Master of Science and Certificate
Master of Science and Certificate
Graduate programs leading to the Master of Science degree of a specialty certification are arranged so that the major interest may be concentrated on special phases of dental science supported by courses in allied fields. In each program, the student spends time in the practical application of his or her education as skills are developed in dental clinics. Graduate instruction in dentistry leading to the Master of Science degree is offered in Endodontics and Restorative Dentistry.
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Core Curriculum and Courses
Curriculum
All certificate and Master of Science candidates participate in the core curriculum. This curriculum is based on a series of core courses that provide an integrated, multidisciplinary, and interdisciplinary approach to basic issues in dentistry. The courses are taught in a team approach, employing faculty from various disciplines, both within the School of Dentistry as well as from other units throughout the University.
Course Descriptions
606. Mineralized Tissues. Franceschi, Chiego, McCauley, Thichman, Clarkson, Somerman. This course discusses fundamental concepts related to the formation and repair of bones and teeth. Specific topics include the embryological origin and anatomy of mineralized tissues, bone formation, growth and remodeling, tooth formation and remineralization, as well as the response of mineralized tissues to specific stresses such as fractures, caries, tooth movement, dental implants, and periodontal disease. Emphasis will be placed on applying basic science concepts to specific clinical conditions.
Endodontics Curriculum and Courses
McDonald -Director, Bauer, Chiego, Jr., Holland, Gardner, Rafter, Sedgley, staff.
Endodontics Curriculum
The graduate program in endodontics has several primary objectives. They include: developing highly skilled specialists with exceptional expertise in all aspects of endodontic therapy including diagnosis of orofacial pain, nonsurgical endodontic treatment and retreatment, and advanced surgical techniques; providing a comprehensive core of both endodontic and basic science courses, all integrated towards an in-depth understanding of the scientific literature and biological principles on which clinical treatment is based; providing training in both research and educational methodologies; fostering an attitude of critical inquiry and intellectual self-renewal throughout one's professional career; and providing a quality educational experience that will prepare the graduate for successful completion of the certification examination of the American Board of Endodontics.
Overall, the program is designed to prepare graduates for either clinical specialty practice or for a career in academics and research. Approximately 50% of curriculum time is devoted to patient care and consists of extensive experience in diagnosing and managing all types of pulpal and periradicular disease. Students gain additional clinical experience by teaching in the undergraduate endodontic program.
The program requires a minimum of 24 months of full-time study to satisfy certificate requirements. In addition, the student is required to undertake an original research project and submit the results in a form suitable for publication in a scientific journal. The Master of Science degree is also offered and requires a minimum of 34 months for completion. In this program, the student is expected to undertake more sophisticated research. The research results are written in a thesis format and defended.
The typical graduate program in endodontics follows:
First Term (Fall)
Dental Education 609. Biostatistics and Research Design
Dental Education 610. Scientific Communications
Endodontics 651. Preclinical Grad. Endodontics
Endodontics 652. Clinical Endodontics
Endodontics 653. Seminar in Endodontics
Periodontics 786. Seminar in Periondontics
Endodontics 659. Current Literature Review in Endodontics
Endodontics 660. Case Presentation and Treatment Seminar
Second Term (Winter)
Anatomy 705. Anatomy of the Head and Neck
Endodontics 652. Clinical Endodontics
Endodontics 653. Seminar in Endodontics
Endodontics 654. Research and Special Problems in Endodontics
Endodontics 656. Biology of the Dental Pulp for the Endodontist
Endodontics 657. Endodontic Surgery
Endodontics 659. Current Literature Review in Endodontics
Endodontics 660. Case Presentation and Treatment Planning Seminar
Third Term (Spring/Summer)
Endodontics 652. Clinical Endodontics
Endodontics 659. Current Literature Review in Endodontics
Endodontics 660. Case Presentation and Treatment Planning Seminar
Fourth Term (Fall)
Dental Education 606. Mineralized Tissues
Endodontics 652. Clinical Endodontics
Endodontics 653. Seminar in Endodontics
Endodontics 659. Current Literature Review in Endodontics
Endodontics 660. Case Presentation and Treatment Planning Seminar
Endodontics 661. Pharmacology and Medicine in Clinical Endodontics
Oral Diagnosis/Radiology 662. Seminar in Radiology
Fifth Term (Winter)
Endodontics 652. Clinical Endodontics
Endodontics 653. Seminar in Endodontics
Endodontics 659. Current Literature Review in Endodontics
Endodontics 660. Case Presentation and Treatment Planning Seminar
Endodontics 661. Pharmacology and Medicine in Clinical Endodontics
Spring Half Term
Endodontics 652. Clinical Endodontics
Endodontics 655. Investigation Leading to Certification/Thesis
Endodontics 659. Current Literature Review in Endodontics
Endodontics 660. Case Presentation and Treatment Planning Seminar
Endodontics - Course Descriptions
651. Preclinical Graduate Endodontics. The different technical aspects of endodontic treatment are discussed in a seminar setting. The student performs endodontic therapy in a laboratory setting under simulated clinical conditions and is expected to develop, enhance, and assess clinical skills prior to starting the clinical program.
