Selection
The Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (OMS) Training Program aims to produce highly competent specialist medical practitioners who have the knowledge, skills, and professional attitudes for successful independent practice. The four-year training program is accredited by the Australian Medical Council, Medical Council of New Zealand, Australian Dental Council, and Dental Council of New Zealand.
To apply for eligibility for OMS training, applicants must have completed the following pre-requisites prior to commencement of accredited training:
- Dental degree with full and unconditional registration to practice dentistry in either Australia or New Zealand
- Medical degree with full and unconditional registration to practice medicine in either Australia or New Zealand
- Full year of surgery in general (SIG) rotations with a minimum of nine (9) months in related surgical disciplines (e.g., neurosurgery, orthopaedic surgery, otolaryngology, head and neck surgery, plastic and reconstructive surgery, ophthalmology). If undertaking a first-year general surgical resident position in OMS, three months to a maximum of six months duration will be considered
- Citizenship or permanent resident status of Australia or New Zealand
The selection process is predetermined, transparent, and objective. It includes a range of approaches to ensure validity and reliability, involves multiple raters, contains criteria for marking and allocates weighting for each tool to permit ranking of the applicants. The tools include a structured curriculum vitae assessment (20%), professional performance appraisal (PPA) referee reports (35%), and panel interview (45%).
Applicants progress to the interview stage if they meet the benchmark of 25% for the combined CV and PPA scores. Furthermore, applicants who identify as Maori, Pasifika, Aboriginal, or Torres Strait Islander and meet eligibility requirements automatically proceed to the interview stage.
| 1-30 April 2023 | Stage 1: Application for eligibility for selection Applicants submit completed application form (FOMS01), structured CV and certified supporting documents by 5:00 pm (AEST) on Sunday, 30 April. OMS Education Officer notifies applicants on or before Monday, 22 May if eligible for selection. |
| 22 May – 4 June 2023 | Stage 2: Collection of referee reports OMS Education Officer emails individual professional performance appraisal (PPA) online form to referees on Monday, 22 May. Referees complete PPAs by 11:59 pm (AEST) on Sunday, 4 June. |
| 22 July 2023 | Stage 3: Structured panel interviews OMS Education Officer notifies applicants on Monday, 10 July if invited for interview. Training centre representatives conduct centralised interviews on Saturday, 22 July face-to-face in Sydney. |
| From 24 July 2023 | Stage 4: Announcement of offers Directors of Training notify applicants if offered a training position. |
Please refer to the OMS Trainee Selection Policy and the OMS Training Program Selection Guide for Applicants for further information.
Curriculum
The College identified broad competencies based on the CanMEDS framework that trainees require to fulfill the goals of the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (OMS) training program. These are the roles of medical and dental expert, communicator, collaborator, leader, health advocate, scholar, professional, clinical decision maker, and technical expert.
To acquire these broad competencies, trainees are provided with the opportunity to understand both the scientific basis of OMS, through the teaching of the modular curriculum, and the opportunity to apply this understanding in the clinical environment.
The curriculum is designed to bring all the competencies and elements of training together. The central part of the curriculum are the modules which are both self-contained and, when combined, define the domains of learning. The 16 modules to be completed during training are the following:
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Please refer to the Accredited Training in OMS Curriculum for further information.
Assessments
The Surgical Science and Training (SST) Examination assesses a candidate’s basic surgical science knowledge in Anatomy, Pathology, Microbiology, Pharmacology and Physiology together with the level of practical experience accumulated in caring for the surgical patient. It comprises a one-day written examination (multiple choice questions and short answer questions) and a two-day clinical examination. OMS 1 trainees must pass the SST Examination to progress to OMS 2 training.
Effective 13 May 2023, the College will no longer accept applications for exemption to sit the SST Examinations from trainees or non-trainees who have passed both the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS) Generic SET Surgical Science and SET Clinical Examination (GSSE & CE) or the Intercollegiate MRCS (United Kingdom) Part A & B Examinations. However, 2024 will be considered a transition year, OMS 1 trainees commencing in February 2024 who registered or passed the RACS or Intercollegiate MRCS (UK) examinations before 13 May 2023 can still apply for SST Examination exemption. Trainees must provide proof of registration or completion of the examination dated 13 May 2023 or earlier.
The OMS Fellowship Examination is blueprinted to curriculum modules and proficiency domains. It consists of a two-day written examination (short answer questions) and a two-day clinical examination. Trainees who have completed their training or are in the last 18 months of training may apply for assessment of eligibility to attempt the OMS Fellowship Examination. OMS 4 trainees must pass the OMS Fellowship Examination to apply for the award of Fellowship.
