Postgraduate Prosthodontics Curriculum

Postgraduate Prosthodontics Course Descriptions

NOTE: Postgraduate Prosthodontics courses are designated PPRO.

• 700-level courses are Postgrad Prosthodontics course without CGHS credit.
• 800-level courses carry CGHS credit.

PPRO 800 – MDS (Prosthodontics) Research and 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. 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. Angela Gullard; MDS Credit Hours: Variable; Offered: Fall and Spring]

PPRO 810 – Classic Prosthodontic Literature Review
This seminar provides exposure to historically relevant, scientific literature in various subject areas associated with prosthodontics and related sciences. Periodic and critical abstracting of this literature is accomplished by seminar attendees in order to maintain a database of condensed, topic-oriented summaries. Students in the Advanced Prosthodontic Program participate in this seminar each semester of their three-year residency. Twenty-four broad topics pertinent to prosthodontics are covered on a rotational basis over a three-year period. Eight topics are covered during each year of the students’ three-year residency program. Seminars are led by the Assistant Director of the Advanced Prosthodontic Program. Other 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. Wainscott Hollis; MDS Credit Hours: 3; Offered: Fall and Spring]

PPRO 811 – Contemporary Evidence-Based Prosthodontic Journal Club
This seminar provides exposure to historically relevant, scientific literature in various subject areas associated with prosthodontics and related sciences. Periodic and critical abstracting of this literature is accomplished by seminar attendees in order to maintain a database of condensed, topic-oriented summaries. Students in the Advanced Prosthodontic Program participate in this seminar each semester of their three-year residency. Twenty-four broad topics pertinent to prosthodontics are covered on a rotational basis over a three-year period. Eight topics are covered during each year of the students’ three-year residency program. Seminars are led by the Assistant Director of the Advanced Prosthodontic Program. Other 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. Wainscott Hollis; MDS Credit Hours: 2; Offered: Fall and Spring]

PPRO 813 – Contemporary Implant Dentistry
The Contemporary Implant Dentistry course consists of classic and current literature review seminars and a final examination. This course presents the rationale for basic surgical skill development and esthetic considerations and surgical skills of patients with peri-implant deficiencies and diseases. In addition, esthetic concerns and inadequate masticatory function will be addressed. The course provides in-depth knowledge for surgical and prosthetic treatment planning of dental implant rehabilitations and pre-prosthetic surgeries, using evidence-based approach. Clinical application involves, but is not limited to, dental hard and soft tissue treatment planning focused on esthetics and biomechanics. [Course Director: Dr. Wainscott Hollis; MDS Credit Hours: 2; Offered: Fall and Spring]

PPRO 753 – Maxillofacial Prosthodontics Seminar
This course presents theory and principals involved in the treatment of maxillofacial defects. Topics include evaluation of patient needs, selection of appropriate impression materials and techniques, laboratory fabrication of the prosthesis, placement of the prosthesis, and follow-up. All topics emphasize features unique to maxillofacial prosthetics, while comparing and contrasting these features with conventional prostheses. Optimal surgical outcomes related to defect design for enhance restorability are discussed. Radiation therapy and chemotherapy are considered in light of their impact on the maxillofacial patient. [Course Director: Dr. Greg Paprocki; MDS Credit Hours: NA; Offered Fall]

PPRO 760 – Seminars in Prosthodontics
This overview of prosthodontics is presented in a variety of formats (literature/textbook review and discussion, lecture, student presentations, and seminar). Subject areas covered include occlusion, complete dentures, removable partial dentures, anatomy and physiology, TMJ-TMD, dental impressions, tooth preparation, dental implants, laboratory procedures, dental material science, relevant topics in bioengineering, and other subjects pertinent to the practice of prosthodontics. Clinically related seminars include examination, diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment planning for patients with prosthodontics needs. A variety of approaches to treatment and the importance of supportive therapy for treated patients are emphasized. The interrelationship between basic sciences and clinical aspects of prosthodontics is emphasized. An annual review of topics relevant to the private practice of prosthodontics is provided. Appropriate reading material from standard textbooks and prosthodontic literature is often assigned for seminar meetings. [Course Director: Dr. Wainscott Hollis; MDS Credit Hours: NA; Offered: Fall and Spring]

PPRO 766 – Clinical Prosthodontics
The provision of clinical prosthodontic care occurs in the Advanced Prosthodontic Clinic at the UTHSC College of Dentistry. In this setting, prosthodontic residents gain advanced-level experience in the management of complex edentulous, partially edentulous and dentate patients, including the surgical placement and restoration of dental implants. Detailed diagnostic information gathering and analysis of all dental problems are emphasized. Diverse treatment approaches to complicated prosthodontic problems are encountered. Clinical and photographic documentation of all procedures is accomplished and careful evaluation is made of all treatment rendered. Extensive experience is gained in diagnosis and treatment planning and multidisciplinary care coordination. Prosthodontic residents plan, place, restore, and maintain and variety of different dental implant systems. [Course Director: Dr. David Cagna; MDS Credit Hours: NA; Offered: Fall and Spring]

PPRO 773 – Interdisciplinary Seminar
This postdoctoral interdisciplinary seminar addresses topics germane to effective management of complicated dental conditions. Representatives from periodontics, orthodontics, prosthodontics, oral and maxillofacial surgery, endodontics, and dental diagnostic sciences contribute to seminars activities. On a rotational basis, dental residents from the various Advanced Dental Education Programs in the College of Dentistry provide presentations and direct seminar discussions. The seminar theme is multidisciplinary management of patients. Presentation topics may include, but are not limited to, treatment planning, complications, new therapies, diagnostic technologies, encountered pathologies, treatment philosophies, novel devices and materials, emerging science/technology, improved interdisciplinary communications, interesting dental laboratory processes, or any other topic considered informative for the group. Presenters are encouraged to incorporate clinically relevant and evidence-based information. When appropriate, presentations should be designed to update seminar participants on state-of-the-art, discipline-specific concepts. Fostering an environment of open and mutually beneficial commentary on current therapeutic philosophies and procedures is the goal of the seminar. Participants should leave each seminar experience better informed about issues impacting specialty level care of patients requiring complicated therapeutic intervention. [Course Director: Dr. Wainscott Hollis; MDS Credit Hours: NA; Offered: Spring]

PPRO 793 – Teaching Clerkship in Prosthodontics
All prosthodontic residents serve as teaching assistants two half-days per week in the Department of Prosthodontics and receive annual stipends for this departmentally important activity. As teaching assistants, residents are involved in the organized instruction of pre-doctoral dental students in fixed prosthodontics, removable prosthodontics, implant prosthodontics, and dental occlusion courses. Experience is gained through instruction provided during pre-clinical prosthodontic laboratory exercises and prosthodontic clinical procedures. Teaching assignments are posted by the Department of Prosthodontics on a weekly basis. Residents are monitored for content and quality of teaching. [Course Director: Dr. David Cagna; MDS Credit Hours: NA; Offered: Fall and Spring]