652. Clinical Endodontics. The diagnosis, management, and treatment of patients with pulpal and periradicular disease are emphasized. Special attention is given to complex endodontic problems requiring advanced skills in both nonsurgical treatment and retreatment and surgical endodontics.
653. Seminar in Endodontics. This seminar course presents an in-depth analysis of the biological principles and scientific foundation for all aspects of endodontic therapy A critical evaluation of the literature is emphasized to help provide the student with a rationale for clinical treatment. Extensive reading of literature and preparation of papers on subjects directly applicable to endodontics is required.
654. Research and Special Problems in Endodontics. A review of proper laboratory and clinical protocol required for the development of an original research project is covered. Emphasis is placed on problems associated with human, animal, and materials research. This course is designed to help the student discover a meaningful problem related to endodontics and carry out its investigation.
655. Investigation Leading to Certificate/Thesis. This is a continuation of Endodontics 654 arid is designed to meet the requirements for certification and the Master of Science degree. Students will establish a research idea, search the literature, prepare a research protocol, and conduct the necessary procedures to test a hypothesis.
656. Biology of the Dental Pulp for the Endodontist. This lecture/seminar course provides the student with in-depth knowledge of the dental pulp, both in health and in disease. Emphasis is placed on the embryology, microanatomy, physiology, and histology of the dental pulp. Both classic and current literature are used to highlight the various pulpal reactions to a variety of irritants along with associated diagnostic and clinical therapeutic procedures.
657. Endodontic Surgery. The objective of this lecture/seminar course for endodontic graduate students is to provide a comprehensive analysis of contemporary principles of endodontic surgery. At the conclusion of the course, the student will have a sound understanding of the scientific literature and biological principles that support the surgical skills necessary to properly manage cases not amenable to nonsurgical therapy.
659. Current Literature Review in Endodontics. This seminar course is intended to broaden the student's background in endodontics through a critical analysis of the current literature.
660. Case Presentation and Treatment Planning Seminar. In this seminar course the student will present completed endodontic cases and treatment planned for surgery in a prescribed format using radiographs and color slides where appropriate. Each student is expected to support treatment based upon the scientific literature and sound biologic rationale. This course will aid in reinforcing concepts covered in other courses and will help students prepare for the American Board of Endodontics certification examination.
661. Pharmacology and Medicine in Clinical Endodontics. This seminar covers the basic pharmacology of the most important classes of therapeutic agents used in dentistry as well as the pharmacologic aspects of patient care and management of medically compromised patients.
Restorative Dentistry: Operative Dentistry - Curriculum and Courses
Yaman and Dennison - Program Co-Directors; Carpenter, Fasbinder, Staff.
Restorative Dentistry - Curriculum
Courses leading to the Master of Science degree are offered to graduates in dentistry who desire an advanced educational experience in clinical restorative dentistry. The program is designed to enhance both the breadth and depth of fundamental restorative principles and to correlate the oral sciences with clinical practice. Its major objective is to develop teachers and practitioners who have broad knowledge in the biological sciences which are basic to debilitative oral disease processes and functional disturbances. Graduates should demonstrate capability in diagnosis, treatment planning, and rendering comprehensive restorative care. Courses are required in restorative dentistry, periodontics, occlusion, biomaterials, dental education, and the core curriculum.
The two or three year structure of the restorative program is flexible to accommodate the needs and abilities of prospective students. The first year will provide advanced clinical experience in restorative procedures plus didactic emphasis on underlying principles of cariology, periodontics, esthetics and biomaterials. The second year will involve continued clinical experience and elective opportunities in related clinical areas and dental education with a teaching commitment at the pre-doctoral level and an introduction to research design and methodology. The third year will involve an intense research experience and lead to an advanced degree.
