DDS Qualifying Program

This program facilitates dental graduates of non-accredited programs in gaining a DDS degree by successfully completing a three-year program.

The Faculty of Dentistry accepts up to 6 students into the DDS Qualifying Program each year.

Applicants must be Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Canada.

Application Procedure

Application forms, accompanied by a $70 application fee, must be submitted to the Registrar's Office, Dalhousie University by January 15. Applications must be submitted through the Dalhousie online application process, at www.dal.ca/apply. The following documentation must be submitted by March 1 at the latest in support of an application:

1.	Dental graduation certificate or equivalent.
2.	University transcript* (or equivalent) and calendar course descriptions, indicating the courses completed for the dental degree referred to in No. 1.
3.	Demonstrated proficiency* in English.  If the applicant's first language is not English, they must complete an English language proficiency test such as: IELTS with an overall score of 6.5 (no lower than 6.0 in each band); or TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) with an overall score of 90 (no lower than 20 in each band); or Duolingo English Test with an overall score of 115 (subscores: 95); or MELAB score of 55; or CAEL score of 70; or Pearson Test of English - Academic with an overall score of 61 (communicative skills scores: 50); or Cambridge English Assessment C1: Advanced / C2: Proficiency with an overall score of 180.
4.	Results of the Advanced Dental Admission Test (ADAT) taken within the previous three years. Information about the examination, application deadlines and registration procedures for the examination are available at https://www.ada.org/education/testing/exams/advanced-dental-admission-test-adat.
5.	Resume.

 

*Official transcripts and other supporting documents in support of the applicant's academic record must be forwarded to the Registrar’s Office by the institution or institutions at which the applicant completed their pre-professional studies. If the applicant is still engaged in university studies, applicants must submit an interim transcript and a final transcript must be forwarded on completion of these credits. Dalhousie University regards an applicant's failure to disclose all their previous academic experiences to be an academic offence which could lead to subsequent dismissal from the University. Applicants must ensure that all successful or unsuccessful university attendance is indicated on the application form.

Official transcripts must be sent directly from the issuing institution. Applicants can have their schools submit official transcripts to admissions.documents@dal.ca or via hardcopy in a sealed envelope addressed to:

Registrar's Office, Dalhousie University
Henry Hicks Academic Admin Building, Room 130
6299 South Street
PO Box 15000, Halifax, N.S., B3H 4R2

Applicants with a MyCreds/MesCertif, My eQuals or Digitary CORE account can share their digital documents with us by selecting the 2^nd Share option “Send my documents to a Registered Organization” and then select "Dalhousie University-Undergraduate and Professional programs or University of King’s College" in the Recipient field. Helpful videos are available for first-time users on the MyCreds Site.

Interviews

Competitive applicants will be required to complete an admissions interview and further evaluations at the Faculty of Dentistry.

Inquiries regarding the DDS Qualifying Program at Dalhousie University should be directed to the Faculty of Dentistry Admissions Office by telephone at (902) 494-2824 or by email at admissions.dentistry@dal.ca.

Accepted students will be required to submit a tuition deposit before a specified deadline. This amount is credited toward tuition fees if the student registers, but is not refundable if they withdraw.

All accepted applicants must comply with Faculty of Dentistry immunization and CPR regulations as a condition of acceptance.

Health Requirements

The nature of the programs in the Faculty of Dentistry involves students interacting with patients in a health care environment, and places students in a position of special trust with patients. Therefore, certain Faculty regulations must be adhered to by all students, including but not limited to: requirements for TB testing, immunization and CPR, criminal records and child abuse registry checks, clinic attire and clinical asepsis protocols. All requirements are outlined in the student Clinical Policy and Academic Policy manuals, provided to students at the beginning of each academic year and are available on the Faculty of Dentistry website.

Immunization and CPR Requirements:

Acceptance into the Faculty of Dentistry clinical programs is conditional upon receipt of evidence of complete immunization as follows:

• Tetanus
• Diphtheria
• Pertussis (Td/Tdap)
• Polio
• Measles (Rubeola)
• Mumps
• Rubella
• Hepatitis B (including post-immunization antibody titres)
• Varicella (2 doses are required)
• COVID-19
• 2-step Mantoux tests
• Annual Influenza immunization for each year of study

Applicants are required to complete the Infectious Diseases and Dalhousie University, Faculty of Dentistry Immunization/CPR record as a condition of acceptance to the program. If Post-HB vaccination antibody test results have not been completed at the time of acceptance, at a minimum, the applicant must provide blood test results for the Hepatitis B Surface Antigen for acceptance into the program.

Applicants whose immunization results indicate that they are HBsAg positive or who have a viral load >10³ IU/mL (5 x 10³ GE/mL) will not be accepted into any of the clinical programs. Dalhousie University will reassess eligibility for admission should the applicant’s status change.

Students who do not acquire immunity from the HB vaccination series or who refuse the HB vaccine are susceptible to acquiring hepatitis B. Applicants in this category will not be denied admission based on these criteria. However, after admission, any student becoming HBsAg positive or whose viral load exceeds 10³ IU/mL (5 x 10³ GE/mL) during the course of their studies will be removed from patient care activities. Such modification of the clinical program may prevent a student from meeting graduation requirements.

Students whose viral load is greater than 10³ IU/mL (5 x 10³ GE/mL), have an ethical obligation to report their status to the Associate Dean, Clinics, Associate Dean, Students or Associate Dean, Academics of the Faculty of Dentistry. The student will then be referred to the ad-hoc Committee on Bloodborne Pathogens.

The cost of all immunizations and blood tests are the responsibility of the student/applicant.

Annual influenza immunization is recommended for all students during each year of study.

Students accepted to the program must have a current CPR – HCP (Health Care Provider) or equivalent course that includes BLS and use of a bag-valve-mask for all ages, team dynamics and use of an AED.

A full explanation of the Faculty of Dentistry policy related to immunizations may be found on the Faculty of Dentistry website: www.dal.ca/dentistry

The admissions procedures may be amended without notice by the Faculty of Dentistry.

Criminal Records Check and Other Screening Documentation

The Faculty of Dentistry, Dalhousie University does not require a Criminal Records Check or other screening procedures (e.g. Child Abuse Registry Check, Vulnerable Sector Screen) as a condition of admission into its programs. However, students should be aware that such record checks or other screening procedures may be required by facilities (schools, community clinics, armed forces, etc.) outside the University used for clinical placements, or experiences related to an academic class assignment, which, in some instances, may be a requirement for graduation. It is the student’s responsibility to have such procedures completed. The cost of the documentation completion is the responsibility of the student.

Such facilities may refuse to accept students on the basis of information contained in the record check or other screening procedures. If the student is unable to complete a clinical requirement due to a failure to meet the record check or screening requirements of the facility; or, if the student is refused access to the facility on the basis of the information provided, such a student may fail the class, and as a result, in some instances, may not be eligible for progression or graduation.

Note that facility requirements may change from time to time and are beyond the control of the University.

Details on the requirements for such documentation and the deadlines for submission of documentation in a timely manner are provided to students by the Faculty of Dentistry after registration in the program.

Students should also be aware that some professional regulatory bodies may require a satisfactory records check/screening procedure as a condition of professional licensure.

 

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