Dental Sciences

This course concentrates on the anatomy structure and function of the healthy oro-facial complex. The foundational knowledge of dental sciences is introduced including dental anatomy and morphology, dental terminology, dental health risk factors for prevalent dental diseases, and disease prevention. Students begin psychomotor skill development combined with the principles of ergonomic practice and infection control. Ethics, professionalism, and behavioral aspects of patient care are introduced in case-based scenarios, small-group discussions, and with standardized patient interactions.

Credits: 8

This interdisciplinary course concentrates on operative dentistry with regard to occlusal and proximal direct restorations in the anterior and posterior in both permanent and primary dentition, pulpal response to restorative procedures, and periodontal disease. The course will continue with the principles of occlusion and introduce factors contributing to malocclusion. There will be emphasis on how these areas relate to each other, and students will be introduced to the rationale and process for patient centered comprehensive treatment planning.

Credits: 8

Prerequisites

DENT 1520 Risk Assessment, Diagnosis, and Preventive Care of Oral Diseases

This multidisciplinary course will introduce endodontic therapy and indirect restorations for the child and adult patient. The assessment, diagnoses, and treatment planning aspects of this care will be delivered in the context of patient care situations located in the electronic patient record. Critical analysis of findings and decision making will be a mainstay of the course, predicating and leading into simulated patient care. The learner will be trained in the evaluation of patients for oral pathology and provided opportunities to practice her/his developing diagnostic skills. Additionally, assessment of the oro-facial growth and development of the child patient will be incorporated as well as variations in treatment considerations for the elderly patient.

Credits: 8.2

Prerequisites

DENT 1530 Treatment Planning and Initial Therapeutic Interventions

Dental Pharmacotherapeutics is taken concurrently with Pharmacology for Dental Students (PHAR 1640) in the Fall and Winter Quarters of Y-2. The primary goal of this course is to discuss the most current clinical application of therapeutic agents commonly used in general dentistry, such as analgesics, antibiotics, sedatives and anxiolytics, local and general anesthetics and vasoconstrictor agents, in preparation for entry into clinic training in Spring Quarter of Y-2. Additional topics for discussion to be determined by the course director may include the pharmacotherapy of smoking cessation, alternative medicine products, and emerging trends in drug therapy. Clinical problem solving and management is emphasized, with reference to issues associated with the pediatric and geriatric populations, pregnancy and breast-feeding, poly-pharmacy and drug-drug interactions. The basics of prescription writing and prescribing regulations relevant to dentistry are covered. This course is taught during the Fall and Winter quarters with a single grade given at the completion of the course.

Credits: 1.5

This course will begin with an orientation to the clinical facilities, including the policies and procedures, the dental unit, the electronic dental record, sterilization and distribution, radiological equipment and other components and equipment of the patient care facility. The course will progress through clinical activities that will assist the Student Dentist in transitioning from a simulated patient care environment to working with a patient in a clinical setting. The Student Dentist will begin to develop skills to provide comprehensive oral healthcare to patients. A portion of this course will concentrate on geriatric patients and special needs individuals with physical, psychological, and medical concerns. There will be a focus on dental care and the unique needs, both behavioral and clinical, which arise when working with aged and confined individuals. Student Dentists will develop the knowledge and skills needed to render comprehensive oral healthcare to the geriatric and special needs populations. They will also gain an understanding of the complexities of aging, learn about adaptive devices, and study the role of dentistry in comprehensive patient care while learning to manage patients with medical, physiological, and physical disabilities. Student Dentists will be provided greater detail on indications and options for pain and anxiety control, hard/soft tissue trauma, urgent care, medical emergencies, TMD, and oral surgery. Within this course is also an oral health seminar, Ground Rounds, in which the Student Dentist will participate in cases that may include treatment planning, evidence-based dentistry, critical thinking, and other topics of interest as defined by the current patient population and the Clinical Care Coordinators.

Credits: 17.8

Prerequisites

DENT 1630 Comprehensive Oral Healthcare

Student Dentists will experience clinical treatment of patients in four consecutive quarters. Student Dentists will have patient care experiences with all age groups from children to geriatrics and with patients of varying treatment difficulty under the supervision of the clinical faculty. Student Dentists will provide clinical care (advanced restorative dentistry, advanced endodontics, and advanced periodontics) to patients within comprehensive care group practices. Student Dentists will also rotate through clinical experiences in screening and diagnosis, urgent care, and pediatric dentistry/orthodontics. Student Dentists will also participate in didactic coursework, small-group learning experiences and Grand Rounds presentations.Within each course will be coursework designed to prepare Student Dentists for the practice of dentistry in a private practice setting. The coursework will first concentrate on developing the leadership, management, and business skills necessary to operate a successful dental practice. It will also prepare Student Dentists for their first job in dentistry, their role as an associate, and then their purchase of a dental practice. This coursework will provide a review for National Boards Dental Examination Part II and for the Regional Dental Testing Examination.

Credits: DENT 1810, DENT 1870 - 20 credits; DENT 1830, 1850 - 22 credits