Dental General Practice Residency
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Program Goals | Program Structure | Admission Information | Cost
Enhance your Dentistry degree through an elective one-year postgraduate residency in general dentistry.
General Practice Residencies are available in both Edmonton and Calgary.
The program runs from July 1 to June 30 each year.
Completion of the residency does not provide subsequent access to full licensure from the College of Dental Surgeons of ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ (CDSA). For questions regarding pathways to licensure in the province of ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥, please contact the directly.
We are now accepting applications for 2026-2027.
QUESTIONS?
Edmonton GPR Program Director:
Dr. John Hart
Calgary GPR Program Director:
Dr. Brad Fisher
Program Goals
The ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ Dental Residency program aims to:
- To cultivate an environment that facilitates the development of skills and knowledge that will expand new graduate;s practice capabilities and place them at the forefront of their profession in measures of excellence, compassion and service
- To provide opportunities to gain confidence in the management of significantly medically-compromised patients by treating these patients under the guidance of experienced mentors
- To provide opportunities to gain confidence in the management of more complex dental treatment than typically provided in an undergraduate teaching program by treating these patients under the guidance of dental specialist mentors
- To foster a greater understanding of the interrelationships between medicine and dentistry through a series of off-service rotations in various medical and surgical specialties
- To enhance resident's knowledge base in many areas of general dentistry through a series of formal seminars conducted with numerous dental specialists affiliated with the ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry
- To cultivate insights into ethical and social concerns regarding the provision of medical and dental care
- To develop skills and abilities that will enhance application into a graduate training program.
- To provide opportunities for Residents to gain dental practice management skills and to practice as a valued member of a health service delivery team.
Program Structure
Clinical dental care is provided by the Residents in two main settings:
- ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ Hospital (UAH): As a tertiary care center serving all of Western Canada, the UAH offers residents exposure to cases supporting specialized medical and surgical services. This includes solid organ transplants, cardiothoracic surgery, cleft lip and palate, and hemophilia programs. Dental care is provided in a seven operatory dental clinic, the operating theatres, or occasionally in the emergency department.
- General Practice Residency Clinic: Operating out of the ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ Oral Health Clinic located in the Kaye Edmonton Clinic, this clinic treats patients whose dental needs are too complex for undergraduate teaching clinics and are referred for care managed by residents under the supervision of specialist teaching faculty. This includes training in the placement and restoration of dental implants.
- Foothills Medical Clinic: GPR Calgary only.
Dental Enrichment Opportunities
Provision is made for extensive opportunities for professional growth and specialized training throughout the year:
- Formal Rotations: Broaden your understanding of medical and dental interactions through dedicated rotations in Emergency Medicine and Anesthesia.
- Certifications: Residents typically achieve certification in Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) and IV Conscious Sedation as part of the program
- Specialty Seminars: Benefit from seminars across various dental specialties, including endodontics, oral and maxillofacial surgery, implantology, periodontics, prosthodontics, sedation, and anesthesia.
- Professional Development: The Edmonton and District Dental Society graciously allows each resident to attend one of their continuing education days between September and April.
Renumeration
Dental residents receive remuneration at the same level as Year 1 Postgraduate Medical and Surgical residents, approximately $64,192 annually. This compensation package includes employment benefits and two weeks of vacation time during the twelve-month contract.
Residents also have the opportunity to earn additional income by working shifts in the dental service's walk-in emergency dental clinic, which operates 365 days a year (four hours every evening, plus afternoon shifts on weekends and holidays).
Admission Information
Requirements
Applicants must present the following:
- Be in the final year of study or a graduate of a recognized dental school (Canadian, USA, Australian, Ireland, or New Zealand) with a DDS/DMD/BDS degree
- Have a license to practice in ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ or must have passed the N.D.E.B. examination of Canada
Application Process
The UofA General Practice Residency program has joined other Canadian programs in the Match Program. Important applicant information can be found . Applicants must follow the instructions of the Match program.
Complete applications with all required documents must be received by September 30 in the year prior to the July admission is being sought.
1. Submit an Application
Submit the between July 15 to September 30 in the year prior.
Please upload the following as one PDF document:
- Curriculum vitae
- Letter of intent
- Transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended*
*Official transcripts will be required if admitted to the program
2. Send Letter of Good Standing & Class Ranking
A letter from the dean (or their designate) of your dental school according to their regulations submitted directly to gpr@ualberta.ca.
3. Have Referees Submit Appraisal Forms
Applicants must have three references from faculty members that the applicant has trained under. You will submit the names and email addresses of three references in the .
Each referee must submit a reference apprasial using the . An optional reference letter can be uploaded by the referee.
Important note: You are responsible for providing the link to the to your referees. We will not contact them to ask them to submit a reference for you. Only referees should complete the form.
4. Pay Non-refundable Application Fee
The non-refundable application fee of $135 must be to the ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥.
Interviews
Online interviews will be conducted with short-listed applicants.
Edmonton GPR: Saturday, November 1, 2025 (TBC)
Calgary GPR: Sunday, November 2, 2025 (TBC)
Admission Selection
Program and applicant rankings are due at the Match on November 12, 2025. The rankings system is open for use from October 27, 2025 12:00 AM ET to November 12, 2025 11:59 PM ET.
The Match is released on November 19, 2025.
The following criteria are used in the selection process:
- Personal achievements and future goals
- Letter of good standing and class ranking
- Letter of intent
- Reference appraisal/letters
- Online interview
Positions available to qualified candidates:
- Edmonton (E-GPR) - 4 positions/year
- Calgary (C-GPR) - 2 positions/year
Program Cost
Required
- Tuition/Registration Fees to the ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥: ~$1,300 for the entire residency
- Covers library access and instructional resources
- CDSA GPR Residency License
- $10 million malpractice insurance: ~$2000
- is the recommended supplier by the CDSA
- Basic Healthcare Provider Level C CPR + AED training: ~$100
Optional
- IV Sedation courses: ~$25,000
- Other Continuing Dental Education courses as identified by the program director
Note: All fees are subject to change.
Costs related to additional learning opportunities are the responsibility of the Resident.
Apply Now
Applications are open from July 15 to September 30 in the year prior to the July admission is being sought.