There is an increasingly growing demand for postgraduate orthodontic education in New Zealand, especially from junior dentists who want to enrol in an orthodontic programme, or senior dentists who have an interest in expanding their basic orthodontic skills in an accredited academic Institution, which is delivering evidence-based orthodontic education.
The orthodontic internship at Otago offers an educational experience in clinical orthodontics in a world-class academic institution, under the guidance of experienced and renowned academic educators.
About the internship programme
- One week attendance to a maximum of 12 weeks
- Full-time (37.5-40 hours per week)
- 6 hours per week of lectures
- 6 hours per week of case presentations and case progress review
- 24 hours per week of supervised clinical sessions
- 4 hours per week of seminars, literature review and support
Lectures and case presentations
Orthodontic Interns will attend lectures, wire bending tutorials, workshops, case presentations, and case progress reviews of the postgraduate programme in orthodontics, which are scheduled during the time of the internship. These will amount to at least 12 hours per week.
Clinical sessions
The aim of the internship is also to observe the clinical management of orthodontic patients under the guidance of our experienced clinical tutors. Clinical procedures include bracket bonding/debonding, TAD placement, diagnostics and treatment planning sessions, appliance design, biomechanical activations etc., with the exception of any direct patient care. The clinical sessions amount to a least 24 hours per week.
Seminars, literature review and support
Finally, the interns can also be actively involved in seminars, literature review sessions, and support to aspects of the clinical research projects carried out by staff and students, which may result in co-authoring a publication. This activity will occur for at least four hours per week but can be extended depending on the Intern's preference or goals.
When are the internship start dates?
Internships are flexible and can be at any time from February to December and for any duration, with the minimum being one week and maximum of four months.
We strongly encourage attendance of interns from February. This period will coincide with the running of an intense introductory course in orthodontics.
Alternatively, a package including attendance at the orthodontic clinic for several non-consecutive weeks spread across the year may be negotiated.
Fees
The fee is $1200 (GST incl.) per week. Participants can choose how many weeks they want to attend.
Please note that fees do not include travel, living expenses, health insurance and other costs and the Intern is responsible for all financial commitments and expenses.
Interns are not enrolled as students at the University of Otago. Upon completion of the internship, a certificate of attendance will be awarded.
CPD points
Verifiable CPD points can be earned by attending the internship.
Applying to the internship programme
To apply please send a cover letter, your CV, your academic transcripts, and two recommendation letters.
Applications are welcome at any time of the year and there is no deadline for application.
Applicants must hold a Bachelor of Dental Surgery or equivalent degree.
Contact us
Orthodontics
Department of Oral Sciences
Faculty of Dentistry
Email orthoclinic@otago.ac.nz