The passing standard for each of these examinations is set by the relevant examination review panel using formal standard setting methods. The ‘passing standard’ is reviewed at each examination series and may be adjusted with consideration to differences in the difficulty of examinations and to maintain the standards. The minimum score required to pass may be set by applying an error adjustment to the ‘passing standard’ score.
Please refer to the Accredited Training in OMS Handbook for further information.
Supervision and assessment of trainees is necessary to ensure quality of training, progression and suitability to sit examinations, and the completion of training. Trainees are required to satisfactorily complete midterm interim assessments, six-monthly assessments, clinical training assessments, and maintain a surgical logbook.
The midterm and six-monthly formative assessments are completed by the Supervisor of Training and Director of Training to assist with trainee’s progress through the training program by identifying trainees’ strengths and weaknesses, to provide an opportunity for regular, written feedback to trainees, and to develop any remedial activities for the trainee should they be required. Both assessments are documented using the Trainee Assessment Report (WBA FORM 01)
Clinical training assessment comprises three forms of work-based assessments: case presentation plus discussion, assessment of operative process (AOP), and team appraisal of conduct (TAC). Trainees are encouraged to try to spread assessments over the training period to ensure there is adequate time to repeat assessments if development is required.
In case presentations, trainees are assessed on their knowledge, understanding and presentation of medical record, clinical assessment, investigations, differential diagnosis, treatment, follow-up and future planning. The AOP form is designed to assess a trainee’s technical skills and their ability to perform appropriate surgical procedures safely and effectively. The TAC form is a peer assessment tool comprising a self-assessment by the trainee and the collated ratings from a range of colleagues who work with the trainee.
Trainees must maintain a surgical logbook online using My OMS Logbook to demonstrate their clinical experience. This is reviewed at least six (6) monthly by the Director of Training, and a summary is submitted to the College on an annual basis.
Please refer to the Accredited Training in OMS Handbook for further information
Training Support
Trainees are supported by the Regional Surgical Committee, Director of Training, Supervisors of Training, and Visiting Medical Officers of their training centre. They ensure trainees receive appropriate training, supervision, assessment and guidance. Mentors also support the personal and professional development of trainees. The mentoring scheme is collaborative to meet the needs of the trainee. The College is committed to ensuring fair and equitable workplace practices and has a zero tolerance of all forms of harassment. Trainees are encouraged to contact OMS Education Officers for assistance in meeting College requirements.
Please refer to the OMS Trainees Requiring Assistance Policy and Bullying Harassment and Discrimination Policy on the policy page for further information.
Resources
Please click here to view the OMS calendar for the current clinical year.
| Form number | Name of form |
|---|---|
| FOMS 01 | Application for Selection for OMS Surgical Training Position |
| FOMS 02 | Registration for Trainee Occupying an Accredited Post |
| FOMS 03 | Application for SST Examination Exemption |
| FOMS 04 | Registration for SST Examination Non-trainees should contact the College to confirm availability of places for 2023 |
| FOMS 05 | Application for OMS Fellowship Examination Eligibility Available from 1 July 2023 |
| FOMS 06 | Registration for the OMS Fellowship Examination Available from 1 July 2023 |
| FOMS 07A | Submission of Research Proposal – Pathway 1 |
| FOMS 07B | Submission of Research Proposal – Pathway 2 |
| FOMS 07C | Application for Recognition of Prior Research – Pathway 1 |
| FOMS 08 | Application for Extension of Training for Completion of Research Requirement |
| FOMS 09 | Application for Completion of Research Requirement |
| FOMS 10 | Application for Interrupted Training or Deferral |
| FOMS 11 | Application for Training Centre Transfer |
| FOMS 12 | Registration for Trainee Occupying an Approved Post Available from 1 November 2023 |
| FOMS 13 | Application for Completion of OMS Training Program |
