Academic Regulations
The following section describes academic regulations within the Faculty of Dentistry. It is to be distinctly understood that the regulations regarding courses of study, examinations, fees, etc., contained in this calendar are intended for the current year only, and that the University does not hold itself bound to adhere absolutely to the curriculum and conditions laid down. More detailed information is provided to each student at the beginning of the academic year in the Academic Policy Manual and the Clinic Policy Manual. These Policy Manuals contain information for students and faculty members on the following areas: Evaluation of Students, Grade Procedures, Remedial Opportunities, Supplemental Examinations, Promotion and Graduation, Examination Regulations, Appeal Procedures, Course Waivers, Absences, Senate Discipline, Student Course Evaluation and Clinic Protocol and Procedures.
Academic Year - DDS Program
The Doctor of Dental Surgery degree program extends over four years. The academic year for years one and two commence in late August or early September and continue until mid-May. The academic year for year three commences in late August and continues to late June. The academic year for year four begins in late August and terminates in early May. Late registration will be permitted only under very exceptional circumstances, if approved by the Dean.
Academic Year - DDS Qualifying Program
The DDS Qualifying degree program extends over three years. The academic year for year one commences in mid-August and continues until mid-May. The academic year for year two commences in late August and continues to late June. The academic year for year three begins in late August and terminates in early May. Late registration will be permitted only under very exceptional circumstances, if approved by the Dean.
Course Syllabi and Program Changes
Before the beginning of term, each Course Director must provide a copy of the course syllabus, including evaluation methods, according to University and Faculty format with any individual additions, to the Office of the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs. Students must be provided with a course syllabus by the instructor at the first meeting of the course.
Program changes as to content, requirements, etc., may be necessary and may not be reflected in a given edition of the Calendar. Such changes will be included in the course syllabus provided to students at the first meeting of the course. Instructors may make changes to the course syllabus at any time. However, if these changes affect any of the following areas, at least two-thirds of enrolled students must approve the changes in order for them to be valid: (a) evaluation; (b) weight of individual evaluation components; (c) examination requirements with a value of 10% or greater.
Course Waiver Policy
Course waivers are not granted for courses in the DDS and QP programs.
Policies and procedures regarding application for and awarding of course waivers are outlined in the Academic Policy Manual.
Review of Students
Student academic, preclinical/clinical, and professional progress is reviewed at least twice each term by the appropriate Progress and Promotion Committee (membership - Course Directors of the respective year of the program), as outlined in the Academic Policy Manual. Appropriate remedial actions will be initiated for students with identified difficulties. Students with significant difficulties may be placed on probation.
Academic Accommodation for Students with Learning Disabilities
See University Regulations. Dalhousie University is committed to providing equal educational opportunity and full participation for students with learning disabilities. Students wishing to discuss accommodations for disabilities should contact the Student Accessibility Centre before classes commence.
Examination and Course Grades
Admission to Examinations
In order to qualify for admission to examinations, candidates must attend the prescribed courses of the curriculum regularly and punctually. Students are expected to attend all lectures, seminars, preclinical and clinical sessions. A student may not be eligible to sit final examinations while on probation. The Examination Regulations of the University are followed, as well as specific Faculty of Dentistry regulations which are provided to students in the Academic Policy Manual.
Promotion and Graduation
In order to achieve the overall standard for progress through a program and promotion to the next year of, or graduation from, a program, a student must:
- Meet standards of professionalism and student conduct set out by the Faculty of Dentistry and Dalhousie University.
- Pass all courses of the year with a minimum 65% grade in each identified “Must Pass” didactic and pre-clinical and/or clinical section of each course and achieve a passing grade in all other criteria established within the course. This includes all remedial work and all course-based supplemental assessment. A failure in “MUST PASS” components will result in a failure in the course, and Faculty Regulations will apply.
- Attain a minimum GPA of 2.0.
- Demonstrate aptitude and general fitness for the profession of dentistry or dental hygiene.
