The 36-month combined program in fixed, removable, and implant prosthodontics provides the candidate with clinical proficiency and comprehensive knowledge of the diagnosis, treatment planning, rehabilitation, and maintenance of oral function, comfort, appearance, and health of patients with missing/damaged teeth and orofacial defects by using biocompatible artificial substitutes. The curriculum includes didactic and clinical instruction in complete dentures, removable partial dentures, fixed prosthodontics, implant dentistry, implant surgery, geriatrics, temporomandibular disorders, and maxillofacial prosthodontics. The didactic background and the clinical and laboratory skills of these areas of prosthodontics are stressed.
Emphasis is placed on the periodontal integrity of the patient and the supportive therapy of all other disciplines in achieving total patient care. This integration is achieved through interdisciplinary seminars with the other specialties and through coordinated treatment planning.
The intensive and systematized library reading assignments and literature review seminars are an important aspect of the curriculum. They are designed to acquaint the student with the principal facets of the prosthodontic discipline, evidence-based healthcare, and methods of critically reviewing the dental literature.
Learning Outcomes
Students will:
Be prepared to take the American Board of Prosthodontics (ABP) examinations (one of the outcome assessment measures for the CODA accreditation).
Develop presentation and leadership skills in the field of prosthodontics.
Be capable of carrying out comprehensive dental evaluations on implant patients.
Gain skills in surgical implant prosthodontics.
Demonstrate superior knowledge of how to use data from intraoral or desktop scans to fabricate digital master model and die, digital wax up, and digitally designed provisional and definitive restorations, including single full coverage restorations, surgical guides, and digital complete and partial dentures.
Be familiar with dental sleep medicine, evaluation technique, and therapy for the management of sleep-disordered breathing.