Dentistry: Dentistry PhD (Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Specialty) | School of Graduate Studies (SGS) Calendar

PhD Program (Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Specialty)

Program Description

The Dentistry PhD, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery specialty is a seven-year full-time program. The specialty in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery is concerned with and includes the diagnosis and surgical and adjunctive treatment of disorders, diseases, injuries, and defects, involving the functional and aesthetic aspects of the hard and soft tissues of the oral and maxillofacial regions and related structures. Clinical activities are based primarily at Mt. Sinai Hospital, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Humber River Hospital, and The Hospital for Sick Children. There is also additional participation at other University-affiliated teaching centres: Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation, Lakeview Health, and the Rouge Valley Health Network.

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 field of dental specialty. Program completion will be contingent upon completion of all requirements for the research and specialty training components of the program.

PhD Program (Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery 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.
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. 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.
- Year 1:
  - DEN1010H Research Ethics (Credit/No Credit; 0.5 FCE)
  - DEN1015H Introduction to Biostatistics (0.5 FCE)
  - DEN1101H Introduction to Research Methods and Dissemination (Credit/No Credit; 0.5 FCE)
- Years 1, 3, and 4:
  - DEN1100H⁰ Graduate Research Dissemination Seminars (Credit/No Credit; 0.5 FCE).
In the specialty of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, complete 20.5 required FCEs and 1.0 elective FCE as follows:
- Year 1:
  - DEN1002H Oral Pathology (0.5 FCE)
  - DEN1007H Oral Radiology (0.5 FCE)
  - DEN1311Y Oral Surgical Pathology (1.0 FCE)
  - DEN2051Y Surgical Orthodontics I (1.0 FCE)
  - DEN3001Y Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery 1: The Physiologic Basis of Disease (1.0 FCE)
  - DEN3002Y Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery 2: Principles and Practice of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (1.0 FCE)
  - DEN3003Y Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery 3: Evidence-Based Literature Reviews in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (1.0 FCE)
  - DEN3004Y Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery 4: Applied Surgical Anatomy of the Head and Neck (1.0 FCE)
  - DEN3005H Head and Neck Anatomy (0.5 FCE)
  - PDE9094Y⁰ Clinical Conferences (Credit/No Credit)
  - Principles of Surgery module taken through the Department of Surgery in the Temerty Faculty of Medicine (0.0 FCE)
  - Develop a thesis proposal, form a supervisory committee, and complete an ethics review (if applicable)
- Year 2:
  - DEN3001Y Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery 1: The Physiologic Basis of Disease (1.0 FCE)
  - DEN3002Y Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery 2: Principles and Practice of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (1.0 FCE)
  - DEN3003Y Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery 3: Evidence-Based Literature Reviews in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (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.
- Year 3:
  - DEN1312Y Advanced Oral Surgical Pathology I (1.0 FCE)
  - DEN2052Y Surgical Orthodontics II (1.0 FCE)
  - Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery 1: The Physiologic Basis of Disease (1.0 FCE)
  - DEN3002Y Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery 2: Principles and Practice of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (1.0 FCE)
  - DEN3003Y Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery 3: Evidence-Based Literature Reviews in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (1.0 FCE)
  - DEN3004Y Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery 4: Applied Surgical Anatomy of the Head and Neck (1.0 FCE)
  - PDE9094Y⁰ Clinical Conferences (Credit/No Credit; 1.0 FCE)
  - Continue with thesis research (RST9999Y)
- Year 4:
  - DEN2052Y Surgical Orthodontics II (audit only)
  - DEN3001Y Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery 1: The Physiologic Basis of Disease (1.0 FCE)
  - DEN3002Y Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery 2: Principles and Practice of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (1.0 FCE)
  - DEN3003Y Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery 3: Evidence-Based Literature Reviews in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (1.0 FCE)
  - Continue with thesis research (RST9999Y)
- Years 5 and 6:
  - 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 7: 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

7 years

Time Limit

9 years

⁰ Course that may continue over a program. Credit is given when the course is completed.

PhD Program (Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery 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 Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. MSc students who transfer to the PhD must fulfil the admission requirements listed under the PhD program and successfully complete the transfer examination.