Masters (MSc) Oral Medicine
This three year thesis-based MSc program prepares students to plan and manage dental care for medically complex patients; diagnose and treat medically-related disorders and conditions affecting the oral and maxillofacial region, including oral mucosal diseases and salivary gland disorders; and assess and manage orofacial pain disorders and oral chemosensory disorders.
The mission of the Oral Medicine Graduate program is to educate our Oral Medicine graduate students to provide the highest quality care to the diverse communities we serve. The program will provide a valuable resource to Alberta's dentists and physicians and their patients. We strive to contribute to the high-calibre research at the University of Alberta and prepare our graduate students for academic-clinical track careers. We are committed to fostering an environment that promotes collegiality, professionalism and collaboration.
Applications open: May 1
Applications close: September 1
For Admission to the Fall term in the year following the application deadline.
It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that all required documents are received by the application deadline noted above or the application will not be considered for admission.
Once you submit and pay for your application, you can use the GSMS Portal (Not Bear Tracks) to check the status of your application, determine if references have been received, replace referees, and upload documents. To access the portal, please sign in using the e-mail address and password initially used when you created your account.
Once you submit and pay for your application, your referees will receive a notice from the online application system requesting that their reference be submitted within two weeks of receiving the request.
Applicants must meet the eligibility requirements established by the Faculty of Graduate Studies, Graduate Oral Medicine Program Admission Subcommittee, and the Medical Sciences Graduate Program Committee.
An academic record that satisfies the basic entrance requirements does not necessarily guarantee admission. Admission will be based on demonstrated academic excellence, evidence of previous research experience, and the letters of recommendation.
Completion of a DDS Degree and Minimum GPA
The School of Dentistry requires the completion of a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or equivalent degree is required, with a minimum admission GPA of 3.0 on a 4-point scale or equivalent.
Admission GPA will be calculated using the last *60 of graded coursework completed, or on the equivalent of the last two years of full-time graded coursework.
Dental Experience and Licensure
The completion of at least one year of experience as a licensed dentist prior to the start of the program is preferred, but not required.
Although a current Albertan dental license is not a requirement to apply, preference may be given to candidates who have successfully completed the National Dental Examining Board of Canada's (NDEB) Certification Process.
English Language Proficiency (ELP)
English is the primary language of instruction and communication at the University of Alberta. All applicants must demonstrate English language proficiency prior to admission either by:
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Possession of an undergraduate degree or its academic equivalent from an academic institution recognized by the University of Alberta, in which the language of instruction is English, or;
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A satisfactory score on an approved English language examination as described below.
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TOEFL internet-based minimum score of 95 and the following minimum score on each of the individual skill areas:
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Listening - 22
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Reading - 22
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Speaking - 26
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Writing - 24
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IELTS (Academic) minimum score of 7.5 with at least 7 on each band
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CAEL minimum score of 80 with at least 70 on each subtest
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Test scores must be valid and verifiable. Test scores cannot be more than two years old.
For application purposes, unofficial test results may be submitted. If admitted to the program, official standardized test results must be issued directly from the testing office.
All required documents must be received by the application deadline.
Applicants should submit supporting documents though the online application portal. Please confirm that your documents meet the Application Requirements for Academic Documents. Documents that are not in English must be accompanied by a certified English translation.
Applicants are required to submit the following:
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Unofficial transcripts of all academic work in progress or completed at all post-secondary institutions attended.
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Degree Certificates must accompany transcripts that do not clearly indicate that a degree has been conferred/awarded/granted; and the date on which the degree was conferred. Degree certificates must include the date of conferral, the registrar's signature, and a post-secondary institution stamp or seal.
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A letter from your Dental School noting your graduation ranking (it should include the number of students in your graduating class and your ranking within the class) is expected if available. Stronger consideration may be given to those that provide such ranking. The letter can be either uploaded directly to your online application as a single pdf document or the Dental School can send the letter directly to dentgrad@ualberta.ca.
