Fellowship in Orthodontics

Vision

To be recognized nationally, and internationally for excellence in orthodontics practice, teaching and research.

Mission

To set high standards of competency in the specialty of Orthodontics by qualifying specialists with excellent clinical skills enabling graduates to:

• Provide quality Orthodontic care to patients in need of complex treatment
• Teach and supervise dental students and postgraduate students in the field of Orthodontics.
•  Conduct and publish research in the field of Orthodontics and related areas of dentistry.

College

College of Dentistry

Campus

Dammam

Track

Health

Level

Postgraduate

Degree

Fellowship

Required Documents

1. Curriculum Vitae
2. A notarized official copy of the BDS certificate.
3. A notarized official copy of the transcript.
4. Three recommendation letters signed and dated within the last three months by recommenders who know the candidate well.
5. Copies (not originals) of English Language certification - TOEFL scores are only acceptable within the last 12 months. A minimum TOEFL score of 85 [Internet based or equivalent).
6. Proof of successful attendance of the internship program.
7. A letter of approval from the applicant’s sponsor on entering a full-time program.
8. A pledge to submit the approval of the applicant’s sponsor at a later date, if the applicant was not employed at the time of admission but was employed after the start of the program.
9. Four (4) recent "3 × 4" portrait photographs (not older than 6 months).
10. An application form completed in both Arabic and English with all the requested details provided.

The Deanship of Graduate Studies' Admission Portal>

The applicant must have a bachelor’s Degree in Dental Surgery (BDS) or equivalent from a recognized university, and the following requirements must be met:

1. Cumulative Grade Point Average [GPA] of at least 3.75 or equivalent
2. Provide evidence of completion of an internship year in general dentistry (12 months)
3. Possess a valid Dental License with the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties by the start of the program.
4. Demonstrate English fluency (a minimum score of 85 in TOEFL or equivalent test)
5. Submit three letters of recommendation from individuals who know the applicant well.
6. Submit a letter from the applicant’s sponsor stating approval for full-time attendance of the entire program
7. Agree to sign an obligation to adhere to the rules and regulations of the Program
8. The student should not be registered during the Program in any other postgraduate studies
9. Be approved by the Preventive Dental Sciences Department Council.

Special Requirements

Short listed candidates will be invited for interview. A written and case/special orthodontics topic presentation must be completed before the Admission Committee makes it final selection of candidates to be admitted to the program. These examinations are designed to evaluate the applicant’s clinical experience, scholastic achievement and assess their interest in research.

First Year

• The program begins with preclinical and clinical training semester to learn the basic technical aspects of Orthodontics to assess the individual knowledge of students and calibrate their technical skills to the standards of the College of Dentistry. Core and specialty courses are provided along with clinical training. The clinical care course continues into the summer semester.

Second Year

•  Students will enroll in additional core and specialty courses, continue with advanced patient care in clinical courses and are introduced to advanced research through courses in research methodologies as well as biostatistics. Students are expected to begin their search for and selection of an appropriate research project by the end of the second year. A research project should be selected, prepared as a research protocol and submitted for approval in this year.

Third Year

•  At this stage in the program students will be expected to begin completing some of their advanced clinical cases begun in Year 1 and Year 2, and expand their engagement in core and specialty courses as well as research. Aside from completion of any remaining core and specialty courses, students will continue enrollment in research to complete their project by year’s end. Students will be required to prepare a manuscript and submit for publication. Also, in Year 3, students may enroll in special 1-hour courses, entitled Directed Study, to provide them with experience in a wide variety of areas related to dental education, teaching and research. The following is a partial list of topics from which students may select areas of interest: Accreditation, accreditation reporting, academic affairs, committee structure and management, clinic administration, competencies, electronic patient records, faculty development, faculty promotions, electronic educational media, interdisciplinary interaction (referrals), scientific writing, strategic planning, technology in dentistry and trends in dental education and private practice.
• Students are expected to enroll in at least two (2) units of directed study course per academic year (1 unit per semester) with the approval of the supervising faculty member and the proposed plan for each term by the Program Director.

Fourth Year

• In the fourth and final year students will fulfill all remaining didactic core and specialty course requirements, may take up to four (4) additional Directed Study courses, complete their clinical cases (by the end of the academic year) and submit proof of acceptance or published article from their research project in a peer-reviewed journal.

Summer Sessions

• Students will enroll in Clinical Orthodontics to provide ongoing patient care during the summer months given the complex nature of the treatment they will be providing. They also will provide emergency services on an as needed basis for their patients for the interval between the end of the Semester II and the start of Semester I of their next year. Summer sessions also will provide additional time for research writing.