Program Director
Dr. Ayman Raouf Ahmed Khalifa
Chairperson, Department of Preventive Dental Sciences,
Associate Professor of Orthodontics
Program Description and Local Accreditation
Master of Dental Surgery (MDS) in Orthodontics is a three-year postgraduate program accredited by the Commission for Academic Accreditation (CAA), Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, UAE, In addition to the CAA, the Orthodontic Program is accredited at the same time by the National Institute for Health Specialties (NIHS- Orthodontic Residency Program) as residency training pathway in the UAE.
The program is designed to prepare qualified dental graduates for specialized clinical practice in orthodontics, with a strong emphasis on evidence-based practice, advanced clinical skills, and professional integrity.
Graduates of the program will be awarded a Master’s Degree in Orthodontics accredited by the CAA, UAE. Furthermore, upon successful completion of the program and passing the Emirati Board Examination, graduates will be eligible to obtain a Specialist License in Orthodontics, classified under Tier 1 qualifications in the UAE.
Program Goals
The main goal of this specialty is to create and maintain a normal environment for proper physiological activity of the teeth, investing tissues, and facial esthetic to ensure an optimum dentofacial development and function. In most cases this involves aligning teeth and correcting jaw deformities with fixed and/or removable orthodontic appliances.
Program Learning Outcomes
| Domain | PLOs/ Competencies |
| 1. Professionalism | 1.1 Demonstrate compassion, integrity, and respect for others. 1.2 Demonstrate responsiveness to patient needs that supersedes self-interest. 1.3 Demonstrate respect for patient privacy and autonomy. 1.4 Demonstrate accountability to patients, society, and the profession. 1.5 Demonstrate respect and responsiveness to diverse patient populations, including diversity in gender, age, culture, race, religion, disabilities, national origin, socioeconomic status, and sexual orientation. 1.6 Demonstrate ability to recognize and develop a plan for one’s own professional wellbeing. 1.7 Demonstrate appropriately disclosing and addressing conflict or duality of interest. 1.8 Demonstrate practicing orthodontics in full compliance with accepted standards of ethical behavior. |
| 2. Communication and Social Skills | 2.1 Communicate effectively with patients, families, and the public across a broad range of socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds. 2.2 Communicate effectively with dentists, physicians, other health professionals, and health-oral health-related agencies. 2.3 Work effectively as a member or leader of a healthcare team or professional group. 2.4 Educate patients, families, students, residents, and other health professionals. |
| 3. Scientific and Clinical Knowledge | 3.1 Demonstrate in-depth knowledge of craniofacial growth, oral physiology, and the etiology of malocclusion.
3.2 Apply knowledge of diagnostic tools including clinical imaging, radiography, and contemporary orthodontic techniques. 3.3 Demonstrate understanding of pharmacology, pain, psychological Aspects and anxiety control, and the management of temporomandibular disorders. 3.4 Integrate principles of preventive dentistry, periodontics, pediatric care, public health, and speech pathology in orthodontic treatment planning. 3.5 Demonstrate knowledge of research methodology, clinical governance, ethics, practice management, and the historical evolution of orthodontics. |
| 4. Patient Care | 4.1 Record and maintain comprehensive clinical documentation, including patient logs, treatment plans, and diagnostic records.
4.2 Develop and coordinate interdisciplinary treatment plans involving collaboration with various dental and medical specialists. 4.3 Diagnose, intercept, and manage developing dentofacial problems using appropriate growth modification and orthopedic techniques. 4.4 Provide comprehensive orthodontic care across all treatment phases, including initiation, active treatment, and retention. 4.5 Apply biomechanical principles and appliance design knowledge to develop and execute effective treatment plans. 4.6 Use contemporary orthodontic techniques and manage patients with complex needs, including periodontal issues and temporomandibular disorders. 4.7 Select and use dental materials appropriately and produce high-quality diagnostic and clinical records through photography, radiography, and cephalometry. |
| 5. Effective Collaboration and Leadership | 5.1 Demonstrate ability to identify strengths, deficiencies, and limits in one’s knowledge and expertise. 5.2 Demonstrate ability to identify and perform appropriate learning activities. 5.3 Demonstrate systematically analyzing practice using quality improvement methods and implementing changes for practice improvement. 5.4 Demonstrate ability to incorporate feedback and formative evaluation into daily practice. 5.5 Demonstrate ability to locate, appraise, and assimilate evidence from scientific studies related to their patients’ health problems. 5.6 Demonstrate ability in using information technology to optimize learning. |