OMS Externship Program

The University of Washington (UW) Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (OMS) offers a one-week observational externship for third- and fourth-year dental students who are interested in applying to OMS Residency programs. The OMS Externship is open to UW dental students and dental students visiting from other U.S. or Canadian accredited dental schools (visitors). Eligible applicants must currently be enrolled in a US or Canadian Dental Program and must have completed the first two years of dental school at time of application. Due to institutional limitations, we cannot accept non-Canadian international dental students or dentists from private practice; domestic or international.

The OMS Externship is directed by Dr. Jas Dillon, OMS Residency Program Director and Chief of Service at Harborview Medical Center (HMC).  The 5-day externship visit takes place at two UW OMS training sites:  Monday -Wednesday at HMC, a level 1 regional trauma center. Thursday and Friday at the Northwest Center for Oral & Facial Surgery (NWCOFS),

the UWSOD OMS clinic.  During the week externs shadow current OMS Residents gaining valuable experience in Hospital and the outpatient clinics, and through observation in the OR. Externs also participate in all scheduled department training seminars.

UW dental student externs are permitted supervised hands-on experiences at NWCOFS. Visiting dental student externs participate as observers only; hands-on patient care is not permitted for visiting externs.  The OMS Externship is not a UW course offering therefore there is no related tuition or application processing fees. All expenses and coordination related to the OMS Externship (travel, lodging, meals, etc.) are the sole responsibility of the visiting extern/observer.

Application Process:

1. Contact the OMS Externship Coordinator via email to confirm availability of participation dates before submitting the application.
2. Once you have confirmed a visit date through the extern coordinator, submit the initial application form and attach supplemental documents. The initial application form and supplemental documents should be submitted (at least) eight weeks prior to the visit’s start date. 
3. Upon receipt and review of initial application, externs are sent a welcome letter with first day instructions and the (secondary) HMC visitor application packet.  The HMC Visitor application packet must be submitted to the extern coordinator (at least) four weeks prior to the visit’s start date.

Initial Application Form and Supplemental Documents.  Please attach all supplemental documents to the dynamic application form:

• UW OMS Extern Application
• Current Curriculum vitae (CV)
• Letter from your Dean of Students or Academic Affairs verifying your enrollment status with projected graduation date, and that participation in the UW OMS externship is an approved activity (this may also be sent directly to omsxtern@uw.edu)
• Photo: digital head shot
• Optional: NBME CBSE Exam Score Report If available

In addition to the above materials, visiting dental student Externs must also submit proof of medical insurance coverage during applicable visit time.