Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Externship

The Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Externship at Columbia is an exciting opportunity for dental students who are interested in pursuing a career in oral and maxillofacial surgery. Students are assigned to the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Service and make rounds, attend educational programs, and assist in inpatient and outpatient care. Patient care responsibilities are assigned according to each student's abilities. Students interact closely with the attending faculty and resident staff.

Accepted students are expected to function at the sub-intern level, holding primary responsibility in the out-patient clinic, assisting in the operating room, and spending selected nights on call with the residents in the hospital. Although the length of the program is flexible, two to four weeks is recommended.

How to Apply

Download and complete the Externship Application. 

For Visiting Students Applying for an Externship in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at the College of Dental Medicine:
Students matriculated at ADA accredited dental schools are welcome to apply for an elective in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at the College of Dental Medciine. Due to the large number of Columbia dental students rotating through the department, externships are limited for all other dental students to the months of July and August.

If you are interested in applying to our program, please follow these instructions:

  1. An externship application is accepted on a rolling basis. The College of Dental Medicine does not provide liability or malpractice insurance for visiting students. The applicant must have his/her Dean of Students complete the bottom section of the externship application stating that the visiting student will be covered for their activities while at Columbia University Medical Center.
  2. A Curriculum Vitae is required.
  3. A Personal Statement is required indicating why you are interested in our program.
  4. Students must be in good academic standing.
  5. Two letters of recommendation are required before an applicant can be considered: one from the Dean of Students and the other from the Director of the Division of General Practice Dentistry at the visiting student’s school.
  6. Applicants must be vaccinated.
  7. Visiting students may receive academic credit from their own dental schools for elective coursework completed at the College of Dental Medicine. Performance evaluation will be sent to the Dean of Students of the visiting student’s school. Evaluation form(s), if available, should be attached to the application.
  8. The College of Dental Medicine does not provide health insurance for visiting students. The Columbia University Student Health Service is available for emergency medical problems. If consultation, laboratory studies, X-rays and/or medications are required, visiting students will be appropriately billed. It is, therefore, recommended that the visiting student be covered by a personal health insurance policy or a health insurance policy of the visiting student’s school. The attached health certificate must be completed to ensure acceptance of the application.
  9. Bard Hall single dormitory rooms are available with corridor bathroom and shower facilities at about $400.00 per month. For further information, contact the Director of Columbia University Medical Center’s Residency Housing by telephone at 212-305-6853 or mail inquiries to Central Housing Office, Bard Hall, 50 Haven Avenue, New York, NY 10032. If you are interested in housing, please contact the Housing Office at least six (6) weeks prior to your start date. Bard Hall housing is not available in August, September or October. However, other arrangements can be made.

The completed application with required material should be submitted to:

Dr. Sidney B. Eisig
Director, Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
Columbia University College of Dental Medicine
Harkness Pavilion, Room 866
180 Ft. Washington Avenue
New York, NY 10032
Attn: Administrative Office

Contact Information

For further information or for potential applicants wishing to speak to a resident regarding the training program or externship, contact:

Mrs. Rachel Justiniano
Residency Program Administrator
Columbia University College of Dental Medicine
Harkness Pavilion, Room 866
180 Ft. Washington Avenue
New York, NY 10032
rh2021@cumc.columbia.edu

(212) 305-7626