The University of British Columbia Faculty of Dentistry, in conjunction with university affiliated teaching hospitals (BC Cancer Agency and the Vancouver Hospital and Health Sciences Centre) offers postgraduate residency training in Oral Medicine and Oral Pathology (OMOP). The program consists of a four-year hospital-based residency in both oral medicine and oral pathology specialties. This four-year program leads to dual certification and eligibility to take examinations of the Royal College of Dentists (Canada) Fellowship and the American Board of the Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology.
Program Outline
Specialty education will consist of a core curriculum of clinical practice supported by the appropriate foundation knowledge with opportunity to pursue specialty qualification in both oral medicine and oral pathology. Training in the core curriculum includes diagnosis and management of oral mucosal disease; orofacial disorders arising from ageing, systemic disease and medical therapies; diagnosis and management of non-surgical salivary gland disorders; assessment and participation in the management of diseases of the jaws requiring surgical treatment. The oral medicine pathway will include training in the oral/dental management of complex medically compromised patients and diagnosis and treatment of orofacial pain and other neurosensory disorders. The oral pathology pathway will include additional training in surgical and anatomic histopathology and laboratory procedures, techniques and diagnosis.
The didactic component of the program involves participation in seminars and case presentations at a post-graduate level, participation in literature reviews and in teaching rounds. Teaching opportunities exist in the curriculum of the undergraduate and graduate dental programs. In addition, residents will participate in ongoing basic and/or clinical research studies, and will be expected to contribute to at least one published article.
Curriculum
The core curriculum is designed to run for the entire length of the program, with rotations in anatomical pathology regardless of whether an individual pursues the oral medicine qualification or oral pathology.
Core Clinical Practice
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Core Foundation Knowledge
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Individuals will participate in the Oral Medicine Clinical Practice Pathway rotations and in the Oral Pathology Clinical Practice Pathway rotations.
Oral Medicine Clinical Practice
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Oral Pathology Clinical Practice
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Facilities
Resident training takes place at many UBC affiliated teaching hospitals.
Vancouver General Hospital
The Vancouver General Hospital and Health Sciences Centre – VGH Site is the major tertiary referral centre for the Province of British Columbia with 1303 beds, including 198 extended care beds, 20 short-term assessment beds and 55 discharge planning beds. The hospital’s major services are bone marrow and solid organ transplant, trauma and spinal cord injury, placement of cardiac and orthopedic implants, renal dialysis, and the management of medically and immune-compromised patients. The hospital maintains a large and active emergency department serving the needs of multiple trauma patients and those patients with a wide variety of hematological disorders. The dental facilities include three operatories dedicated to both inpatient and outpatient services plus an operating suite fully equipped for major oral and maxillofacial surgery. In addition, the Surgical Daycare Centre provides further surgical and restorative management of dental patients under general anesthesia without the need for hospital admission. The Emergency Department includes a one-operatory dental facility. The Provincial Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology Biopsy Service (OBS) is located at the VGH site within the Department of Laboratory Medicine.
UBC Hospital
The Vancouver General Hospital and Health Sciences Centre – UBC Site is composed of the Koerner Pavilion (240 acute care beds), the Purdy Pavilion (300 extended care beds) and the Detwiler Pavilion (60 psychiatric beds). The operating room in the Koerner Pavilion is equipped for oral and maxillofacial surgery and restorative dentistry. Treatment emphasis is on restorative dentistry, geriatric dentistry, oral and maxillofacial surgery and the physically or mentally handicapped patient.
BC Cancer Agency (BCCA) – Vancouver Site (A-VCC)
The BC Cancer Agency-Vancouver Cancer Centre consists of an outpatient clinic that registers 5700 new cancer patients per annum and a hospital unit containing 48 beds. There are four fully equipped dental operatories in the maxillofacial prosthetics clinic. General anesthetic facilities are available in two operating rooms for both ambulatory and inpatient care. A dental laboratory completes the dental services of this facility. The Agency provides a program of consultation, preventive, restorative and rehabilitative treatment to all registered patients whose need arises from cancer or the treatment of cancer. Programs of research and education are also undertaken.
