Externship Program

Each year the Graduate Training Program in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at the Medical University of South Carolina sponsors an externship program. The program is designed for fourth-year pre-doc dental students, who desire additional exposure to a university-based academic oral and maxillofacial surgery training program. Those students who are considering a career in the specialty are encouraged to apply.

There are three full-time oral and maxillofacial surgery attending surgeons at MUSC. Surgical activity and student involvement will be primarily at the MUSC Main Hospital, but will likely also include time at the College of Dental Medicine.

The objectives of the externship are:

1. Expose the student to the specialty of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery.
2. Allow the student an opportunity to observe an oral and maxillofacial surgery training program at an institution different from his or her own school.
3. Provide some insight into the rigors and excitement of an oral and maxillofacial surgery residency training program.
4. Provide increased experience in working within a hospital setting.

The requirements of the externship are:

1. It is strongly recommended that visiting students be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and provide a copy of their vaccination records.
2. A letter of recommendation from the home institution Dean of Academic Affairs stating that you are in good academic standing
3. Verification of current completion of HIPAA and OSHA requirements from your home institution.
4. Verification of current health and liability insurance coverage.
5. Students are responsible for their own travel and lodging arrangements.
6. The duration of the externship is five weekdays only.

There will only be one extern rotating on the oral and maxillofacial surgery service at any given time. Externs will spend the majority of their time under the direct supervision of oral and maxillofacial surgery faculty and residents. Although there may be some exposure to clinic-based outpatient surgery; the major emphasis of the externship is on major hospital surgical procedures.