Doctor of Dental Surgery (D.D.S.) Option

Curriculum

First-Year Curriculum

• DENT T501 Critical Analysis of Clinical Problems (3-6 cr.) Small groups of six students and one faculty facilitator meet and read through health care–related paper cases, during which time they identify problems, propose hypotheses, explore past knowledge, identify learning issues to be researched, and subsequently discuss their findings while applying them to the case problem.

• DENT T502 Critical Analysis of Clinical Problems (3-6 cr.) Small groups of six students and one faculty facilitator meet and read through health care–related paper cases, during which time they identify problems, propose hypotheses, explore past knowledge, identify learning issues to be researched, and subsequently discuss their findings while applying them to the case problem.

• DENT T520 Critical Thinking and Professional Behavior: An Introduction (3.5 cr.) This course is designed to help students think critically about the nature of health care professions and the bioethical and psychosocial dimensions of the doctor-patient relationship. Problem-based, small group learning provides the fundamental means by which students learn to analyze health care problems from population, behavioral, biomedical, and ethical perspectives.

• DENT T530 Molecular Cell Biology (5-10 cr.) Introduces dental students to the basic concepts of cellular and molecular biology. Course examines how cellular activity is regulated, how cells are structured, and how cells achieve homeostasis and interact with each other in multicellular systems. Structured to develop critical thinking skills as well as other knowledge acquisition.

• DENT T540 Dental Sciences I, Part I (7 cr.) Introduces the student to normal morphologic and physiologic characteristics of the dento-facial complex and develops a foundation of manual skills and knowledge of dental materials to be further developed in later courses. Prerequisite for all subsequent restorative dentistry courses or modules.

• DENT T541 Dental Sciences I, Part II (8-15 cr.) Builds on the skills and knowledge learned in Dental Sciences, Part I and introduces the clinical restorative dental sciences. The foundation of normal oral morphology and physiology is followed by disease processes and the restoration and maintenance of dental health. Heavy emphasis is placed on the development of dental surgical skills. Prerequisite for all clinical restorative dentistry courses.

• DENT T542 Dental Sciences I, Part III (1-3 cr.) Provides student an opportunity to observe clinical dentistry and identify associated learning issues and research information to expand knowledge on learning issue(s) of choice.

• DENT T551 Systems Approach to Biomedical Sciences I (8-14 cr.) Part I of a two-semester sequence which presents basic science information organized into specific organ systems. Each module is organized to discuss the development, structure, function, pathology, and therapy for each organ system. Critical thinking skills are emphasized.

• DENT T561 Orofacial Biology I (5-10 cr.) Growth, development, anatomy, and histology of the human head and neck. Information is related to dental treatment procedures and to clinical cases involving the craniofacial complex.

• DENT T562 Orofacial Biology II (4-6 cr.) Basic biological and physiological processes normally occurring in the human mouth. Includes various aspects of the periodontium, tooth structure, dental plaque, and the normal oral microbiota, nutrition, and approaches to the prevention of oral diseases.

Second-Year Curriculum

• DENT T601 Critical Analysis of Clinical Problems (3-6 cr.) Small groups of six students and one faculty facilitator meet and read through health care-related paper cases, during which time they identify problems, propose hypotheses, explore past knowledge, identify learning issues to be researched, and subsequently discuss their findings while applying them to the case problem.

• DENT T602 Critical Analysis of Clinical Problems (3-6 cr.) Small groups of six students and one faculty facilitator meet and read through health care-related paper cases, during which time they identify problems, propose hypotheses, explore past knowledge, identify learning issues to be researched, and subsequently discuss their findings while applying them to the case problem.

• DENT T641 Dental Sciences II, Part I (5-15 cr.) Introduces the student to clinical disciplines including endodontics, fixed partial prosthodontics, and complete denture prosthodontics. Presents and develops foundations of manual skills and knowledge of dental materials, procedures, and techniques to be further applied in later courses and clinics. Prerequisite for all subsequent restorative dentistry courses and modules.

• DENT T642 Dental Sciences II, Part II (5-15 cr.) Builds on the skills and knowledge learned in Part I and introduces local anesthesia, oral surgery, and periodontics. Fixed partial prosthodontics and complete denture prosthodontics continue from Part I, and heavy emphasis is placed on hand-skills development. Prerequisite for all clinical restorative dentistry courses.

• DENT T643 Dental Sciences II, Part III (5-15 cr.) Completes the series of Dental Sciences II. Removable partial prosthodontics, orthodontics, advanced periodontics, and introduction to clinics are added in this part. After completion, students will apply knowledge and skills learned in the series to the clinical management and appropriate treatment of patients in the clinics. Prerequisite for all clinical restorative dentistry courses.

