Dentistry

This course will introduce the topic of Botox in Dentistry. Couse objectives include therapeutic uses in the dental practice, ways to incorporate in a dental office, proper photography and documentation, and a thorough review of facial muscle anatomy with a hands-on clinical portion to practice facial markings and injection techniques.

This course provides a comprehensive foundation in preventive dentistry, emphasizing the biological, behavioral, and public health principles that support the prevention of oral diseases. Students examine the etiology and risk assessment of dental caries and biofilm-associated diseases, host defense mechanisms, dietary influences, fluoride therapies, and community-based prevention strategies. 

The Professionalism  courses span the D1 and D2 years and serve as a transition to Clinical Professionalism in the D3 and D4 years. These quarterly courses contain no formal class sessions or written examinations. The courses monitor and evaluate student dentists’ relationships with their peers, faculty, and staff and their professional conduct. The course grading philosophy assumes a professional behavioral norm in which all encounters and personal interactions are handled appropriately and professionally. Each student dentist begins the course with 100 points. Points are deducted if there are departures from the behavior outlined above.

This course provides an integrated introduction to dental anatomy, periodontal biology, restorative principles, and foundational clinical skills within a preclinical setting. Students are introduced to history taking, periodontal assessment and instrumentation, radiographic principles, infection control, biomaterials, impression techniques, tooth preparation, and dental isolation through didactic and simulation-based instruction. 

This simulation-based laboratory course focuses on foundational projects in dental anatomy and introductory operative dentistry. Students complete progressive tooth wax-ups, alginate impressions and stone model fabrication. Emphasis is placed on developing manual dexterity, understanding tooth morphology and occlusion, and applying proper instrumentation and isolation techniques in preparation for continued preclinical training.

This course examines contemporary preventive strategies and emerging technologies in primary dental care across the lifespan. Students explore minimally invasive techniques, sealants and preventive resin restorations, oral cancer prevention, smoking cessation, management of acid erosion and disordered eating, and preventive considerations for pregnant, pediatric, geriatric, and medically compromised patients. Emphasis is placed on evidence-based decision-making, health promotion, and the delivery of patient-centered preventive care in both individual and community settings.

The Professionalism  courses span the D1 and D2 years and serve as a transition to Clinical Professionalism in the D3 and D4 years. These quarterly courses contain no formal class sessions or written examinations. The courses monitor and evaluate student dentists’ relationships with their peers, faculty, and staff and their professional conduct. The course grading philosophy assumes a professional behavioral norm in which all encounters and personal interactions are handled appropriately and professionally. Each student dentist begins the course with 100 points. Points are deducted if there are departures from the behavior outlined above.

This course provides an integrated foundation in head and neck anatomy, oral histology, embryology, and tooth development as they relate to clinical dental practice. Students examine craniofacial structures, tissues of the oral cavity, and biological principles underlying restorative procedures, while developing foundational skills in periodontal instrumentation and clinical examination. The curriculum also introduces adhesive dentistry, composite materials, polymers, photopolymerization, and esthetic procedures, emphasizing evidence-based application and preparation for comprehensive patient care.

This simulation-based laboratory course advances operative skills. Students also perform periodontal instrumentation, head and neck examinations, and digital scanning of preparations. Emphasis is placed on technical precision, restoration techniques, and preparation for transition into clinical patient care.

The Professionalism  courses span the D1 and D2 years and serve as a transition to Clinical Professionalism in the D3 and D4 years. These quarterly courses contain no formal class sessions or written examinations. The courses monitor and evaluate student dentists’ relationships with their peers, faculty, and staff and their professional conduct. The course grading philosophy assumes a professional behavioral norm in which all encounters and personal interactions are handled appropriately and professionally. Each student dentist begins the course with 100 points. Points are deducted if there are departures from the behavior outlined above.

This course introduces foundational concepts in cariology, occlusion, temporomandibular joint anatomy, dental anomalies, and restorative dentistry within an evidence-based framework. Students are introduced to critical appraisal of scientific literature, radiologic principles, CAD/CAM applications, operative preparations, oral trauma management, and restorative considerations for primary and permanent dentitions. Emphasis is placed on developing foundational knowledge, clinical reasoning skills, and an understanding of contemporary approaches to comprehensive patient care.

This simulation-based laboratory course further advances operative. Students incorporate occlusal concepts, facebow transfer, cast mounting, and whitening tray fabrication. Emphasis is placed on technical precision, restoration techniques, and preparation for transition into clinical patient care.

This course discusses the variety of cultural factors that can affect patient-practitioner interaction and offers tools on improving communication with patients. Students learn about the definition of culture and how we can use this knowledge to communicate more effectively with patients. The course explores and discusses examples of social determinants of health and health disparities as well as healthcare concerns of the aging population. The importance of cultural humility and the effects of stigma on patients' health outcomes are also discussed. Instruction occurs in didactic lectures, online discussion posts and a reflective assignment, completion of an online course from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and patient case related activities. 

