University of Washington
- Washington
- Oral Medicine
- dental.washington.edu
Program Contact
The Oral Medicine program is a continuous 24-month Master’s of Science in Dentistry (MSD) program that is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) as an Advanced General Dentistry Education in Oral Medicine. The program provides extensive training in both clinical Oral Medicine and research methodology.
Oral Medicine specialists require considerable knowledge in the basic health sciences (including but not limited to immunology, physiology, general pathology, pharmacology, and internal medicine) and must be able to apply this knowledge to the clinical management of orofacial diseases. An intimate understanding of the instruments, procedures and techniques used in the diagnosis of all oral diseases and a broad knowledge of treatment planning are also critical.
Clinical training focuses primarily on the non-surgical management of disease including pharmacotherapy, physical therapy, trigger point injections, biofeedback, the use of oral appliances, and behavioral counseling (as it relates to the management of orofacial disease). Surgical interventions such as biopsy, incision and drainage, curettage, and aspiration are also stressed where applicable.
The clinical and didactic portions of the program are designed to provide extensive training in the diagnosis and management of:
- Temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD)
- Nerve and neurosensory disorders (including burning mouth syndrome, oral and facial neuropathic pain, and trigeminal neuralgia)
- Chronic orofacial pain (including psychosocial aspects of pain management)
- Oral and mandibular movement disorders (including clenching/bruxism, dystonia, and tardive dyskinesia)
- Diseases/conditions affecting the oral mucosa (including aphthous stomatitis, lichen planus, vesiculobullous conditions, and allergic/hypersensitivity reactions)
- Oral dysplasia and other premalignant changes of the oral cavity
- Salivary gland dysfunction (including Sjögren’s syndrome)
- Obstructive sleep apnea/Sleep disordered breathing
- Oral complications of cancer therapies (including chemotherapy and radiation)
In the first year, clinical training primarily takes place in Oral Medicine Clinical Services (OMCS) at the University of Washington School of Dentistry (UWSoD), a large clinical service providing care to a large number of complex patients with a wide variety of need. Additional clinical experience takes place in Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology and the Dental Urgent Care Clinic (DUCC) at UWSoD. Rotations in oncology and transplant medicine at Fred Hutch Cancer Center (FHCC) and other Oral Medicine or Medical rotations may also begin in the first year.
In the second year students spend time in specialty Oral Medicine rotations including oncology and transplant medicine at Fred Hutch Cancer Center (FHCC), the Dysplasia clinic (a subunit of the UW Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery Center), and an elective rotation in the Dental Education in the Care of Persons with Disabilities (DECOD) clinic. Students also complete medical rotations in Dermatology, Internal Medicine, Otolaryngology, and Rheumatology through the University of Washington Medical Center (UWMC). All rotations are located in Seattle.
In addition to clinical training, the Oral Medicine program is devoted to the development of clinician scientists with a strong basis in research. To this end, all students receive training in critical thinking, research methodology, literature assessment, and biostatistics. All students are required to select an area of interest and complete research resulting in a Master’s thesis under the guidance of a faculty research committee.
Finally, graduate training also includes clinical and seminar-based teaching of pre-doctoral dental students at UWSoD. Students serve as clinical instructors in DUCC one session per week. Additionally, graduate students take part in seminar-based instruction of pre-doctoral students one afternoon per week during select quarters. Teaching responsibilities comprise <10% of total program time and are designed to enhance the education process. Additional opportunities are available based on the interest of the graduate student.
Many of our past graduates have used these skills to pursue careers in academic dentistry as clinicians, researchers, and educators. Others have used their training in private practices in oral medicine and/or the management of medically complex patients.
Program Information
| Program Type | Oral Medicine |
|---|---|
| Program Code | OM85 |
| Degrees Offered | Masters |
| Program Size | 4 |
| Program Length | 24 months |
| Program Start Date | June 17 |
| Supplemental Application | Yes |
| Supplemental Fee | Yes |
| Stipend Offered | No |
| Match Participating | No |
| Program Website | dental.washington.edu |
Application Requirements
Required Standardized Tests
- INBDE
- NBDE1
- NBDE2
- TOEFL
Supplemental Requirements
- Requires supplemental application
- Requires supplemental fee
Transcript Evaluation and Instructions
Official university transcripts from all attended universities are required.
Dental Degree Documentation/Credentialing Evaluation Report: Applicants who have completed dental school outside the US or Canada must submit evaluation of academic credentials by an approved agency to the PASS application.
Please contact one of the following approved agencies for assistance:
Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc.
Education Evaluators International
Education International, Inc.
International Education Research Foundation
World Education Services
Letters of Evaluation Instructions
Professional Evaluation Form (minimum 2, maximum 4): these are letters of recommendation and should be completed by dental faculty or appropriate professional colleagues.
TOEFL Requirement Instructions
TOEFL iBT or IELTS Academic test: Required of all non-native English speakers who have completed their dental degree outside the US or Canada. A minimum TOEFL iBT score of 95 is required, IELTS 7. Subcategory scores for iBT or their equivalent: Written 25, Spoken 26, Reading 21, Listening 17 will be given stronger consideration. Test scores are valid for two years and must be valid on the date the application is submitted.
Other Requirement Instructions
1. Institutional Evaluation Form: also known as the Dean’s letter must be completed by dean or designated official of the dental school attended.
2. CV / Resume
3. Personal Statement related to your interest in an Oral Medicine graduate program. (1-2 pages)
4. Supplemental application and fee information can be found on the university webpage https://dental.washington.edu/dept-oral-med/academics/oral-medicine-graduate-program/application-requirements/
International Student Eligibility
This program has not yet provided information to us on international student eligibility.
Additional Information
All applicants must meet the University of Washington graduate school minimum admissions requirements found here.
- Successful completion of a U.S. or international dental degree (i.e. DDS, DMD, BDS), or be in their final year of dental school in good standing.
- Have at least a 3.0 cumulative grade-point average on a 4.0 point scale or equivalent.
3. Individuals who complete dental school from a non-accredited university in the US or Canada must pass NBDE I & II, or INBDE.
4. A proven history of clinical practice (at least one year preferred).
5. General knowledge of research protocols at the university level (research experience is preferred).
6. English language proficiency (ELP) in reading, writing, listening, and speaking is required for graduate study at the University of Washington.
- Applicants whose native language is not English must demonstrate comprehension of the English language by taking the TOEFL iBT.
- A minimum TOEFL iBT score of 95 is required, IELTS 7. Subcategory scores for iBT or their equivalent: Written 25, Spoken 26, Reading 21, Listening 17 will be given stronger consideration.
- An admitted applicant with a TOEFL iBT above 95 (IELTS 7) but whose subcategory scores are below the TOEFL iBT equivalent of: Written 25, Spoken 26, Reading 21, Listening 17 and/or whose ELP skills are noted by faculty to prevent students from completing their didactic or clinical requirements will complete 1 to 3 UW Academic English Program (AEP) courses based upon the area of deficiency. The fee for AEP courses is separate from regular tuition. Non-native speakers with a speaking score below 26 are required to take Engl 105 depending on program activities (no additional fee).
- More information on the TOEFL examination.