School of Dentistry 2001-2003 Bulletin: Doctor of Dental Surgery (D.D.S.) Program

Predental Counseling

Students who want to discuss their academic programs should arrange appointments with predental advisers on their own campus. Interested students may also write or call the dental school's Office of Records and Admissions in Indianapolis (see section entitled Further Information).

Application Procedure

Students matriculate in dental school each July. Candidates should make formal application approximately a year before they wish to be admitted to the School of Dentistry. Application deadline is January 1, but the deadline is subject to change from year to year.

Electronic applications to dental school are available through the Web site of the American Dental Education Association (www.adea.org).

Applicants will also be required to take the Dental Admission Test (DAT). Applicants must take the DAT before an interview will be granted. The DAT can be taken nearly any day of the year at Sylvan Technology Centers throughout the country. Students are further advised to take this test only after completing the required chemistry and biology courses. Questions regarding interpretation of scores may be referred to the dental school's Office of Records and Admissions.

Details concerning the DAT may be obtained by contacting the dental school's Office of Records and Admissions; by writing the American Dental Association, 211 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611; or by visiting this Web site: www.adea.org.

Selected applicants will be invited to the school for a personal interview.

Selection criteria include, but are not limited to, overall grade point average, science grade point average, DAT scores, interviews, recommendations, years and hours of college credit, degrees received, motivation, exploration of dentistry, manual and artistic skills, character, personality, ethics, and health. Applications from all underrepresented groups are encouraged. Selections are made on an individual basis upon appraisal of the applicant's established record and potential for development.

Bachelor's/Doctoral Combined Degree Program

Students admitted to the School of Dentistry after having completed 90 semester hours may apply credit hours earned in their first year in dentistry as electives and at the end of this year earn a bachelor's degree from their undergraduate institution. The combined degree program is offered at many undergraduate institutions across the nation. Students who are interested in this type of program should consult their predental advisor.

Predental Requirements

Most students accepted by the Indiana University School of Dentistry have attained a bachelor's degree prior to enrollment. The predental collegiate training may be taken at any accredited college or university in the United States. Required courses cannot be taken on a Pass/Fail basis. Special credit for required courses may be accepted if all portions of the course work (i.e., lecture, laboratory) have been properly evaluated and appear on official transcripts. Details of courses offered in the various accredited colleges may vary, so the courses should be carefully considered when a program is planned, particularly in the field of science. All required science courses, except biochemistry, must include laboratories. It is advisable to include extra work in the areas of biology and chemistry.

It is recommended that students complete the general chemistry, organic chemistry, and biology requirements in the first two years because there are questions over these areas on the Dental Admission Test, which is usually taken in the junior year. Students are then advised to take physics in the third year.

Applicants who meet minimum grade point average requirements will be invited for an interview. DAT scores should be average or above.

For admission to the School of Dentistry, the applicant must have earned a minimum of 90 semester (or 135 quarter) hours by the time of matriculation. No more than 60 semester hours may be completed at the junior college level. The following predental requirements must be met in order to qualify for admission:

Two semesters or three quarters (minimum of 8 semester hours/12 quarter hours) of each of the following:

Biology or zoology, with laboratory
Inorganic chemistry, with laboratory
General physics, with laboratory

One semester or two quarters (minimum of 4 semester hours/6 quarter hours) of each of the following:

Organic chemistry, with laboratory
Anatomy, with laboratory
Physiology, with laboratory

Three semester hours or 4.5 quarter hours of biochemistry lecture

One semester or one quarter (minimum of 2 semester hours/3 quarter hours) of each of the following:

Introductory psychology
English composition
Interpersonal communication (or public speaking, if interpersonal communication is not available)

Courses in molecular biology, genetics, solid art, business administration or personal finance, histology, and medical terminology are strongly recommended but not required. It is recommended that all incoming dental students be familiar with computer usage.