At the discretion of the Progress and Promotion Committee, a student may be offered the privilege of repeating the academic year if the student:
- has a letter grade of F in the didactic portion of not more than 2 courses and has a minimum GPA of 2.0;
- has failed at least one supplemental examination(s) and has a minimum GPA of 2.0, or
- has failed the pre-clinical or clinical section of a course
A student is eligible to repeat only one year over the course of any Faculty of Dentistry program.
At the discretion of the Progress and Promotion Committee, a student may be dismissed from the Faculty who:
- has obtained a letter grade of F grade in more than two courses
- has serious or blatant un-remediated issues of professionalism
- does not demonstrate aptitude and general fitness for the profession of dentistry or dental hygiene
- is not eligible to repeat the year and does not meet the criteria for promotion to the next year of the program or for graduation
For students who are dismissed from the Faculty or choose to withdraw before the completion of their program, the protocol for withdrawal must be followed.
As an academic requirement, students are assessed regularly on their professionalism, knowledge, skills and degree of competence for the profession of Dentistry as described in course outlines and the Academic Policy Manual. A student who, in the judgment of the Faculty, fails to attain satisfactory standard on this assessment may be placed in a remedial program or dismissed from the Faculty.
As students are entering a professional program, all components of the curriculum are mandatory. To prepare students to care for patients, they are expected to examine another student's mouth and be examined. They are required to give and receive local anaesthetic. These exercises are not only competencies required of oral health care professionals, but also allow students to develop a sense of empathy for future patients.
Students must prepare exercises, reports, etc., as may be prescribed, and in courses involving laboratory or practical work they must complete such work satisfactorily before any credit for that course can be given. If Faculty deems it advisable, giving consideration to the students' overall performance in the program and the constraints of available time and resources, students may be given the opportunity to clear any deficiencies by means of remedial programs.
Final year students are responsible for the completion of patient care and/or the approved transfer of their assigned patients before they are awarded the DDS Degree.
Graduation with Distinction
Students in the Faculty of Dentistry who have achieved a minimum cumulative average GPA of 3.8 upon graduation, are in the top 10% of the class and are in good professional standing will be placed on the Distinction list. The final determination is made by the Progress and Promotion Committee.
Course Grades
Upon completion of a course, a student is awarded a grade of A+, A, A-, B+, B, B-, C, F, or INCOMPLETE, or for designated courses, a grade of PASS or FAIL.
In this system; A+ is the highest and C is the lowest passing grade; an INC grade allows an otherwise qualified candidate to fulfil the course requirements within a specified time in a program determined by Faculty; an F is a failing grade which may allow an otherwise qualified candidate supplemental examination privileges, or may disqualify the student from further evaluation without repeating the course and/or the entire academic year, or may require the student to withdraw from the program.
Course directors are responsible for defining the requirements for grades.
Grade Point Equivalents and Averages
The numerical percentage score-letter grade equivalency scale for all courses in the Faculty of Dentistry is as follows:
In this scale 65% is the minimum passing numerical score. GPA equivalencies for final letter grades are consistent with the Dalhousie University GPA equivalency scale.
| Numerical Score |
Letter Grade |
Grade Point Equivalent |
| 95-100 |
A+ |
4.30 |
| 90-94 |
A |
4.00 |
| 85-89 |
A- |
3.70 |
| 80-84 |
B+ |
3.30 |
| 75-79 |
B |
3.00 |
| 70-74 |
B- |
2.70 |
| 65-69 |
C |
2.00 |
| N/A |
INC |
0.00 |
| 0-64 |
F |
0.00 |
| N/A |
P (pass for credit) |
Neutral |
| N/A |
W (withdraw) |
Neutral |
| Pending |
Neutral |
|
INC - Incomplete: Students are expected to complete all course work which is required to achieve a passing grade by the prescribed deadlines. Only in special circumstances and with appropriate Progress and Promotion Committee approval, or that of the Assistant Dean Academic Affairs acting for the Progress and Promotion Committee may an instructor extend such deadlines. Incomplete work in a course must be completed by a time assigned by the relevant Progress and Promotion Committee. An INC will be converted to the earned grade if completed by the deadline. Otherwise, the course grade point value will be calculated as a 0.0 on the student’s grade point average, and the INC grade will normally be converted to a failing grade, unless the student is given permission by Progress and Promotion Committee to withdraw from the course. Students cannot be promoted with INC grades.
