M.Sc./Ph.D in Craniofacial Science with Diploma in Pediatric Dentistry
University of British Columbia (UBC)
Faculty of Dentistry, Graduate Program in Pediatric Dentistry
2199 Wesbrook Mall
Vancouver, British Columbia, British Columbia V6T 1Z3
Phone: (604) 822-3568
Email: randa.soussou@dentistry.ubc.ca
Program Length and Number of Positions
The MSc program is 36 months, and the PhD option is 72 months. Four students are accepted each year, and the program begins in the second week of August.
Program Type
Combined university and hospital-based degree program. Students must pursue either an MSc or a PhD in Craniofacial Science concurrently with the Diploma in Pediatric Dentistry.
Application
The application deadline is October 1 of the year preceding entry into the program. Correspondence regarding application and admissions procedures should be addressed to:
The University of British Columbia
Faculty of Dentistry Admissions Office - DSA TP
2199 Wesbrook Mall
Vancouver, BC, Canada V6T 1Z3
Phone: (604) 822-4486
Description
The MSc/Diploma program is a 36 months long. The first year of the program is university-based with the hospital becoming a significant component of the training starting in May of the first year and continuing in years two and three. Trainees will develop the clinical skills needed to treat healthy, medically compromised and developmentally delayed children and adolescents. In addition to the treatment of children with non-pharmacological methods of behaviour guidance, training in multi-drug oral sedation will be provided at UBC. Treatment of children under general anesthesia will be carried out at BC Children’s Hospital. During the three-year program, students are expected to carry out a significant research project in biomedical, clinical or health services areas leading to the MSc degree. Protected research time has been allocated throughout the program.
The PhD/Diploma program is a 72-month program that allows students to focus on their research in years two through four and then to complete clinical training in years five and six. Students applying to this program are expected to have previous research experience. The MSc/PhD degree and diploma are awarded concurrently. MSc and PhD thesis preparation and submission follow the present guidelines set by the Faculty of Graduate Studies. Please see https://www.grad.ubc.ca/search?keyword=thesis+preparation&label=Search&site=www.grad.ubc.ca%252.
With successful completion of the program, students will be prepared for the National Dental Specialty Examination in Pediatric Dentistry, the Royal College of Dentists of Canada Fellowship and the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry Examination. The combination of clinical, teaching and research experience in our program will prepare graduates for careers in private practice, hospital, community and academic settings.
Curriculum
The academic coursework includes the following topics: child development, management of pediatric oral disease, behaviour guidance (non-pharmacological and pharmacological), craniofacial development and genetics, orthodontics, traumatic injuries, pediatric medicine, biomaterials, oral pathology, speech/language pathology, radiology, biostatistics and research design. Learning will take place in seminars and case conferences.
Students will complete rotations in Anesthesiology, Hematology/Oncology and Emergency Department at BC Children’s Hospital (BCCH). Pediatrics rotations will take place in community practices of hospital-affiliated pediatricians. Students will also participate in the Cleft Palate/Craniofacial and Hemophilia Clinics. Electives may be scheduled in other hospital departments. The graduate students will provide after-hours emergency coverage on a rotating basis at BCCH, roughly one week out of four, beginning in the first year of the program and continuing to year three. Throughout the program, there are opportunities to complete electives in local clinics and northern indigenous communities.
Program Stipend and Tuition
The first year MSc and PhD tuition has two components: degree tuition and program clinic fees. The program clinic fee is reduced by approximately 50% in years two and three of the MSc/Diploma programs. PhD students will be paid a stipend for research intensive years from their supervisor and $10,000 per year in years five and six. A Hospital Foundation Clinical Fellowship Stipend is available for the second year of the program for MSc students that are permanent residents or citizens of Canada. For up-to-date information see here.
Facilities
- Graduate Specialty Clinic, Faculty of Dentistry, UBC with enclosed operatories, plumbed in nitrous oxide/oxygen and monitoring equipement.
- Department of Pediatric Dentistry, BC Children’s Hospital
- Teck Acute Care Centre, BC Children’s Hospital (location of the operating rooms)
- Robert & Lily Lee Family Community Health Centre Dental Clinic, Vancouver Coastal Health, Vancouver
Admission Requirements
- Admission to the program must satisfy the requirements for admission to both the UBC Faculty of Graduate + Postdoctoral Studies and the Faculty of Dentistry.
- Applicants must hold a Doctor of Dental Surgery or Dental Medicine or equivalent from a recognized university.
