Full-time — MOrth (RCSEd) Training Programme

Overview

This full-time programme is designed to equip graduates with the academic knowledge, clinical competencies, and professional values required for specialist-level practice in orthodontics. It is intended for practising, qualified dentists holding a recognised dental qualification who seek to develop advanced expertise in orthodontic diagnosis, treatment planning, and clinical management.

Delivered as a three-year full-time programme in collaboration with the School of Stomatology, Ninth People’s Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, the programme also prepares candidates for the Membership in Orthodontics Examination of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh (MOrth RCSEd) — one of the most internationally recognised specialist orthodontic qualifications. Academic and clinical components are carefully integrated throughout to ensure theoretical knowledge is continuously applied and validated within a supervised clinical environment.

This advanced pathway combines the HKIO’s structured educational approach with the clinical excellence of our international partners, offering a unique opportunity to train across diverse clinical environments. The curriculum is fully aligned with the RCSEd Membership in Orthodontics (MOrth) examination framework, with a strong emphasis on diagnosis, treatment planning, biomechanics, and evidence-based practice.

Through a carefully balanced programme of academic teaching and supervised clinical training, the ability to manage a wide range of orthodontic cases with sound clinical judgement and scientific insight is developed. Support is provided throughout by an experienced international faculty committed to professional growth.

This full-time programme is designed for dedicated clinicians who aspire to achieve the highest standards in orthodontics.

Six Core components

Preclinical Foundation Course	An intensive introductory course designed to accelerate candidates’ readiness for clinical participation. Upon completion, candidates will be able to gather and interpret comprehensive diagnostic data; apply established classification systems and diagnostic frameworks; conduct thorough orthodontic examinations and analyse clinical records; formulate structured problem lists and evidence-based treatment plans; demonstrate sound understanding of fixed appliance principles and mechanics; and commence supervised patient treatment using the indirect bonding technique.
Lectures and Practical Courses	Lectures, seminars, and practical exercises are delivered at designated venues by appointed educational bodies. Attendance at all teaching sessions is compulsory.
Workplace-Based Clinical Training	Candidates undertake approximately two supervised clinical sessions per week, providing structured learning and clinical observation supported by appointed specialist trainers.
Continuous Assessment	Formal assessments are conducted at six-monthly intervals and focus on theoretical knowledge through structured short-answer and essay-format questions.
Essential Reading	A curated list of recommended English-language literature is provided at the commencement of the programme and forms an integral part of the theoretical course requirements.
Continuing Dental Education (CDE)	Candidates are required to complete a minimum of 10 CDE hours per annum — representing a minimum of 30 hours across the full programme — obtained from reputable national or international bodies in Orthodontics or related Clinical Dental Sciences.

Additional Programme Components

Clinical Exposure at SJTU Ninth People’s Hospital	Candidates gain valuable multidisciplinary clinical experience encompassing temporomandibular joint (TMJ) surgery, orthognathic surgery, cleft lip and palate management, and attendance at related specialist clinics within one of China’s most distinguished teaching hospitals.
Scholarly Assignments	Under the guidance of appointed examiners and tutors, candidates complete structured review articles on designated topics, including: root resorption, craniofacial growth and development, temporary anchorage devices (TADs), orthodontic stability and retention, and biomechanics.
Taught Academic Programme	A comprehensive series of lectures and seminars covers the breadth of orthodontics and allied disciplines, including: temporomandibular disorders, orthognathic surgery, obstructive sleep apnoea, paediatric dentistry, plastic and aesthetic surgery, dental imaging, and interdisciplinary care.
Personal Case Supervision	Each candidate is assigned a dedicated personal tutor selected from experienced MOrth (RCSEd) consultants, providing consistent, structured clinical oversight throughout the duration of the programme.

