MASTER OF RESTORATIVE DENTISTRY PROGRAM - USM

UNIVERSITI SAINS MALAYSIA
PUSAT PENGAJIAN SAINS PERGIGIAN
SCHOOL OF DENTAL SCIENCES
MASTER OF RESTORATIVE DENTISTRY
PROGRAM

UNIVERSITI SAINS MALAYSIA
Master of Restorative Dentistry
(Conservative Dentistry, Periodontics or Prosthodontics)
1. INTRODUCTION
The Master of Restorative Dentistry is a new specialty program, which
will be offered by the School of Dental Sciences, Universiti Sains
Malaysia. This program comprises of specialty in the field of
Conservative Dentistry, Periodontics and Prosthodontics.
2. BACKGROUND
The Master of Restorative Dentistry in the specialty of Conservative
Dentistry, Periodontics or Prosthodontics is established to train dental
graduates to become restorative specialists. Up to the year 2005, there
are only three restorative specialists in the Ministry of Health.
Therefore, the establishment of the programme by the School of Dental
Sciences, USM could help in fulfilling the country’s needs to increase
the number of specialists to accommodate for the increase in
population and standard of oral health care. Other than that, as
knowledge of dentistry and technology of dental materials advances,
more graduates become interested to further their study to update their
knowledge and skills. Up to date, the University of Malaya is the only
university in our country offering dental graduates to pursue their study
in the specialty of Restorative Dentistry. As a result, the need for a
similar program established by the School of Dental Sciences is
recommended to increase the number of restorative specialists in our
country.
3. MARKET SURVEY
The Master of Restorative Dentistry program has been initiated upon
request by the Oral Health Division, Ministry of Health to increase the
number of restorative specialists in the country. Some requests were
received from international students.
4. GENERAL OBJECTIVES
The Master of Restorative Dentistry (Conservative Dentistry,
Periodontics or Prosthodontics) degree has several objectives. The
degree is designed to provide the candidates with the following:
i) Opportunity to advance their knowledge and skills in a specialized
area of restorative dentistry,
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ii) Educational component required for the specialist training, and
iii) Knowledge and skills in research methodology, critical evaluation of
data and originality in thought and research design.
5. SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES
On completion of the Master of Restorative Dentistry course, the
candidates should be able to:
1) Acquire advanced knowledge and greater understanding of dentistry
applicable to the field of restorative dentistry.
2) Demonstrate special skills in the provision of clinical services
applicable to the field of restorative dentistry.
3) Demonstrate highly developed problem-solving abilities in the
discipline area, characterized by flexibility and multidisciplinary of
approach.
4) Demonstrate a detailed understanding of the principles, current
developments and research methods applicable to the field of
restorative dentistry.
5) Evaluate and synthesize the research and professional literature in
the discipline.
6) Prepare individuals for a career in the field of restorative dentistry.
7) Maintain self- development by continuing education and knowledge
updating.
6. PROGRAM OF STUDY
The Master of Restorative Dentistry program is a CLINICAL
COURSEWORK program in which the research component comprises
about thirty (30) percent of the whole program of the study.
7. DURATION OF STUDY
The minimum duration of study is four (4) years while the maximum is
seven (7) years. However, each case is judged on a case-by-case
basis on appeal from exemption from the FRACDS (Fellowship of the
Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons) Primary Examination.
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8. STUDY FEE
The fee for the Master of Restorative Dentistry ((Conservative
Dentistry, Periodontics or Prosthodontics) program is RM 26,000 per
year.
9. ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Qualifications for admission
The candidate should:
a) Have a bachelor’s degree in Dentistry (BDS, DDS or an equivalent
degree).
b) Have at least three years post-registration experience in dentistry,
either in the Ministry of Health (MOH) or other institutions
recognized by the University’s Senate.
c) Obtain at least a credit in Bahasa Malaysia in SPM (for Malaysian
citizens) or equivalent examination.
d) Pass the assessment for admission, which has been decided by
the School and Ministry of Health.
e) Have good physical and mental health.
10. ADMISSION APPLICATION
Application forms can be obtained from the Institute of Graduate
Studies by attaching one envelope (measuring 28cm × 40cm) and RM
1.20 stamp. Please write “Postgraduate Studies Application” and
“Master of Restorative Dentistry” on the top left of the envelope. The
candidates also need to enclose a Money Order or Postal Order of
RM 10.00 under the name of Universiti Sains Malaysia and send it to:
Dean,
Institute of Graduate Studies,
Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800,
Minden, Penang
Every application must be attached with academic qualifications and
certified clinical experience and 2 passport photographs.
All applicants must be certified by the School board and the final
decision will be made by the University Senate.
Any queries pertaining to the contents of program, program structure
and others, can be directed to the School of Dental Sciences,
Universiti Sains Malaysia, Health Campus, 16150 Kubang Kerian,
Kelantan.
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11. PROGRAM STRUCTURE
This program shall consist of three phases: Phase I, II and III.
11.1 Phase1 is the first year of the Master of Restorative Dentistry
program. It comprises of instructions in Basic Medical and Dental
Science subjects such as Pathology, Physiology, Biochemistry,
Microbiology, Anatomy and Histology over a period of six (6) months
The candidates have to sit for their primary examination (equivalent to
primary FRACDS) at the end of semester I Year 1. The final six (6)
months of Year 1 comprises of operative techniques in the skill
laboratory and clinical training in General Dental Practice (GDP) as
well as introducing the students to research methodology and
biostatistics.
