17 minute read
Dental School Profiles
SCHOOL/PROGRAM:
University of British Columbia, Faculty of Dentistry DMD and Dental Hygiene Degree Program (DHDP) GRADUATE PROGRAMS Craniofacial Science Master of Public Health with Diploma in Dental Public Health CLINICAL SPECIALTY GRADUATE PROGRAMS Endodontics Orthodontics Pediatric Dentistry Periodontics Prosthodontics POSTGRADUATE PROGRAMS General Practice Residency Oral Medicine and Oral Pathology Residency Program
LOCATION:
Vancouver, BC, Canada YEAR ESTABLISHED: DHDP Entry-to-Practice (ETP) option (2007) and Dgree- Completion (DC) option (1992) DMD (1964)
STUDENT BODY POPULATION: DHDP: 94 (ETP), DC (68); DMD: 226
STAND-OUT COURSE/PROGRAM:
Our Summer Student Practitioner Program (SSPP), which is a unique opportunity for our students to not only enhance their clinical skills, but also experience the day-to-day working environment of dental practice.
UBCDENTISTRY
www.dentistry.ubc.ca The lesson you want students to take away with them:
• Use sound evidence to inform your decision making • Put your patients’ needs first • Be socially responsible citizens
What do your students offer to the profession after graduation:
Our graduates are well-trained, clinically competent, patient-centred oral health professionals who are ready to assume many roles (clinician, advanced learner, researcher, colleague, community leader).
What will students remember
most about the program: That the UBC Dentistry faculty and staff were focused on creating a safe, supportive environment that allowed them to learn and thrive. Furthermore, their classmates will be friends and colleagues for many years to come, as part of our proud alumni family.
How would you define the mission or vision of your school?
To advance oral health through outstanding education, research, and community engagement. Additionally, we wish to prepare our graduates for diverse professional roles in society that include clinical practice, public health, and academia (education and research).
How are you helping prepare the students of today to be the best practitioners of tomorrow?
We help prepare students by: 1. Integrating digital technology to ensure our graduates are current with emerging technological advancements. 2. Helping them develop critical thinking skills and demonstrating the importance of lifelong learning. 3. Engaging with community partners through
UBC Vancouver is located on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of the Musqueam people.
extended placements to better understand the diverse needs of vulnerable populations and access to dental care issues. 4. Providing curricular and extra-curricular opportunities for students to participate in research activities as well as local, national, and international service-learning programs.
What do you see as the future for dental school education?
We believe the future of dental school education will include the following: a hybrid/blended curriculum with enhanced integration of online learning modalities, distance learning/clinical placements, digital dentistry and tele-dentistry, interprofessional education in practice, and inter-institutional education (online models).
FACULTY OF DENTISTRY, DALHOUSIE UNIVERSITY
SCHOOL/PROGRAM:
Faculty of Dentistry, Dalhousie University
LOCATION:
Halifax, Nova Scotia YEAR ESTABLISHED: Originally inaugurated as the Maritime Dental College in 1908 and merged into Dalhousie University in 1912
STUDENT BODY POPULATION BY YEAR
DDS1 - 40 DDS2 – 48 DDS3 - 48 DDS4 – 48 DDH1 – 30 DDH2 – 30 BDH – up to 15
WE ALSO HAVE PLACES FOR:
3 x GPR residents 2 x paediatric GPR residents 6 x Doctor of Medicine/MSc in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery students 6 x Master of Periodontics students
STAND-OUT COURSE/CLASS:
Our courses give students hands-on experiences beginning in the first week of their program and early experience with patients in our clinic.
TWITTER @DALDENTISTRY LINKEDIN DALDENTISTRY
WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/DALDENTISTRY WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/DALDENTISTRYALUMNI
The lesson you want students to take away with them:
In addition to having up-to-date knowledge and excellent clinical skills, we want our students to be compassionate professionals who give back to their communities and those in need.
What do your students offer to the profession after graduation:
Our students go out into the real world after graduation well-trained in core skills and with a wealth of experience gained not only in our Faculty dental clinic, but in a wide range of outreach clinics that expose them to working with children, new immigrants, and those from underserved communities.
What will students remember most about the program:
Alumni often say that the Prosthodontic Olympics remains one of their most vivid memories. This lively competition helps second-year dentistry students to become faster and better at key skills and is also great fun.
How would you define the mission or vision of your school?
Our vision is to promote integrity, competence, and compassion while providing evidence-based, ethical oral health care to all populations, in collaboration with other health professionals.
