OMS Externship Program

The University of Washington (UW) Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (OMS) offers a one week externship/observation opportunity for third and fourth year dental students interested in applying to OMS Residency programs.  This experience is open to UW dental students and dental students visiting from other U.S. or Canadian accredited dental schools (visitors).  Eligible applicants must be currently enrolled in a US or Canadian accredited dental school, 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).  Externship experience occurs M-W at HMC,  a level-1 regional trauma center, and Th-F at the Northwest Center for Oral & Facial Surgery (NWCOFS), the UW SOD’s OMS clinic.  During the week externs experience the OMS service outpatient clinics, observe inpatient ward management with the OMS team, observe in the OR, and participate in all scheduled didactic sessions alongside the current OMS residents.

UW dental students who participate in the externship may be 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 UW OMS Externship is not a UW course offering therefore there is no related tuition or application processing fees.  All expenses (travel, lodging, meals, etc.) related to participation in the UW OMS Externship the sole responsibility of the visiting extern/observer.

Application Process

1. Potential Externs (UW and visiting dental students) must contact the OMS Externship Coordinator via email to first confirm availability of participation dates before submitting the application.
2. Once you have established a visit week through the extern coordinator, please submit the initial application documents.  Initial application documents should be submitted (at least) eight weeks prior to the visit date. 
3. Upon approval of initial application, externs will receive a welcome letter with first day instructions, and the (secondary) HMC visitor application packet.  The HMC Visitor application packet must be returned to the extern coordinator (at least) four weeks prior to scheduled visit week.

Initial Application Documents (required):

• UW OMS Extern Application (PDF)
• Current curriculum vitae (CV)
• A 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
• 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.