Doctoral Program » Institutional Competencies

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

Institutional Competencies

The Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree program is four academic years in length. The required curriculum is presented over eight semesters and four summer sessions. Intramural electives (40 clock hours) are required, and support students’ professional growth in areas of personal interest.

The stated goals of the dental education program are focused on educational outcomes and define the competencies needed for graduation, including the preparation of graduates who possess the knowledge, skills, and values to begin the practice of general dentistry.

The curriculum supports the attainment of the following list of institutionally defined competencies expected of a general dentist entering the profession:

1. Graduates must be competent in patient assessment, diagnosis, and referral.
2. Graduates must be competent in treatment planning.
3. 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.
4. Graduates must be competent in control of pain and anxiety, clinical pharmacology, and management of related problems, including prescribing practices and substance use disorders.
5. Graduates must be competent in the prevention and management of dental and medical emergencies.
6. Graduates must be competent in detection, diagnosis, risk assessment, prevention, and management of dental caries.
7. Graduates must be competent in the diagnosis and restoration of defective teeth to form, function and esthetics.
8. Graduates must be competent in the replacement of teeth including fixed, removable and dental implant prosthodontic therapies.
9. Graduates must be competent in the diagnosis and management of periodontal disorders.
10. Graduates must be competent in the prevention, diagnosis and management of pulpal and periradicular diseases.
11. Graduates must be competent in the diagnosis and management of oral mucosal and osseous disorders.
12. Graduates must be competent to collect and assess diagnostic information to plan for and perform uncomplicated oral surgical procedures.
13. Graduates must be competent to recognize and diagnose malocclusion and space management needs.
14. Graduates must be competent in discerning and managing ethical issues and problems in dental practice.
15. Graduates must be competent in the understanding and application of the appropriate codes, rules, laws and regulations that govern dental practice.
16. Graduates must be competent in behavioral patient management and interpersonal skills.
17. Graduates must be competent in understanding the fundamental elements of managing a dental practice.
18. 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.
19. 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.
20. Graduates must have the ability to recognize the role of lifelong learning and self-assessment to maintain competency.

While every attempt is made to provide accurate and current information in this bulletin, Indiana University reserves the right to change without notice statements in the bulletin series concerning rules, policies, fees, curricula, courses, or other matters.