The Master of Science degree requires a minimum of 36 hours of credit, of which a maximum of eight hours is gained through clinical practice. A significant number of elective courses are included in the program to provide for the special needs of individual students. Completion of the degree program requires an independent investigation pertinent to cariology or the underlying principles of restorative dentistry be reported in a thesis. The program requires a minimum of two academic years and one spring half-term for the full-time students. New students begin in the fall term.
A typical graduate program in restorative dentistry (first and second years) follows:
First Term (Fall)
Periodontics 786. Periodontal Therapy
Restorative Dentistry 742. Clinical Restorative Dentistry (Operative)
Biostatistics 503. Introduction to Biostatistics
Restorative Dentistry 746. Principles of Operative Dentistry
Dentistry Education 608. Biomaterials
Dentistry Education 610. Scientific Communication
Second Terin (Winter)
Oral Biology 679. Cariology
Restorative Dentistry 742. Clinical Restorative Dentistry (Operative)
Restorative Dentistry 745. Esthetic Restorative Procedures
Restorative Dentistry 747. Clinical Eval. in Restorative Dentistry
Restorative Dentistry 749. Esthetic Restorative Laboratory
Restorative Dentistry 871. Concepts of Occlusion
Spring Half-Term
Restorative Dentistry 742. Clinical Restorative Dentistry (Operative)
Restorative Dentistry 744. Seminar in Operative Dentistry
Dentistry Education 884. Caries Diagnosis and Management
Third Term (Fall)
Restorative Dentistry 742. Clinical Restorative Dentistry (Operative)
Restorative Dentistry 743. Investigation Leading to Thesis
Prosthodontics 739. Clinical Crown and Bridge
Oral Diagnosis 662. Radiology
Dentistry Education 561. Mineralized Tissues
Fourth Term (Winter)
Restorative Dentistry 742. Clinical Restorative Dentistry (Operative)
Restorative Dentistry 743. Investigation Leading to Thesis
Restorative Dentistry 748 . Special Topics in Operative Dentistry
Restorative Dentistry 866. Functional Disturbances of the Masticatory System
Restorative Dentistry - Course Descriptions
742. Clinical Restorative Dentistry.
743. Investigation Leading to Thesis.
744. Seminar in Operative Dentistry. Reading assignments, discussion, and evaluation of certain biological and physical concepts fundamental to restorative practices.
745. Esthetic Restorative Procedures. Factors are presented which require consideration in treatment planning for the esthetic restoration. Discussions include the clinical methods employed in the various restorative procedures - porcelain inlay, porcelain and acrylic jacket crowns, and gold-supported esthetic crowns.
746. Principles of Cariology and Operative Dentistry. A critical appraisal of the procedures for caries risk assessment and tooth restoration and cohesive gold is made through reading references and discussion. Related clinical and laboratory sessions are held in addition to a seminar.
747. Clinical Evaluation in Restorative Dentistry. Evaluation methods and clinical criteria are discussed as they relate to clinical research in restorative materials and clinical instruction.
748. Special Topic or Project in Operative Dentistry. A special project on an advanced subject directly related to operative dentistry is pursued. A project protocol is prepared, the investigation carried out, and a suitable report of the findings is submitted.
749. Esthetic Restorative Laboratory. Fabrication of porcelain and gold-supported porcelain and plastic restorations stress the relationship to proper clinic procedures. Clinical evaluation is made of resulting shade buttons and restorations.
880. Investigation Leading to Thesis (Occlusion).
881. Occlusion and Orthodontics. A seminar course dealing with current concepts of occlusal function and dysfunction as they apply to the goals of orthodontic treatment. Emphasis is placed upon the theoretical aspects of pre- and post-treatment methods of analysis and functional occlusion.
883. Conservative Esthetic Principles and Restorative Techniques. Seminars are combined with laboratory and conservative procedures experience to provide a background for using resin restorative materials to improve esthetic appearance. Laminate veneers and posterior restorations will be constructed both directly and indirectly along with posterior restorations to optimize esthetic treatment.
884. Caries Diagnosis and Management. This course includes lectures, patient-based exercises, class discussion, and debates. The objectives of this course are to critically review and discuss the current scientific evidence on the diagnosis on incipient carious lesions, noncavitated pits and fissures, cavitated carious lesions, recurrent carious lesions, and root caries. By the end of the course students should be able to discuss the current methods of caries diagnosis and their limitations; evaluate new systems for diagnosis of incipient and non-cavitated carious lesions; analyze and critique dental caries management protocols; understand the concepts of clinical decision making, evidence-based dental practice, and develop decision trees for management of different types of carious lesions; and identify areas for further research.