Clinical observerships allow you to observe dental care for patients in a clinical setting and broaden your education.

It also means you can see what the educational program is like at the Faculty of Dentistry, University of Toronto, or its affiliated teaching hospitals.

Who can apply

You can apply if you are:

• A DDS (Doctor of Dental Surgery) or clinical specialty graduate student at the University of Toronto, Faculty of Dentistry
• A DDS (Doctor of Dental Surgery) or clinical specialty graduate student at another university.

What you can observe

The below subjects are offered as observerships, depending on availability.

• Anaesthesia: at the Faculty of Dentistry, University of Toronto
• Endodontics: at the Faculty of Dentistry, University of Toronto and Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre (for medically complex patients)
• General Dentistry: at the Faculty of Dentistry, University of Toronto
• Geriatric Dentistry: at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre 
• Oral Pathology & Oral Medicine: at the Faculty of Dentistry, University of Toronto 
• Orthodontics: at the Faculty of Dentistry, University of Toronto
• Pediatric Dentistry: at the Faculty of Dentistry, University of Toronto
• Periodontics: at the Faculty of Dentistry, University of Toronto
• Prosthodontics: at the Faculty of Dentistry, University of Toronto

Costs and duration

You can choose a length of observership to suit you, depending on availability. All costs are in Canadian Dollars.

• 1 - 2 weeks: $528.25
• 3 - 4 weeks: $617.50
• 5 - 6 weeks: $706.75
• 7 - 8 weeks: $806.50
• 9 - 16 weeks: $1,531.00
• 17 - 24 weeks: $6,592.00
• 25 - 36 weeks: $12,955.00
• 36 - 52 weeks: $19,150.00

How to apply

*Due to COVID-19 we are not currently offering this program.

Applications take three months to process. There is no specific application window or start date.

Complete the below steps, sending all documents and payment to the Admissions Office.

1. Complete the application form (PDF)
2. Send the $50 CAD application service fee (bank draft or money order payable to the University of Toronto)
3. Write a statement of intent (outline your goals for the program) 
4. Your Curriculum Vitae or Resume
5. Official dental/specialty school transcript or letter from dental school stating your enrollment status.

If you are accepted, you will need to send us, before starting:

• a current Tuberculin Test and/or negative chest x-ray (must be within three months of starting the observership)
• evidence of current immunization against Rubella, Tetanus, Polio and Hepatitis B
• a Canadian Red Cross Society or St. John Ambulance course in First Aid (or its equivalent) and a CPR Basic Rescuer course
• your fee by certified cheque (payable to the University of Toronto).

Getting documents to us

By email

admissions@dentistry.utoronto.ca

By mail

Admissions Office
Faculty of Dentistry
124 Edward Street, Room 104
Toronto, ON M5G 1G6

By fax

+1 416 979 4944