Observership in Periodontology Program

Program Description

The observership in periodontology program" is a program for dentists interested in the specialty of periodontology. It provides exposure to didactic and clinical periodontal and implant surgery procedures at a major North American academic institution to better acquaint the observer with the specialty and help decide whether to pursue a formal residency in the discipline.

The observership follows the exact schedule of the periodontics graduate program, and observers attend all classes/seminars that Periodontology Graduate Students attend. The only difference is that observers’ clinical activities are limited to assisting and observing, while Periodontology Graduate Students provide direct care to patients. The observers will also be provided with a self-study curriculum of journal articles to enhance their understanding of the specialty beyond that of an average general dentist.

The Observership in Periodontology program is considered a dental continuing education course, and a program fee is required. Observers do not receive graduate school credit but will receive a certificate of attendance upon program completion. Observership completion does not guarantee acceptance into the University of Alberta Periodontology graduate program.

Length of Program

The periodontics observership is a fixed-duration program of 3 months.

Benefits to the Foreign Trained Dentists

The periodontology observership program offers many benefits to foreign-trained dentists including:

• Exposure to North American dental clinical practices.
• Exposure to advanced periodontal and implant surgery procedures at a major academic institution.
• Help in making the decision whether or not to pursue a formal residency in the discipline.
• Provide opportunities for post-dental school continuing dental education.
• Provide opportunities to practice and perfect English language skills.
• Exposure to city life in the metropolitan area of Edmonton, and acquaintance with the Canadian way of life.

If this educational opportunity is of interest to you and you have any other questions, please contact Dr. Khaled Altabtbaei at altabtba@ualberta.ca.

PERMITS TO ENTRY INFORMATION

Medical Examination 

A valid immigration medical exam is required as you will observe clinical components where patients may be present. You must undergo an upfront medical exam before you submit your visitor visa or eTA application to IRCC. Visitor visa applicants must include a copy of the “Information Sheet '' from the panel physician with their visa application. To complete an upfront immigration medical exam, foreign nationals must see a doctor on the list of panel physicians that can be accessed here: https://secure.cic.gc.ca/pp-md/pp-list.aspx. 

VISA to Entry Application Information

To Determine whether you need to apply for a Visitor Visa or an eTA, you should visit the Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website here:https://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/visas.asp

• For the question: What do you plan to do in Canada? > Choose Study and then choose "I’m eligible to study without a permit"

• Click here for more information on Visitor Visa
• Click here for more information on electronic Travel Authorization (eTA).

Faculty Immunization Clearance Requirements

In order to ensure the safety of everyone in our clinical spaces, we require that all visiting students be immunized against tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis, varicella, measles, mumps, rubella and hepatitis B. Visiting students must also have a recent (within 12 months of the program start date) tuberculosis test result indicating that they do not have active tuberculosis. Students who fail to provide adequate proof of immunization will not be permitted to participate in clinical activities in the University of Alberta Oral Health Clinic.

Each student accepted into the Periodontology Observership must truthfully and satisfactorily complete this Visiting Students Faculty Immunization Declaration Form indicating your current immunization status. If you have not completed one or more of the required immunizations or tests, it is your responsibility to ensure you have completed each item listed on the form and report your completion of the vaccine doses to the School of Dentistry in a timely manner.