PAS500 teaches the identification, function, and relationships of the gross structures of the human body. Students will be introduced to how these structures can be visualized on clinical imaging including computerized tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and radiographic images (X-ray).

The course is organized into three blocks:

1. Block I - back and upper limbs

2. Block II - thorax and abdomen

3. Block III - head and neck

In the laboratory, students dissect cadavers and examine skeletons, medical images, and other materials to learn the morphology and spatial relationships of anatomical structures.

The histology course consists of a series of lectures on the histology of the body, corresponding laboratory exercises (tutorials) and examinations. The purpose of the course is to introduce the morphology (microscopic anatomy) of the basic tissues and organs and the internal structure of the cell. The course begins with a study of the cell, continues with an examination of the tissues and ends with the microscopic organization of the organs.

Through review of systems the course provides a basic understanding of normal body function and establishes a foundation in physiological principles necessary for advanced didactic and clinical courses and meeting the School of Dental Medicine (SDM) competencies. The goal of this course is to have a fundamental understanding of the molecular basis for the functioning and malfunctioning of living tissue to apply it to the properties and function of the oral cavity.

This is a 2-credit-hour first-year, first-semester course that serves as an introduction to fundamental concepts related to dentistry as a profession. It consists of several topics related to professionalism and behavioral sciences. It is designed to encourage reflection on what it means to be a professional. 

This course is designed to provide relevant information on biologic evolution, comparative anatomy, form and function, dental development, anatomical variability and dental anomalies are included in this course in order to provide this perspective. Collectively, this information begins the vital process of learning about the anatomy, physiology, and functions of the human masticatory system.

Preclinical basic skill course introduces proper positioning of patient and operator, maintenance and use of dental hand and rotary dental instruments to develop manual dexterity skills for tooth preparation and other applications. This course also introduces intraoral scanning (Planmeca) and the use of Compare software (Planmeca Romexis) to evaluate tooth preparation.

This course is an introduction to the skills necessary to provide patient care and presents clinical and laboratory instruction on basic topics including:

• Infection control

• Patient and operator positioning

• Introduction to initial patient examination

• Patient record, charting

• Introduction to occlusal analysis

• Introduction to radiology

• