Oral Medicine Externship 

Up to two, one-year externs will be selected annually. It is also anticipated that several externs will be selected per year who participate for a period of less than one year. 

How to Apply: Review the information available below. Complete the online application here.

Mission: To provide the graduate dentist with several opportunities to advance their dental education and clinical experience to a level beyond that accomplished in a one-year general practice residency program. The externship program also provides the dentist an opportunity to experience the practice of general dentistry within a large medical center employing a greater level of physician/dentist interaction. Emphasis is placed on dental management of medically complex patients, diagnosis and management of acute and chronic orofacial pain conditions, conscious and intravenous sedation techniques, and the development of advanced diagnostic skills. Additionally, this program provides graduate level training in the biological sciences, oral medicine, clinical and pathologic correlations, and experiences unavailable to the private practicing dentist or typical AGD resident. 

A significant portion of this program is devoted to observing comprehensive dental care with emphasis on diagnostic techniques and therapeutic skills in elderly populations served at the medical center. These patients are uniquely challenging with complex levels of medical compromise and have diverse oral disease, and frequently require sedation and implants. Case conferences will be held to permit integration of the above skill set. 

Completion of the program results in a Certificate of Clinical Externship in Oral Medicine awarded by the University of Kentucky.

Learning Objectives & Outcomes

Objectives: To educate well-rounded knowledgeable clinicians competent in the diagnosis and dental management of patients who have concurrent medical conditions, simple and moderately complex acute and orofacial pain, mucosal and salivary disorders, and those requiring conscious sedation. 

Outcomes: After finishing the program, externs will be able to understand how to:

• Take a comprehensive history of the chief complaint(s)
• Identify medical comorbities and their impact on dental care
• Conduct a comprehensive clinical exam
• Assess the need for further diagnostic tests
• Interpret diagnostic information
• Provide a list of differential diagnoses
• Assemble a comprehensive treatment plan
• Communicate with and refer to other health care professionals as needed
• Deliver conscious sedation in a safe and effective manner
• Critically assess the pertinent scientific literature 
• Discuss and formulate research designs

Clinical Experiences and Observational Training

• Conscious Sedation
• Geriatrics
• Hospital Dentistry
• Oral Cancer and Pre-Malignancy Assessment
• Oral Medicine
• Oral Mucosal and Bone Diseases General Dentistry
• Oral Pathology
• Oral Radiology
• Oral Surgery
• Orofacial Pain
• Urgent Dental Care
• Depending on length of stay, can include rotations with Otolaryngology, Rheumatology, Dermatology, and/or Oncology

Requirements

1. Applicant must be a U.S. citizen, a lawful permanent resident with a green card, or have or be eligible for a U.S. Visa. 
2. Applicant must be a graduate of a dental school approved by the American Dental Association or foreign equivalent and a GPA of 2.5 or above in their previous completed degree or residency program. 
3. Applicant must show motivation and interest in the program as indicated by his/her letter of intent.
4. Applicant must provide: i) an up-to-date CV or resume, ii) government identification with photograph (driver’s license, passport), iii) certified copy of dental degree and transcripts, iii) a letter of recommendation along with the application form, and iv) a personal statement. 
5. If English is not the native language of the applicant, he/she must show proficiency in the English language as indicated by TOEFL or IELTS scores.

If the applicant is not a citizen of the United States or a green card holder, the applicant shall need to provide the following for processing of a Visa:

For an I-20 request, the following are required: 

• Bank statement (in English, no older than 6 months – best if this is a simple statement of how much money is in the account, and not a transaction printout) – this must show ability to fund the full year of study ($18,000 in living expenses, plus the tuition amount)
• TOEFL scores (or alternative English proficiency, including letter from academic institution or interview done by UKCD)
• Copy of highest dental degree.

The program will select eligible applicants on the basis of criteria such as preparedness, ability, aptitude, academic credentials, communication skills, and personal qualities such as motivation and integrity. The program will not discriminate with regard to sex, race, age, religion, color, national origin, disability, or any other applicable legally protected status.

Duration & Tuition: The externship will last a minimum of one week, but can be extended for multiple weeks, up to 1 year (i.e., 12 continuous months). No less than 70 percent of the externship program will involve experiences in patient care (including inpatient and outpatient). Approximately 15-20 percent of time is spent in didactic and seminar learning, and about 10 percent is spent in research and scholarly activities. Schedule available upon request.

Externship applications will be accepted at any time. Up to two, one-year externs will be selected annually. It is also anticipated that several externs will be selected per year who participate for a period of less than one year. 

Tuition: 

Rates in US dollars and subject to change. 

Payment Instructions: Send check made out to "University of Kentucky" with "Oral Medicine Externship" in the memo line to:
University of Kentucky
College of Dentistry
Attn: Jill Selby
800 Rose Street, Room D131
Lexington, KY 40536-0297

If you have questions, contact Pam Calvert at pam.calvert@uky.edu. 

Clinical Duties and Patient Contact: Externs will observe through direct patient contact in both inpatient and outpatient settings, and will participate in the differential diagnosis process and help formulate a treatment plan. They should possess adequate communication skills and be proficient in English. Externs will be supervised by a Program Director and/or Primary Attending Faculty. Several dental clinics (i.e., Orofacial Pain/Oral Medicine Clinic, Urgent Dental Care and Comprehensive Care) will provide opportunities to observe patients with: 1) medically complex conditions, 2) acute and chronic orofacial pain, 3) oral mucosal and perioral disease, 4) salivary gland disorders, and 5) orofacial neurosensory disorders that vary in complexity. Externs may also help serve in consultation and the teaching activities of dental students in the Urgent Care Dental clinic at the University of Kentucky. 

