School of Dental Medicine Program Learning Objectives

• Dentistry, D.D.S.
  A new graduate of the School of Dental Medicine will be able to:

  1. apply patient values, race, gender, beliefs, attitudes, and   economics in the delivery of patient-centered care aimed at promoting, improving and maintaining oral health.
  2. demonstrates a commitment to the application of ethical and professional dimensions of dental practice. They appreciate and can apply their moral, ethical and legal obligations to their patients, the dental profession and society in decision-making related to the academic environment, patient care, practice management and research.
  3. apply biomedical, clinical, and behavioral science knowledge in the care of his/her patients.
  4. search and critically evaluate scientific literature, problem-solve and make evidence-based decisions in the care of his/her patients.
  5. critically evaluate the evidence on established and new technologies in oral diagnosis, prevention and therapeutic interventions for oral diseases, and determine which technologies should be incorporated into his/her practice.
  6. obtain appropriate medical, dental, and social histories.
  7. perform a thorough examination of the teeth, supporting structures, head and neck, and the oral cavity (i.e., clinical, radiographic and related laboratory examinations), and chart or document all normal and abnormal findings.
  8. select, obtain, and interpret clinical, radiographic, and other diagnostic information and procedures related to the major oral diseases and conditions.
  9. accurately diagnose the major oral diseases and conditions.
  10. construct a patient-centered comprehensive and sequenced treatment plan that addresses the patient’s diagnosis, needs and values, and that includes appropriate referral given the complexity of certain cases.
  11. modify his/her diagnoses and treatment plans based on re-evaluation of the outcomes of on-going therapy.
  12. diagnose and manage medical emergencies that may occur during dental treatment.
  13. perform basic cardiac life support.
  14. pharmacological and non-pharmacological methods to prevent and/or manage pain and/or anxiety.
  15. prevent and treat dental caries.
  16. manage patients with pulpal and periradicular diseases.
  17. manage patients with moderate and severe periodontitis, and perform periodontal therapy for gingivitis and slight periodontitis.
  18. manage patients requiring oral and maxillofacial surgery, and perform uncomplicated oral surgical procedures.
  19. manage patients with temporomandibular disorders.
  20. manage patients requiring orthodontic care.
  21. manage patients with pathologic conditions of the hard and soft tissues of the oral cavity.
  22. manage the dental treatment of patients with special needs.
  23. manage patients with systemic diseases that may influence orofacial health and/or may be affected by dental therapy.
  24. restore single defective teeth to anatomic form, function, and esthetics.
  25. restore partial or complete edentulism with uncomplicated fixed or removable prosthetic restorations, and manage complex cases including those utilizing implant restorations.
  26. manage patients requiring restoration of form, function, and esthetics secondary to skeletal and occlusal abnormalities, and other disease processes.
  27. assess risk, formulate an individualized plan of prevention of disease and maintenance or promotion of health, including recall visits, communicate this plan, and motivate the patient (and parent or caretaker, if appropriate) to participate, and educate the patient regarding disease prevention.
  28. participate in improving the oral health of the community, and will participate in such activities through research, community outreach programs or patient educational services.
  29. function in a private dental practice setting applying legal and regulatory concepts and using selected business systems and informatics for marketing, scheduling, patient flow, record-keeping, insurance, financial arrangements, and continuing care.
  30. demonstrate the ability to engage in self-assessment and lifelong learning to enhance his/her professional knowledge and skills.
• Endodontics, Advanced Graduate Certificate
  1. Upon completion of the Endodontics Program, the student will be able to infuse an appropriate level of applied basic science that supports theoretical and clinical endodontics.
  2. Upon completion of the Endodontics Program, the student will be able to achieve certification by the American Board of Endodontics.
  3. Upon completion of the Endodontics Program, the student will be able to apply research skills to critically evaluate dental research.
  4. Upon completion of the Endodontics Program, the student will be able to establish a foundation for further independent study and professional growth.
  5. Upon completion of the Endodontics Program, the student will be able to become skilled in surgical and non-surgical endodontics and integrate other medical/dental clinical specialties.
  6. Upon completion of the Endodontics Program, the student will be able to maintain an environment that is patient-centered and contributes to the advancement of knowledge.
• Oral Biology & Pathology, Ph.D.
  Students will be able to:

