OMFS externships

[Nonamed123]

I am an international BDS student from the UK, and I am planning to move to Canada after graduation and clear the NDEB. I definitely want to specialise and I am aware my journey towards becoming an OMFS is going to be almost impossible, but I want to to as many externships as I can and be the best candidate possible and keep my window open. Unfortunately, due to COVID I can't travel to US or Canada to do any externships this year. I do have some opportunities with some OMFS surgeons in the UK that I could shadow this summer. Would universities count this experience or they only consider students who do their externships from US/Canada?
Also how many weeks of externships do competitive applicants aim for?

I understand this may be a tricky question and my chances are very slim, but please try to look past that and allow me to keep my window open! Any advice appreciated 🙂

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[dentistrydmd]

Do a qualifying program rather than the NDEB process so you will have an actual degree from a Canadian dental school. This will take you about 2.5 years (about the same amount of time it takes to finish the equivalency process). Then you can now apply for OMFS for both Canadian and US universities which will drastically improve your chances of getting in. It is easier to get into OMFS in the US and given your background having completed dentistry before, I'm sure youd be able to get into a four year program right out of dental school.

It is highly unlikely you will get into any OMFS program in the US or Canada as an international graduate. I think last year in the entire match process only one international got in and it is likely they had a PhD or other distinguishing aspects that made them extremely competitive versus other applicants.

 

[Nonamed123]

Hey, thanks for your reply! Is there a stats table where you found out that there was only one international?

 

[dentistrydmd]

NMS match website stats.

 

[Nonamed123]

Could you please send a link if possible? I can’t seem to find applicant stats. Thanks!

 

[dentistrydmd]

Dental Match | Statistics of the Match

natmatch.com

 

[oralcare123]

Don't waste your time on Canadian universities. Apply in US

 

[dentistrydmd]

Don't waste your time on Canadian universities. Apply in US

Given the fact that it is much cheaper to attend a Canadian university, I would say it would not be a waste of time. That's not to say they shouldnt apply to the US as well. If money is not a factor then it may not be a huge deal. Ultimately, the degrees are equivalent and there is virtually no difference practically whether you do them in the US or Canada. Only price.

 

[oralcare123]

There is a huge difference in the admission and selection processes. That is why Canadian universities are a waste of time, unless he has perfect stats

 

[dentistrydmd]

There is a huge difference in the admission and selection processes. That is why Canadian universities are a waste of time, unless he has perfect stats

Internationals work on a different standard. For qualifying programs they look at things differently since there is a lot of inter-school variability. Of course you need to be a good candidate, but it is much more doable than competing for the same spots as the competitive Canadian applicants. Definitely worth the application for as many of those schools you can.