• DENT T651 Systems Approach to Biomedical Sciences II (5-10 cr.) Part II of a two-semester course which presents basic sciences information organized into specific organ systems. Each module is organized to discuss the development, structure, function, pathology, and therapy for each organ system. Critical thinking skills are emphasized throughout.

• DENT T661 Oral Disease and Diagnosis I (6 cr.) First of a two-part series that continues the concepts of normal form and function of the oral and maxillofacial complex presented earlier in the curriculum. Disease processes that affect this region and their underlying pathophysiology will be discussed as well as diagnosis and prognosis. Diagnosis through imaging techniques will be emphasized.

• DENT T662 Oral Disease and Diagnosis II (4-6 cr.) Second part of a series that continues the concepts of normal form and function of the oral and maxillofacial complex presented earlier in the curriculum. Disease processes and underlying pathophysiology that affect the region are discussed as well as diagnosis and prognosis. Diagnosis through history and physical examination and principles of treatment planning are emphasized.

• DENT T663 Oral Disease and Diagnosis III—Clinical Pathologic Correlation (1.5 cr.) Designed to integrate the didactic pathology information from Oral Disease and Diagnosis I into the clinical setting. This will be accomplished by clinical case presentation with the student taking responsibility for pathologic description, differential diagnosis, diagnostic tests, appropriate therapy, and prognostic variables.

Third-Year Curriculum

• DENT T720 Dental Sciences III, Part I (5-15 cr.) Continuation of the Dental Sciences course series. Clinically oriented lecture, seminar and group learning modules, application and integration of dental practice principles from previous courses into basic periodontal surgery, pediatric public health, and restorative dentistry topics. Prerequisite for subsequent Dental Sciences courses and modules.

• DENT T730 Dental Sciences III, Part II (5-10 cr.) Continuation of the Dental Sciences course series. Clinically oriented lecture, seminar and group learning modules, application and integration of dental practice principles from previous courses into advanced dental specialty and discipline topics. Prerequisite for subsequent Dental Sciences courses and modules.

• DENT T740 Clinical Sciences III, Part I (5-8 cr.) Clinical treatment of patients in a comprehensive care setting applying the knowledge and skills developed in Dental Sciences I and II.

• DENT T750 Clinical Sciences III, Part II (15-20 cr.) Continuation of the Clinical Sciences course series. Students are provided clinical instruction and practice of comprehensive dental care. Clinical application and integration of the principles of basic and dental sciences through clinical patient management are emphasized.

• DENT T797 Comprehensive Care Clinic 3rd Year (2 cr.) Management of the dental patient’s clinical comprehensive treatment from diagnosis and treatment planning through maintenance. Student participation in rounds and a variety of clinical experiences.

• DENT T798 Comprehensive Care Clinic 3rd Year (2 cr.) Management of the dental patient’s clinical comprehensive treatment from diagnosis and treatment planning through maintenance. Student participation in rounds and a variety of clinical experiences.

Fourth-Year Curriculum

• DENT T820 Dental Sciences IV, Part I (2-3 cr.) Continuation of the Dental Sciences course series. Lectures, seminars, and small-group learning modules apply and integrate dental jurisprudence, practice management, current dental concepts, and an extramural private practice experience.

• DENT T830 Dental Sciences IV, Part II (1.5-3 cr.) Continuation of the Dental Sciences course series. Lectures, seminars, and small-group learning modules apply and integrate practice management, current dental concepts, and an extramural private practice experience.

• DENT T840 Clinical Sciences IV, Part I (16-19 cr.) Clinical treatment of patients in a comprehensive care setting, applying the knowledge and skills developed in Dental Sciences I, II, and III and in Clinical Sciences III, Parts I and II.

• DENT T850 Clinical Sciences IV, Part II (16-19 cr.) Clinical treatment of patients in a comprehensive care setting, applying the knowledge and skills developed in Dental Sciences I, II, III, and IV, Part I; Clinical Sciences III, Parts I and II; and Clinical Sciences IV, Part I.

Special Clinics

• DENT D500 Clinical Procedures for Irregularly Enrolled Students (.5-4 cr.) Summer, fall, and spring semesters.

• DENT D900 Clinical Procedures (12 cr.) Required for students who have not been certified for graduation by the last day of summer registration following the fourth year.

• DENT D901 Clinical Procedures (12 cr.) Required for students who have not been certified for graduation by the last day of fall registration following the fourth year.

• DENT D902 Clinical Procedures (12 cr.) Required for students who have not been certified for graduation by the last day of spring registration following the fourth year.