  1. demonstrate knowledge of the genetics and epigenetics that regulate oral/dental tissue development and disease
  2. explain how cell:cell and cell:matrix interactions control normal and abnormal soft and hard tissue development and homeostasis
  3. explain how extracellular matrix properties and composition influence normal and abnormal oral/dental tissue development and wound healing
  4. demonstrate knowledge of the microbiome and how its products impact host tissues and the host response
  5. incorporate new knowledge into an understanding of oral biology and pathology
  6. apply fundamental knowledge from the related disciplines into an understanding of normal and abnormal oral/dental tissue development and homeostasis;
  7. apply fundamental knowledge from the related disciplines into an  understanding of oral/dental disease development and/or treatment;
  8. generate a hypothesis-driven research plan exploiting the scientific literature
  9. choose appropriate experimental and analytical tools;
  10. write and defend a grant proposal;
  11. generate scientific hypotheses independently;
  12. develop and execute research plans with techniques and analytical tools  appropriate to the research area;
  13. generate publishable advances;
  14. complete and defend a PhD dissertation;
  15. the student will demonstrate effective communication of science
  16. the student will demonstrate cooperative learning with giving and receiving  feedback on presentations;
  17. the student will demonstrate mentoring of undergraduate and/or dental  students;
  18. the student will demonstrate maintaining ethical behavior;
• Orthodontics, Advanced Graduate Certificate
  1. Upon completion of the Orthodontics Program the student will be able to become an orthodontist who is proficient in the diagnosis, treatment planning and therapies that define the specialty of orthodontics.
  2. Upon completion of the Orthodontics Program the student will be able to develop appropriate treatment plans and management of patients requiring interdisciplinary care involving multiple dental specialties.
  3.  Upon completion of the Orthodontics Program the student will be able to apply basic research methods related to orthodontic research in order to critically evaluate the orthodontic literature.
  4. Upon completion of the Orthodontics Program the student will be able to achieve Diplomate status in the American Board of Orthodontics.
  5. Upon completion of the Orthodontics Program the student will be able to integrate other disciplines to result in optimal comprehensive oral health care and to work in cooperation with referring dentists. 
  6. Upon completion of the Orthodontics Program the student will be able to provide service to the profession including, but not limited to, didactic and clinical education, involvement in organized dentistry and outreach efforts.
• Periodontics, Advanced Graduate Certificate
  1.  Upon completion of the Periodontics Program the student will be able to be proficient in the diagnosis, treatment planning and therapies that define the specialty of periodontics.
  2. Upon completion of the Periodontics Program the student will be able to be proficient in developing appropriate long-term maintenance therapy for their periodontal and implant patients. 
  3. Upon completion of the Periodontics Program the student will be able to apply basic research methods related to periodontal research in order to critically evaluate the periodontal literature.
  4. Upon completion of the Periodontics Program the student will be able to achieve Diplomate status in the American Board of Periodontology.
  5. Upon completion of the Periodontics Program the student will be able to integrate other disciplines to result in optimal comprehensive oral health care and to work in cooperation with referring dentists.
  6. Upon completion of the Periodontics Program the student will be able to service the profession including, but not limited to, didactic and clinical education, involvement in organized dentistry and outreach efforts.

   

• Test
  1.  Upon completion of the Periodontics Program the student will be able to be proficient in the diagnosis, treatment planning and therapies that define the specialty of periodontics.
  2. Upon completion of the Periodontics Program the student will be able to be proficient in developing appropriate long-term maintenance therapy for their periodontal and implant patients. 
  3. Upon completion of the Periodontics Program the student will be able to apply basic research methods related to periodontal research in order to critically evaluate the periodontal literature.
  4. Upon completion of the Periodontics Program the student will be able to achieve Diplomate status in the American Board of Periodontology.
  5. Upon completion of the Periodontics Program the student will be able to integrate other disciplines to result in optimal comprehensive oral health care and to work in cooperation with referring dentists.
  6. Upon completion of the Periodontics Program the student will be able to service the profession including, but not limited to, didactic and clinical education, involvement in organized dentistry and outreach efforts.