Relevance date: These instructions will apply to the National Dental Specialty Examination (NDSE) conducted beginning in 2010. See the RCDC website for instructions for examinations conducted on earlier or later dates.

Oral Medicine and Oral Pathology in Canada

Oral Medicine and Oral Pathology is the branch and specialty of dentistry concerned with the diagnosis, nature and primarily non-surgical management of oral, maxillofacial and temporomandibular diseases and disorders, including dental management of patients with medical complications. Oral Medicine and Oral Pathology are two applied components of this specialty.

Examination Structure

The examination in Oral Medicine and/or Oral Pathology is composed of two components (written and oral/practical). The written component (Component I) is identical for all candidates while the oral/practical component (Component II) is specific to each sub-specialty. Candidates sitting the combined OMOP examination must complete all the elements of Component II from both sub-specialties. Successful completion of the written component is necessary to be eligible for the subsequent oral/practical component. A passing grade is required for each element of both components.

Examination Details

Component I: Written Examination: Oral Medicine and/or Oral pathology

Papers I and II:

The written examination consists of two (2) equally weighted three-hour written papers, which may consist of multiple choice and/or short answer and/or essay questions. The first paper examines the candidate on basic medical sciences as they relate to oral and maxillofacial diseases and conditions, and the second paper examines the candidate on aspects of oral diseases and conditions common to both oral medicine and oral pathology. A passing grade is required for each of the two (2) papers.

Component 2: Oral Pathology Only (1 day)

Component 2: Oral Medicine Only (1 day)

Component 2: Oral Medicine and Oral Pathology Combined (2 days)

The examination dates for Component II will be determined following completion of the written examinations and the publishing of the written component results, and will be based on the number of candidates challenging Component II. These dates may fall anywhere within the indicated window and are fixed once set. The RCDC cannot accommodate requests for exceptions, other than in the case of religious or special needs that have been indicated before the date has been set.

Component II Examination Elements Explained:

Practical Examination (Microscopic):
The practical examination, which lasts 3 hours, consists of two (2) parts: the first part is a diagnosis and interpretation of supplied history and microscopic tissue sections from an autopsy case; and the second, more heavily weighted part, is a microscopic diagnosis of 50 surgical oral pathology tissue sections. Cytology specimens, electron micrographs, immunohistochemical and molecular histobiology tissue sections may be included. This section must be passed. A passing grade of 70% is required for this element. (See “Details of Topics 3”).

Oral A - Lesions in Common:
The Oral A examination, which lasts approximately two hours, consists of questions from a
three-member examinations committee, covering the topics common to both oral pathology and oral medicine listed below in “Details of Topics 2”. A passing grade is required for this element.

Oral B – Oral Medicine Only:
The Oral B examination will be approximately three hours, given by a three-member examinations committee, and will cover topics in oral medicine listed in “Details of Topics 4”. A passing grade is required for this element.

Different parts of the examination are contributed and conducted by a variety of individuals. The Chief Examiner selects the team of examiners, co-ordinates the examination and ensures that it is fairly conducted. Examiners are selected as a result of their activity and expertise in the specialty and to avoid possible or potential conflict of interest with the candidate within the limits of availability of appropriate examiners. Examiners external to the College may be used at the discretion of the Chief Examiner. The Chief Examiner will be part of the examinations committee whenever possible, to chair the examination and to ensure fair conduct. He/she may ask questions and submit a grade if needed. When the Chief Examiner cannot be present at an examination, (for example: examinations with multiple candidates in one sitting) he/she will designate one of the committee members to be the acting chair.

Written part 1: Basic Medical Sciences

• General and systemic pathology
   
• Orofacial anatomy and physiology
   
• Pharmacology and therapeutics
   
• Immunology
   
• Microbiology
   
• Biostatistics and epidemiology

Written part 2: Orofacial tissue-based disease

• Developmental conditions
   
• Benign and malignant neoplasms
   
• Immunological conditions
   
• Infectious diseases, and their sequellae
   
• Disorders of bones and joints
   
• Physical and chemical injuries and their sequellae
   
• Metabolic and hormonal diseases

Microscopic

• Oral Pathology
   
• Gen Pathology (autopsy)

Oral

• Differential Diagnosis
   
• Work-up
   
• Diagnosis
   
• Management/Treatment
   
• Complications/Prognosis