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

PhD Program (Pediatric Dentistry Specialty)

Program Description

The Dentistry PhD, Pediatric Dentistry specialty is a six-year full-time program. Pediatric dentists provide primary and comprehensive preventive and therapeutic oral health diagnosis, care, and consultative expertise for infants and children through adolescence, including those of all ages with special care needs. The didactic program is centered at the Faculty of Dentistry, while the clinical program will be divided between the Faculty of Dentistry, the University-affiliated teaching hospitals and community-based Toronto Public Health dental clinic.

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 (Pediatric Dentistry 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:
- 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 2 and 3:
  - DEN1100H⁰ Graduate Research Dissemination Seminars (Credit/No Credit; 0.5 FCE).
In the specialty of Pediatric Dentistry, complete 23.0 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)
  - DEN1003H Preventive Dentistry (0.5 FCE)
  - DEN1007H Oral Radiology (0.5 FCE)
  - DEN1014H Clinical Epidemiology and Evidence-Based Care (0.5 FCE)
  - DEN1062H Pharmacology of Dental Therapeutics (0.0 FCE)
  - DEN1090H Inhalation and Oral Minimal and Moderate Sedation for Dental Procedures (Credit/No Credit; 0.5 FCE)
  - DEN2007Y⁺⁺ Craniofacial Anomalies (1.0 FCE)
  - DEN4003Y Pediatric Dentistry 3: Facial and Dental Growth and Development in Pediatric Dentistry (1.0 FCE)
  - DEN4004H Pediatric Dentistry 4: Child Behaviour Management (0.5 FCE)
  - DEN4006Y Pediatric Dentistry 6: Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery as Applied to Pediatric Dentistry (1.0 FCE)
  - DEN4007H Pediatric Dentistry 7: Therapy and Trauma (0.5 FCE)
  - DEN4009Y Pediatrics (1.0 FCE)
  - DEN4010Y Pediatric Medicine and Hospital Dentistry (1.0 FCE)
  - DEN4011Y Conscious Sedation and Anaesthesia in Pediatric Dentistry (1.0 FCE)
  - DEN4012Y Clinical Pediatric Dentistry I (Credit/No Credit; 1.0 FCE)
  - DEN4101Y Pediatric Dentistry Theory I (Credit/No Credit; 1.0 FCE)
  - DEN4201Y Pediatric Dentistry Journal/Literature Review I (Credit/No Credit; 1.0 FCE)
  - DEN4801Y Orthodontics for Pediatric Dentistry I (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:
  - DEN1070H⁺⁺ Advances in Dental Materials Science (0.5 FCE)
  - DEN4013Y Clinical Pediatric Dentistry II (Credit/No Credit; 1.0 FCE)
  - DEN4102Y Pediatric Dentistry Theory II (Credit/No Credit; 1.0 FCE)
  - DEN4202Y Pediatric Dentistry Journal/Literature Review II (Credit/No Credit; 1.0 FCE)
  - DEN4802Y Orthodontics for Pediatric Dentistry II (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.
- Year 3:
  - DEN4014Y Clinical Pediatric Dentistry III (Credit/No Credit; 1.0 FCE)
  - DEN4103Y Pediatric Dentistry Theory III (Credit/No Credit; 1.0 FCE)
  - DEN4203Y Pediatric Dentistry Journal/Literature Review III (Credit/No Credit; 1.0 FCE)
  - DEN4803Y Orthodontics for Pediatric Dentistry III (Credit/No Credit; 1.0 FCE)
  - Continue with thesis research (RST9999Y)
- Years 4 and 5:
  - 1.0 elective FCE in clinical, epidemiological, or basic science research methodology appropriate for clinical or public health practice
  - Complete any outstanding core or field-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. Credit is given when the course is completed.

⁺⁺ Course is offered in alternate years.

PhD Program (Pediatric Dentistry Specialty): Transfer Option

Transfer Requirements

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