The Professionalism  courses span the D1 and D2 years and serve as a transition to Clinical Professionalism in the D3 and D4 years. These quarterly courses contain no formal class sessions or written examinations. The courses monitor and evaluate student dentists’ relationships with their peers, faculty, and staff and their professional conduct. The course grading philosophy assumes a professional behavioral norm in which all encounters and personal interactions are handled appropriately and professionally. Each student dentist begins the course with 100 points. Points are deducted if there are departures from the behavior outlined above.

In Dental Community Service I, second-year dental students learn about topics relevant to service in dentistry and the larger community. Students complete a community needs assessment, oral health-related program plan, and program evaluation based on their future practice community or a community/population of interest by reviewing published literature and public health data sources. To further learn about the healthcare needs of the community, independent participation in one dental-related community event during the year is also required.

This course advances students’ foundational knowledge through an integrated exploration of restorative dentistry, endodontics, periodontics, prosthodontics, implant dentistry, dental materials, radiology, occlusion, digital workflows, and laser applications. Students are introduced to diagnosis and treatment planning principles, material science considerations, contemporary fabrication technologies, and procedural sequences for fixed, removable, and implant-supported restorations. Emphasis is placed on strengthening clinical reasoning, refining technical skills in simulation and laboratory settings, and preparing for progressive patient-centered clinical care.

This simulation-based laboratory course reinforces comprehensive operative and restorative foundations across posterior dentition. Students perform advanced Class I and II preparations and restorations, crown and onlay preparations, provisional fabrication, impression techniques, digital scanning, and introductory removable and endodontic procedures. Emphasis is placed on precision, procedural sequencing, and integration of restorative principles in preparation for comprehensive care.

This course is the first of a three-course sequence (Fall, Winter, Spring) designed to introduce dental students to the fundamentals of comprehensive treatment planning. Students learn how to gather, analyze, and interpret diagnostic information—including the patient’s medical and dental history, radiographs, photographs, and clinical findings to develop a properly phased, sequenced treatment plan. The focus of the fall course, in large groups, is on learning how to collect relevant information from the intraoral and extraoral exams, radiographic interpretations and medical history questionnaire, and how to formulate a treatment plan using critical thinking principles.

The Professionalism  courses span the D1 and D2 years and serve as a transition to Clinical Professionalism in the D3 and D4 years. These quarterly courses contain no formal class sessions or written examinations. The courses monitor and evaluate student dentists’ relationships with their peers, faculty, and staff and their professional conduct. The course grading philosophy assumes a professional behavioral norm in which all encounters and personal interactions are handled appropriately and professionally. Each student dentist begins the course with 100 points. Points are deducted if there are departures from the behavior outlined above.

In Dental Community Service II & III, second-year dental students learn about topics relevant to service in dentistry and the larger community. Students visit elementary, junior high and high school classrooms to provide age-appropriate health promotion education on oral disease prevention, nutrition, tobacco cessation, and drug avoidance. Each student participates in one half-day rotation in the winter and spring quarters. To further learn about the healthcare needs of the community, independent participation in one dental-related community event during the year is also required.

This course integrates advanced concepts in endodontics, periodontics, orthodontics, prosthodontics, pediatric dentistry, esthetics, radiology, implant therapy, and oral health sciences within a comprehensive patient care framework. Students refine diagnostic reasoning, treatment planning, and interdisciplinary decision-making while applying evidence-based principles, research literacy, and ethical practice standards to clinical scenarios. Emphasis is placed on managing complex cases, understanding systemic and behavioral considerations, and strengthening readiness for independent clinical practice.

This simulation-based laboratory course emphasizes anterior esthetic restorations, pediatric procedures, and advanced composite techniques. Students complete Class III and IV restorations, veneer preparations, stainless steel crowns, pulpotomies, fracture management, and progressive ceramic and zirconia crown preparations. Emphasis is placed on esthetic contour, material selection, and refinement of clinical technique.

This course is the second of a three-course sequence (Fall, Winter, Spring) designed to expand the dental students’ use of the fundamentals of comprehensive treatment planning. Students learn more advanced analysis, and interpretation of obtained diagnostic information including the patient’s medical and dental history, radiographs, photographs, and clinical findings to develop a properly phased and sequenced treatment plan. Also to begin to evaluate more complex patients. The focus of the winter course, in small groups, is on learning how to use the relevant information obtained from the intraoral and extraoral exams, radiographic interpretations and medical history questionnaire, to formulate a treatment plan using critical thinking principles.

