Postgraduate Program in Orthodontics
Course director: Prof. Anne Marie Kuijpers-Jagtman DDS, PhD, FDSRCSEng
We have no vacancies on the course until April 2011. The Department of Orthodontics and Oral Biology at the Radboud University Nijmegen, the Netherlands, offers a four-year fulltime international postgraduate program in Orthodontics. The program leads to a Certificate in Orthodontics according to EU-directive 78/686/EEG. The program is approved and accredited by the Specialist Registration Committee of the Dutch Dental Association. Upon completion of all requirements of the program the student has to pass an external examination to acquire the Certificate. The course is taught in the English and Dutch languages and starts once every two years, in August of the uneven years. Candidates are selected during the preceding winter for the class starting in August of uneven years. The program can be combined with a PhD program. The combined postgraduate – PhD program takes six years. Upon fulfilment of the necessary requirements (mainly a doctoral thesis based on five publications in ISI listed journals), a PhD degree can be awarded. (back to top)
The objective of the four-year orthodontic program is to educate recently graduated dentists to become specialists in orthodontics with a solid theoretical and scientific background and adequate clinical experience in different treatment methods. Emphasis is placed on developing scientific thinking and problem solving through a variety of clinical and research activities. Resident interaction and active participation are emphasised. (back to top)
The four-year fulltime program contains lectures, seminars, preclinical and clinical courses, research activities and occasionally teaching to undergraduate students. The main part of the theoretical training is concentrated in the first three years, including biological, medical and dental subjects related to the science of orthodontics. Furthermore, scientific methodology and introduction to research are taught. Active participation in research projects related to growth and development of orofacial structures is required for all residents and this starts in the second year. The treatment of patients is preceded by a variety of theoretical courses and an extensive preclinical course, mainly in fixed appliance techniques. Knowledge and insight in treatment strategies and procedures is gained chiefly by seminars. Clinical experience is obtained in the edgewise method, removable appliances, functional appliance therapy, and extra-oral treatment procedures. Students participate in the Cleft Palate Craniofacial Unit on a rotational basis. (back to top)
The department has its own postgraduate clinic and has excellent 3D-facilities for patient treatment and research consisting of a 3D-system for facial stereophotogrammetry, a 4D-system to record facial movements, a conebeam CT scanning device, and digital dental casts. Each resident starts treatment of 80 new cases. Besides that the resident has about 30 transfer cases and 30 patients in retention. Patients are assigned to a specific faculty member, who is responsible for the patient. The clinical treatment is performed by the resident, always under supervision of that faculty member. In treatment planning sessions all cases are discussed thoroughly with the responsible faculty member and all residents of the same class. The program's length benefits the residents by treating a wide variety of patients over a longer time span.
The residents participate in the Nijmegen long-term follow-up study. Patients who are 2, 5, and 10 years out of retention are recalled according to a fixed recall schedule and seen by the resident under guidance of faculty. Standardised orthodontic records are made and the residents present and discuss the results during seminars. The aim of this activity is to provide more insight into the long-term results and stability of orthodontic treatment. The Cleft Palate Craniofacial Unit, which is the largest in The Netherlands, functions in close collaboration with the Department of Orthodontics. Through the Centre the residents gain clinical experience in the interdisciplinary treatment of patients with cleft lip and palate and related problems. The interdisciplinary care for patients who require combined orthodontic-periodontal treatment and/or combined orthodontic-surgical treatment and/or combined orthodontic-prosthodontic treatment is encouraged by close co-operation with residents in these specialities. Monthly treatment planning sessions with faculty and residents of other departments take place, as well as formal didactic courses on these subjects. (back to top)
Research is part of the program for every resident. Each resident conducts a research project in close collaboration with an advisor. The department of Orthodontics and Oral Biology has two main research themes of which a project can be developed. These research themes are related to orthodontic tooth movement and to the field of cleft lip and palate and craniofacial anomalies. During the years many publications of faculty and residents have been published in international ISI- listed journals. Each resident is required to have two manuscripts accepted in or submitted to international ISI listed journals by the end of the postgraduate program. It is a requirement to complete the research prior to the external examination as the publications are an integral part of the examination.
It is possible to combine the postgraduate program in orthodontics with a PhD program. In that case the total length of the combined program is about six years. (back to top)
All theoretical courses are concluded with a examination. At the end of the first year, a field examination has to be passed. After four years and upon completion of all requirements, the program is concluded with an external examination by the Specialist Registration Committee of the Dutch Dental Association. This examination consists of an oral examination, the presentation of 12 cases treated by the resident, a discussion about 2 new cases presented by the examination committee, and the defence of the research output. Upon successful completion of the examination, a Certificate is granted. If the candidate meets the criteria for recognition of his/her dental degree in the Netherlands (registration in the so-called BIG-registry) then registration in the Dutch registry of orthodontic specialists can be obtained. In addition, for those who combine the postgraduate program in orthodontics with a PhD program, a PhD degree can be awarded after fulfilment of all requirements (doctoral thesis and its public defence).
ANY STUDENT WHOSE PROGRESS IS CONSIDERED TO BE ESPECIALLY UNSATISFACTORY AT ANY POINT DURING THE COURSE, WILL BE FORMALLY COUNSELLED. CIRCUMSTANCES MAY LEAD TO THE STUDENT BEING ASKED TO LEAVE. (back to top)
Applicants should have graduated as a dentist (DDS or DMD) from a recognised institution and must be eligible for temporary or permanent license for general dental practice in the Netherlands. International applicants must submit official academic records bearing the signature of the registrar or another academic official and either a raised or ink stamp or seal of the issuing institution. Records must be issued in the original language and be accompanied by certified English translations. Applicants from non-English-speaking countries are required to take the IELTS exam, with a minimum total score of 7.0. The exam score must be current (less than two years old) and be taken no later than October to ensure that the score arrives by the application deadline. Successful applicants are obliged to learn the Dutch language to be able to communicate with patients. From the second year on all lectures will be in Dutch. International students must submit a financial certification as part of their application, outlining the financial support available. This certification should provide evidence that tuition fees will be paid. This can be, for example, a bank guarantee or a scholarship declaration from your government or any other body that is paying your fees.(back to top)
For the class 2011-2015 tuition and fees will amount to EURO 29,600 per year and for laboratory facilities and materials EURO 4,400 per year. University fees are revised annually and a yearly increase of 4 – 8% should be anticipated each year. Furthermore the student is charged for an intensive individual course in the Dutch language (about EURO 4,500). In order to secure the place a non-refundable deposit will be requested from the successful applicant. As soon as a candidate has been accepted for the course, information will be sent regarding the payment procedure. Postgraduate students must have their own laptop (PC not Mac) to access the university network and the patient administration system. At the start of the course information will be given about the type and the system requirements. It is obligatory to buy the prescribed laptop through the university. Other laptops are not allowed to access the university network. Furthermore a digital camera for patient photography is required. Specifications will be given. The costs of living in the Netherlands can be estimated at about EURO 14,000 a year. This indicates that candidates might have to apply for a fellowship. Unfortunately, the Radboud University Nijmegen does not provide any fellowships or grants for the program. (back to top)
A completed application must be received no later than December 15th in the even years to be considered for the class that begins the following August. Please note that final acceptance requires a personal interview, which generally takes place in February/March. The program starts at August 16.
Applicants should return the completed application package, marked ‘’confidential’’ to: Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre 309 Tandheelkunde Revised 08-09-2008
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