Oral Medicine CE Scholar Program

1. Take a comprehensive history of the chief complaint(s)
2. Identify medical comorbidities and their impact on dental care
3. Learn comprehensive clinical exam
4. Assess the need for further diagnostic tests
5. Interpret diagnostic information
6. Provide a list of differential diagnoses
7. Assemble a comprehensive treatment plan
8. Communicate with and refer to other health care professionals as needed
9. Critically assess the pertinent scientific literature 
10. Discuss and formulate research designs

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

Application Fee: Please complete the online application and submit $150 non-refundable application processing fee to the address listed in the Payment Instruction section. The application will be reviewed after receipt of the processing fee. 

Tuition: The tuition for the program is individualized based on the number of weeks and module enrolled. The minimum is one month at $3,380, but can be extended for multiple weeks, up to 1 year (i.e., 12 continuous months, see Table below). 

Applications are accepted throughout the year. Accepted applicants will be assigned their start date based on availability.

Rates in US dollars and subject to change. 

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. (This program does not offer Visas at this time.)
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) certified copy of dental degree and transcripts, and iii) a letter of recommendation. 
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.

1. Complete application with the Office of Observation and Learning Experience (OLE); available here: https://ukhealthcare.uky.edu/wellness-community/volunteer-observe/observ...
2. Receive approval from Office of Observation and Learning Experience
3. Show proof of up-to-date required vaccination records.
4. Individuals must be cleared with a Background Check administered by the University after the initial acceptance.
5. Comply with all required courses to attend UK clinics as directed by the College of Dentistry.
6. Obtain clearance from Office of Compliance.
7. Once approved the OLE office will issue an observational learner UK badge.

• Thamer Musbah, BDS, Program Director 
• Craig S. Miller, DMD, MS
• Galal Omami, BDS, MSc, MDentSc, FRCD(C) 
• Marcia Rojas Ramirez, DDS, MS, MPH
• Kenny Nusbacher, DMD, MHA
• David DeVito, DMD, PhD
  

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 option 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. Participants 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, participants 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) - optional

• 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 (Subject to change): Tuition for the online option is based on the number of modules enrolled in (see Course Information - Table). 

Payment Instructions: Send check made out to "University of Kentucky" with "Oral Medicine CE Scholar Program" in the memo line to:
University of Kentucky
College of Dentistry
Attn: Business Office 
770 Rose Street, Room D131
Lexington, KY 40536-0297

If applying for your first course, include the application fee of $150 with your application. 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) certified copy of dental degree and transcripts, and iii) a letter of recommendation.
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): Flexible based on applicant and faculty availability. 

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.

Faculty

• Thamer Musbah, BDS, Program Director 
• Craig S. Miller, DMD, MS
• Galal Omami, BDS, MSc, MDentSc, FRCD(C) 
• Marcia Rojas Ramirez, DDS, MS, MPH

Program questions can be sent to Thamer Musbah, BDS