Education · 1 of 4
The path
Dental school first, then a hospital residency alongside medical residents.
- 1
High school
Grades 11 and 12
Top marks in biology, chemistry, math and English. Dental school admission is roughly as hard as medical school.
- 2
University
2 to 4 years
Most dental schools want 2 to 4 years of science courses with a high GPA (grade point average). Write the DAT (Dental Aptitude Test).
- 3
Dental school
4 years
The DDS (Doctor of Dental Surgery) or DMD (Doctor of Dental Medicine). Classes, then years of treating patients in the school clinic. Get to know the oral surgery department early.
- 4
Oral and maxillofacial surgery residency
4 to 6 years
Hospital-based, 4 to 6 years. You rotate through general surgery, anesthesia and internal medicine with the medical residents, then spend years in oral surgery. Some Canadian programs run 6 years and include a medical degree.
- 5
Specialty exam and licence
End of residency
Pass the NDSE (National Dental Specialty Examination) run by the Royal College of Dentists of Canada, then register as a specialist with your provincial dental regulator.