additional admission requirements stated below.

• A DDS degree or an equivalent degree, and an MSc degree, both from a recognized university. Preference is given to:

  • applicants who have completed specialty education equivalent to the standard required for licensure as a specialist by the Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario; and

  • applicants who hold a university appointment in Canada at an academic standard equivalent to the University of Toronto Lecturer.

Program Requirements

• Appropriate research supervision and advisory committee membership, customized plan of study, and timetable for the completion of the degree requirements, as approved by the Associate Dean, Graduate Education, will be in place at program commencement. The Associate Dean monitors progress by review of completed advisory committee reports based on annual meetings of the student with the supervisory committee.

• Although the minimum residency requirement for the PhD is one year, the anticipated completion date for the flexible-time PhD program will be within five to six years from the registration date.

• Students are required to conduct research leading to completion and defence of a thesis and complete minimum coursework requirements, which include DEN 1100Y⁰ ​Seminars in Oral Health Sciences and DEN 1010H Research Ethics, plus ​an additional 2.5 full-course equivalents (FCEs) that includes the course DEN 1015H Introduction to Biostatistics.

• Students must pass a qualifying oral examination after 12 months and within 24 months after commencement to demonstrate an adequate capacity for oral health sciences research at the doctoral level.

• Participate in all graduate research activities of the advisor's research group.

• Present at meetings and publish original research findings in timely fashion.

• Participate as members of departmental and student committees as applicable.

Program Length

8 years flexible-time depending on specialty

Time Limit

10 years flexible-time

⁰ Course that may continue over a program. The course is graded when completed.

Not all courses are offered every year. The Faculty of Dentistry should be consulted each session as to course offerings.

Core Courses

⁰ Course that may continue over a program. The course is graded when completed.

General Courses

Courses for Students in MSc/PhD Specialist Dental Training Programs

⁰ Course that may continue over a program. The course is graded when completed.

⁺ Extended course. For academic reasons, coursework is extended into session following academic session in which course is offered.