Doctor of Dental Surgery (D.D.S.) Program
Student Learning Outcomes
The Doctor of Dental Surgery degree program is four academic years in length. The curriculum includes 138 core courses and modules that are presented over eight semesters and three summer sessions. All of the courses/modules are mandatory for awarding of the degree, except for the Community Based Education courses which have both required and elective sections. The curriculum supports the attainment of the following list of institutional competencies expected of a general dentist entering the profession:
- Graduates must be competent in patient assessment, diagnosis, and referral.
- Graduates must be competent in treatment planning.
- Graduates must be competent to communicate and collaborate with individuals and groups to prevent oral disease and promote oral and general health in the community.
- Graduates must be competent in control of pain and anxiety, clinical pharmacology, and management of related problems.
- Graduates must be competent in the prevention and management of dental and medical emergencies.
- Graduates must be competent in detection, diagnosis, risk assessment, prevention, and management of dental caries.
- Graduates must be competent in the diagnosis and restoration of defective teeth to form, function, and esthetics.
- Graduates must be competent in the replacement of teeth including fixed, removable, and dental implant prosthodontic therapies.
- Graduates must be competent in the diagnosis and management of periodontal disorders.
- Graduates must be competent in the prevention, diagnosis, and management of pulpal and periradicular diseases.
- Graduates must be competent in the diagnosis and management of oral mucosal and osseous disorders.
- Graduates must be competent to collect and assess diagnostic information to plan for and perform uncomplicated oral surgical procedures.
- Graduates must be competent to recognize and diagnose malocclusion and space management needs.
- Graduates must be competent in discerning and managing ethical issues and problems in dental practice.
- Graduates must be competent in the understanding and application of the appropriate codes, rules, laws, and regulations that govern dental practice.
- Graduates must be competent in behavioral patient management and interpersonal skills.
- Graduates must be competent in understanding the fundamental elements of managing a dental practice.
- Graduates must be competent in performing and supervising infection control procedures to prevent transmission of infectious diseases to patients, the dentist, the staff, and dental laboratory technicians.
- Graduates must be competent in providing evidence-based patient care in which they access, critically evaluate, and communicate scientific and lay literature, incorporating efficacious procedures with consideration of patient needs and preferences.
- Graduates must have the ability to recognize the role of lifelong learning and self-assessment to maintain competency.