W - Withdrew: A grade of W is recorded for courses in which a student withdrew with Progress and Promotion Committee approval. No grade point value is recorded. It should be noted that all courses for a given year must be successfully completed before a student is promoted or graduated.
Calculation of Average
Each course, except courses with final grades of PASS or FAIL, is assigned a course weight based on its length and the mix of lecture, laboratory or clinical components. An individual student’s point equivalent for each course is multiplied by the course weight. The student’s yearly grade point average is calculated by dividing the sum of the weighted grade point equivalents earned for all the separately numbered courses for the academic program year and the sum of the course weights for all courses.
A cumulative grade point average is calculated by adding the total weighted grade point equivalents earned and dividing by the sum of the course weights for all courses taken. The cumulative GPA is used for the awarding of certain prizes, awards and scholarships.
Supplemental Examinations
Following final grade submission, and upon recommendation by the Associate Dean Academic Affairs, a student who has failed the didactic portion of a course may be eligible to sit a supplemental assessment if they have:
- achieved an overall grade point average of at least 2.0,
- received no more than two failing grade(s), and
- have no unresolved professionalism issues.
Supplemental assessments are only available for the didactic component of a course. No supplemental opportunities are available for failure of the preclinical/clinical section in any course, as defined in the course outline.
Students who are granted permission to write a supplemental assessment are notified in writing through their Dalhousie email address by the Associate Dean Academic Affairs.
The student must meet with the Course Director prior to the supplemental assessment for guidance. All supplemental assessments must be written ‘in-person on campus’ by the end of the 2nd full week of June. The date and time of the assessment will be provided by the Associate Dean Academic Affairs in consultation with the Course Director of the affected course(s).
If the student is successful in their supplemental assessment, the maximum final grade in the course will be the lowest passing grade, i.e. ‘C’. Faculty policies regarding Promotion and Graduation will apply, according to the student’s GPA.
Illness or Absence
Students are required to attend all assigned courses and clinics. Penalties for not attending clinics are outlined in the clinic course syllabus.
It is the student's responsibility to immediately inform the Office of the Dean and, when clinical activities are involved, any scheduled patients, of any absence due to illness, injury, or other cause. Any absences not reported to clinics and classes are considered a breach of professionalism and penalties may be imposed as outlined in the Academic Policy Manual. Re-scheduled examinations will not be granted without written approval of the Associate Dean Academic Affairs.
Appeals
Students have the right to appeal their assigned grade in a given course as well as decisions regarding promotion or graduation. Written policies describing the Faculty's appeal procedures are available to all students in the Academic Policy Manual.
Licensing Regulations
Students are reminded that the degree in Dentistry is not the only requirement for admission to practice in any province or country. The regulations for admission to practice are established by the licensing board of the province/state/country in which the person desires to practice. Information on these requirements may be obtained from the respective Dental Registrars whose names and addresses may be obtained from the Office of the Dean.
The National Dental Examining Board of Canada incorporated under Federal Statute offers an examination leading to a certificate which is recognized by the dental Licensing Boards in all provinces and territories of Canada. Holders of the certificate may be licensed to practice in all provinces sometimes after meeting additional provincial requirements. For further information inquiries should be addressed to: Registrar, National Dental Examining Board of Canada, 340 Albert Street, 12th Floor, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1R 7Y6.