Admission Requirements for the Advanced Standing Program

Indiana University School of Dentistry offers an Advanced Standing Program (ASP) for selected individuals who have received their dental degree from an institution outside the United States or Canada. Upon successful completion of the ASP, the candidate will receive the Doctor of Dental Surgery (D.D.S.) degree from Indiana University School of Dentistry. The individualized program ranges in length from one to three years.

Admission to the ASP is dependent upon the dental school's available resources. Thus the school is able to admit no more than five candidates to the ASP each year. Applications are accepted only between June 1 and January 1, unless the candidate is a current faculty member at the IU dental school.

When considering candidates for the ASP, the Admissions Committee will interview and give preference to the following:

Current IU School of Dentistry faculty
Current students in or recent graduates from IU School of Dentistry's advanced education programs
Faculty from other institutions who express interest in faculty openings at IU School of Dentistry
Other residents of the State of Indiana

Other candidates will be offered an interview at the discretion of the Admissions Committee.

The following criteria will be used in the selection process, and the Admissions Committee will consider only those candidates for whom all the information is available:

Successful completion of Part I of the National Board Dental Examination
Comments from an interview with members of the Admissions Committee
Evaluation of dental transcripts
Two letters of recommendation (one personal and one professional)
TOEFL test of English language proficiency as required by Indiana University for applicants whose first language is not English

An individualized curriculum is designed for each candidate who is admitted to the ASP based upon an assessment of the candidate's previous education, training, experience, and demonstrated competencies. This assessment may include the following:

Written and practical examinations
Examples of technique work
Other information considered by the faculty to be useful in its deliberation

Financing should be carefully planned by those interested in applying to the ASP, as Indiana University School of Dentistry has no stipends, grants, or scholarships upon which international students in the ASP can depend. To request an application, call (317) 274-8173 or e-mail ckacius@iupui.edu.

Withdrawals
Grades
Incompletes
Counseling
Attendance
Probation
Suspension
Dismissal
Promotion
Certification for Graduation
Leave of Absence Policy

Academic Information

For a full discussion of professional behavior, academic conduct, and progress toward graduation, see the Indiana University School of Dentistry Student Handbook (www.iusd.iupui.edu).

Withdrawals

The faculty reserves the right to request the withdrawal of students whose conduct, health, or academic performance would appear to render them unfit for the continuation of a dental education. In cases in which students discontinue attendance without officially withdrawing, the instructor shall report the grade of F.

Grades

A student's grade in each course will be determined by the combined results of examinations, classroom work, and clinical performance. The quality of the student's work will be indicated by one of the following grades: A, B, C, D, F (Failure), S (Satisfactory), P (Pass), R (Deferred), and I (Incomplete). A failure requires repetition of the course; failure of a core course (i.e., one that carries a large number of credit hours) may require repetition of the entire academic year. Plus or minus grades may be assigned by faculty members at their discretion.

Students must earn at least a 2.0 cumulative grade point average by the conclusion of their first four semesters in dental school (excluding summers) in order to continue their enrollment in the D.D.S. program at Indiana University School of Dentistry.

Incompletes

A student who misses a final examination and who has had a passing grade up to that time is given a temporary grade of Incomplete if the instructor has reason to believe the absence was beyond the student's control.

If a student is not in attendance during the last several weeks of a semester, the instructor may report a grade of I (indicating the work is satisfactory at the end of the semester but has not been completed) if the instructor has reason to believe the absence was beyond the student's control; if not, the instructor shall record a grade of F. A grade of I must be removed within one year of the date of its recording, or it will automatically be changed to an F by the university registrar. A grade of I may be removed if the student completes the work within the time limit or if the dean of the School of Dentistry authorizes the change of the I to W (withdrawal from course). Students may not reenroll in a course in which they have a grade of I.

Counseling

Students are invited and encouraged to call upon the dean, associate deans, or any other faculty or staff member for counseling or advice. A faculty advisor program has been developed and has proven effective in assisting students who experience academic and personal problems.