How are you helping prepare the students of today to be the best practitioners of tomorrow?
Our group practice model brings together dentistry and dental hygiene students, faculty, and dental assistants to care for patients in a collaborative, ‘real life’ practice setting. It’s a cooperative way of teaching and learning that prepares students well for working in a professional practice. Our clinic underwent a major renovation, which was completed in 2018. Our students work in a modern clinic environment with all the latest
equipment, which also helps to prepare them for future practice.
What do you see as the future for dental school education?
Dalhousie’s Faculty of Dentistry is investing in digital equipment that will make treatments and processes faster and more efficient and enhance student learning. Digital dentistry is also environmentally friendly, requiring fewer disposable materials than traditional techniques. Professional practices are beginning to invest in digital technology and the National Dental Education Board will hold fully digital exams in the near future. It is important that students be well prepared for this new world of dentistry.
SCHOOL/PROGRAM:
Faculté de médecine dentaire de l’Université Laval
LOCATION:
Québec City YEAR ESTABLISHED: 1972
STUDENT BODY POPULATION BY YEAR (1ST, 2ND, 3RD, 4TH):
50 for each year
STAND-OUT COURSE/CLASS:
Only French speaking dental program east of Montreal in Canada. Every third and fourth years student has his own clinical space for the whole year. Fully renovated installations in 2021, after a 5 years complete renovation program. Specialty programs in Endodontics, Periodontics, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and GPR program.
WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/FMD.ULAVAL
www.fmd.ulaval.ca/ The lesson you want students to take away with them:
Engagement towards a very professional approach, the patients’ needs and wellness before any other consideration and a particular sensitivity regarding access to oral health for all.
What do your students offer to the profession after graduation:
A lot of practical experience with a very large population. Communication skills with the patients, but also with other oral health professionals and partners. A strong sense of their role in a total health approach combined with a multi-disciplinary knowledge that includes a profound respect for others’ expertise.
What will students remember most about the program:
A close-knit community who supports everyone in its good and bad days! Very accessible professors with a real interest in the students’ development. Dedicated, experienced and caring supporting staff totally involved in their success. Four years of high expectations and very busy weeks, but well-invested time and efforts towards a profession that brings very satisfying accomplishment.
How would you define the mission or vision of your school?
Deeply engaged in our community, our mission is to train highly qualified oral health care professionals to be conscious of their social responsibility and to share their knowledge with all populations. The Faculty plays an important role in developing knowledge in oral health with a balanced fundamental and applied research program. It is also actively engaged in promoting oral health for all.
How are you helping prepare the students of today to be the best practitioners of tomorrow?
By staying up to date with new technologies, by working closely with the oral health care industry in testing, improving and implementing the best strategies to facilitate better patient outcomes. We also strongly promote a lifelong learner approach by offering a vast and complete continuing education program. Combining an online and hands-on offer to all dentists in Quebec, we keep an open discussion with professionals about their needs regarding CE and continuously adapt our programs to the rapidly changing world of dentistry.
UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA
SCHOOL/PROGRAM:
University of Alberta, School of Dentistry
LOCATION:
Edmonton, Alberta, CANADA University of Alberta YEAR ESTABLISHED: 1917
STUDENT BODY POPULATION BY YEAR (1ST, 2ND, 3RD, 4TH):
Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) has four classes, each class has 32
Advanced Placement Program has 16 students each year Dental Hygiene Degree Program has 42 Graduate Students - 69
STAND-OUT COURSE/CLASS: Dentistry and Dental Hygiene
#UALBERTADENT
WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/UALBERTADENTISTRY
www.ualberta.ca/school-of-dentistry The lesson you want students to take away with them:
To engage in a course of action that explicitly responds to and serves the oral health care needs of Alberta. To be leaders in the communities they serve, to guide positive change, and to provide quality patient care in a professional and ethical manner.
What do your students offer to the profession after graduation:
Students gain the essential skills to work successfully in a complex, interconnected, and rapidly changing world. They also learn that giving back to their communities by serving vulnerable populations is essential in their role as healthcare providers.
What will students remember most about the program:
Students often remember and are very fond of their outreach rotations at our satellite locations, their dental missions, and the amount of clinical experiences they receive throughout their program.
How would you define the mission or vision of your school?
Improving the health of the people of Alberta and beyond through leadership in oral health care, education, research/scholarship and providing service that is responsive to societal needs.