The program of dental education in the Faculty has received the approval of the Commission of Dental Accreditation of Canada. The Dalhousie Doctor of Dental Surgery Degree fulfills the educational requirement for obtaining a certificate from the National Dental Examining Board of Canada, the National Board of Dental Examiners of USA, and the Boards of many of the states of the United States of America.
Instruments, Equipment and Textbooks
All mandatory laboratory/clinic instruments, equipment, consumables, scrubs and clinic jackets (not shoes), lockers and textbooks, are included in Student Auxiliary fees. The Faculty provides these items in order to maintain minimum standards and to ensure timely delivery and availability for the beginning of classes.
There are four parts to these fees:
- Student Kit Fee - these fees vary according to the student's year of study
- Consumable Kit - includes scrubs, clinic jackets, teeth, burs, diamonds, gloves, laundry, lockers, manuals etc.
- Equipment Kit - includes preclinical equipment, articulators, surveyor, loupes, hand piece, curing light, bloodpressure cuff, stethoscope, etc.
- Academic Clinic Fee - Major clinical equipment, dental instruments and facility renewal fees.
- Technology Fee - Clinic infrastructure, IT support and software.
- Electronic Textbook Fee - Vital Source Bookshelf and hardcopy textbooks
Students are financially responsible for lost or damaged items. Degrees are withheld pending the return of or payment for missing/damaged items.
Fees (not including tuition):
All fees are subject to change. The fees listed below are based on the 2023/2024 academic year.
Doctor of Dental Surgery Program (DDS)
| |
Electronic Textbooks |
Technology Fee |
Academic Clinic Fee |
Student Kit Fee |
Total |
| Year 1 |
$2,186.00 |
$1,639.00 |
$6,698.00 |
$16,698.00 |
$27,221.00 |
| Year 2 |
$2,186.00 |
$1,639.00 |
$6,698.00 |
$12,510.00 |
$23,033.00 |
| Year 3 |
$2,186.00 |
$1,639.00 |
$6,698.00 |
$10,116.00 |
$20,639.00 |
| Year 4 |
$2,186.00 |
$1,639.00 |
$6,698.00 |
$2,474.00 |
$12,997.00 |
DDS Qualifying Program (QP) and Malaysian Program (IMU)
| |
Electronic Textbooks |
Technology Fee |
Academic Clinic Fee |
Student Kit Fee |
Total |
| Year 1 |
$2,907.00 |
$1,639.00 |
$6,698.00 |
$20,029.00 |
$31,273.00 |
|
Year 2
|
$2,907.00
|
$1,639.00 |
$6,698.00
|
$10,116.00
|
$21,360.00
|
|
Year 3
|
$2,907.00
|
$1,639.00 |
$6,698.00
|
$2,474.00
|
$13,718.00
|
Graduate Periodontic Program (PERI)
| |
Electronic Textbooks |
Technology Fee |
Academic Clinic Fee |
Student Kit Fee |
Total |
| Year 1 |
$0.00 |
$1,639.00 |
$6,698.00 |
$3,233.00 |
$11,570.00 |
| Year 2 |
$0.00 |
$1,639.00 |
$6,698.00 |
$1,539.00 |
$9,876.00 |
| Year 3 |
$0.00 |
$1,639.00 |
$6,698.00 |
$1,539.00 |
$9,876.00 |
Refunds:
There will be no refunds after the university add/drop deadline in September.
Student Kit Fee: A student who withdraws from the program before the university add/drop deadline, will be granted a refund of the fees charged and paid in that year for unused clinical and preclinical rentals and usage fees. There is no refund for student kit items and equipment which the student receives in their first week.
Academic Clinic Fee: This fee is refundable if a student withdraws from the program before the university add/drop deadline.
Technology Fee: This fee is refundable if a student withdraws from the program before the university add/drop deadline.
Electronic Textbook Fee: A student who withdraws from the program before the university add/drop deadline, will be entitled to a pro-rated refund of fees charged in that year. Access to all titles on the Vital Source bookshelf will be terminated immediately upon notification of withdrawal in Building Services.