Overview
The Doctorate Degree in Oral Medicine & Diagnosis is an advanced academic and research program that provides in-depth training in diagnosis, differential diagnosis, and management of oral mucosal diseases, orofacial pain disorders, and medically related oral conditions, including systemic diseases with oral manifestations. Emphasis is directed toward the development of advanced skills in diagnostic evaluation, critical appraisal of scientific literature, and the application of evidence-based principles to clinical decision-making.
About the Program
The Doctorate Degree in Oral Medicine & Diagnosis at the Faculty of Dentistry, Ain Shams University is a four-year program comprising an initial year of two academic semesters followed by a comprehensive exam, thesis submission and defense and final exit exam. Upon successful fulfillment of all program requirements, graduates are awarded an officially accredited Doctorate Degree certificate specifying the approved field of specialization and the title of the thesis.
How to Apply
For application, doctoral candidates are required to submit a thesis research protocol, approved by the Department Council from January to May of each calendar year. Applications for international students in Egypt are centrally managed through the "Study in Egypt" platform (admission.study-in-egypt.gov.eg) and the Ministry of Higher Education's system (wafeden.gov.eg).
Admission Requirements
● The applicant must hold a Master’s degree in the same specialty from a university recognized by the Supreme Council of Universities, or an equivalent degree approved by the Council.
● Applicants must submit an official approval from their employer confirming permission to be enrolled in the Doctorate Degree in in Oral Medicine & Diagnosis commitment to full-time study throughout the program duration.
● Applicants should demonstrate English language proficiency for program registration by passing the university exam or submitting a valid certificate (Local TOEFL with a minimum score of 500, IELTS with a minimum overall score of 7.0, or their equivalent). The certificate is valid for one calendar year during which the applicant must complete registration for the degree; international students could submit the certificate within one year from enrollment in the program.
Program Structure and Duration
● Program Structure: The Doctorate Degree in Oral Medicine & Diagnosis is a four-year program. Candidates should complete a total of 70 credit hours; 20 credit hours over one year (two semesters), including a comprehensive series of courses, 20 credit hours of the final exit exam in addition to 30 credit hours for the thesis.
● Course load: During the first academic year, candidates study advanced compulsory and elective courses, distributed over two semesters (first and second semesters). A student becomes eligible to sit for the final exit exam only after successfully completing all first-year courses and fulfilling the approved academic requirements.
● Semester Duration: 16 weeks per semester.
● Clinical Training: The clinical training provides advanced, research-informed experience in oral medicine with direct patient care. It emphasizes the diagnosis, evaluation, and management of oral mucosal diseases, orofacial pain conditions, and medically compromised patients. Training includes comprehensive patient assessment, interpretation of diagnostic investigations, and both non-surgical and minor surgical interventions, such as biopsies and management of oral lesions. Emphasis is placed on correlating clinical and surgical findings with underlying systemic conditions, pathological processes, and current scientific evidence, enhancing advanced diagnostic reasoning, clinical judgment, and research-oriented competencies in oral medicine & diagnosis.
● Didactic Courses and Seminars: Candidates participate in advanced lectures and seminars addressing oral mucosal diseases, oral manifestations of systemic conditions, salivary gland disorders, orofacial pain, oral potentially malignant disorders, and diagnostic techniques. Emphasis is placed on critical appraisal of scientific literature, evidence-based clinical decision-making, and research methodology in oral medicine & diagnosis.
● This program requires the completion and public defense of a thesis.
Requirements for Graduation
● Full-time Study: Students must commit fully to the program.
● Attendance: Regular attendance is required; up to 25% absence may be excused in special cases.
● Academic requirements: All courses should be passed with a minimum grade of (C) and a cumulative GPA of at least (2.44).
● Practical training: Students must complete all required practical tasks, documented in a logbook. A minimum of 75% completion is required to sit for exams.
● Successful submission and defense of the doctoral thesis.