How are you helping the students of today to be the best practitioners of tomorrow?
The School of Dentistry has the fundamental role in preparing dentists, dental hygienists, dental specialists and oral health researchers who are integral to the overall health care delivery system. Practitioners must be prepared to gather, interpret and assimilate new knowledge and apply it appropriately to meet the oral health care needs of an increasingly diverse population. The School of Dentistry has a responsibility to de-
liver undergraduate, post-graduate and graduate education, which prepares students to meet the challenges of rapid knowledge and technology advancements, changing demographics, shifting oral health priorities and globalization.
What do you see as the future for dental school education?
To implement effective active learning strategies to keep students engaged while learning their didactic portion of the program remotely. To pair up theory with practical, hands on experience and to further integrate medicine with dentistry so there is a true interdisciplinary approach.
MCGILL UNIVERSITY FACULTY OF DENTISTRY
SCHOOL/PROGRAM:
McGill University Faculty of Dentistry
LOCATION:
Montreal, Quebec, Canada YEAR ESTABLISHED: 1894
STUDENT BODY POPULATION:
245 (40 students in each undergraduate class)
STAND-OUT COURSE/PROGRAM:
Our 4-year Undergraduate Dental Program (DMD) curriculum is innovative and constantly evolving, reflecting the vision and mission of our Faculty and its outstanding academics and staff for training the next generation of leaders in oral health care. A unique feature of the program is that our students begin their journey with 18 months learning the fundamentals of health sciences in the Faculty of Medicine followed by 2.5 years of didactic courses, hands-on clinical training in state-of-the-art facilities as well as community and outreach activities which results in graduates that are exceptionally competent, professional, success-oriented and socially-aware dentists.
@MCGILLDENTISTRY
mcgill.ca/dentistry The lesson you want students to take away with them
We would like that our alumni be empathetic oral health leaders and compassionate lifelong learners who make a difference in the world, and collaborate in building a healthier future for all.
What do your students offer to the profession after graduation
McGill dentistry students are taught to constantly seek excellence and drive innovation in craniofacial and dental health sciences with a lifelong dedication to learning. Our graduates interact actively with oral health care organizations and decision makers, advocate for oral health and contribute largely to their profession by sharing their knowledge, expertise and resources via various vehicles and activities.
What will students remember most about the program?
McGill faculty of Dentistry is a place where students create strong ties with their peers, mentors and different communities. Our network is a close-knit family of students, professors, and alumni – all lifelong colleagues pursuing excellence in the dental profession.
How would you define the mission or vision of your school?
Education, research, and community services: the McGill University Faculty of Dentistry is unique in successfully integrating these three core pillars into its remarkable curriculum. A curriculum that highlights equity, diversity and inclusion, which takes a holistic approach in patient-centered care, empowers interprofessional and interdisciplinary collaboration, invests in digital end e-oral health care and education, masters evidence-based dentistry and translational research, encourages curious minds and out-ofthe-box thinking by active research training and inspires students to serve the community through
local connections and global outreach.
Made by McGill is our signature: we lead and we deliver transformative impact to improve the health and well-being of our global population.
COLLEGE OF DENTISTRY, UNIVERSITY OF SASKATCHEWAN
SCHOOL/PROGRAM:
College of Dentistry, University of Saskatchewan DMD (Doctor of Dental Medicine), CDA (Certificate in Dental Assisting), BSc Dent (Bachelor of Science in Dentistry), PhD Precision Oral and Systemic Health, IDDP (International Dental Degree Program
LOCATION:
University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan YEAR ESTABLISHED: 1965
STUDENT BODY POPULATION BY PROGRAM
133 DMD students 10 IDDP students 40 DA students 2 Oral Oncology Fellowship students 7 potential PhD students
STAND-OUT COURSE/PROGRAM:
The USask College of Dentistry is unique in at least four aspects. First, USask dental students get a higher amount of clinical experience in the complex areas of dentistry such as endodontics, crowns and bridges, than is usually available in dental schools. Second, the DMD and CDA programs have a unique approach where all clinics are integrated and interdisciplinary. The students learn to work in a team environment and develop 4-handed dentistry skills to prepare them for private practice after graduation. Third, the students learn social-responsibility as dentists through six-weeks of clinical care in community settings. Finally, the PhD program is the only dedicated program where students are able to integrate oral with systemic health and social aspects.
