Master of Dental Surgery in Orthodontics / Orthodontic Residency Program
College of Dentistry
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. |
To be eligible for enrollment in the Master of Dental Surgery in Orthodontics / Orthodontic Residency Program, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- The applicant must hold a recognized undergraduate dental degree (BDS, DMD, or DDS) approved by the UAE Ministry of Education.
- A certificate confirming successful completion of a dental internship.
- Passing the official admission examination administered by the Institute.
- The applicant must demonstrate good conduct by submitting a Certificate of Good Conduct and must be medically fit, as confirmed by a medical checkup during the admission process.
- If the applicant’s undergraduate studies were not conducted in English, a valid certificate of English language proficiency is required (minimum IELTS score of 6.0 or equivalent TOEFL score).
- A valid trainee residency license in accordance with UAE regulations.
Study Plan
Year 1 – Semester 1:
| Course Code | Course Name | Credit Hours | LH | NLH | Pre/ Corequisite(s) |
| BMS 601 | Basic Medical Sciences | 2 | 2 | – | Nil |
| GRD 601 | Growth and Development | 1 | 1 | – | Nil |
| DMO 601 | Dental Materials in Orthodontics | 1 | 1 | – | Nil |
| PCL 601 | Pre-clinical Laboratory Course | 3 | – | 6 Simulation Hours | Nil |
| BIS 601 | Biostatistics & Research Methodology | 2 | 2 | – | Nil |
| CBD 601 | Case Based Discussion and Literature Review -I | 2 | 2 | – | Nil |
| CLO 601 | Clinical Orthodontic – I | 1 | 4 Clinical Hours | Nil | |
| Total Semester Credit | 12 | ||||
Year 1 – Semester 2:
| Course Code | Course Name | Credit Hours | LH | NLH | Pre/ Corequisite(s) |
| CBD 602 | Case Based Discussion and Literature Review -II | 2 | 2 | – | CBD 601 |
| CLO 602 | Clinical Orthodontic – II | 4 | – | 16 Clinical Hours | CLO 601 |
| IMR 602 | Imaging and Radiography | 2 | 1 | 2 Laboratory Hours | Nil |
| ORB 602 | Orthodontic Biomechanics – I | 1 | 1 | – | Nil |
| ORD 602 | Orthodontic Diagnosis & Treatment Planning | 1 | 1 | – | Nil |
| THE 602 | Thesis- I | 2 | – | 6 Research Hours | Nil |
| Total Semester Credit | 12 | ||||
Year 1- Summer Course:
| Course Code | Course Name | Credit Hours | LH | NLH | Pre/ Corequisite(s) |
| SCC 603 | Summer Clinical Course- I | 2 | – | 24 Clinical Hours | Nil |
| Total Semester Credit | 2 | ||||
Year 2 – Semester 3:
| Course Code | Course Name | Credit Hours | LH | NLH | Pre/ Corequisite(s) |
| CBD 701 | Case Based Discussion and Literature Review -III | 2 | 2 | – | CBD 602 |
| CLO 701 | Clinical Orthodontic – III | 4 | – | 16 Clinical Hours | CLO 602 |
| ORB 701 | Orthodontic Biomechanics- II | 1 | 1 | – | ORB 602 |
| THE 701 | Thesis- II | 2 | – | 6 Research Hours | THE 602 |
| DOI 701 | Dentofacial Orthopedics and Interceptive Orthodontics | 2 | 2 | – | Nil |
| Total Semester Credit | 11 | ||||
Year 2 – Semester 4:
| Course Code | Course Name | Credit Hours | LH | NLH | Pre/ Corequisite(s) |
| CBD 702 | Case Based Discussion and Literature Review – IV | 2 | 2 | – | CBD 701 |
| CLO 702 | Clinical Orthodontic – IV | 4 | – | 16 Clinical hours | CLO 701 |
| THE 702 | Thesis- III | 2 | – | 6 Research Hours | THE 701 |
| AOM 702 | Adult Orthodontics & Multidisciplinary Approach | 1 | 1 | – | Nil |
| CCS 702 | Cleft & Craniofacial Syndromes | 1 | 1 | – | Nil |
| OMS 702 | Orthodontics & Maxillofacial Surgery Planning | 1 | 1 | – | Nil |
| Total Semester Credit | 11 | ||||
Year 2 – Summer Course:
| Course Code | Course Name | Credit Hours | LH | NLH | Pre/ Corequisite(s) |
| SCC 703 | Summer Clinical Course | 2 | – | 24 Clinical Hours | SCC 603 |
| Total Semester Credit | 2 | ||||
Year 3 – Semester 5:
| Course Code | Course Name | Credit Hours | LH | NLH | Pre/ Corequisite(s) |
| CBD 801 | Case Based Discussion and Literature Review – V | 2 | 2 | – | CBD 702 |
| CLO 801 | Clinical Orthodontic- V | 4 | – | 16 Clinical Hours | CLO 702 |
| THE 801 | Thesis – IV | 2 | – | 6 Research Hours | THE 702 |
| ORR 801 | Orthodontic Retention & Relapse | 1 | 1 | – | Nil |
| AOT 801 | Advanced Orthodontic Techniques | 1 | 1 | Nil | |
| TMD 801 | Temporomandibular Disorder | 1 | 1 | – | Nil |
| Total Semester Credit | 11 | ||||
Year 3 – Semester 6:
| Course Code | Course Name | Credit Hours | LH | NLH | Pre/ Corequisite(s) |
| CBD 802 | Case Based Discussion and Literature Review – VII | 2 | 2 | – | CBD 801 |
| CLO 802 | Clinical Orthodontic- VI | 6 | – | 24 Clinical Hours | CLO 801 |
| THE 802 | Thesis- V | 4 | – | 12 Research Hours | THE 801 |
| Total Semester Credit | 12 | ||||
LH*: Lecture Hours
NLH*: Non- Lecture Hours
To successfully complete the Master of Dental Surgery in Orthodontics / Orthodontic Residency Program, trainees must fulfil the following requirements:
- Pass End course exam by at least 70%.
- Minimum Cases: 40 orthodontic cases (35 new starts, 4 cases of Multidisciplinary Cases and 1 case of Orthognathic)
- Completion Rate: At least 70% of each case must be completed to be considered.
- Satisfactory completion of the research project and thesis defence
Graduates can pursue rewarding careers as specialist orthodontists in diverse settings.
- Academic Faculty: Join dental colleges or universities as educators, contributing to teaching and clinical training.
- Public Health Services: Serve in government or community health programs focused on preventive and corrective orthodontic care.
- Clinical Researcher: Participate in or lead research studies in orthodontics, biomaterials, or craniofacial growth and development.
- Doctoral or Fellowship Programs: Pursue advanced training in subspecialties such as craniofacial orthopedics, cleft care, or digital orthodontics.
Applicants interested in enrolling in the Master of Dental Surgery in Orthodontics / Orthodontic Residency Program, accredited by NIHS (National Institute for Health Specialties) in the UAE, should follow the steps below:
To apply, please complete the Application Form [link] and upload the following mandatory documents:
Note: Last date to apply – 11th July 2025
Mandatory Documents (to be uploaded with the application)
- B.D.S., D.D.S., or D.M.D. degree certificate from a university recognized by the UAE Ministry of Education
- Internship Certificate
Additional Documents to be provided upon request
- Updated CV, including clinical experience and educational background.
- A valid Trainee Evaluation Letter from the Ministry of Health (MOH)
- Passport copy and a recent passport-sized photograph
- Emirates ID (if applicable)