Overview
During the first eighteen months of study, UConn School of Dental Medicine students and UConn School of Medicine students join together to study the basic medical sciences through an integrated curriculum. Within that curriculum, known as the MDelta Exploration Stage, dental students take four key courses and engage in additional research, scholarship and Individualized Learning Opportunities (ILO’s).
The MDelta Exploration Stage centers around a Team-Based Learning (TBL) model that is patient-centered and case-based. Laboratory (including cadaver dissection as well as technology enhanced virtual laboratory experiences), simulation and a doctoring course are also an integral part of the Exploration Stage. The TBL experiences are supported by remote active learning materials (ReALM) to provide foundational knowledge for class session application and analysis. Experiences in interprofessional teams is also included in this stage
The Exploration Stage is comprised of five 10-week blocks. Each block is followed by a two-week Learning Enhancement and Assessment Period (LEAP). The summer between the third and fourth block is 12 weeks, allowing ample time for research or other individualized opportunities and content reinforcement.
Courses
Case Oriented Essentials (COrE): The sequence of cases through each of the COrE blocks helps the student to develop foundational knowledge in biopsychosocial science through the presentation of virtual patients and families. Team Based Learning (TBL) is the key pedagogy utilized in COrE, with students engaging in increasingly complex application exercises related to the content of each unit. The curriculum progresses the student toward greater independence and clinical reasoning.
Fabric of Anatomy & Biology Lab (FAB Lab): The laboratory experience includes Gross Anatomy, Virtual Anatomy, Histology, and early exposure to Radiology and Ultrasound in both the Human Anatomy Lab (HAL) and Virtual Anatomy Lab (VAL). The goal of the Laboratory program is to provide students with fundamental knowledge of the anatomy and microanatomy of all clinically relevant regions and structures within the human body. This knowledge will inform their physical examination and clinical reasoning skills. Students will learn to correlate state-of-the-art medical images with anatomy and to recognize pathological changes associated with anatomy. Elements of a team-based approach to learning are also integrated into the FAB Lab blocks.
Vertically Integrated Teams Aligned in Learning and Scholarship (VITALS): Longitudinal teams of students join their medical student peers to learn together and teach each other critical, timely material across the spectrum. The content includes such topics as bioethics in the news, emerging diseases, health care policy and social determinants of health. These sessions support students’ future roles as research-based practitioners, patient educators, and life-long learners.
Delivery of Clinical Care (DoCC): Students will learn the necessary skills to interact with and examine patients, and will be provided regular feedback for ultimate growth as a professional. Dental students learn the essential aspects of clinical patient interactions and the application of certain foundational biopsychosocial principles during the first block of the Exploration Stage.
Individualized Learning Opportunities (ILO’s): Students will have the opportunity to pursue elective experiences, work on educational projects, participate in service learning, and explore the intersection of the humanities with medicine, research, global health programs, and other areas to enhance their personalized learning experience. ILO’s take place following exams during each block’s LEAP period.
Overview
The Dental Sciences component of the curriculum consists of eight interdisciplinary curricular areas:
- Growth, Development and Aging
- Oral Physiology and Anatomy
- Oral Diagnosis and Clinical Medicine
- Oral Disease and Infections
- Restorative Sciences
- Dentistry and the Community
- Oral Surgery and Therapeutics
- Clinical Practicum
Each curricular area address subjects with scientific and/or clinical commonality and consists of two or more integrated courses.
Growth, Development and Aging
The goal of the Growth, Development and Aging curriculum is to provide the student with knowledge of the normal structure and development of the oral cavity and craniofacial complex, abnormalities of craniofacial development and psychosocial development in relation to the oral cavity and its impact on dentistry. The treatment and management of the pediatric and geriatric patient, and the diagnosis and treatment of malocclusions and other orthodontic problems are also emphasized.
Oral Physiology and Anatomy
The Oral Physiology and Anatomy curriculum includes instruction in basic and applied physiology and histology of oral tissues and in dental anatomy/tooth morphology. Topics include the role of the sensory and motor systems in the oral cavity as they relate to mastication, swallowing, salivation, speech, taste and smell. The Dental Morphology section focuses on the characteristics that comprise the gross anatomy of the human dentition including the anatomic structures of the individual teeth as well as their supporting structures.
Oral Diagnosis and Clinical Medicine
The Oral Diagnosis and Clinical Medicine curriculum provides comprehensive instruction in the areas of oral and physical diagnosis, oral and maxillofacial radiology and oral pathology.
This curriculum enables students to obtain, interpret, and record a comprehensive medical and dental history and to safely manage medically and pharmacologically complex patients. Students are taught to perform thorough head and neck and intraoral examinations, recognize abnormal clinical findings, and obtain appropriate laboratory tests. Students receive instruction in ionizing radiation and learn to obtain and interpret common radiographic images to recognize normal anatomic landmarks and the appearance of periodontal disease and dental caries. This course series also covers the etiology, pathogenesis, and classic radiographic and clinic appearances of a variety of developmental abnormalities and pathological of conditions of the jaws, teeth, the sinuses, and the salivary glands.
