Howard University NIDCR Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (OMFS) Rotation
Program Goals
- Provide hospital-based training in dentoalveolar surgery and craniofacial/orthognathic surgery.
- Immerse residents in cutting-edge clinical research related to the dental, oral, and craniofacial complex.
- Publish high-quality research and mentor residents for future leadership in academic OMFS and research.
Program Structure
- 76 days over two years at NIH Clinical Center (PGY2: 16 days, PGY3: 60 days)
- Curriculum:
- NIH Library-based Research Course List
- NIDCR Clinical Research Protocols
- Craniofacial Anomalies and Orthognathic Surgery Course
- Dentoalveolar Surgery Course
- Research Methods and Biostatistics
- Scientific Writing and Publishing
- Mentorship from experienced OMFS faculty and researchers
- Participation in NIDCR Division of Intramural Research (DIR) activities, clinical case conferences, and grand rounds
- Regular meetings with Clinical Director and representative from the Office of the Director (OD) for updates
- Evaluations at the end of each PGY2 and PGY3 rotation
Resident Assignment and Rotation
- PGY2: One Friday per week over four months, focus on dentoalveolar surgery
- PGY3: 60 contiguous days, focus on craniofacial/orthognathic surgery
- Assignments based on individual resident needs and research interests
- Opportunities to assist with clinical patients and participate in relevant NIH events
Duties and Responsibilities
- Complete orientation tasks
- Establish research hypothesis and project by the end of PGY2
- Complete research proposal by the end of PGY2
- Implement research methodology and submit abstract by the end of PGY3
- Participate in NIDCR DIR activities, training workshops, and poster day
- Attend NIDCR Clinical Case Conferences and Clinical Center Grand Rounds
- Assist with clinical patients as assigned
- Meet regularly with Clinical Director, representative from OD, and mentor
- Complete evaluations at the end of each rotation
Research Pathway
- PGY2:
- Define research interest based on existing clinical protocols
- Establish mentorship
- Conduct literature search
- Establish research hypotheses
- Develop research methodology
- Determine how and when to conduct research
- Submit to NIDCR: Literature Review
- PGY3:
- Implement research methodology
- Submit to NIDCR: Abstract
- Examples of research projects:
- Morphological differences between races for skeletally class III patients
- Orthognathic surgery in patients with primary immunodeficiencies
- Mental health illness and rates of postoperative complications in patients with mandibular/maxillary trauma
- Appropriate sedation of patients reporting recreational cannabis use
- Tobacco use cessation and control
Staff Contacts
Chief of Clinical Staff
Office Manager
Last Reviewed
October 2025
October 2025