Requirements for Entrance Examination to the Postgraduate Orthodontic Program at the American University of Beirut (AUB).
The orthodontic program at the American University of Beirut is tailored to meet the guidelines of the American Dental Association and its Commission on Dental Education, and oriented to the accepted standards of specialty practice as set in the accreditation standards for advanced specialty education programs. Accordingly, certification in clinical orthodontics carries the following requirements:
- the successful completion of the clinical requirements that impart a wide clinical experience
- the successful completion of the didactic orthodontic curriculum
- the completion of a research project and corresponding thesis defense
- the acquisition of biomedical knowledge.
The clinical requirements include, among others, the start and completion of treatment for specific numbers of patients and the coverage of a wide scope of malocclusions and procedures.
All items are contained within the MS in Orthodontics and residency programs
Consequently, at the end of the residency, which should normally be completed in 36 months, and when all requirements are successfully fulfilled, the resident receives an orthodontic certificate and a Master of Science (MS) degree. Orthodontic certification is contingent on the completion of the MS requirements, as per the above specifications and standards.
The entrance examination consists of the following parts, given at the corresponding dates:
Comprehensive Practical Exam : (Tuesday through Friday, July 2 - July 5, 2024)
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Wire Bending (July 2, 2024)
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Oral examination/Case Presentation/Interview (starting July 3 [PM session] through July 5, 2024)
b1- The applicant will be evaluated on general comprehension and application of dental knowledge.
- Comprehension partly includes assessment of publications, interpretation of data, and critical appraisal of research findings.
- Practical application of scientific information comprises multidisciplinary treatment and patient management, including sequence of coordination of treatment with other specialists [periodontics, oral surgery, prosthodontics, etc.], discussion of alternative treatment approaches, choice and justification of therapy, and behavior management.
b2- The applicant will be given records of patient(s) including dental casts and x-rays (panoramic and cephalometrics), and asked questions regarding:
- diagnosis of malocclusion and need for treatment
- cephalometric landmarks and interpretation, including the possibility of tracing the X-ray(s)
- dental cast analysis (space analysis)
Material needed for wire bending and case analysis:
- pliers for bending round and rectangular wires, including light wire pliers, bird beak (#139) pliers, cutting pliers, and other pliers as the applicant may deem necessary
- material to trace cephalometric X-rays and measure distances and angles
- calipers to measure dental casts.
The orthodontic exam will consist of multiple choice and essay questions on several topics that are usually covered in predoctoral education at dental schools, including
- general questions on periodontics, occlusion, and all other disciplines pertinent to the evaluation of a dentist’s knowledge base and comprehension of evidence-based clinical practice
- growth and development of the body, craniofacial complex, and dentition
- classification and etiology of malocclusion; orthodontic treatment planning; biology and mechanics of tooth movement; orthodontic techniques and stages of treatment; retention of orthodontic results; early orthodontic treatment of occlusal problems (sagittal, transverse, vertical) and dental arch problems (space maintenance, space gaining, guidance in alignment and occlusion); management of oral habits; removable appliances; functional appliances; dental versus orthopedic movement; considerations in orthodontic treatment of adults; TMJ considerations in orthodontic treatment
- combined surgical and orthodontic treatment; diagnosis and treatment of craniofacial anomalies.
AUB REQUIRES ENGLISH PROFICIENCY as gauged by one of the following tests:
TOEFL (minimum score of 573 on PBT [paper-based test), 230 on CBT [computer-based test], or 88 on IBT [internet-based test])
OR
IELTS (minimum score of 7.0)
PREPARATORY DIDACTIC SESSIONS WILL BE GIVEN THE WEEK of July 13, 2023 8 AM to 6 PM, IN THE DIVISION OF ORTHODONTICS AND DENTOFACIAL ORTHOPEDICS, AMERICAN UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL, 6TH FLOOR, EMERGENCY ENTRANCE.
No Exams will be given on July 1, 2024
PLEASE CONFIRM ATTENDANCE WITH MS. NOURHANE NASSER (01-350000 EXT. 8088).
The recommended orthodontic book to use as a reference for preparation is: Contemporary Orthodontics, William R. Proffit and Henry W. Fields 4th or 5th editions (2005, 2012), Mosby Inc.
For questions on periodontics, occlusion, and other disciplines pertinent to the evaluation of a dentist’s knowledge use the references you deem appropriate for this knowledge. One helpful reference is the Oxford Handbook of Clinical Dentistry (2003 or later).