Attendance

Students must attend the courses in which they are enrolled. Discipline and responsibility are fundamental to the practice of dentistry. A policy requiring attendance ensures that each student will obtain maximum exposure to the lectures and the clinical and laboratory experiences available in the curriculum. Students are expected to take advantage of each opportunity to learn as a demonstration of their responsibility to their patients and their commitment to the highest professional standards.

Individual departments establish attendance requirements for their classes and clinics and acquaint the students with those requirements through course outlines and statements of objectives. Mechanisms are provided for taking class attendance, and absenteeism is reflected in semester grades and clinic privileges. Repeated abuse of attendance policies may be taken into consideration by the semester promotion committees.

Students are expected to be prompt for all patient appointments. If cancellation or delay of an appointment is unavoidable, the student must notify the patient or the assigned clinic.

Probation

Criteria for probationary status:

Failure of any module or course.
A semester grade point average below 2.0.
Failure in a module in a course in which failure does not result in a failing grade for the entire course.
Reenrollment following a period of suspension.
Unacceptable clinical progress or participation.
Unacceptable ethical or professional behavior.

Suspension

No dental student who has been suspended may be graduated with honors or receive an award at the honors ceremony.

Criteria for suspension:
Any student will be suspended who is found guilty of unacceptable academic and/or professional behavior and/or ethics.

Dismissal

Academic dismissal will be considered by the dental school faculty council upon a recommendation from the progress committee. Students to be considered for dismissal will be granted the opportunity to appear personally before the progress committee.

A distinction is intended herein between probation-earned, meaning that academic performance has caused this status to be assessed for a given semester; and probation-continued, meaning that this status was not assessed for that semester but has not been removed from a prior assessment.

Criteria for dismissal:

Failure to comply with the policy on attendance.
A grade of F in a combined total of 50 percent or more of the semester credit hours in which the student is enrolled.
Multiple failures in courses, modules, and/or on comprehensive semester examinations.
Repeated instances of earning a semester grade point average below 2.0.
Cumulative grade point average below 2.0 at the conclusion of the first four semesters of the program.
A lack of acceptable ethical or professional behavior (e.g., academic dishonesty, nonattendance to clinical duties, neglect of attention or responsibility to assigned patients).
A lack of progress toward the degree requirements in the judgment of the faculty.

Promotion

No dental student shall be promoted to a succeeding semester in good standing without a minimum 2.0 overall grade point average.

Certification for Graduation

A dental student must have been enrolled for a minimum of eight separate semesters, exclusive of summer sessions or repeated courses or semesters. The dental student must have passed (or been excused from) all required courses, including two separate semesters of the fourth-year curriculum. Transfer dental students and dental students with advanced standing may be given credit for equivalent enrollment in other schools.
A dental student must have achieved a minimum overall grade point average of 2.0.
A dental student must pass Parts I and II of the National Board Dental Examination.

Leave of Absence Policy

No student may be granted a leave of absence solely because of poor academic performance.
All student leaves, as well as the conditions for reinstatement following such leaves, must be approved by the dean of the dental school (or the dean's designee).
Written certification shall be required of the appropriate person or agency confirming the need for a leave of absence and for the date concluding a leave of absence.

Similar academic standards apply to dental hygiene and dental assisting students.

D.D.S. Courses, 2001-2002

The figures given in parentheses with "cr." indicate credit hours.

First-Year Curriculum
Second-Year Curriculum
Third-Year Curriculum
Fourth-Year Curriculum
Special Clinics

First-Year Curriculum

T501-T502 Critical Analysis of Clinical Problems (3-6 cr., 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

T601-T602 Critical Analysis of Clinical Problems (3-6 cr., 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

T720 Dental Sciences III, Part I (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 basic periodontal surgery, pediatric public health, and restorative dentistry topics. Prerequisite for subsequent Dental Sciences courses and modules.

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.

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.

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.

T797-T798 Comprehensive Care Clinic 3rd Year (2-2 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

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.