Dentistry: Dentistry PhD (Endodontics Specialty) | School of Graduate Studies (SGS) Calendar

PhD Program (Endodontics Specialty)

Program Description

The Dentistry PhD, Endodontics specialty is a six-year full-time program. This specialty is designed to provide students with opportunities to acquire excellent clinical skills and comprehension of the underlying biology. Its components include: patient care, providing all aspects of endodontic treatment; topic-specific and current literature seminars; clinical conferences; core curriculum courses; rotation programs; research at the MSc level, including application for funding, preparation of manuscripts for publication, presentation at national and international research forums; and guest lectures. Students must complete a dental clinic rotation as part of the Endodontics specialty requirements.

Great emphasis is placed on self-learning in all of the program’s components. Students are encouraged to identify research topics, related to endodontic science or any other dental or non-dental scientific area. Through continual updating of courses and research schedules, the program aims to achieve a balanced platform of excellent specialty education and committed service to patients. Students are encouraged to join the Ontario Society of Endodontists, the Canadian Academy of Endodontics, and the American Association of Endodontists.

Students start the program in the Summer session. Upon completion of all program requirements, students are eligible for the PhD degree and certification in the chosen dental specialty. Program completion will be contingent upon completion of all requirements for the research and specialty training components of the program.

PhD Program (Endodontics Specialty)

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 the PhD program with a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or equivalent, with at least an A– standing (3.7 out of 4.0 grade point average [GPA]) in the final year from a recognized university.

Program Requirements

Students undertake a customized program, approved by an advisory committee and the Associate Dean, Graduate Education, comprising advanced study and original research culminating in the defence of a thesis. After consultation with the Associate Dean, Graduate Education, a committee will be appointed to plan and arrange the student’s coursework and research programs, approve the course of study, and monitor progress as part of an annual report to the Associate Dean for approval and continuance of candidacy.
Students must successfully complete a total of 2.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs) and a thesis as follows:
- Year 1:
  - DEN1010H Research Ethics (Credit/No Credit; 0.5 FCE)
  - DEN1015H Introduction to Biostatistics (0.5 FCE)
- Year 2:
  - DEN1101H Introduction to Research Methods and Dissemination (Credit/No Credit; 0.5 FCE)
- Years 2 and 3:
  - DEN1100H⁰ Graduate Research Dissemination Seminars (Credit/No Credit; 0.5 FCE).
In the specialty of Endodontics, complete 18.0 required FCEs and 1.0 elective FCE as follows. Students have the option to take DEN1008H Cone Beam CT Imaging (Credit/No Credit; 0.25 FCE; prerequisite: DEN1007H), in addition to the total FCEs required for the specialty.

Note: course timing may vary between years. Please contact gradstudies@dentistry.utoronto.ca for details.
- Year 1:
  - DEN1002H Oral Pathology (0.5 FCE)
  - DEN1007H Oral Radiology (0.5 FCE)
  - DEN1014H Clinical Epidemiology and Evidence-Based Care (0.5 FCE)
  - DEN1062H Pharmacology of Dental Therapeutics (0.5 FCE)
  - DEN1070H⁺⁺ Advances in Dental Materials Science (0.5 FCE)
  - DEN1090H Inhalation and Oral Minimal and Moderate Sedation for Dental Procedures (Credit/No Credit; 0.5 FCE)
  - DEN3005H Head and Neck Anatomy (0.5 FCE)
  - DEN5005H⁺ Introduction to Graduate Endodontics (0.5 FCE)
  - DEN5011Y Graduate Endodontics Case Presentation I (1.0 FCE)
  - DEN5021Y Graduate Endodontics Topical Literature 1 (1.0 FCE)
  - DEN5031Y Endodontics Current Literature Seminar 1 (Credit/No Credit; 1.0 FCE)
  - DEN5091Y Endodontic Clinic 1 (Credit/No Credit; 1.0 FCE)
  - PDE9094Y⁰ Clinical Conferences (Credit/No Credit)
  - Develop a thesis proposal, form a supervisory committee, and complete an ethics review (if applicable)
- Year 2:
  - DEN1022H Investigating Pathogenic Biofilms (0.5 FCE)
  - DEN1060H Oral Physiology: Sensory and Neuromuscular Function (0.5 FCE)
  - DEN5004Y⁰ Single Tooth Replacement with Implant Supported Prosthesis
  - DEN5012Y Graduate Endodontics Case Presentation II (1.0 FCE)
  - DEN5022Y Graduate Endodontics Topical Literature 2 (1.0 FCE)
  - DEN5032Y Endodontics Current Literature Seminar 2 (Credit/No Credit; 1.0 FCE)
  - DEN5092Y Endodontic Clinic 2 (Credit/No Credit; 1.0 FCE)
  - PDE9094Y⁰ Clinical Conferences (Credit/No Credit; 1.0 FCE)
  - Continue with thesis research (RST9999Y)
  - Successfully pass a qualifying oral examination between 12 and 24 months to demonstrate an adequate capacity for oral health sciences research through previous work. Students will be examined on their thesis proposal and their breadth of knowledge relative to the research project.
- Years 3 to 5:
  - DEN5004Y⁰ Single Tooth Replacement with Implant Supported Prosthesis (1.0 FCE)
  - DEN5013Y Graduate Endodontics Case Presentation III (1.0 FCE)
  - DEN5033Y Endodontics Current Literature Seminar 3 (1.0 FCE)
  - DEN5093Y Endodontic Clinic 3 (Credit/No Credit; 1.0 FCE)
  - 1.0 elective FCE in clinical, epidemiological, or basic science research methodology appropriate for clinical or public health practice
  - Complete any outstanding core or specialty-specific coursework
  - Continue with thesis research (RST9999Y)
- Year 6: Successfully submit and defend the thesis at the Doctoral Final Oral Examination.
Participate in all graduate research activities of the advisor’s research group.
Present at meetings and publish original research findings in a timely fashion.
Participate as a member of departmental and student committees as applicable.
Residency. Students must be on campus and participating for the duration of their registration in the program.

Program Length

6 years

Time Limit

8 years

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

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

⁺⁺ Course is offered in alternate years.

PhD Program (Endodontics Specialty): Transfer

Transfer Requirements

Highly qualified MSc students in the thesis option may be considered for transfer to the Dentistry PhD in the specialty of Endodontics. MSc students who transfer to the PhD must fulfil the admission requirements listed under the PhD program and successfully complete the transfer examination.