USASK_DENTISTRY
dentistry.usask.ca The lesson you want students to take away with them:
Students graduate from the programs with an appreciation for clinical skills they have learned, but they also develop soft skills and respect for the profession that contributes to positive relationships with colleagues and exceptional patient care.
What do your students offer to the profession after graduation:
Due to the college’s interdisciplinary approach, USask graduates are skilled in working within teams and can lead the profession with a high standard of care upon graduation.
What will students remember most about the program:
Alumni of the college repeatedly comment on the quality of instruction they received. The faculty and staff encourage students to look past the hard work of dental school and be excited for a future in dentistry.
How would you define the mission or vision of your school?
The USask College of Dentistry’s mission is to provide high quality oral health care to the people of Saskatchewan and to advance clinical and scientific knowledge through research. Its vision is to serve as a leader in dental education, research, community outreach, engagement and professional support.
How are you helping prepare the students of today to be the best practitioners of tomorrow?
The college maintains high standards in clinical education and also incorporate interpersonal skills and social responsibility so graduates are ready to be the future leaders of the profession.
What do you see as the future for dental school education?
The USask College of Dentistry believes the fu-
ture of dental education requires a shift to promote integration between basic science and clinical skills with the incorporation of interpersonal skills. Traditionally, dental education across Canada has had the sole focus on graduating dentists with competent in clinical skills, however, there was little emphasis put on interpersonal skills or knowledge of oral basic science. The College of Dentistry is committed to giving graduates a solid grasp of basic oral science, extensive clinical experience, and strong interpersonal skills.
UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO, FACULTY OF DENTISTRY
SCHOOL/PROGRAM:
University of Toronto, Faculty of Dentistry
LOCATION:
Toronto, Ontario YEAR ESTABLISHED: 1875
STUDENT BODY POPULATION:
TOTAL: 566 (D.D.S., international dentist advanced placement program (IDAPP), and graduate students)
STAND-OUT COURSE/PROGRAM:
Consistently ranked as the leading university in Canada, the University of Toronto provides an outstanding educational experience and conducts world-renowned research. The Faculty of Dentistry’s program is known for its strong academic foundation. As the only school in Canada where dental students can interact and learn from all ten dental specialty programs, the school offers students a unique advantage. Additionally, as the top research-intensive university in the country, students have the opportunity to conduct original research during their course of study, broadening their horizons and deepening their understanding of overall human health.
TWITTER.COM/UOFTDENTISTRY WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/CHANNEL/UCTNHBCZUJQA3NNTTGCVHGJW WWW.INSTAGRAM.COM/UOFTDENTISTRY/
WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/UOFTDENTISTRY WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/GROUPS/299575967294555/
The lesson you want students to take away with them:
Always to put the patient first. The Faculty and the UofT alumni community are here to support you after graduation. Your time at UofT Dentistry is the beginning of a journey that you will find both challenging and rewarding, but your UofT dentistry family is always here for you.
What do your students offer to the profession after graduation:
Uof T alumni possess the skills to continue lifelong learning, and the resulting flexibility helps our alumni weather inevitable changes to our profession. The strong academic foundation prepares them for contributions to teaching and scholarly activity, which, in turn, advances the profession. They are eager to do their best for patients and have special social bonds that bolster collaboration and collegiality in the profession.
What will students remember most about the program:
The countless learning opportunities and the quality of their education is balanced with a deep sense of community, collegiality and friendship.
How would you define the mission and vision of your school?
The Faculty shapes the future of dentistry and promotes optimal health, locally and globally, by: • Preparing the next generation of clinicians, scientists, educators and leaders in the profession • Conducting high-impact research • Establishing partnerships and networks locally, nationally and internationally to translate research knowledge into practice and policy • Promoting comprehensive and patient-centered care from disease prevention to management • Developing and supporting evidence-informed policies to advance and advocate for the needs of society We are driven by our vision to improve health by
advancing dentistry through inspired leadership, innovation, and excellence in education, research and practice.
How are you helping prepare the students of today to be the best practitioners of tomorrow?
The rigorous academic background students receive prepares our students to be the best practitioners of tomorrow. Students are exposed to scopes of practice that overlap across specialties, provide treatment for many who have difficulty accessing care, and work with a large and diverse patient population while under the supervision of an engaged and committed large cohort of clinical instructors and professors.
What is the future of dental education?
The future includes a more robust focus on public health and epidemiology, as well as greater emphasis on critical thinking, team management, interprofessional education and practice, and a shift towards more community-based, technologically advanced educational models.
