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: richman@dentistry.ubc.ca

Program Length and Number of Positions

The MSc Program is 38 months and the Ph.D option is 72 months in duration. 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 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: 
Mrs. Vicky Koulouris, Manager of Admissions, Faculty of Dentistry, the University of British Columbia
2199 Wesbrook Mall
Vancouver, B.C., V6T 1Z3, Canada
Phone: (604) 822-4486 or Fax: (604) 822-3562

Description

The MSc/Diploma program is a 38 month program. The first year of the Program is university based with the hospital becoming a significant component of the training starting in May of first year and carrying on years 2 and 3. Trainees will develop the clinical skills needed to treat healthy, medically compromised and developmentally delayed children and adolescents. In addition to 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 3 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 2-4 and then to complete clinical training in years 5 and 6. Students applying to this program are expected to have previous research experience. The MSc/ PhD degree and diploma are awarded concurrently. M.Sc. and PhD. thesis preparation and submission follow present guidelines set by the Faculty of Graduate Studies. Please see www.grad.ubc.ca/studies/thesis. 

With successful completion of the Program, students will be prepared for the National Dental Specialty Examination in Pediatric Dentistry for Royal College of Dentists of Canada Fellowship and the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry examinations. 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 course work includes the following topics: child development, management of pediatric oral disease, behavior management (non-pharmacological and pharmacological), craniofacial growth and development, orthodontics, traumatic injuries, pediatric medicine, biomaterials, oral pathology, speech/language pathology, biostatistics and research design. Learning will be done in seminars and case conferences. 

Students will complete rotations in Anesthesiology, Hematology/Oncology and Emergency Department at BC Children’s Hospital. Pediatric Medicine rotations will take place in community practices of hospital-affiliated pediatricians. Students will also participate in the Cleft Palate/Craniofacial and Hemophilia Clinics. Elective rotations 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 late in the first year of the program and continuing in year 2. Throughout the program, there may be opportunities to do external rotations in clinics in the local community and northern health care centers.  

Program Stipend and Tuition

The first year M.Sc. and PhD tuition is composed of two components: Degree tuition and Program Clinic Fees. The Program Clinic Fee is reduced by approximately 50% in years 2 and 3 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 5 and 6. A Hospital Foundation Clinical Fellowship Stipend may be available for the second and third years of the program for MSc. For up-to-date information see here.

Facilities

  • Graduate clinic, Faculty of Dentistry, UBC
  • Department of Pediatric Dentistry, BC Children’s Hospital
  • Teck Acute Care Centre, BC Children’s Hospital
  • 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 the UBC Faculties of Graduate + Postdoctoral Studies and Dentistry.  
  • Applicants must hold a Doctor of Dental Surgery or Dental Medicine or equivalent from a recognized university. 
  • Fluency in the English language is required. The minimum TOEFL score for graduates from a country where English is not the primary language (regardless if the language of instruction is English), is 580 paper-based or 93 internet-based 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-November and offers will be made at the latest by the beginning of December.
  • 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, The College of Dental Surgeons of B.C. (www.cdsbc.org)

Program Strengths

  • This innovative, fully integrated University and Hospital-based program began in August 2010 and was fully accredited in 2013, 2017 by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of Canada (CDAC). 
  • University of British Columbia and BC Children’s Hospital (BCCH) are world renowned for excellence in research. 
  • The Nobel Biocare Oral Health Centre at UBC uses state-of-the-art technology and an innovative architectural design to create a sophisticated, efficient space for learning, community service and research. A new Graduate Specialty Clinic, customized to the clinical needs of the specialty programs, was 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 along side with the Orthodontic Specialty students throughout their program. The coordinator of the Orthodontic module has dual training in Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics. 
  • Students will have extensive experience treating children under general anesthesia and sedation.
  • Patient care experiences will include an excellent balance of healthy children and those with co-morbidities. 
  • Vancouver is consistently rated as one of the most livable cities in the world with a mild climate and outstanding recreational opportunities.

Program Faculty

Dr. Joy Richman, D.M.D., Ph.D., FRCD (C)*, Certified Pediatric Dentist,
Professor and Director, Graduate Program in Pediatric Dentistry
Dr. Kavita Mathu-Muju, D.M.D., M.Sc. F.R.C.D.(C)* Certified Pediatric
Dentist and Associate Professor, full-time
Dr. Ping Zhang, DDS, PhD, Specialist in Pediatric Dentistry,
Associate Professor, full-time
Dr. Jennifer Park, DMD, MSc, FRCD (C)*, Chief of Dentistry,
BC Children’s Hospital, full-time
Dr. Shan Sun, DMD, MSc, FRCD(C)*, Attending,
BC Children’s Hospital
Dr. WaSham Cheung D.D.S., FRCD (C)*, Clinical Professor and Attending,
BC Children’s Hospital
Dr. Anu Korada, BDS, MSc, FRCD (C)*, Clinical Assistant Professor,
part-time and Attending BC Children’s Hospital
Dr. Serena Kassam, DDS, FRCD (C)*, AAPD Board Certified *,
Clinical Assistant Professor, part-time and Attending BC Children’s Hospital
Dr. Phoebe Tsang, DMD, PhD, FRCD(C)*, Clinical Associate professor
and Attending, BC Children’s Hospital
Dr. Winnie Zhao, DMD, MSc, FRCD(C)*, Attending, BC Children’s Hospital
Dr. Elsa Hui-Derksen, DMD, MSc, FRCD(C)*, AAPD Board Certified*, Attending, BC Children’s Hospital
Dr. Kunal Chander, DMD, MSc, FRCD(C)*, Attending, BC Children’s Hospital
Dr. Amy Bellamy, DMD, MSc, FRCD(C)*, Attending, BC Children’s Hospital
Dr. Raymond Grewal, DDS, FRCD(C)*, Head of Oral Maxillofacial Surgery
at BC Children’s Hospital
Dr. Kourosh Khodarahmi, DMD, Clinical Assistant Professor
Dr. David Kennedy, D.M.D., MSc, FRCD (C)* Certified Orthodontist and
Pediatric Dentist, Clinical Professor
Dr. Edwin Yen, D.D.S., Ph.D., FRCD (C)* Certified Orthodontist, Professor
and head of the Graduate Orthodontics program.
Dr. Leora Kuttner, Ph.D., Registered Psychologist, Clinical Professor

* Board certified

 

School Profile

 

Program Type: Combined
Program Director: Full-Time
Program Faculty: 3 Full-Time
14 Part-Time
Program Length: 38 months for MSc option, 72 months for PhDTotal Months
2nd week of August Start Date
Program Accreditation: Approved
State Licensure: Restricted License Available
Restricted educational license available for pract
Number of Entering Positions: 4 (minimum one international candidate/year)
Tuition In-State (CDN): 18,473.74 First Year (2019)
18,843.22 Second Year (2019)
19,220.08 Third Year (2019)
Tuition Out-Of-State (CDN): 43,926.81 First Year (2019)
44,805.35 Second Year (2019)
45,701.45 Third Year (2019)
Salary/Stipend: 0 First Year
Likely 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
Only US citizens from ADA 
accredited dental schools 
considered:		  
US citizens from foreign dental 
schools considered:		 Yes
Non-US citizens from ADA 
accredited dental schools 
considered:		 Yes
Non-US citizens from foreign 
dental schools considered:		 Yes
Acceptance Applicant Ratio: 4:26
Clinic Experience:  
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
3 Clinic Receptionists
4.5 Dental Assistants
1 Dental Hygienist