General Practice Residency Curriculum
Our challenging didactic curriculum components include: physical diagnosis; weekly conferences and seminars; monthly grand rounds and case discussions; literature review and case-based learning; Oral Pathology seminars; Blood-Borne Pathogens Training; Infection Control Training and OSHA Training; ACLS and PALS courses and certification; and regional or state dental meetings.
Our didactic curriculum objectives are to:
- Understand the principles and techniques of physical diagnosis and their relevance to pertinent medical conditions and the implications for dental treatment;
- Develop an understanding of dental literature and be able critically to review articles for accuracy, pertinence, and validity;
- Understand the principles of diagnosis and treatment planning and the variability in treatment modalities as an approach to clinical care;
- Understand the different dental treatment modalities using evidence-based or scientific principles and criteria;
- Understand the various medical conditions that may alter dental care and the manner in which it is rendered;
- Learn various principles and techniques in all disciplines of dentistry to improve the resident's ability to provide comprehensive treatment;
- Understand and manage the various pathological conditions that may occur within and around the oral cavity;
- Understand the requirements for infection control and OSHA compliance;
- Develop an understanding for advanced study groups, local, state, and national organizations; and,
- Develop an appreciation for quality continuing dental education.
Upon completion of this program, a resident should be fully prepared for a professional career in any chosen career tract. This is accomplished through these strategic curriculum objectives:
- Understand the role of dentistry as it relates to the total health care of the patient, especially those who are physically, mentally or medically compromised;
- Understand and appreciate the role of a dentist on the medical staff of a hospital in the comprehensive treatment of patients in a hospital environment;
- Recognize and evaluate systemic diseases and how they affect oral health;
- Understand the implications of various types of clinical laboratory data and their use in the diagnosis and treatment of oral disease;
- Understand and utilize appropriate consultations from other subspecialties of medicine and dentistry before final preparation and presentation of comprehensive treatment plans;
- Understand and appreciate the pharmacological actions of drugs used in treating oral and systemic disease;
- Manage the dental problems of the pediatric, adult and geriatric patient;
- Recognize the importance of preventive dental care and its role in the total success of dental treatment;
- Interact with dental assistants, billing coordinator, and secretaries in an office type environment;
- Interact with a broad range of health care providers, such as physicians, pharmacists, and residents in training;
- Understand the rationale, indications, and use of inhalation and intravenous drugs for control of pain and apprehension in the conscious patient;
- Understand the implications for use of general anesthesia to facilitate dentistry in the operating room;
- Provide comprehensive dental care including periodontal treatment, fixed and removable appliances, restorative procedures, oral surgery, operative dentistry, endodontics, and orthodontics for patients from various socioeconomic backgrounds;
- Understand hospital organization, protocol, and administration;
- Understand and demonstrate the need and desire to work as a team with a shared vision; and,
- Understand the hospital's role in comprehensive health care.
