Program Curriculum

 

Note: Postgraduate Pediatric Dentistry courses are designated PPED. 500-level courses are Postgrad Pediatric Dentistry course without CGHS credit. 800-level courses carry CGHS credit.

PPED 800 – MDS (Pediatric Dentistry) Research & Manuscript: This course provides postgraduate students with the experience of engaging in research in dental and related sciences, and to pursue a Masters of Dental Science (MDS) degree in the UTHSC College of Graduate Health Sciences. Involvement in this course is arranged to meet individual student needs. Time commitment will average 4-hours per week during each semester of pursuit. Students work with advisors experienced in research methodology and scientific writing. Research mentorship is provided by faculty members gathered to satisfy the needs of the student and the research project being pursued. Student activities include topic-specific review of literature, research protocol development, hands-on research, data acquisition, statistical analysis and interpretation of experimental results, drawing conclusions, and publication of outcomes. Public defense of the research effort and submission of a manuscript to a professional journal in accordance with regulation established by the College of Graduate Health Sciences are required. Research, public defense, and manuscript submission accomplished during this course are in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Master of Dental Science degree awarded by the UTHSC, College of Graduate Health Sciences. [Course Director: Dr. Martha Wells; MDS Credit Hours: Variable; Offered: Spring & Fall]

PPED 810 – Classic Pediatric Dentistry Literature Review: This seminar provides exposure to historically relevant, scientific literature in various subject areas associated with pediatric dentistry and related sciences. Continuous weekly seminars are devoted to reviewing related literature and discussing research methods. Students in the Pediatric Dentistry Program participate in this seminar each semester of their two-year residency. Nine broad topics pertinent to pediatric dentistry are covered on a rotational basis over a two-year period. The residents learn to critically read and evaluate the scientific evidence that supports pediatric dentistry principles and practice. Seminars are led by the Pediatric Dentistry faculty. Other outside guests and members of the University of Tennessee Health Science Center faculty are invited to participate when their expertise on the seminar topic is considered beneficial to the learning experience. [Course Director: Dr. Larry Dormois; MDS Credit Hours: 2; Offered: Fall & Spring]

PPED 811 – Contemporary Evidence-Based Pediatric Dentistry Journal Club: This seminar is an ongoing review of current, pertinent, professional literature in various subject areas associated with pediatric dentistry and related sciences. For postdoctoral students, knowledge of current professional literature is essential to developing theoretical and practical patient management skills. The assessment of current literature for its evidence-based value is critical. Journal Club provides a mechanism for surveying major dental periodicals to identify important articles, reviewing those articles, and discussing each article in an open seminar format. Students in the Pediatric Dentistry Program participate in this seminar each week throughout their two-year residency in order to stay abreast of the ever-expanding volume of pediatric dentistry literature. Seminars are led by the Pediatric Dentistry faculty. Other guests and members of the University of Tennessee Health Science Center faculty are invited to participate when their expertise on the seminar topic is considered beneficial to the learning experience. [Course Director: Dr. Larry Dormois; MDS Credit Hours: 2; Offered: Fall & Spring]

PPED 813 – Introduction to Pediatric Dentistry: This seminar is an ongoing review of current, pertinent, professional literature in various subject areas associated with pediatric dentistry and related sciences. For postdoctoral students, knowledge of current professional literature is essential to developing theoretical and practical patient management skills. The assessment of current literature for its evidence-based value is critical. Journal Club provides a mechanism for surveying major dental periodicals to identify important articles, reviewing those articles, and discussing each article in an open seminar format. Students in the Pediatric Dentistry Program participate in this seminar each week throughout their two-year residency in order to stay abreast of the ever-expanding volume of pediatric dentistry literature. Seminars are led by the Pediatric Dentistry faculty. Other guests and members of the University of Tennessee Health Science Center faculty are invited to participate when their expertise on the seminar topic is considered beneficial to the learning experience. [Course Director: Dr. Larry Dormois; MDS Credit Hours: 2; Offered: Fall & Spring]

PPED 814 – Contemporary Pediatric Dentistry: This course given over the two years provides the pediatric postgraduate student with comprehensive lectures on a variety of subjects and topics pertinent to advanced pediatric dentistry. The topics that are covered include pulp therapy, cariology and prevention, space maintenance, speech and language development, craniofacial growth and development, periodontal problems, ethics, advocacy, special patient care, infection control, behavior management, pediatric medicine hospital dentistry, psychosocial growth and development, pediatric oral pathology, nutrition, pharmacology, physical diagnosis and pediatric dental practice. Biomedical sciences topics are integrated over the two years. Students in the Advanced Pediatric Dental Program participate in this seminar each semester of their two-year residency. Twelve broad topics pertinent will provide the postgraduate student the knowledge beyond the pre-doctoral dental education to the level required of the specialty. Topics are covered on a rotational basis over a two-year program period. Seminars are led by the Pediatric Dentistry faculty. In addition, guest lecturers and other members of the University of Tennessee Health Science Center faculty will participate. [Course Director: Dr. Martha Wells; MDS Credit Hours: 2; Offered: Fall]

PPED 815 – Pediatric Dentistry Case Presentation Seminar: This seminar is an ongoing review of current, pertinent, various clinical case and didactic subject areas associated with pediatric dentistry and related sciences.  For postdoctoral students, knowledge of clinical relevant topics is essential to developing theoretical and practical patient management skills.  The assessment of clinical related topics from an evidence-based perspective is critical.  This seminar helps to provide a mechanism to better prepare the postgraduate pediatric dental student clinical knowledge beyond the pre-doctoral dental education to the level required of the specialty. Students in the Pediatric Dentistry Program participate in this seminar each week throughout their two-year residency. Seminars are led by the Pediatric Dentistry faculty. Other guests and members of the University of Tennessee Health Science Center faculty are invited to participate when their expertise on the seminar topic is considered beneficial to the learning experience. [Course Director: Dr. Martha Wells; MDS Credit Hours: 4; Offered: Spring]

PPED 820 – Special Topics in Pediatric Dental Care: This course is given in the fall of the first year of residency to provide the pediatric postgraduate student with comprehensive lectures on managing traumatic dental injuries, pharmacologic behavior management (sedation), and management of emergency events. The diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment approach of traumatic injuries to the primary and permanent dentition will be discussed. Students will be provided with lectures on the pharmacology of various sedatives used in pediatric dental sedations, routes of administration, principles of monitoring, and managing emergency events. Simulations in managing emergency events will occur. Seminars are led by Pediatric Dentistry faculty. In addition, guest lecturers and other members of the University of Tennessee Health Science Center faculty will participate. [Course Director: Dr. Martha Wells; MDS Credit Hours: 2; Offered: Fall]

PPED 821 – Seminar in Clinical Pediatric Dentistry: This course provides the pediatric postgraduate student with comprehensive lectures on restorative materials and techniques for both primary and permanent teeth, treatment planning with a focus on choice of dental restorative material, radiographic principles of pediatric dentistry, and dental photography. Clinical techniques are discussed and the postgraduate student is provided with knowledge of dental materials pertinent to pediatric dentistry (dental composite, amalgam, stainless steel, and zirconia) beyond the pre-doctoral dental education to the level required of the specialty. Seminars are led by the Pediatric Dentistry faculty. In addition, guest lecturers and other members of the University of Tennessee Health Science Center faculty will participate. [Course Director: Dr. Martha Wells; MDS Credit Hours: 1; Offered: Spring]