Curriculum — Total Guided Hours: Not Less Than 86

#	Topic	Hours
1	Concepts of physical growth and development (early and later stages of craniofacial growth)	3 h
2	Biological, skeletal, and dental age; stages of sexual development; the adolescent growth spurt and its craniofacial relevance	1 h
3	Normal growth and development of the face and jaws	1 h
4	Normal dentition development (deciduous and permanent); leeway and primate space; anomalies in tooth number, size, and position; orthodontic implications	1 h
5	Tissue response to orthodontic force; bone remodelling; biological responses to force application	1 h
6	Tooth eruption and root resorption	1 h
7	General principles and aetiology of malocclusion	1 h
8	Assessment of treatment need: indices and clinical application	1 h
9	Ethics and informed consent in orthodontic practice	1 h
10	Patient communication: motivation, cooperation, and psychosocial considerations	3 h
11	Orthodontic clinical examination	1 h
12	Supplementary investigations and imaging modalities	1 h
13	Lateral cephalometry: historical development and clinical basis	1 h
14	Two-dimensional lateral cephalometric analyses and clinical applications	1 h
15	Application of three-dimensional imaging in clinical orthodontics	1 h
16	Three-dimensional cephalometric analyses and clinical applications	2 h
17	Study model examination and analyses	1 h
18	Digital set-up in orthodontic examination and treatment planning	1 h
19	Classification of malocclusion; problem list formulation; diagnosis and treatment planning	2 h
20	Consideration of treatment alternatives	2 h
21	Biomechanical basis of orthodontic therapy	1 h
22	Mechanical principles in orthodontic force control	2 h
23	Mechanical properties of orthodontic materials	1 h
24	Myofunctional therapy	2 h
25	Orthodontics and temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMD)	2 h
26	Condylar trauma and orthodontic treatment	2 h
27	Adenoid hypertrophy and its management	1 h
28	Design and mechanical characteristics of orthodontic appliances	1 h
29	Functional appliances	1 h
30	Fixed labial appliances	1 h
31	Fixed lingual appliances	1 h
32	Clear aligner systems	1 h
33	Bonding agents; orthodontic wires, sequencing, and instruments; expanders; intra-oral laser applications	1 h
34	Dental impression materials and intra-oral scanning	1 h
35	Stage I treatment objectives: alignment, reverse overjet correction, assisted eruption of impacted teeth, overjet and overbite reduction	2 h
36	Stage II treatment objectives: buccal segment relationship correction; space closure at extraction sites	—
37	Stage III treatment objectives: finishing adjustments; bracket repositioning; vertical canine control; development of final occlusion and aesthetics	—
38	Retention: indications and principles; removable, fixed, and active retainers; current understanding of orthodontic relapse	2 h
39	Treatment of Class I malocclusion in children	1 h
40	Treatment of Class I malocclusion in adolescents	1 h
41	Comprehensive orthodontic treatment of Class I malocclusion	1 h
42	Orthodontic management of bimaxillary protrusion	1 h
43	Combined orthodontic and orthognathic management of bimaxillary protrusion	1 h
44	Periodontal considerations and strategies in bimaxillary protrusion	2 h
45	Interceptive treatment of Class II malocclusion in children	1 h
46	Orthopaedic treatment of Class II malocclusion in adolescents	2 h
47	Orthodontic management of high-angle Class II	2 h
48	Orthodontic management of low-angle Class II	2 h
49	Combined orthodontic and orthognathic management of high-angle Class II	2 h
50	Combined orthodontic and orthognathic management of low-angle Class II	2 h
51	Orthodontic management of Class II with TMD	2 h
52	Combined orthodontic and orthognathic management of Class II with TMD	2 h
53	Interceptive treatment of Class III malocclusion in children	1 h
54	Orthopaedic treatment of Class III malocclusion in adolescents	2 h
55	Orthodontic management of Class III malocclusion	2 h
56	Combined orthodontic and orthognathic management of Class III	2 h
57	Management of asymmetry in children	1 h
58	Management of asymmetry in adolescents	1 h
59	Management of open bite in children	1 h
60	Management of open bite in adolescents	1 h
61	Invisible and aesthetic orthodontic systems	2 h
62	Individualised lingual orthodontics	2 h
63	Infection control in orthodontic practice	1 h
64	Growth and treatment analysis	1 h
65	Risks of orthodontic treatment and their clinical management	1 h

Intended Learning Outcomes

The intended learning outcomes provide an overview of the competencies graduates will have acquired across three years of structured study. Each module contains additional, more detailed learning outcomes aligned with these overarching goals.

Upon successful completion of the programme, candidates will be able to:

Diagnose anomalies of the dentition and facial structures.
Detect deviations from normal growth and development of the dentition and facial skeleton.
Comprehend the physiological basis and inherent limitations of orthodontic treatment.
Assess the need for orthodontic treatment at both individual and population levels.
Uphold the professional and ethical standards required in orthodontic practice.
Formulate clear treatment objectives and select appropriate, evidence-based treatment plans.
Communicate effectively with patients and parents regarding diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment options.
Conduct interceptive procedures, particularly during the mixed dentition stage.
Anticipate treatment changes and predict the course and likely outcomes of treatment.
Execute treatment for common malocclusions appropriate to the clinician’s level of training.
Collaborate effectively in interdisciplinary dental care in accordance with patient needs and clinical context.

Clinical and academic Requirements

The award of the Certificate of Completion is based on the successful fulfillment of comprehensive clinical milestones and the continuous validation of professional competencies over the three-year residency. Candidates are not required to sit for a singular final institutional examination; instead, they must demonstrate proficiency through the following structured requirements:

Training Validation Components

Clinical Case Portfolio: Candidates must maintain an active log demonstrating involvement in the supervised management of at least 60 orthodontic cases throughout the programme.

Final Case Submissions: At the conclusion of training, 10 selected cases must be documented in full detail and submitted for formal review by the Programme Faculty to verify clinical proficiency.

Diagnostic & Treatment Planning Proficiency: Completion of structured diagnostic assessments to validate the candidate’s clinical reasoning and evidence-based problem-solving skills.

Longitudinal Case Reviews: Periodic presentation of treated or near-completed cases to faculty panels to demonstrate progressive clinical judgment and technical skill.

Scholarly Research Assignments: Completion of structured review articles on specialized topics (such as biomechanics and craniofacial growth) under the guidance of appointed tutors.

Instructional Attendance: Documentation of participation in at least 86 hours of guided learning across the prescribed curriculum.

Professional Development: Completion of at least 10 Continuing Dental Education (CDE) hours per year (30 hours total) from recognized international orthodontic bodies.

Qualifications Awarded

Candidates who successfully satisfy all clinical requirements, portfolio submissions, and attendance milestones will be awarded a Certificate of Completion of Training by the Department of Orthodontics, School of Stomatology, Ninth People’s Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University.

Pathway to Specialist Membership (MOrth RCSEd)

Upon receipt of the Certificate of Completion, candidates become eligible to apply for the Membership in Orthodontics Examination of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh (MOrth RCSEd). This external examination is conducted independently by the RCSEd and is held annually in Shanghai each November.

Dual Qualification on Success:

Diploma of Membership in Orthodontics — awarded by the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh (RCSEd)
Certificate of Membership in Orthodontics — awarded by Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Ninth People’s Hospital

This dual recognition reflects the highest international standards of clinical and academic excellence in the field of orthodontics.