Each module’s design is tailor-made for internationally trained dentists’ incoming knowledge and skills, with an emphasis on variations for the Canadian context and practice guidelines.

Modules focus on building competencies for the real world, not just for passing an exam. Your competence will be built in relation to the Commission on Dental Accreditation of Canada’s (CDAC) Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) for a Beginning Dental Practitioner in Canada.

Note: Each module has a varying time required to complete, and these descriptions highlight only some of the key areas of the modules. Full outlines will be provided to students accepted into the program on the first day of module delivery. Time allocations may vary.

Core Modules

The core modules are content that every student will take. Classes will be a mix of lectures, labs, and clinic/simulation time.

Patient management
Students will learn foundational skills for patient management, including prevention and control of infectious diseases, administration of pharmacotherapeutic agents, management of hazardous materials, methods for dealing with medical complications and medical emergencies.

Professionalism and communication
Students will recognise the ethical and legal obligations required within the profession in Canada, including professional requirements, the responsibilities towards patients and the requirement for interprofessional collaboration with other health-care professionals. Students will practice the skills for patient-centred care within the multicultural context of Canada.

Patient assessment and treatment planning
Students will demonstrate knowledge of the patient assessment, diagnosis and treatment planning process as it relates to dental practice in Canada. Topics will cover the process and major focus points for patient assessment, from taking medical and dental history to formulating a comprehensive treatment plan.

Radiology
Students will practice radiographic techniques, including prescribing, taking, and interpreting radiographs.

Periodontics
Students will be able to follow a process to determine the diagnosis and management of a patient with periodontitis. Skills will be developed for the nonsurgical management of patients with early to moderate periodontal attachment loss.

Caries assessments and operative refresher
Students will demonstrate proficiency in operative dentistry skills for assessing and classifying caries disease and providing operative treatment before providing direct patient care experiences.

Health promotion
Students will apply their existing health promotion skills to a Canadian context and demonstrate an understanding of the challenges that limit access to care within Canada’s Dental Health System and Health Policy Framework.

Oral surgery
Students will evaluate patient cases to determine what falls within the scope of treatment or what may require a specialist referral. The review of standards and practices for treatment, including follow-up requirements and potential complications, will be covered. There will also be an opportunity to participate in clinical observations.

Clinical experiences
Students will be immersed in a clinical environment where they will provide patient care, developing their clinical competence across all dental disciplines. In this supervised environment, students will build each competence area for care readiness and skill-building to progress their skills to more complex cases.

Personalised Modules

You may be assigned some or all of these modules based on your performance in the pre-assessment.

Endodontics
Students will practice endodontic procedures based on assessments. Upskilling will be related to root canal techniques, iatrogenic complications, pulp vitality and sensibility, dental trauma and common endodontic emergencies.

Pediatric dentistry
Students will focus on comprehensive treatment planning for children and adolescents. Key areas of the module include prevention, caries risk assessment, basic restorations in primary dentition, pulp therapy, mixed dentition, supernumerary teeth, ectopic eruption, ankylosis and space management.

Removable prosthodontics
Students will refine their skills in treating partially and completely edentulous patients with partial or complete denture design. Principles, fabrication requirements and tooth preparation will be covered.

Fixed prosthodontics
Students will concentrate on diagnosing a patient’s indirect restoration needs and developing a treatment plan. Techniques covered include provisional and definitive restoration, the FDI system of classification, and selecting appropriate restorative materials.