11.2 Phase II is the second year of the Master of Restorative program. It
comprises of a research component in the specialty option chosen by
the students. There are also clinical practices in conservative,
prosthetics and periodontics throughout the year.
11.3 Phase III is the third and fourth year of the Master of Restorative
Dentistry program. It comprises of complex clinical practices in the field
of conservative dentistry, prosthetics or periodontics chosen by the
candidates. There will also be course work such as lectures and
seminar. Research component in the specialty option continues,
leading to the submission of a dissertation three months before the end
of Year 3 followed by a viva defense.
The Year Four program comprises of a three (3) month clinical
attachment in the specialty option, either in the Faculty of Dentistry,
University of Malaya or other clinical training centre recognized by the
University. Advanced clinical practices and coursework in the specialty
option continues until near the completion of the course.
Table 1 on page 6 shows the outline of the Master of Restorative
Dentistry program
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Table 1. OUTLINE OF STUDY PROGRAM STRUCTURE
Phase Year Duration Contents
I 1
II 2
6 months
6 months
12 months
Basic Medical and Dental
Sciences
Assessment:
Primary Examination
(equivalent to FRACDS).
Introduction to Research
Methodology and Biostatistics
Operative Techniques
Clinical Practices (GDP)
Course Work
Assessment:
Continuous Assessment
Research Project
Clinical Practices
Course Work
Assessments:
Continuous Assessment
III
3
6 months
6 months
Clinical Practices
Research
Course Work
Assessment:
Continuous Assessment
Year 3 Examination
(equivalent to FRACDS Final
Examination)
Clinical Practices
Research
Course Work
Assessments:
Submission and Defense of
Dissertation
4 3 months
9 months
Clinical Attachment
Advanced Clinical Practices
Course Work
Assessments:
Continuous Assessment
Final Case Presentation
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DETAILS OF STUDY PROGRAM
In general, approximately 50% of time in the program is committed to clinical
training and experience. The remainder of the time is committed to
coursework (20%) and research (30%). This distribution accords with the
international best practice for clinical specialisation in dentistry.
The weightage of clinical training and exposure in the disciplines of
Conservative Dentistry, Prosthodontics and Periodontics will be distributed
almost evenly during the first two years of the Master of Restorative Dentistry
program. At the beginning of Year 3, the candidates can further decide to
specialize in either one of the specialties which is Conservative Dentistry,
Periodontics or Prosthodontics.
The candidates will also be required to participate in the undergraduate
teaching programs of the School at an appropriate level, as part of their
training. This will normally consist of preclinical and clinical supervision of
undergraduate students, for at least one session per week throughout the
Master of Restorative Dentistry program.
YEAR 1
The candidates will study Basic Medical and Dental Sciences subjects for 6 months
and sit for the Primary examination equivalent to primary examination of the
Fellowship of the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons (FRACDS) in early
December. The candidates will also need to undertake sessions in operative
techniques and clinical training in General Dental Practice for the final six months.
They will also attend the Research Methodology and Basic Statistics classes to
introduce them to critical analysis of the literature, planning a research design and
protocol and writing a thesis. This is intended to assist them in developing the
necessary analytical and writing skills that are needed for thesis preparation and
publication. Identification of a suitable study area and discussions regarding research
projects with the respective supervisors will be carried out during the final six months
of Year 1. The appointment of a supervisor shall be done when the candidate’s field
of research is approved. Where necessary, the appointment of a co- supervisor may
be done.
Assessments
Primary Examination (equivalent to FRACDS primary examination)
Continuous Assessments
YEAR 2
Embarkation of research projects shall start early, once the proposals have been
approved. The students are advised to complete their research projects and data
collection and analyses during Year 2. Clinical practices in the field of Conservative,
Prosthodontic and Periodontic will also be carried out. Knowledge of management of
patients from other disciplines will also be taught. The students will need to present
some seminars regarding certain topics.
Assessment
Continuous Assessments
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YEAR 3
Clinical practices will focus in the field chosen by the candidate, either in
Conservative, Prosthodontics or Periodontics. Assessment will be based on the
overall clinical performance including patient management throughout the period.
Patients’ cases are folioed and will be presented at regular intervals throughout the
program. The candidates will also need to present some seminars on selected topics
on a regular basis. In year three students will sit for phase II examination equivalent
to FRACDS final examination.
Submission of dissertations shall be done one month before the end of year 3,
followed by a defense viva. The candidates are also encouraged to publish their work
and present at the national and/or international dental research conferences.
Assessment
Year 3 (equivalent to FRACDS Final Examination)
Submission and Defense of Dissertation
Continuous Assessments
YEAR 4
The candidates will undertake their clinical attachment in the selected centre during
the first three months of their Year 4. A local supervisor will be selected to assist and
monitor the candidate’s progress throughout the period.
The candidates will see and manage cases that are more complicated in their final
year of clinical practices. They will also need to present some seminars on more
advanced topics at regular intervals. Some multidisciplinary seminars involving other
disciplines such as Oral Surgery and Orthodontics may be carried out to render the
candidates with multidisciplinary approach in managing certain dental cases.
As part of their examination, the candidates will present their case reports based on
interesting cases that they encounter and manage.
Assessment
Final Case Presentation
Continuous Assessments
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