Preclinical Skills (PCL03-DN)

Dental anatomy, occlusion and biomaterials are delivered through lectures, collaborative exercises, self-instructional study guides, and laboratory guided exercises. The dental anatomy portion focuses on the nomenclature of the oral cavity, tooth form and function, specific features of the human dentition including the crown, root and pulp morphology, the primary dentition, tooth eruption patterns, dental anomalies, and an introduction to dental occlusion. The biomaterials portion focuses on the fundamental concepts in the structure and properties of dental biomaterials and their application. An effort is made to integrate the material presented in each component comprised of disciplines that are fundamental parts of general dentistry. There will also be an introduction to digital impressions and CAD/CAM. This integrated course is participation driven; attendance is mandatory for all scheduled classes. This course is open only to students in the Doctor of Dental Surgery program. Core curriculum.

This is an integrated course that provides the students with an introduction to the basic knowledge and skills necessary for the effective practice of dentistry. The didactic and hands-on portion of the course are organized into major components: biomaterials and single tooth restorations, delivered through lectures, collaborative exercises, self-instructional study guides, and laboratory guided exercises. The biomaterials portion focuses on the fundamental concepts in the structure and properties of dental biomaterials and their application. An effort is made to integrate the material presented in each component comprised of disciplines that are fundamental parts of general dentistry. The Single Tooth Restorations portion of the course uses simulators incorporating the concept of disease (caries) and anatomical defects to cavity preparation and restoration. The student will apply scientific principles to the management of oral disease. This segment of the course introduces the student to the concept of dental caries as a treatable disease in both a medical model and a surgical model. Students are introduced to the discipline of operative dentistry of the adult dentition. They will learn modified classic amalgam and composite preparations to promote development of hand skills as well as more tooth conservative, contemporary approaches utilizing composite resin and adhesive technology. The composition, properties and limitations of the various biomaterials utilized are presented and coordinated with their laboratory introduction. This course is open only to students in the Doctor of Dental Surgery program. Core curriculum.

This course is designed to introduce second year students to the current concepts and principles that comprise a modern perception of esthetics. Students will learn the diagnostic process, indications and contra-indications and limitations of modern materials and techniques utilized in esthetic restoration of a patient’s smile. Students will perform and understand the techniques and procedures necessary for the completion of cases involving basic esthetic modalities utilized effectively in practice. They will also learn and be able to utilize the materials that are essential for the success of these procedures. This course is open only to students in the Doctor of Dental Surgery program. Core curriculum.

This is a continuation of the D1 course (PCL03-DN 1608) dealing with the whole patient and the surgical and non-surgical treatment of the dental hard tissues. It builds on the foundation knowledge and experience from D1, exposing students to more complex cases. Both the classical and contemporary preparations of restorative dentistry are presented. Students will prepare for the patient care program by reviewing updates in cariology, caries diagnosis, caries risk assessment, and homecare procedures being reinforced in a simulated patient setting. All laboratory procedures will be “cased based” using a patient scenario. This training will take place in a simulation environment that develops good “clinical” habits and integrates “patient” data into the daily treatment. The course will also introduce the D2 student to the clinic Electronic Health Record (EHR) using these same patient scenarios. This course is open only to students in the Doctor of Dental Surgery program. Core curriculum.

This course is designed to review and evaluate basic simulated clinical skills and to help students pass the manikin components of the CDCA licensing examinations in dentistry as well as provide a calibrated group of selected faculty to evaluate the students’ successful completion of Prosthetic and Endodontic exercises related to that examination. This course is open only to students in the Doctor of Dental Surgery program. Core curriculum.