Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Residency Program

Denver Health offers a four-year, fully accredited Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (OMFS) residency training program. We accept two residents per year.

Our Mission

Denver Health is Colorado’s primary safety-net hospital and a mission-driven institution, grounded in the values of respect, belonging, accountability, and transparency.

In alignment with Denver Health’s mission, the goal of the OMFS residency program is to train skilled, ethical, and well-educated surgeons who will become Board Certified and practice the full scope of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, while contributing meaningfully to their community and profession through service and scholarly activity. Learn more about the Denver Health mission.

History

The Denver Health OMFS Residency Program was first established in 1961 at the then-called Denver General Hospital. Among the pioneers of the program were Dr. David Berman, a local OMS in private practice, and Dr. Richard Zallen, who led the program for over 40 years.

What began over 60 years ago as a one-year residency has since evolved into a CODA-accredited four-year training program with a strong reputation in the field of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery.

Current Division Chief and Program Director: Dr. Sara Hinds Anderson, DDS, MD

Resident Curriculum and Rotations

Denver Health is a Level 1 Trauma Center, and residents take call exclusively at Denver Health without cross-coverage at other hospitals.

Residents rotate through a diverse and comprehensive set of services including:

• General Surgery
• Anesthesia
• Emergency Medicine
• Internal Medicine
• Surgical Subspecialties

All rotations take place within Denver Health, fostering continuity and collaboration across departments.

Eligibility

Applicants must meet the following criteria to be considered:

• Graduate from a dental school accredited by the ADA or Canadian Dental Association
• Apply through PASS and participate in the National Match
• Submit three letters of recommendation from dental school faculty
• Pass NBDE Part I (and Part II if taken)
• Take the CBSE (no minimum score required)
• Participate in a personal interview with the Program Director, faculty, and current residents

The residency coordinator will reach out if any additional documentation is required.

Accreditation

The Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Residency Program is fully accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) of the American Dental Association, and meets all standards required by the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS). The next site visit and accreditation cycle is in 2028.

OMFS Internship

Denver Health also offers a one-year, non-categorical OMFS internship. This position is designed for applicants who are interested in matching into a full OMFS residency program.

Intern responsibilities are commensurate with PGY-1 residents and include:

• Hands-on clinical exposure
• Protected study time for the CBSE
• Experience in our in-house 3D printing lab

Application Requirements:

• Letter of interest
• Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Three letters of recommendation

Apply through PASS and direct questions to:
Darlene Macias
Email: Darlene.Macias@dhha.org

OMFS Externships

Denver Health offers a 2-day hospital-based observership for current dental students.

Externs will:

• Observe in the OR
• Join on-call residents during shifts
• Participate in hospital rounds, seminars, and conferences
• Meet one-on-one with the Program Director

Dental students from the University of Colorado are invited to participate in a week-long externship.

If you have questions or are interested in this opportunity, please contact:
Darlene Macias
Email: Darlene.Macias@dhha.org

Contact Us

For more information about the Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Residency Program, please reach out to:
Darlene Macias
Residency Program Manager, OMFS
Email: Darlene.Macias@dhha.org