Students enrolled in the dental curriculum attend classes for ten to eleven months, including a six-week summer session. Course work during the first and second years of study integrates the basic sciences with preclinical and clinical disciplines. The basic sciences include gross anatomy, general histology, oral histology and embryology, microbiology, pathology, pharmacology, physiology, and biochemistry. Students also study topics specific to dentistry, such as principles of occlusion, anesthesia and pain control, operative dentistry, facial growth and development, cariology, and preventive dentistry. During the latter part of the first year, students are introduced to their first clinical patient-treatment situation.
The second-year program continues the study of basic sciences and preclinical courses, with additional patient-treatment experiences in the dental clinics.
First- and second-year students make extensive use of the College of Dentistry's advanced teaching facilities. In their classes, they learn procedures on simulator units that help smooth the transition from classroom to clinic. Each of the 80 units in the college's Simulation Clinic features a mannequin positioned like a reclining patient and a monitor where demonstrations and other images are broadcast. After class, students master techniques in a bench laboratory or peruse electronic learning resources in self-guided study.
A computer laboratory and satellite workstations at several sites within the building give students access to Macintosh and PC equipment as well as laser printers. Most of the computers are connected to the college network, with its resident software and instruction packages. The computers also are connected to the University's campus-wide network, which lets students access the University Libraries' online catalog, Internet, health sciences databases such as Medline, and many other electronic resources.
Students are required to take Part I of the National Dental Board Examination. The National Board assists dental licensing boards in assessing whether a candidate possesses the cognitive skills essential for the competent practice of dentistry. These skills include the ability to recall important information from the basic biomedical and dental sciences and the ability to apply such information in a problem-solving context.
Part I of this examination covers anatomical sciences, biochemistry/physiology, microbiology/pathology, and dental anatomy/occlusion. Students are eligible to take the examination as soon as all of this course work is completed.