The Professionalism  courses span the D1 and D2 years and serve as a transition to Clinical Professionalism in the D3 and D4 years. These quarterly courses contain no formal class sessions or written examinations. The courses monitor and evaluate student dentists’ relationships with their peers, faculty, and staff and their professional conduct. The course grading philosophy assumes a professional behavioral norm in which all encounters and personal interactions are handled appropriately and professionally. Each student dentist begins the course with 100 points. Points are deducted if there are departures from the behavior outlined above.

In Dental Community Service II & III, second-year dental students learn about topics relevant to service in dentistry and the larger community. Students visit elementary, junior high and high school classrooms to provide age-appropriate health promotion education on oral disease prevention, nutrition, tobacco cessation, and drug avoidance. Each student participates in one half-day rotation in the winter and spring quarters. To further learn about the healthcare needs of the community, independent participation in one dental-related community event during the year is also required.

This course provides an integrated overview of oral surgery, oral pathology, prosthodontics, implant dentistry, endodontics, orthodontic principles, and digital restorative workflows within a comprehensive clinical framework. Students develop diagnostic reasoning and treatment planning skills through study of oral and maxillofacial disease, surgical principles, and contemporary restorative techniques. Emphasis is placed on evidence-based decision-making, interdisciplinary integration, and preparation for progressive patient-centered clinical care

This simulation-based laboratory course integrates advanced fixed, removable, and endodontic procedures within a comprehensive treatment framework. Students perform multi-unit crown and bridge preparations, final impressions, digital workflows, provisionalization, indirect restorations, endodontic access and obturation, and periodontal and surgical exercises. Emphasis is placed on interdisciplinary integration, clinical documentation, and comprehensive preparation for transition to patient-centered clinical care.

Anesthesia I covers the anatomy, neurophysiology, physical and psychological considerations, pharmacology, armamentarium, techniques, and local and systemic complications of local anesthesia in dental practice. 

This lecture and simulation laboratory course provides concepts and techniques for the identification, prevention, and management of medical emergencies in the dental office.

This course is the third of a three-course sequence (Fall, Winter, Spring) designed to introduce dental students to the fundamentals of comprehensive treatment planning. Students will learn how to gather, analyze, and interpret diagnostic information including the patient’s medical and dental history, radiographs, photographs, and clinical findings to develop a properly phased, sequenced treatment plan. The focus of the spring course is to individually use and analyze the relevant collected information from the intraoral and extraoral exams, radiographic interpretations and medical history questionnaire, to formulate a treatment plan using critical thinking principles.

This continuously running course is organized in multiple small group rotations that focus on various disciplines of dentistry, such as implants, CAD/CAM, lasers, and 3D printing. The course builds on and expands the knowledge obtained in the Oral Health Sciences didactic and laboratory courses.

Anesthesia II provides instruction in nitrous oxide administration, oral, intramuscular (IM), and intravenous (IV) sedation techniques, conscious sedation, general anesthesia principles, and the prevention and management of medical emergencies. The course includes supervised clinical experience in the safe and effective administration of nitrous oxide.

This course provides advanced instruction in a broad range of clinical topics commonly encountered in modern dental practice. Foundational concepts are reinforced through review of the oral systemic connection, implant occlusion, bleaching tray fabrication, caries detection, and temporary crown fabrication. Students are also introduced to emerging and advanced topics, including artificial intelligence applications in dentistry, nightguard design and delivery, CEREC scanning and digital restoration design techniques, and strategies for professional success in clinical practice. Course content may be updated to reflect evolving curriculum needs and advancements in dental science and technology.

This course focuses on identification of sleep disordered breathing and describing the adverse effects of Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) on systemic, neurocognitive, and craniofacial development of adult and pediatric patients. The course presents the need for dentist to recognize sleep disorders and emphasizes the importance of working with physicians in the management of OSA. Students receive training in the application of 3D CBCT imaging to differentiate normal anatomical appearance from pathology. This course outlines treatment options for sleep apnea and presents the different oral appliances used in treatment.

This course provides comprehensive instruction in nutrition, tobacco use, and marijuana use, with an emphasis on their effects on oral health and dental caries risk. Through lectures, presentations, and guided discussions, students explore the scientific foundations and clinical applications of dietary analysis, tobacco and marijuana use assessment, and CAMBRA-based risk evaluation. The course also examines evidence-based preventive treatment modalities tailored to individual risk profiles. A strong emphasis is placed on practical techniques for promoting oral health, including dietary counseling and tobacco and marijuana cessation strategies designed to support long-term behavior change.

This interprofessional online course will introduce students to how they can improve patient safety and reduce medical errors. The course instruction is through online Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) educational modules reinforcing that knowledge through authentic team case study discussions and self-reflection writings. Enrollment is limited to D3 and D4 students.

This interprofessional online course will introduce students to how they can improve patient safety and reduce medical errors through the PDSA process. The course instruction is through online Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) educational modules, reinforcing that knowledge through authentic team case study discussions and self-reflection writings.  Enrollment is limited to D3 and D4 students only.