- English proficiency test score is required for graduates from a country where English is not the primary language (regardless if the language of instruction is English), We accept TOEFL and IELTS academic test scores. The minimum TOEFL score is 93 internet-based within the last 2 years of application year. The minimum IELTS test score accepted is overall 7 with no component lower than 6.5, within the last 2 years of application year.
- Preference is given to students with at least one year of experience in either a GPR or clinical practice after completing their dental degree.
- Completion of the application form through the Faculty of Graduate Studies, UBC. A completed application includes 3 references, transcripts from all previous degrees, degree certificates, personal statement as well as the application form and application fee. Reference letters, degree certificates, translations if required, and transcripts should be sent directly from the source in sealed and endorsed official envelopes. For additional information please see here.
- Short-listed applicants will be interviewed in October and November and offers will be made at the latest by mid-November.
- Eligibility for registration as a dentist in the Province of British Columbia is not a requirement for acceptance into the Graduate Program. Successful completion of the Program does not of itself confer eligibility for registration. It is also necessary to pass the Canadian National Dental Specialty Examination (NDSE). Applicants are referred to The Registrar, BC College of Oral Health Professionals.
Program Strengths
- This innovative, fully integrated university and hospital-based program began in August 2010 and was fully accredited in 2013, 2017 and 2024 by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of Canada (CDAC).
- UBC and BC Children’s Hospital are world renowned for excellence in research.
- The Nobel Biocare Oral Health Centre at UBC is an innovative clinic designed to create a sophisticated, efficient space for learning, community service and research. The Graduate Specialty Clinic, customized to the clinical needs of the Pediatric Dentistry specialty programs, opened in 2016.
- BCCH is the tertiary care hospital serving the children of British Columbia and all patients born with craniofacial abnormalities are referred here. Two dental operating rooms are newly equipped (2017) within the TECK Acute Care Centre.
- The program is based in a non-fluoridated community and serves a large population of children with high dental needs.
- Pediatric Dentistry is part of a full complement of specialties offered at UBC including Orthodontics, Endodontics, Periodontics, Prosthodontics and Oral Medicine/Oral Pathology. Graduate students will have unique opportunities to provide interdisciplinary care for their patients.
- Pediatric Dentistry students will work alongside Orthodontic Specialty students throughout their program.
- Students will have extensive experience treating children under general anesthesia at BCCH and sedation at UBC.
- Patient care experiences offer balanced exposure to healthy children and medically complex pediatric patients, including those with special health care needs.
- Vancouver is consistently rated as one of the most livable cities in the world with a mild climate and outstanding recreational opportunities.
Program Faculty
UBC Faculty
Dr. Randa Soussou, BDS, MSc, FRCDC, ABPD Diplomate*, Certified Pediatric Dentist, Director, Graduate Program in Pediatric Dentistry, Assistant Professor UBC, full-time
Dr. Kavita Mathu-Muju, DMD, MSc. FRCDC, ABPD Diplomate*, Certified Pediatric Dentist, Associate Dean of Academic Affairs, Chair, Division of Pediatric Dentistry and Associate Professor, UBC, full-time
Dr. Joy M. Richman, DMD, MSc, PhD, FRCDC, Certified Pediatric Dentist, Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Craniofacial and Dental Development, Professor UBC, full-time
Dr. Elsa Hui-Derksen, DMD, MSc, FRCDC, ABPD Diplomate*, Clinical Assistant Professor, part-time
Dr. Anu Korada, BDS, MSc, FRCDC, Certified Pediatric Dentist,Clinical Assistant Professor, part-time
Dr. Phoebe Tsang, DMD, PhD, FRCDC, ABPD Diplomate*, Certified Pediatric Dentist, Clinical Associate professor, part-time
