Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology
Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology is a specialty recognized by the Canadian Dental Association. Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology is the branch and specialty of dentistry concerned with the prescription, production, and interpretation of diagnostic images for the diagnosis and management of diseases and disorders of the craniofacial complex.
Fellowship recognizes competence in the practice of the Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology and is the highest professional achievement for an Oral and Maxillofacial Radiologist in Canada. Fellows in Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology are currently working throughout Canada and the United States in private specialty practices, dental schools, cancer centres, and teaching hospitals.
Examination Information
The Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology examination will be held in person at a single location within Canada. The exact location of the examination site will be communicated after the closure of the 2025 Fellowship Examination application window.
| Element | Structure |
|---|---|
| Part 1: Clinical | 4 cases (1 hour) |
| Part 2: OSCE | 8 stations x 20 minutes (2 hours 40 minutes) |
Part 1 (Clinical)
This section of the Interpretation of Radiological Diagnostic Images Examination consists of patient diagnostic images. Media files will be in Anatomage Invivo dicom file format, PowerPoint, or VLC player. The patient’s age and sex will be provided. For each set of images, the candidate will be expected to provide some or all of the following information in written form:
- Identify the diagnostic image(s) provided, including imaging modality and anatomical area depicted.
- Describe the pertinent findings on the images in the format of a Radiology Report.
- Provide a differential or definitive interpretation of the abnormality/ies.
- Comment on the disease mechanism of the condition(s) in the differential diagnosis / definitive interpretation. Name the cause of the condition(s) if established in the literature.
- Comment on the management of the case (where applicable, other images, imaging techniques, or diagnostic tests that may be indicated to provide further information).
Part 2 (OSCE)
An Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) is a practical assessment designed to evaluate the clinical competence of candidates in a structured and systematic way. This OSCE consists of 8 stations, each lasting 20 minutes, for a total examination time of 2 hours and 40 minutes. The format of the examination allows candidates to be assessed by multiple examiners across different stations, ensuring a comprehensive evaluation of their skills. As a result, candidates may encounter an Examiner from their own dental specialty training program. Significant conflicts, such as being examined by a program director, are identified and avoided when scheduling the examination. Each station presents clinical scenarios or radiographic cases that test candidates’ ability to interpret imaging, diagnose, and apply radiologic principles in real-world situations, providing a consistent and fair evaluation of their diagnostic reasoning, image analysis, and clinical decision-making skills.
Topics to Review
- Imaging Techniques
- Anatomy on Diagnostic Images
- Pathogenesis/Pathophysiology
- Dental Developmental Abnormalities
- Developmental Abnormalities of the Jaws and Facial Bones
- Cysts
- Neoplasia (Benign and Malignant)
- Inflammatory and Infectious Diseases
- Fibro-Osseous Diseases
- Bone and Hard Tissue Dysplasias
- Soft Tissue calcifications
- Trauma
- Temporomandibular Joint Pathoses
- Salivary Gland Diseases
- Paranasal Sinus Pathoses
Please note that all topics may not necessarily appear in every examination.
Candidate Study Guide
The intent of this guide is to provide the candidate with an understanding of the format in which questions may be asked during the Fellowship Examination. The content used in these sample questions is used for illustrative purposes only, and should not be construed as an example of the level of difficulty of the examination questions.
Study Guide
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