Admission Requirements

Application Deadline

Applications must be submitted by September 15 to be considered for admission to the program. 

Please note: Admission to this program is highly competitive. We encourage all applicants to review the instructions carefully prior to commencing the application and to ensure their application is complete and submitted by the deadline.

Eligibility

  • Applicants must hold a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) degree (or their equivalent).
  • Graduates of non-accredited post-secondary institutions are required to complete the Advanced Dental Admission Test (ADAT). Official ADAT results must be sent directly from the American Dental Association (ADA) to Western University. Results are valid for a period of three (3) years.
  • Graduates of non-accredited post-secondary institutions but with a MSc or PhD (or their equivalent) in a dentally related field from an accredited post-secondary institution are not required to complete the ADAT.

Admission Requirements

  • A strong academic record is required, with a minimum “B” (75%) average or equivalent during dental school. Equivalent work or research experience may be considered on a case-by-case basis. Applicants must demonstrate the potential for success in graduate-level studies through their undergraduate performance.
  • At least one year of clinical experience in general or specialty dental practice or dental residency (GPR, AEGD, dental specialty program) is required.
  • A statement of interest (250-500 words).
  • Unofficial transcripts from all post-secondary institutions are required at the time of application. One official or certified copy will be required upon acceptance of an admissions offer. If available, a letter from the Dean or their designate indicating your dental school class rank.
  • Curriculum vitae (maximum two pages).
  • Three (3) letters of reference. A minimum of one (1) from a university faculty member who is familiar with your previous academic work.

For applicants who completed a DDS or DMD program (or their equivalent), where official transcripts reflect only pass/fail grades, please include a letter from the Dean or their designate providing your individual course grades or cumulative grade point averages for each year of study, as well as a letter indicating your dental school class rank.

Preferred Acceptance Criteria

  • Strong academic record
  • Letters of recommendation
  • Clinical experience
  • Professional experience
  • Research experience
  • Volunteer experience
  • Extracurricular activities

Complete the online application. Please note that a non-refundable application fee of $350.00 CAD is required.

Upon receiving an offer of admission, applicants must submit a non-refundable tuition deposit of $500.00 CAD to secure their place in the program.

English Language Proficiency

Applicants whose dentistry degree was completed in a country or institution where English is not the primary language of instruction are required to provide official documentation demonstrating that they meet or exceed one of the approved English Language Proficiency (ELP) requirements. We recognize that applicants come from diverse linguistic and educational backgrounds, and alternative forms of ELP documentation may be considered on a case-by-case basis.

  • The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Minimum acceptable score is 105 for the internet version, or 260 for the standard electronic version. [Western's TOEFL ID is 0984].
  • The International English Language Testing Service (IELTS Academic). The minimum acceptable score is 7.5 out of 9 with no individual score falling below 6.
  • The Duolingo English Test. The minimum acceptable score is 135.
    Applicants whose dentistry degree was completed in a country or institution where English is not the primary language but who completed a graduate degree (MSc or PhD, or their equivalent) from a country or institution where English is the primary language of instruction are not required to complete the ELP requirement.

Questions

Questions about the Graduate Orthodontics & Dentofacial Orthopaedics Program or this application process should be directed to postgraddentistry@schulich.uwo.ca for more information. If you encounter difficulties with the online application, please call 519-850-2341 or email gradapps@uwo.ca.