St. Paul’s Hospital
St Paul’s Hospital is an acute care and academic and research hospital located in downtown Vancouver providing quaternary, tertiary and secondary care services. The hospital is centered in Vancouver’s urban core and, as part of its mandate, provides medical services for a unique disadvantaged patient population including, the poor, injection drug users, the homeless and street workers, and regional, provincial and international clients for specialized tertiary and quaternary care services, such as cardiac, renal, HIV/AIDS, and mental health.
UBC Faculty of Dentistry
The UBC Faculty of Dentistry Specialty Clinics is the site within which OMOP residents will participate in a variety of clinical OMOP specialty clinics. There will also be rotations in anesthesia and IV sedation.
Application Process
Accommodations
There are no facilities for housing residents at any of the hospitals. For additional information contact Housing and Conferences Department UBC (www.housing.ubc.ca):
Single Housing enquires – 604-822-2811
Family Housing enquiries – 604-822-4411
Remuneration
The stipend follows the salary of Resident Doctors of British Columbia. When applicable, remuneration for “on-call” services, plus allowances for travel and meals. Benefits include the provision of uniforms, 20 days of vacation (four weeks), plus medical, dental, extended health, on-call travel allowance, and life insurance plans. Residents are required to carry Long Term Disability and Malpractice insurance plans at their own expense.
Please consult the Resident Doctors of BC https://residentdoctorsbc.ca/ for information concerning the current Resident remuneration scale.
Individuals who do not have Canadian citizenship, or landed immigrant status, are not eligible for resident stipends. (See below regarding Foreign Dentists).
Fees
OMOP Residents are registered with UBC as post-graduate students in the Faculty of Dentistry and are responsible for an annual UBC student fee (eg. $455.76 for 2021-22). OMOP Residents are also registered with the BC College of Oral Health Professionals and are responsible for an annual registration fee (visit oralhealthbc.ca/register-renew for more information). Membership in the Resident Doctors of BC is required.
Foreign Dentists (neither citizens nor permanent residents of Canada):
Foreign Residents are required to pay an additional annual Foreign Resident Program Fee to be paid by a sponsoring institution/party. Individuals who do not have Canadian citizenship, or landed immigrant status, are not eligible for resident stipends. There must be a written guarantee that the sponsoring official institution/party will support the successful candidate with financial resources equivalent to current Residency stipends. As the University does not pay these individuals directly, the sponsors are responsible for making separate arrangements for their residents.
The University must approve all funding arrangements for sponsored foreign trainees. All guarantee documents must be submitted to, and in possession of, the Faculty of Dentistry Admissions Office before an application can be considered.
English Proficiency Requirements
Applicants who received their dental degree from a country where English is not the primary language must present evidence of proficiency in English. Tests must be written no more than 24 months prior to the application deadline date.
One of the following tests of English proficiency is acceptable:
TOEFL
The minimum TOEFL score required is 580 paper-based or 93 internet-based. TOEFL score sheets must be sent directly from the Educational Testing Centre in sealed and official envelopes or submitted through the TOEFL website. The institution code for UBC Faculty of Dentistry is B135. Photocopies of test scores are not acceptable.
IELTS
A minimum overall band score of 7.0 is required with a minimum score of 6.5 in each component of the academic (not general) IELTS test. IELTS score sheets must be sent directly from source in sealed and official envelopes, or you may e-mail us your “Test Report Form Number” if you have notified IELTS for UBC access. Photocopies of test score are not acceptable.
Application and Information
General inquiries can be directed to:
Admissions
UBC Faculty of Dentistry
2199 Wesbrook Mall
Vancouver, BC, Canada V6T 1Z3
Tel: (604) 822-7566
Send an e-mail
Specific information can be obtained from the Director of the OMOP Residency program:
Dr. Catherine Poh, Acting Director
Oral Medicine and Oral Pathology Postgraduate Hospital Residency Program
The University of British Columbia
Faculty of Dentistry
2199 Wesbrook Mall
Vancouver, BC, Canada V6T 1Z3
The deadline for the receipt of fully documented applications is September 15 for entry to the program the following year.
A $162.00 (CAD) application fee subject to change at any time is required. Please make certified cheque, money order or bank draft payable to UBC Faculty of Dentistry. A selection committee bases final selection of residents on the application information, reference letters, and a personal interview of short-listed applicants. All official application material, transcripts, degree certificates (translations), and references letters must be received directly from source in sealed and endorsed envelopes by the September 15th deadline.