Orthodontics

Master of Clinical Dentistry (MClD)



Meet Christos Papadopoulos, MClD candidate in Orthodontics

“The graduate orthodontics program at Western has an excellent reputation for providing an exceptional education, both academically and clinically. I was proud to be accepted here.”

What is it about your grad program that enables you to thrive and be successful?
I believe it starts from the top. The Orthodontics Chair and the Clinic Director have done an outstanding job creating a positive working and learning environment for all the residents. We also have excellent orthodontic instructors, and Western faculty, who devote their time to our education. Our clinical and administrative staff is also very well organized and supportive which allows us to get the most out of our day-to-day learning.

Where is “home” for you?
Saint John, New Brunswick.

Describe your research.
An orthodontist not only needs to understand the biomechanics of moving teeth in a healthy and stable way, but also requires a thorough understanding of the growth of the jaws. I am doing a cephalometric (radiographic) study that is investigating nasal morphology as a possible predictor for craniofacial growth direction.

Do you engage in volunteer activities?
Back home in New Brunswick, I am involved with coaching Special Olympics soccer. In fact, I was one of the coaches who represented New Brunswick at the 2010 Special Olympics Canada Summer Games here in London, Ontario.

Have you worked as a TA or RA?
I have worked as a TA teaching third year dental students part of their orthodontic component. Being involved in academia is something that I hope to do following my time here as a graduate student, so it was a great experience.

Program Websites


Program Contact

Erica McCurdy (postgraddentistry@schulich.uwo.ca)
Postgraduate Program Administrator for Dentistry

Graduate Program of Orthodontics

Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry
1013 Dental Sciences Building
London, Ontario N6A 5C1

t. 519-661-2111 Ext. 86114
f. 519-661-2075

The purpose of the program in Orthodontics is to provide the academic background and clinical experience appropriate to the specialty of Orthodontics. The program is fully accredited by the Council on Education of the Canadian Dental Association, and meets the specialty certification requirement of the Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario and the eligibility requirement of the Royal College of Dentists of Canada.

Program Length

  • 9 Terms

Program Design

  • Full-time study
  • Thesis-based

Funding Information

Tuition and Fees

Tuition and fee schedules (per term) are posted on the Office of the Registrar's website at http://www.registrar.uwo.ca/student_finances/fees_refunds/fee_schedules.html

Graduate Student Affordability Calculator

Use this helpful tool to estimate how much money you will need to pay for your tuition, fees, housing, food, and other necessities for a 12-month (three term) academic year.

Admission Requirements

  • Applicants must hold a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) degree (or their equivalent).
  • Graduates of non-accredited post-secondary institutions are required to complete the Advanced Dental Admission Test (ADAT). Official ADAT results must be sent directly from the American Dental Association (ADA) to Western University. Results are valid for a period of three (3) years.
  • Graduates of non-accredited post-secondary institutions but with a MSc or PhD (or their equivalent) in a dentally related field from an accredited post-secondary institution are not required to complete the ADAT.

Please note: Admission to this program is highly competitive. We encourage all applicants to review the instructions carefully prior to commencing the application and to ensure their application is complete and submitted by the deadline.

  • A statement of interest (250-500 words).
  • Unofficial transcripts from all post-secondary institutions are required at the time of application. One official or certified copy will be required upon acceptance of an admissions offer. If available, a letter from the Dean or their designate indicating your dental school class rank.
  • Curriculum vitae (maximum two pages).
  • Three (3) letters of reference. A minimum of one (1) from a university faculty member who is familiar with your previous academic work.
  • At least one year of clinical experience in general or specialty dental practice or dental residency (GPR, AEGD, dental specialty program) is required.
  • A strong academic record is required, with a minimum “B” (75%) average or equivalent during dental school. Equivalent work or research experience may be considered on a case-by-case basis. Applicants must demonstrate the potential for success in graduate-level studies through their undergraduate performance.
For applicants who completed a DDS or DMD program (or their equivalent), where official transcripts reflect only pass/fail grades, please include a letter from the Dean or their designate providing your individual course grades or cumulative grade point averages for each year of study, as well as a letter indicating your dental school class rank.

Preferred Acceptance Criteria:
  • Strong academic record
  • Letters of recommendation
  • Clinical experience
  • Professional experience
  • Research experience
  • Volunteer experience
  • Extracurricular activities

English Language Proficiency

Applicants whose dentistry degree was completed in a country or institution where English is not the primary language of instruction are required to provide official documentation demonstrating that they meet or exceed one of the approved English Language Proficiency (ELP) requirements. We recognize that applicants come from diverse linguistic and educational backgrounds, and alternative forms of ELP documentation may be considered on a case-by-case basis.

  • The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Minimum acceptable score is 105 for the internet version, or 260 for the standard electronic version. [Western's TOEFL ID is 0984].
  • The International English Language Testing Service (IELTS Academic). The minimum acceptable score is 7.5 out of 9 with no individual score falling below 6.
  • The Duolingo English Test. The minimum acceptable score is 135.
Applicants whose dentistry degree was completed in a country or institution where English is not the primary language but who completed a graduate degree (MSc or PhD, or their equivalent) from a country or institution where English is the primary language of instruction are not required to complete the ELP requirement.

Application Deadline

  • September 15