Program Objectives

This opportunity will include learning to identify and diagnose oral lesions, attending foundational courses inclusive of the contemporary scope of OMFP, current literature, classic literature, clinicopathological cases, rotation in oral pathology consultant service, and advanced slide seminars, oral surgery seminar along with interdisciplinary treatment-planning seminar. As part of their exposure to surgical oral pathology, each participant will be assigned to one or two residents to shadow and assist, under the supervision of attendant faculty. Participants who enroll in the 6-month program, upon the approval of the OMFP program director and faculty, may have the opportunity to participate in ongoing research projects.

Participants in this program attend school on a full-time basis, attending classes with the OMFP residents. Upon completion and meeting the requirements of the program, it is expected that the individual will gain experience in microscopic diagnostic skills and gain insight and improve their knowledge in the specialty of OMFP. Participants will receive a certificate of continuing education hours (CE hrs) from the UMSOD Office of Continuing Dental Education.

*Note:

This OMFP Advance Program for Internationally Trained Dentists (observership) CE hrs. certificate is NOT the same certificate as the CODA-accredited OMFP residency program. If you are interested in the CODA-accredited Advanced Residency Program in OMFP or the graduate program in Oral and Experimental Pathology, please refer to https://www.dental.umaryland.edu/ods/education/

This program is not intended to prepare individuals to practice the specialty of OMFP in the US. Completion of these Continuing Education hours is an educational goal, and in no way ensures acceptance to the Advanced Residency Program in OMFP.

Schedule

This program was developed to be either a 3‐month or 6-month experience.

Mondays through Fridays, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. 

• Holidays and vacations coincide with the post‐graduate schedule.
• Participants will be allowed eight (8) additional days for personal or sick days.
• The school may also close for severe weather events.

Criteria for Selection

• Commitment to improving didactic and clinical knowledge in the field of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology
• Educational background and previous training.
• Admission interview.
• See also Admission Requirements on page 3.
• There are three positions available each year.

Evaluation of Participant

For satisfactory completion of the program, the Participant must: 

• Demonstrate a high level of professionalism, and clinical and research ethics.
• Regular attendance and participation in clinical sessions, seminars, and lectures
• Fulfill assigned scholarly activities and projects.

Facilities

The University of Maryland School of Dentistry is located on The University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) Campus. UMB is Maryland's only public health, law, and human services university. Six professional schools and a Graduate School confer the majority of health care, human services, and law professional degrees in Maryland each year.

To Apply:

Students can submit their application and documents via the Advanced Program for Internationally-Trained Dentists Application.

Deadline for submission of applications

June 1 for the Fall semester

October 1 for the Spring semester

Admission Process

Upon submission of all required documentation, the applications will be reviewed by the admissions committee.  As required, in-person, phone, or virtual interviews might be scheduled with the applicant.  Admission criteria to the OMFP Observership Program includes, but is not limited to, the academic achievements, demonstrated interest in OMFP, TOEFL scores and performance in previously attended academic programs, clinical experience, and letters of recommendation. 

Application Requirements

• Completed application
• Application fee ($160.00 USD)
• Curriculum vitae (CV)
• Personal statement/letter of intent
• Notarized copy of dental school diploma/degree
• Original transcripts/translated into English
• ECE/WES course-by-course evaluation
• TOEFL score reports
• Three letters of recommendation
• Passport biographical page
• J-1 Visa (minimum requirement)

English Language Test Requirements:

• TOEFL (minimum 80 internet-based test, 550 paper-based)*
• IELTS (minimum 7.0 total bandwidth score) please attach results*

*Scores from these exams must be no more than two years old at the time of submission of the J-1 request.

Program Fee

Three months: $15,000 USD

Six months:     $30,000.00 USD

A non-refundable deposit of 3,500 USD is required to hold your place in the program and must be received within 10 business days of the acceptance notification. The formal acceptance packet will be sent upon receipt of the deposit. The balance of the full tuition is due one month before the start of the program.

International Student Admissions Standards

International Students who require J-1 visa sponsorship to attend the University of Maryland must demonstrate English proficiency and financial responsibility before the Office of International Services (OIS) can issue the appropriate visa document for the program of study.

English Proficiency
International students requiring visa sponsorship from the Office of International Services (OIS) must demonstrate English proficiency.  Proficiency is most often verified through the TOEFL or IELTS English Language Proficiency tests.  For students whose native language is English, the TOEFL requirement may be waived. 

Cancellation policy

To participate in this program, you must be pre-registered with the Office of Continuing Dental Education. No refunds of any tuition paid will be made after the program has started.

Credit

This program offers a unique opportunity for didactic and hands‐on simulation experience in the Department of General Dentistry. It is a non‐matriculated, continuing dental education program. If the participant completes the program as designed, they will earn continuing education credit hours.

• 3 months: 20 continuing education credit hours (spring or fall semesters)
• 6 months: 40 continuing education credit hours (spring and fall semesters)

Contact Information

For application inquiries, please contact:

Keith Groves, DMin, MPC
Executive Director of Continuing Education
University of Maryland School of Dentistry
650 West Baltimore Street, Suite 6207
Baltimore, MD 21201
Email: kgroves@umaryland.edu

Michelle Howell, BS
Assistant Director of Continuing Education
University of Maryland School of Dentistry
650 West Baltimore Street, Suite 6207
Baltimore, MD 21201
Email: mhowell@umaryland.edu

For program inquiries, please contact: