Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Program

Dean: Elsbeth Kalenderian, D.D.S., MPH, Ph.D.
Interim Program Director: Nicolas Homsi, D.D.S., MSc., Ph.D.
School of Dentistry website

Program Overview

The School of Dentistry offers the non-degree oral and maxillofacial surgery (OMFS) noncategorical internship program. This non-degree internship is a one-year, postdoctoral, pre-residency program designed to cultivate foundational clinical proficiency and professional readiness for advanced OMFS training. The curriculum integrates structured, supervised clinical experiences in both hospital and ambulatory care environments, emphasizing the core competencies central to oral and maxillofacial surgical practice. The program encompasses clinical training within the Oral Surgery Clinic at the Marquette University School of Dentistry (MUSOD), didactic course work, and hospital-based rotations in anesthesia, internal medicine, and emergency medicine. Classroom learning and clinical training are aligned with the Surgical Council on Resident Education (SCORE) curriculum.

Program goals include:

Developing foundational competence in dentoalveolar surgery under supervision
Gaining introductory experience in the evaluation and management of facial trauma
Participating in inpatient and emergency department consultations and ER-based treatment
Obtaining structured exposure to IV sedation and anesthesia-supported procedures
Providing safe, ethical care for medically complex and underserved patient populations
Improving the intern’s competitiveness for acceptance into U.S. OMFS residency programs

The curriculum encompasses 18 credits of didactic course work delivered through a three-part seminar sequence: Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Seminar 1 (Summer, 6 credits), Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Seminar 2 (Fall, 6 credits), and Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Seminar 3 (Spring, 6 credits). These courses emphasize core principles of diagnosis, treatment planning, and evidence-based surgical care.

The clinical component includes Clinical Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery 1, 2, and 3 (8 credits each across Summer, Fall, and Spring terms), providing progressive, supervised clinical experience within the Oral Surgery Clinic at MUSOD. Interns actively participate in patient care, surgical procedures, and perioperative management under faculty supervision.

Hospital-based rotations in anesthesia, internal medicine, and the emergency department supplement the academic and clinical training, enhancing competency in interdisciplinary collaboration and comprehensive patient care.

Course List
Code	Title	Hours
SUMMER
OMFS 6001	Seminar in Oral Maxillofacial Surgery 1	6
OMFS 6002	Clinical Oral Maxillofacial Surgery 1	8
FALL
OMFS 6101	Seminar in Oral Maxillofacial Surgery 2	6
OMFS 6102	Clinical Oral Maxillofacial Surgery 2	8
SPRING
OMFS 6201	Seminar in Oral Maxillofacial Surgery 3	6
OMFS 6202	Clinical Oral Maxillofacial Surgery 3	8
Total Credit Hours:		42

University Policies

Graduate School Policies

OMFS 6001 Seminar in Oral Maxillofacial Surgery 1 (6 credits)

Interns begin exploring graduate-level content within each of the content areas. At the conclusion of the three course OMFS Internship Seminar series, interns are prepared to integrate didactic knowledge with clinical experience to safely evaluate, diagnose, and manage a broad spectrum of patients, including those with complex medical, behavioral and surgical needs. Interns gain exposure to advanced, postdoctoral level topics in multidisciplinary domains. S/U grade assessment.

Level of Study: Graduate

Schedule of Classes

OMFS 6002 Clinical Oral Maxillofacial Surgery 1 (8 credits)

Introduces interns to supervised clinical practice in oral and maxillofacial surgery within MUSOD’s Oral Surgery Clinic and affiliated hospital settings. Under close faculty supervision, interns begin developing foundational competence in focused OMS history and examination, basic dentoalveolar surgery and management of common ambulatory conditions in medically complex and underserved patients. Clinical responsibilities emphasize safe participation in extractions, minor pre-prosthetic procedures, incision and drainage of uncomplicated infections and early exposure to inpatient consultations and emergency department encounters. Interns are introduced to perioperative assessment, local anesthesia, IV placement and monitoring in outpatient sedation settings. S/U grade assessment.

Level of Study: Graduate

Schedule of Classes

OMFS 6101 Seminar in Oral Maxillofacial Surgery 2 (6 credits)

The second course of the seminar series, interns continue exploring graduate-level content within each of the content areas as a continuation of OMFS 6001. At the conclusion of the three course OMFS Seminar series, interns are prepared to integrate didactic knowledge with clinical experience to safely evaluate, diagnose, and manage a broad spectrum of patients, including those with complex medical, behavioral and surgical needs. Interns gain exposure to advanced, postdoctoral level topics in multidisciplinary domains. S/U grade assessment.

Level of Study: Graduate

Schedule of Classes

OMFS 6102 Clinical Oral Maxillofacial Surgery 2 (8 credits)

Intermediate clinical course which builds on OMFS 6002 Clinical Oral Maxillofacial Surgery 1 and expands interns' scope of practice, responsibility and autonomy in both ambulatory and hospital-based OMS environments. Clinical experiences include increased involvement in complex extractions (including third molars), alveoloplasty, biopsy techniques, minor pathology management and participation in hospital rotations. S/U grade assessment.

Level of Study: Graduate

Schedule of Classes

OMFS 6201 Seminar in Oral Maxillofacial Surgery 3 (6 credits)

The final course of the seminar sequence, interns have obtained an advanced understanding of content within each domain and demonstrate mastery of all course objectives. Interns are prepared to integrate didactic knowledge with clinical experience to safely evaluate, diagnose and manage a broad spectrum of patients, including those with complex medical, behavioral and surgical needs. S/U grade assessment.

Level of Study: Graduate

Schedule of Classes

OMFS 6202 Clinical Oral Maxillofacial Surgery 3 (8 credits)

Advanced clinical course consolidates and extends interns’ competencies in preparation for OMFS residency training. Interns manage a higher volume and complexity of cases, including office-based dentoalveolar surgery, implant-related procedures within scope, IV sedation and anesthesia-supported care and trauma- and infection-related consultations in emergency and inpatient settings under appropriate supervision. Emphasis is placed on operative judgment, perioperative management, early complication recognition and management and integration of pathology, radiology, and medical considerations into surgical decision-making. S/U grade assessment.

Level of Study: Graduate

Schedule of Classes

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Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Program

Program Overview

University Policies

Graduate School Policies

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