Restorative Sciences
The Restorative Sciences curriculum covers the entire range of oral reconstruction in the restoration of diseased, damaged, or missing teeth. Major subject areas and component courses include:
Operative Dentistry: The Operative Dentistry course gives students an understanding of the basic concepts of operative dentistry, single tooth restorative treatment options, instrumentation, nomenclature, and terminology. Emphasis in this section is placed on recent advances in esthetic and cosmetic dentistry. Dental Occlusion:The Dental Occlusion course examines the relationship of the opposing dental arches as they interrelate during closure and when undergoing dynamic jaw movements. The process of mastication and the contacting relationships of anterior and posterior teeth are covered in reference to the potential restorative needs of the teeth.
Dental Materials: The purpose of this course is to develop an understanding of the fundamentals of metals, ceramics, polymers and other dental materials to complement the Restorative Sciences technique courses. Emphasis is placed on the relationships between a material's structure and its properties.
Fixed Prosthodontics: The Fixed Prosthodontics course covers the biological and mechanical principles of restoring diseased and/or damaged teeth with cast metal or porcelain restorations and replacing missing teeth with fixed prostheses (bridges).
Removable Prosthodontics: The Removable Prosthodontics course examines the role of partial and compete removable dentures in the treatment of missing teeth and edentulous dental arches.
Dental Implants: The Dental Implant course provides the student with background on the biology of dental implants and the management of implants within the scope of the general dentist. The course focuses on the establishment of a database, development of a treatment plan and the coordination of implant therapy with other specialties. Students also receive hands-on surgical and restorative laboratory experience with the ITI and Branemark implant systems.
Oral Diseases and Infections
The Oral Diseases and Infections curriculum covers the general areas of cariology, periodontology, endodontology, prevention, and the principles of treatment planning.
Cariology: Cariology focuses on the etiology, pathogenesis, prognosis, prevention and treatment of dental caries in humans. Emphasis is placed on microbial causation, dietary influences, tooth demineralization and remineralization, and prevention and patient management strategies.
Periodontology: Periodontology includes consideration of bacteria-host interactions in inflammatory periodontal diseases, surgical as well as nonsurgical periodontal therapy, and management of both acute and chronic periodontal disease.
Endodontology: Endodontology is concerned with the morphology, physiology, and pathology of the dental pulp and periapical tissues. It includes the biology of the normal pulp; and the etiology, diagnosis, prevention and treatment of disease and injuries of the pulp, and the resultant associated pathological conditions.
Oral Health Promotion:The primary objectives of the Prevention of Oral Disease course are to provide students with the rationale and methods for maintaining the dentition and surrounding oral structures in good health for life. It emphasizes the ethical and intelligent care of the patient and that the concepts of prevention of oral disease are an integral part of comprehensive care.
Treatment Planning: The Treatment Planning course is designed to assist the student in creating a comprehensive and coherent strategy to achieve and maintain oral health. It emphasizes the broad principles and multidisciplinary integration necessary for the development of a sound treatment plan based on the major oral and systemic diseases, associated problems and general approaches to their management.
Dentistry and the Community
This curriculum prepares students to deal with social issues relating to healthcare delivery; laws, rules and regulations for healthcare delivery; risk management; information and business management systems; interactions among healthcare providers; and health and the practitioner. It also prepares and trains students in the areas of infection control and environmental safety. The module includes a community-based mentoring program which exposes students to the extramural practice of dentistry in order for them to experience the dental profession from the perspective of the private practitioner. Students are exposed to real-life practice situations and learn to deal with the emotional, financial and social aspects of dentistry and patient care.
Oral Surgery and Therapeutics
This curriculum provides a coordinated presentation of the traditional subject areas Oral Surgery, Pharmacotherapeutics, Pain and Anxiety Control, and Management of Medical Emergencies. Instruction begins in the second year of the D.M.D. program and continues through the 4th year, and is sequenced both with foundational instruction in the Basic Medical Sciences and with the clinical curriculum.
Clinical Practicum
The clinical training of students and general patient care activities at the School of Dental Medicine are conducted primarily within practice groups (teams) consisting of students in the junior and senior years. Each team includes a faculty team leader and a patient care coordinator. Staff assist students with scheduling of patients, financial affairs and quality assurance.
Student providers consist of a mix of third- and fourth-year students for the majority of patient care activities. First and second-year students participate in clinic activities commensurate with their level of ability.
Delivery of care is the responsibility of the team. Patients are assigned to students for examination and the development of a treatment plan. While most care is usually delivered by a single student provider, some patients may be treated by other members of the team depending on the complexity of the required care and other factors. The members of the team are responsible for the delivery of comprehensive dental care including continual maintenance of the treated patients' oral health.
Evaluation of student performance is not based on rigid requirements or numerical quotas. Competency is evaluated on an ongoing basis and is determined using standard competency criteria developed by the faculty of the School of Dental Medicine.
In order to satisfy some of their competencies, students participate in specialized clinics including pediatric dentistry, oral and maxillofacial surgery, oral and maxillofacial radiology, and orthodontics.
Electives
Electives are an integral part of the academic experience at the School of Dental Medicine. The electives program for predoctoral students provides a broad range of opportunities including funded summer research projects and internal and external experiences in all of the clinical specialties. Elective experiences include activities such as rotations at the School of Dental Medicine or at external sites, and public service experiences at locations in the inner city and in Third World countries.
The Office of Dental Academic Affairs maintains a file of available electives. The Senior Associate Dean of Education and Patient Care oversees this program and evaluates all requests for elective experiences and helps tailor them to the needs of the individual student.
