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Academic programs in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery offer both predoctoral and advanced education residency opportunities.

Predoctoral DMD students may take advantage of the internship and externship programs, while advanced specialty training is offered in the OMS Surgical Residency Program.

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Residency Program

The Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (OMS) at the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine offers a six-year, dual-degree program, and a four-year program. Three residents are accepted each year (two six year positions and one four year position), and they commence training as interns in the department. In the six-year, dual-degree program, two residents join their corresponding medical school class in the spring of the first year. These residents earn a medical degree and participate in advanced surgical training in oral and maxillofacial surgery, spending a total of 33 months on the oral and maxillofacial surgery service. The four-year program offers a total of 33 months on the oral and maxillofacial surgery service and rotating on medicine, surgery and anesthesia services the other 15 months. The department’s graduates have accepted positions in both outstanding surgical practices and university attending positions at major medical centers throughout the United States.

Eight full-time oral and maxillofacial surgery faculty members, as well as part-time faculty and private practice oral and maxillofacial surgeons from the Pittsburgh area, provide surgical training and mentoring. The School of Dental Medicine has, on-site, a modern ambulatory surgical suite with full anesthesia support and facilities that enhance caseload and outpatient surgical management. The department provides instruction in anesthesia, dentoalveolar surgery, dental implants, head and neck pathology, cleft and craniofacial disorders, craniofacial trauma, and head and neck anatomy.

Residents

The program is designed to be truly “integrated” and allow for the maximal benefit of coordinated medical training, and progression of knowledge and skill in oral and maxillofacial surgery. Residents are exposed to the full scope of oral and maxillofacial surgery throughout their training-including interdisciplinary care. From day one, new residents work with first professional dental students in a training and supervisory role in the undergraduate OMS clinic. They are involved in managing emergency cases at the UPMC Montefiore Dental Center and in assist the attending surgical faculty in the operating rooms of UPMC Presbyterian/Shadyside, Mercy Hospital, and Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC. During the entire final year of the program, the chief residents devote a full 12 months to the OMS service, working with an enviable surgical caseload. Residents are also required to attend the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Grand Rounds, Journal Club, treatment planning conferences in the Dentofacial Deformities Program (in conjunction with the Orthodontic Program), and the weekly Surgical Treatment Planning and Trauma Conference.

Application

The annual application deadline is September 1 of the preceding year. Late applications will not be accepted. Applicants must graduate from an ADA-accredited dental school, must apply through the ADEA Postdoctoral Application Support Service (PASS), and must participate in the Postdoctoral Dental Matching Program (MATCH).

Interview and Selection

Applicants are screened for interviews that occur in November and December of each year. In late January, through the MATCH Program, two applicants are selected to matriculate into the first year of residency, which commences in late June. Applicants matched to the University of Pittsburgh are enrolled in both the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery residency and the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.

Benefits/Stipend/Tuition

Residents receive a full UPMC post-graduate trainee stipend during each year of the program. In addition, health and disability insurance benefits are provided. Tuition is incurred while residents are enrolled in the medical school phase of the program.

OMS Externship and Internship Programs

Externship Program

The Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery is accepting applications from interested students from U.S. accredited dental schools for our externship program.  Please contact the department for additional information and complete the application materials below.

Please see the links below for application materials and information.

Information for Visiting Students

Prerequisites for Participation

All students from dental schools accredited by the American Dental Association Council on Education, who will have completed their third year requirements at the time of the desired elective participation, are eligible to apply. Students must be in good academic standing at their parent school and must have their school’s approval to participate in the desired elective(s).

Visiting students are permitted to enroll for a continuous 4-6 week Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery elective at the School of Dental Medicine during their fourth year.

Application Procedure

An “Application for Non-Pitt Student Elective” form must be submitted. These applications are available from the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery by writing to the address, below. The application must contain all requested information from both the student and the appropriate dean of the student’s school, including original signatures. Incomplete applications will be returned to the student’s Student Affairs Office.

The application should be mailed before May 15. Upon receipt the completed application will be reviewed and the student applicant notified about acceptance status.

Insurance

All students must be covered by malpractice or liability insurance verified by their dean of students. Applicants must provide proof of personal health insurance. We accept no liability for health costs incurred by visiting students while at this school.

Cancellations

The courtesy of a telephone call is requested at least 4 weeks prior to the start of an elective if you find you’re unable to participate. Please call directly to the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at 412-648-6801.

Housing

The School of Dental Medicine has no short term housing at its disposal. The School of Medicine keeps a reference of students who are scheduled to be away and may wish to sublet. You can get in touch with them by calling Margie Sikorski at 412-648-9040. There is dormitory space available during the months of May, June, July and August, call 412-648-1100. There is also a University Housing Office, available by phone at 412-624-7116, which may be able to refer you. A final suggestion, check to see if you have graduates from your school in this area who may be willing to share or otherwise assist you.

Internship Program

A one-year internship program is available for those individuals who are interested in applying for a career in oral and maxillofacial surgery, but would like additional training prior to applying for an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery position through the MATCH program.

The program is unique in that a balanced and extensive experience is offered in the clinical setting. This includes rotations in our outpatient clinics as well as the operating room service. Interns also are expected to attend and participate in conferences and our comprehensive didactic coursework. The position is fully funded. 

Application Procedure

Applications may be made at any time, and the position is usually filled once the MATCH process is complete in late January. More information can be obtained by contacting the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Fellowship Residency Coordinator.

For more information about both programs, please contact

Fellowship and Residency Coordinator
203 Lothrop Street, Suite 214
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213
412-648-6801

The Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery adheres to the University of Pittsburgh’s non-discrimination policy.

For additional information, please visit dental.pitt.edu/oms-residency

The Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery adheres to the University of Pittsburgh’s non-discrimination policy.

The advanced specialty education program in oral and maxillofacial surgery is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA). The Commission is a specialized accrediting body recognized by the United States Department of Education. The Commission on Dental Accreditation can be contacted at 312-440-4653, or at 211 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL, 60611. The Commission’s web address is http://www.ada.org/100.aspx.