Dr. Edwin Yen, DDS., PhD., FRCDC Certified Orthodontist, Director, Graduate Program in Orthodontics Program, Professor UBC, full-time
Dr. Leora Kuttner, PhD., Registered Psychologist, Clinical Professor, part-time
Dr. Hasnain Dewji, DMD, MSc, FCDSBC, FRCDC, ABPD Diplomate, Certified Pediatric Dentist,
Dr. MuhammadQays Dewji, DMD, MSc, FCDSBC, FRCDC, Certified Pediatric Dentist, Clinical Assistant Professor, part-time
Dr. Kevin Amaniampong, DDS, MSc, FRCDC, Certified Pediatric Dentist, Certified Pediatric Dentist, Clinical Assistant Professor, part-time
Dr. Gerry Pochynok, DDS, MSc, FRCDC, Certified Pediatric Dentist, Clinical Assistant Professor, part-time
Dr. Lori Santos, DMD, MSc, FRCDC, ABPD diplomate *, Certified Pediatric Dentist, Clinical Assistant Professor, part-time
Dr. Amin Salmasi, DDS, MSc, FRCDC, Certified Pediatric Dentist, Certified Pediatric Dentist, Clinical Assistant Professor, part-time
Dr. Atyaf Saleh, BDS, DMD, MSc, FRCDC, Certified Pediatric Dentist, Certified Pediatric Dentist, Clinical Assistant Professor, part-time
Dr. Dyar Bikey, DMD, MSc, FRCDC, Certified Pediatric Dentist, Certified Pediatric Dentist, Clinical Assistant Professor, part-time
Dr. Simran Sidhu, DMD, MSc, FRCDC, Certified Pediatric Dentist, Certified Pediatric Dentist, Clinical Assistant Professor, part-time
Dr. Zina Alkafaji, DMD, MSc, FRCDC, Certified Pediatric Dentist, Certified Pediatric Dentist, Clinical Assistant Professor, part-time
British Columbia Children Hospital (BCCH) Attendings
Dr. Jennifer Park, DMD, MSc, FRCDC, Chief of Dentistry, BC Children’s Hospital, full-time
Dr. Serena Kassam, DDS, FRCDC, ABPD diplomate *, full-time
Dr. Randa Soussou, BDS, MSc, FRCDC, ABPD diplomate, BCCH Professorship in Pediatric Dentistry, part-time
Dr. Phoebe Tsang, DMD, PhD, FRCDC, ABPD Diplomate*, part-time Dr. Winnie Zhao, DMD, MSc, FRCDC, part-time Dr. Joy M. Richman, DMD, MSc, PhD, FRCDC, part-time
Dr. Kunal Chander, DDS, MSc, FRCDC, part-time Dr. Amy Bellamy, DMD, MSc, FRCDC, part-time
Dr. Shannon Munsie, DMD, MSc, FRCDC, ABPD diplomate, part-time
Dr. Jassica Sarai, DMD, MSc FRCDC, part-time Dr. Raymond Grewal, DDS, FRCDC, Head of Oral Maxillofacial Surgery at BC Children’s Hospital
Dr. Jason Choi, DDS, FRCDC, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon Dr. Graham Grabowski, DMD, FRCDC, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon
Dr. Ahmed Hieawy, BDS, DMD, PhD, MSc (Cons), MSc/Dip, FRCDC Endodontics
* Board certified
School Profile
| Program Type: | Combined |
|---|---|
| Program Director: | Full-Time |
| Program Faculty: | 3 Full-Time 27 Part-Time |
| Program Length: | 36 months for MSc option, 72 months for PhD July 1 Start Date |
| Program Accreditation: | Approved 2024 |
| State Licensure: | Limited Post Graduate License Available |
| Number of Entering Positions: | 4 (minimum one international candidate/year) |
| Tuition In-State (CDN): | https://vancouver.calendar.ubc.ca/fees/tuition-fees/graduate/masters: Combined Master of Science in Craniofacial Science/Diploma in Pediatric Dentistry |
| Tuition Out-Of-State (CDN): | https://vancouver.calendar.ubc.ca/fees/tuition-fees/graduate/masters: Combined Master of Science in Craniofacial Science/Diploma in Pediatric Dentistry |
| Salary/Stipend: | 0 First Year Competitive Clinical Fellowship Stipend Second Year |
| Application: | $ 90 CDN/$150 CDN International Fee October 1 Deadline |
| Participant in National Matching Service: |
No |
| Participant in PASS: | No |
| This programm will consider applicants who graduatedm or plan to graduate, from a non-CODA accredidted dental school: | Yes |
| Applicants are eligible to enroll if they are: | US Citizen Us Permanent Resident Canadian Citizen Canadian Permanent Resident Non-US Citizen/Resident (applicant must obtain their own sponsorship) |
| Acceptance Applicant Ratio: | 4:16 |
| Clinic Experience: | Clinical experience treating children at UBC and BCCH |
| Didactic Experience: | Seminars Literature Review Courses Case Review Conferences |
| Research Requirement: | Thesis |
| Teaching Experience: | 30 Clinic Half-Days Yes Lecture/Presentations |
| Facilities: | 6 Chair/Operatories in quiet rooms 2 Operating Rooms at BCCH 3 Clinic Receptionists 4.5 Dental Assistants 1 Dental Hygienist |