Complete Online Application here.

Mission: To provide the interested dentist with opportunities to advance his/her dental education and clinical knowledge to a level beyond that accomplished from dental school training. The externship program also provides the dentist an opportunity to interact with faculty who work in a large medical center where collaboration between health providers occurs routinely. Emphasis is placed on dental management of medically complex patients, diagnosis and management of oral lesions, acute and chronic orofacial pain conditions, pharmacology, and the development of advanced diagnostic skills. Additionally, this program provides graduate level training in decision-making, the biological sciences, oral medicine, clinical and pathologic correlations, and manuscript review. 

Program: The program has nine learning modules. These modules are scheduled based on faculty availability at certain times of the year. Externs are required to take at least one module, and can take up to three modules per semester. Approximately 90% of time is spent on online didactic and seminar learning, and about 10% is spent in scholarly activities and discussions with faculty.

1. The Diagnostic Process
2. Medicine and Medically Complex Patients
3. Oral Mucosal Diseases and Soft Tissue Pathology
4. Pharmacology
5. Orofacial Pain
6. Diagnostic Imaging of the Jaws and Advanced Imaging Modalities
7. Virology
8. Research, Manuscript Writing and Critical Review
9. Decision Making and Risk Management

Learning Objectives: To educate well-rounded clinicians to be knowledgeable and have the ability to diagnose and manage dental patients who have concurrent medical conditions, simple and moderately complex acute and chronic orofacial pain, mucosal and salivary disorders, implement pharmacologic management of common soft tissue disorders, and understand the scientific process, decision making, research, manuscript writing and review process.* 

Learning Outcomes: After finishing the program, the extern will be able to understand how to:

• Take a comprehensive history of the chief complaint(s)
• Identify medical comorbidities and medications that can impact dental care
• Conduct a comprehensive clinical exam
• Understand decision making and best practices
• Interpret diagnostic information and assess the need for additional diagnostic tests
• Provide a list of differential diagnoses
• Assemble a comprehensive treatment plan
• Provide pharmacologic options for patients with oral mucosal disease, salivary gland disorders, and orofacial pain.
• Understand decision-making process and best practices for treatment
• Communicate with and refer to other health care professionals as needed
• Critically assess the pertinent scientific literature
• Discuss and formulate research designs

Registration: Registration requires completion of the online application and payment of a non-refundable $150 registration fee. The registration fee covers processing, Canvas access fee, and administrative costs. In order to complete the online application, please have the following items available:

• Dental transcript (jpg or PDF)

• National Board Dental Examination scores ( jpg or PDF)

• If English is not your native language: TOEFL score documentation (jpg or PDF). The minimum acceptable TOEFL score is 79 internet-based; the minimum IELTS test score is 6.5. 

Tuition: Tuition for the online externship in Oral Medicine is based on the number of modules enrolled in (see Course Information - Table). The minimum tuition is $800 per module. 
(*2021 rates; subject to change)

Payment Instructions: Send check made out to "University of Kentucky" with "Oral Medicine Externship" in the memo line to:
University of Kentucky
College of Dentistry
​Attn: Jill Selby
800 Rose Street, Room D131
Lexington, KY 40536-0297

If applying for your first course, include the applicaiton fee of $150 with any module payment. If you have questions, contact Pam Calvert at pam.calvert@uky.edu. 

Certificate: Completion of the program results in a Certificate of Externship in Oral Medicine awarded by the University of Kentucky.

Cancellation Policy: If cancellation notice is received at least 30 days in advance of the class, you will receive a refund of your tuition payment. If your cancellation is less than 30 days in advance, you will receive a credit good for one year from the date of cancellation in the amount of tuition you paid. Any cancellation that occurs after class has begun will result in loss of tuition payment. All cancellations result in loss of the registration fee.

Requirements

1. Applicant must be a graduate of a recognized dental school. Supportive documentation required.
2. Applicant must show motivation and interest in the program as indicated by his/her letter of intent.
3. Applicant must provide: i) an up-to-date CV or resume, ii) government identification with photograph (driver’s license, passport), iii) certified copy of dental degree and transcripts, iii) a letter of recommendation along with the application form, and iv) a personal statement. 
4.  If English is not the native language of the applicant, he/she must show proficiency in the English language as indicated by TOEFL or IELTS scores, and/or online interview.

Initial Date of Matriculation (Start Date): August 16, 2021

Interview Period: Interviews will be required. Typically the interview occurs approximately 1 to 6 months prior to the anticipated externship start date. 

Schedule: Generated based on duration of the externship.

* Disclaimer: The oral medicine externship is not a substitute for an oral medicine or orofacial pain residency training. Interested persons should explore the option of advanced education opportunities in these fields.

Craig S. Miller, DMD, MS, Oral Diagnosis, Oral Medicine and Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology Division Chief and Externship Director 

Thamer Musbah, BDS, Externship Co-Director 

Galal Omami, BDS, MSc, MDentSc, FRCD(C) 

Marcia Rojas Ramirez, DDS, MS, MPH

Program questions can be sent to Craig S. Miller, DMD, MS.