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Letter(s) of good standing from current and all previous licensing bodies. For candidates not licensed yet but in a GPR program, a letter from the Program Director stating they are in good standing with no professional conduct issues is required. Letter(s) can be either uploaded directly to your online application as a single pdf document or the licensing bodies can send the letter(s) directly to dentgrad@ualberta.ca.
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Proof of English Language Proficiency.
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The names and contact information of three professional referees who need to provide their recommendation letter before the stated due date.
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Curriculum vitae (resume) which includes education, qualifications, publications, community involvement, and previous professional and research experience
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Letter of intent describing why you wish to pursue graduate studies at the University of Alberta.
Official documents (transcripts, degree certificates, etc.) will be required upon receiving the conditional offer of admission letter. Documents must be sent directly from the post-secondary institution to the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research office.
Applications for the MSc in Medical Sciences (Oral Medicine) will be reviewed by all full-time faculty members of the Graduate Oral Medicine Program. A previously defined number of applicants will be granted interviews. Applicants that will be interviewed will be advised of the arranged interview time by e-mail.
The interview committee may include full-time Oral Medicine Academic staff and a representative from the School of Dentistry Graduate Studies Committee. Interviewed candidates will be ranked and offers of admission made based on the number of available spots.
Admission to the MSc in Medical Sciences Oral Medicine Program is dependent upon the recommendation of the Graduate Oral Medicine Program Admission Subcommittee, and the Medical Sciences Graduate Program Committee. The Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research makes the final decision.
Candidates should be prepared to support themselves for the duration of their selected program, although limited funding from scholarships and studentships may be obtained on a competitive basis.
Information on the tuition and fees for Graduate students can be found on the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research Website.
Information on the cost of living in Edmonton can also be found here.
In addition to tuition, clinic-related fees will be charged. The amount for these clinic-related fees would be approximately $13,000.00 per year.
Additional certification fees and equipment purchase will apply for the following:
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Three neuromodulator courses (approximately $10,000)
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Registration with the Alberta Dental Association and College
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CPR Training annually
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Camera and Laptop Purchase
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Conference-related costs
*Please note that all fees are subject to change.
Oral Medicine Faculty Members
Faculty contact information can be found under Our Researchers.
- Dr. Pallavi Parashar (Program Co-Director)
- Dr. Reid Friesen (Program Co-Director)
- Dr. Tim McGaw
Program Information
Completion of the following courses is required:- DENT 505, 506 (General and Oral Pathology)
- DENT 514, 515, 519, 614, 615, 619, 714, 715, 719 (Oral Medicine Clinics)
- DENT 520, 521, 522, 620, 621, 622, 720, 721, 722 (Temporomandibular Disorders Orofacial Pain and Sleep-Disordered Breathing Clinics)
- DENT 543 (Introduction to Research methods and Data Management)
- DENT 560, 561 (TMD/Orofacial Pain/Sleep-Disordered BreathingSeminars)
- DENT 565 (Evidence-Based Dentistry)
- DENT 567, 568 (Systematic Reviews in Dentistry)
- DENT 606 (Pharmacotherapeutics in Oral Medicine)
- DENT 607 (Advanced Oral Radiology)
- DENT 608, 609 (Advanced Oral Pathology)
- DENT 623, 624, 723, 724 (Oral Medicine Seminars)
- DENT 630 (Medically Complex Patients)
More courses may be taken over and above what is required for the program based on requirements set by the supervising committee. Any courses being taken over and above what is required for the program should be registered for with the assistance of the Graduate Program Administrator.
The minimum time required to complete the MSc is three years. The maximum time permitted to complete the program as set by the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research is four years. Students are required to reside is Edmonton for the entirety of their Clinical program.
Clinical Assessment
Academic staff & Faculty will assess diagnosis, treatment planning and treatment skills. Feedback from these assessments will serve to identify weak areas in the student's progress that will permit the development of specific improvement objectives. Failure to overcome the limitations will require the student to extend their program or may imply a failing grade in the clinical course(s).
An Education and Research license is required from Alberta Dental Association and College (ADA&C) for the duration of the program. This documentation is due prior to starting the program in the fall term. Candidates who already possess a full license from the ADA&C do not need to obtain additional licensure.