| FOMS 14 | Application for Micro-credentialing |
| FOMS 15 | Application for Specialist Assessment of Comparability in Australia |
| FOMS 16 | Application for Short-term Training Assessment in Australia |
| FOMS 17 | Application for Admission to Fellowship by the RACDS Specialist Assessment of International Medical Graduates Pathway |
| FOMS 19 | Application for Approval of OMS CPD Activity |
| Form number | Name of form |
|---|---|
| WBA FORM 01 | Trainee Assessment Report |
| WBA FORM 02A | AOP – Impacted 3rd Molar |
| WBA FORM 02B | AOP – Harvest of a Local Bone Graft |
| WBA FORM 02C | AOP – Harvest of a Distant Bone Graft |
| WBA FORM 02D | AOP – Uncomplicated Placement of Dental Implant |
| WBA FORM 02E | AOP – Closure of Oro-antral Fistula |
| WBA FORM 02F | AOP – Tracheostomy |
| WBA FORM 02G | AOP – Mandibular Osteotomy |
| WBA FORM 02H | AOP – Maxillary Osteotomy |
| WBA FORM 02I | AOP – Incision and Drainage of Facial Abscess |
| WBA FORM 02J | AOP – Enucleation of a Jaw Cyst |
| WBA FORM 02K | AOP – Surgical Approaches to the Mandible – Intraoral |
| WBA FORM 02L | AOP – Surgical Approaches to the Mandible – Extraoral |
| WBA FORM 02M | AOP – Surgical Approaches to the Zygomatic-Orbital Complex |
| WBA FORM 02N | AOP – Mandibular Fractures (Excluding Condyles) |
| WBA FORM 02O | AOP – Maxillary Fractures |
| WBA FORM 02P | AOP – Zygomatic Complex Fractures |
| WBA FORM 02Q | AOP – Removal of Submandibular Gland |
| WBA FORM 03 | Case Presentation |
| WBA FORM 04 | Team Appraisal of Conduct |
| WBA FORM 05 | Remedial Plan |
| WBA FORM 01 – 05 (All) | All WBA Forms |
| Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery | Overseas Resident | Australian Resident |
|---|---|---|
| Application for Selection into OMS Training Program | $1,692.73 | $1,862.00* |
| Registration for Trainee Occupying an Accredited or Approved Post | ||
| Full Payment | $6,961.82 | $7,658.00* |
| Biannual Instalment Payments | $3,499.09 | $3,849.00* |
| Quarterly Instalment Payments | $1,758.64 | $1,934.50* |
| Application for SST Examination Exemption | $1,674.00 | $1,674.00 |
| Registration for SST Examination | $5,382.00 | $5,382.00 |
| Application for OMS Fellowship Examination Eligibility | $662.00 | $662.00 |
| Registration for OMS Fellowship Examination | $8,901.00 | $8,901.00 |
| Registration for Trainee Completing Research Requirement Within Six Months | $3,480.91 | $3,829.00* |
| Application for Short-term Training Assessment in Australia | n/a | $1,242.00* |
| Application for Specialist Recognition Assessment | $7,454.00 | $7,454.00 |
| Fellowship Fees | ||
| Admission to Fellowship | $338.18 | $372.00* |
| Annual fee (FY 1/7/23 to 30/6/24) | $1,127.00 | $1,240.00* |
| Annual fee (FY 1/7/22 to 30/6/23) | $1,078.00 | $1,186.00* |
| Application for Micro-credentialing | $751.82 | $827.00* |
| Application for Approval of OMS CPD Activity | $283.00 | $311.00* |
| Appeal fee | $6,954.00* | $6,954.00* |
2. Fees marked with asterisk (*) denote GST inclusive, otherwise fees are GST free.
3. OMS Trainees who opted to pay the Registration for Trainee Occupying an Accredited or Approved Post fee by instalments are advised of the following payment deadlines: Biannual (15 February 2023; 15 August 2023); Quarterly (15 February 2023, 15 May 2023, 15 August 2023, and 15 November 2023). An administration fee of $20 is applied per instalment transaction.
4. The annual fee is payable on the 1st day of July each year. All unpaid annual fees by the 31st of August each year will attract a monthly late payment surcharge, Members or Fellows who are elected to Membership or Fellowship during the year will pay a pro rata annual fee based on the whole months remaining in the financial year (FY).
5. For the 2023/2024 financial year, the Board has again approved a 33% discount on Annual Fees for Fellows/Members residing outside of Australia and New Zealand. Additionally, the Board has approved further discounts for Fellows/Members living in countries classified by the World Bank as either upper-middle, lower-middle or low-income countries.
6. For more information, please refer to the OMS Handbook and other relevant policies (including refunds) which are available on the website.
If you have any enquiries, please contact the OMS Education Officer:
General College enquiries – info@racds.org
General OMS enquiries – oms@racds.org
Selection applicants – omsselection@racds.org
Examination candidates – omsexams@racds.org
Trainees – omstrainee@racds.org
Fellows – omsfellow@racds.org
Specialist international medical graduates – omsimg@racds.org
Telephone +61 2 9262 6044