Endodontics Curriculum and Courses
McDonald -Director, Bauer, Chiego, Jr., Holland, Gardner, 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.