The Curriculum
The curriculum leading to a certificate in endodontics consists of the following courses from the Department of Endodontics, Oral Biology and clinical core curriculum.
Endodontic Courses
Introductory Postgraduate Endodontics (24 hrs. per week, fall session) This course is an introduction to advanced endodontics with the emphasis on clinical techniques and principles. The objective is to provide the first year residents with the basic knowledge and skills necessary to diagnose and treat patients with endodontic problems. In addition to a series of introductory lectures, an entire week is devoted to clinical/laboratory procedures on extracted teeth to familiarize the resident with equipment and various instrumentation/obturation techniques.
Surgical Course (4 - 8 hours) This lecture and laboratory course is designed to familiarize the resident with surgical principles and techniques to include flap reflection, soft tissue management, root-end resection, retro-filling, and suturing techniques.
Classic Literature Review (4 hours per week, 4 semesters) The basis of endodontic concepts are found in the literature. Selected articles in a particular topic are carefully reviewed and analyzed. The residents learn to critically read and evaluate the scientific evidence that supports endodontic principles and practice.
Endodontic Case Presentation (16 hours per month, 4 semesters) All resident diagnostic and treatment cases are presented and critiqued/discussed by residents and faculty. All potential surgery cases are previewed in these sessions.
Clinical Patient Care (6 half days per week, 4 semesters) The treatment of patients with endodontic problems is performed during these clinic periods. A variety of procedures must be completed by the resident during the two year period.
Endodontic Research (1 half day per week, 2 - 3 semesters) A clinical research project of publishable quality is completed and written during the program. The research is usually directed by a faculty member in the department.
Undergraduate Clinical Teaching (3 semesters) Residents have undergraduate teaching responsibilities, pre-clinical technique laboratories (1 semester) and undergraduate clinic coverage (2 semesters). This experience exposes the resident to a variety of clinical problems, and it develops the ability to communicate his/her knowledge.
Journal Club (4 hours per month, 4 semesters) Current articles related to the science and practice of Endodontics are searched out in selected journals, abstracted, and reviewed monthly.
Endodontic/Pedodontic Seminars (1 hour per week, 10 weeks) Pedodontic and Endodontic residents present and participate in a seminar series on the diagnosis and treatment of pulpal and periapical pathology in children and adolescents.
Clinical Topics in Endodontics (hours vary, 4 semesters) This course is designed to place special emphasis on correlating fundamental principles of endodontics with current concepts and variations as they relate to clinical situations. Lectures are presented to residents on topics of critical interest to endodontics by endodontic faculty and guest lecturers.
Endodontic/Periodontic Seminars (4-8 hour seminar)
Endodontic and Periodontic residents participate in this joint residency seminar. The biologic and clinical aspects of selected topics and treatment cases are discussed.
Oral Biology Core Courses
This is a series of courses in the basic sciences designed to be universally applicable to postdoctoral students of different specialties.
Topics in Oral Biology I (2 hours per week, 1 semester) This course is composed of three blocks. The first block is Hard Tissue Biology: Anatomy, physiology and biochemistry of bone and teeth. The second block is TMJ Disorders: Anatomy, inflammatory disorders and physiology of the TMJ and masticatory muscles. The third block is Regeneration and Repair of Orofacial Tissues: Growth and differentiation, biochemistry of wound healing, management of lacerations and fractures, and periodontal tissue regeneration.
Topics in Oral Biology II (2 hours per week, 1 semester) This course presents three interrelated areas of emphasis in the understanding of universal and unique features of the head and neck region and their responses to microbial invasion. Initially, the anatomical features of the head and neck are presented as potential sites of dental and systemic diseases. General and specific features of the human immune response are presented that are responsible for returning the affected are to homeostasis are discussed.
The middle portion of the course presents information on common bacterial; fungal, and viral systemic diseases presenting with major manifestations in the head and neck are presented. Along with these diseases, appropriate chemotherapeutic treatment regimens are also discussed.
Finally, the development of the formed blood elements which, along with the circulatory system, transports many of the elements of the immune response are presented. Normal and aberrant mechanism of blood clotting as well as pharmacological interventions for bleeding disorders commonly encountered in dental treatment are discussed in detail.
Topics in Oral Biology III (2 hours per week, 1 semester) This course involves three blocks. The first block covers Pain and Anxiety Management in Dentistry. The second block is Dental Management of the Medically Compromised Patient. Physiology, microbiology, and pharmacotherapy is included. The third block covers the anatomy, physiology, microbiology, and pharmacology of Salivary Gland Function in Health and Disease.
Topics in Oral Biology IV (2 hours per week, 1 semester) This course is composed of two blocks. The first block is a series of lectures focused on Molecular Pathology. The second block is focused on Orofacial Anomalies and Defects.
Clinical Core Courses This is a series of courses in the clinical sciences designed to be applicable to postgraduate students of different specialties. Elective and required courses are designated by the program director.
Oral Pathology I (2 hour per week, 1 semester) This is an advanced lecture-seminar course in oral pathology. It is designed to enhance the advanced students’ in-depth knowledge of diseases of the oral and paraoral regions including recent concepts of etiology and pathogenesis of such disturbances. Clinico-pathologic characteristics of pathosis are presented to demonstrate the role of such information in determining the diagnosis and prognosis of oral disease.
Clinical Pathology Conferences (1.5 hours per month, 2 semesters) This is a monthly multi-discipline seminar designed to complement the formal oral pathology course. Individual cases are profiled for a collaborative discussion regarding potential differential diagnoses and treatment plans. Residents will present some of their own clinical cases for review.
Research Design and Statistics (12 hours) The purpose of this course is to aid the student in reading, interpreting, and evaluating dental literature. The course will focus on those statistical and design considerations commonly found in the dental literature.
Dental Radiology (12 hours) This course presents radiology related to clinical dentistry. Topics include radiation physics, biology, hygiene, and concepts of advanced imaging systems and their applications in dentistry, to include CBCT radiography.
Practice Management (8 hours) Discussions will introduce the basic concepts of practice and personal financial management.
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (8 hours) This course involves the study and practice of the skills used in artificial respiration and artificial circulation when cardiac arrest occurs. Upon completion of the course the student must be able to pass the written and practical examination on the principles and techniques of CPR as recommended by the American Heart Association.
Implant Dentistry (40 hours/1 week, fall semester) This course will introduce the student to the diagnosis and treatment planning, imaging techniques, classification, placement, and restoration of the commonly used implant systems
The Masters Degree Program The College of Graduate Studies offers a Master of Science in Oral Biology degree which may be taken in conjunction with the certificate curriculum. This joint program gives the student more extensive experience in research and basic science education and requires an in-depth original research project leading to a defended thesis. If the applicant desires to concurrently pursue a Master of Science in Oral Biology degree with the specialty program, the program length could be approximately 6-12 months longer. Tuition is charged on a per hour basis for the graduate courses taken. The applicant must be accepted by the College of Graduate Studies and the Department of Oral Biology. Application to the graduate program is made after acceptance to the certificate program.
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