Program Overview

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Doctor of Philosophy in Medical Sciences - Periodontology

The Department of Dentistry offers the PhD in Medical Sciences degree for post-DDS applicants or for those proceeding from a BSc or equivalent degree. Research may be carried out in a variety of dentistry-related disciplines for which faculty members in the department have active research programs.

Why Study This Program?

The Department offers the MSc in Medical Sciences program in the following areas of specialty: Dental Hygiene, Dentistry, Oral Biology, Oral Medicine, Orthodontics, and Periodontology. The PhD programs are offered in Dentistry, Oral Biology, Orthodontics, and Periodontology.

Entrance Requirements

• The Departments minimum admission requirements are a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or equivalent and a Masters degree (except in exceptional cases, which will be considered on a case-by-case basis) with an admission GPA of at least 3.0 on the 4-point scale from the University of Alberta, or an equivalent qualification and standing from a recognized institution.
• The Masters Bypass allows for outstanding Masters Candidates to request a change of program category to the PhD program without completing the Masters degree.
• Additional research experience may be required within the PhD program for students selecting this option.
• Where applicable, applicants must provide proof of English Language Proficiency:
  • TOEFL (internet-based) minimum score 95 and the following minimum score on each of the individual skill areas: Listening 22, Reading 22, Speaking 26, and Writing 24.
  • CAEL minimum score of 80 with at least 70 on each subtest;
  • or an IELTS (Academic) minimum score of 7.5 with at least 7 on each band.
• All applicants are also required to submit:
  • a current curriculum vitae
  • a statement of intent
  • three letters of recommendation (two must be professional)
  • Formal commitment from a full-time orthodontic supervisor is required.
  • An official letter from the Dean of the Dental School stating that the applicant had no professional conduct issues.
  • Applicants who are not licensed but in a Canada/USA accredited GPR program are required to obtain a letter from the Director of Graduate Studies stating they are in good standing with no professional conduct issues.
  • Applicants that are not licensed by Alberta Dental Association and College (ADA&C), need to be registered on the Education and Research Register from the ADA&C by August 1 prior to starting the program.
  • A personal interview is required for short-listed applicants.

Program Requirements

• Students are required to complete a minimum of 72.5 units in required coursework.
• The program also consists of a clinical component, seminars, and a thesis.
• Student progress will be monitored through an annual written and/or oral internal or external assessment.

Clinical Requirements

• The clinical requirements involve successful completion of a selected number of teaching cases.
• Clinical training will not start until defined research milestones are attained and the candidacy examination is successfully passed.
• Clinical training will start in September immediately after these conditions are met.

Program of Study

• The program of study is determined in consultation with the supervisor and supervisory committee.
• The research component will be exclusively performed during the first two years.

Courses

Required Courses (3 units)

• DENT 542 - Research Methodology
• DENT 635 - Seminars in Oral Health Sciences I
• DENT 636 - Seminars in Oral Health Sciences II

Elective Courses

• Students may need to complete certain graduate-level courses chosen in consultation with the Director of Graduate Studies and their supervisor.

First Year of Clinical Training (33 units)

• DENT 510 - Periodontology Clinics I
• DENT 511 - Periodontology Clinics II
• DENT 517 - Periodontology Clinics III
• DENT 560 - TMD/Orofacial Pain/SleepDisordered Breathing I
• DENT 561 - TMD/Orofacial Pain/SleepDisordered Breathing II
• DENT 565 - Evidence Based Dentistry
• DENT 567 - Systematic Reviews/MetaAnalysis in Dentistry I
• DENT 575 - Periodontology Fundamentals I
• DENT 576 - Periodontology Fundamentals II
• DENT 577 - Periodontology Fundamentals III
• DENT 578 - Implantology Fundamentals I
• DENT 579 - Implantology Fundamentals II
• DENT 580 - Implantology Fundamentals III
• DENT 581 - Periodontology Seminars I
• DENT 582 - Periodontology Seminars II
• DENT 583 - Periodontology Seminars III
• DENT 607 - Advanced Oral Radiology
• DENT 674 - Advanced Oral Pathology for Periodontology
• OBIOL 500 - Oral Biology I
• OBIOL 501 - Oral Biology II

Second Year of Clinical Training (22 units)

• DENT 551 - Introduction to Applied Statistics
• DENT 610 - Periodontology Clinics IV
• DENT 611 - Periodontology Clinics V
• DENT 617 - Periodontology Clinics VI
• DENT 675 - Periodontology Fundamentals IV
• DENT 676 - Periodontology Fundamentals V
• DENT 677 - Periodontology Fundamentals VI
• DENT 678 - Implantology Fundamentals IV
• DENT 679 - Implantology Fundamentals V
• DENT 680 - Implantology Fundamentals VI
• DENT 681 - Periodontology Seminars IV
• DENT 682 - Periodontology Seminars V
• DENT 683 - Periodontology Seminars VI

Third Year of Clinical Training (14.5 units)

• DENT 710 - Periodontology Clinics VII
• DENT 711 - Periodontology Clinics VIII
• DENT 717 - Periodontology Clinics IX
• DENT 775 - Periodontology Fundamentals VII
• DENT 776 - Periodontology Fundamentals VIII
• DENT 777 - Periodontology Fundamentals IX
• DENT 778 - Implantology Fundamentals VII
• DENT 779 - Implantology Fundamentals VIII
• DENT 780 - Implantology Fundamentals IX
• DENT 781 - Periodontology Seminars VII
• DENT 782 - Periodontology Seminars VIII
• DENT 783 - Periodontology Seminars IX

Thesis

• Registration in 900-level THES.
• Students are required to complete and defend a thesis.

Candidacy Exam

• Successful completion of the PhD candidacy examination will be required by August 1 prior to the academic year the student starts their clinical training.

Seminars

• Students have an attendance requirement for seminars and to participate in the Graduate Student Research Day.

Requirements for Clinical Courses

• Medical Testing and Immunization Requirements: To ensure, insofar as possible, both student and patient safety, the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry requires that all students must have their immunization status reviewed and updated as necessary by a qualified healthcare professional upon acceptance into a health sciences program.
• Police Information Checks and Protection for Persons in Care: Applicants should be aware that a clear Police Information Check (PIC) is required as a condition of admission and that any criminal charges pending must be declared.
• Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Certification (CPR) is required for all students registered in the program.
• Professional Standards for Students in the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry.
• The Department of Dentistry Technical Standards Policy defines the necessary knowledge, skills, professional behaviors, and attitudes expected of students.

Length of Program

• The time required to complete the PhD will vary according to the previous training of the applicant and the nature of the research undertaken.
• Six years is considered normal.
• After six years, a formal extension request to The Faculty of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies is needed.

Fees

• Students are responsible for all program-related fees.
• Funding from fellowships and studentships may be available on a competitive basis, but candidates should be prepared financially for the program.
• Supervisors may support students from operating grants, and limited financial assistance may also be available from the Department.
• Other sources of funding may be sought as described in the Graduate Financial Aid and Awards sections of the University Calendar, from provincial bursaries, from professional associations, and private foundations, etc.