Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery

Residency Program

Four-year and six-year Advanced Education Programs in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery are offered at UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry, with special provisions available for individuals pursuing a Master of Science (MS) or Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree through either track.

Each program prepares practitioners to diagnose and treat diseases, injuries, and defects involving both the functional and aesthetic aspects of the hard and soft tissues of the oral and maxillofacial region.

The basic prerequisite for both programs is a DDS or DMD degree from an American Dental Association accredited dental school. Applicants to the integrated OMS/MD program must also meet additional medical requirements and submit Comprehensive Basic Science Examination (CBSE) scores.

Both the four-year and six-year certificate programs integrate medicine and dentistry through comprehensive surgical experience and advanced training. Clinical exposure includes:

Oral and maxillofacial pathology and oncology
Maxillofacial trauma and reconstruction (including microvascular procedures)
Cleft palate and orthognathic surgery
Dentoalveolar, implant, and TMJ surgery
Aesthetic and outpatient anesthesia procedures

4 Year Application 6 Year Application

The Academic Catalog contains detailed information on program requirements, application procedures, and tuition.

Academic Catalog - Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Internship

The Katz Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry offers up to three non-categorical internships for a July–June annual period.

Primary Responsibilities

Dentoalveolar surgery in an outpatient setting
Participation in the call schedule responding to consults for maxillofacial trauma, orofacial infections, and additional emergent conditions
After-hours care of hospitalized patients

Educational Opportunities

A comprehensive didactic program covering the entire scope of oral and maxillofacial surgery
An introductory History and Physical course
An introduction to outpatient anesthesia
Exposure to the operative management of oral and maxillofacial surgery disease and deformities in the operating room setting
Participation in a comprehensive trauma and rigid fixation course
Participation in a course focused on the evaluation of medical literature and a review of important publications (i.e., Journal Club)
Participation in Morbidity and Mortality Conferences
Participation in an Ethics in Medicine Program
Attendance at the Hinds Symposium, the largest regional OMS conference on contemporary practice in the Southwest U.S.
A certified record of operative and didactic experiences

Compensation

Interns receive the salary and benefits equivalent to a categorical PGY1 resident.

Scope & History

The UTHealth Houston Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Program is among the largest in the nation, enrolling six residents annually — three four-year certificate positions and three six-year OMS/MD integrated positions.

This full-scope program performs core OMS procedures as well as head and neck oncology, microvascular reconstruction, and esthetic procedures.

Based in the Texas Medical Center, the program includes six divisions across seven institutions and is supported by 14 full-time faculty members.

More information is available at www.utoralsurgery.com.

Two books have been written about the program:

Application Requirements

Three letters of recommendation
CBSE score (if taken)
Dental school transcripts
Current CV
Supplemental UTHealth OMS application

Please direct additional questions to the Director of the Internship Program, Dr. James Melville, or the Internship Coordinator, Meagan Stauss, 713-486-4052.

Internship Application

Externship Program

Program Description

The UTHealth Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Program is the largest in the nation, based in the world's largest medical center, and it is the only program in Houston. As a result, the scope of training is broad, and the number of cases significant. For those who are interested in academic careers, opportunities exist to spend time with our research faculty and staff. A PhD/certificate track culminating with a PhD from either the renowned Rice University Department of Bioengineering or the MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences is available. Qualified applicants may also pursue a medical degree after obtaining the PhD. Externs are encouraged to explore these diverse educational opportunities and visit Rice and GSBS while in Houston.

For more information, please email Kelly Garner with the subject line: OMS/MHH Externship Program – [Your Full Name]

Accommodation

Accommodations, including a bunk beds and showers, may be available at one of the medical center hospitals for a maximum of two externs per rotation. Meals, laundry services, scrub attire and white lab coats are not provided. A list of nearby lodging facilities can be provided by the department.

Application Requirements

Acceptance to the externship program is highly competitive, especially in the summer months. Applicants who accept an offered position are expected to honor their commitment. All applicants must be enrolled in their third year of a U.S. or Canadian dental school curriculum prior to starting their externship and must be in at least the top one-third of their class. Outstanding and motivated second-year students may also be considered on an individual basis. The following supporting documents are required:

Letter of support from the Dean of Student Affairs stating that the applicant is in good standing, and the school liability insurance policy will cover the student's activities while he/ she rotates with us
Letter of recommendation from a teaching dental school faculty member, preferably from the Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Department
Dental school transcript with documentation of class rank.
Affidavit of completed background check
Photo of applicant (passport size)
Current CV
Proof of the following:
- Immunizations (Negative TB test administered within last 12 months or a negative chest X- ray, MMR, DPT, Hep B (completed series ofthree))
- Liability insurance coverage
- Training in infection control and HIPAA
- Current CPR training

NOTE: Many Offices of Student Affairs will provide the information listed above in a certified letter, which is acceptable and usually avoids delays.

As mandated by Texas state law, the seasonal flu vaccine in now required for all visitors who will be in a clinical or hospital setting.

It is required that students from countries other than the U.S. contact the UTHealth Office of International Affairs before coming to Houston. This will avoid confusion concerning travel and visa issues. In addition, students arriving in Houston must check in with the Office of International Affairs prior to coming to the School of Dentistry.

Externship Program Application

Application Deadlines

There is no established application deadline as positions are available year round. In general, we recommend applying at least 4 months in advance. For the summer months, however, applicants are encouraged to apply at least 6 months in advance due to the large number of applicants and limited available slots. Applicants who are accepted will be offered one of the dates requested, wait listed and offered an alternate date, or wait-listed for the remainder of the year. On occasion, there will be last minute cancellations and consideration will be given to all applications.

Recent Externs

Recent externs were enrolled at the following institutions:

Boston University	Columbia University	Harvard School of Dental Medicine
Loma Linda University	Louisiana State University	Medical College of Georgia
Marquette University	Texas A&M College of Dentistry	Tufts University
University of British Columbia	University of California-Los Angeles	University of California-San Francisco
University of Detroit	University of Florida	University of Michigan
University of North Carolina	University of Pennsylvania	University of Sidney
University of South Carolina	University of Southern California	University of Texas-San Antonio
University of Toronto	University of Washington	University of Western Ontario
Virginia Commonwealth University

Externship Program Committee

Director: Craig B. Pearl, BDS, MSD - Assistant Professor; Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Memorial Hermann Hospital

Assistant: Meagan Stauss

Fellowship Program

The Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston offers a one or two-year fellowship in Maxillofacial Oncology and Reconstruction. The fellowship is approved by the Texas Medical Board (TMB) and is located in the Texas Medical Center in Houston, Texas. The objective of the program is to prepare the candidate in the comprehensive management of oral, head and neck oncology, salivary gland tumors and reconstructive techniques including microvascular surgery and tissue engineering. In addition, the candidate will participate in educational and multidisciplinary conferences pertaining to the comprehensive care of this patient subset. These experiences occur within the department and with affiliated departments including, but not limited to, Radiation Oncology, Medical Oncology, and Hospital Dentistry/Maxillofacial Prosthodontics. This position will also offer a unique opportunity to participate in research activities including laboratory-based projects and clinical trials. The fellow will also participate in scholarly activity publications, lectures, and mentorship of residents, and students.

Fellowship Application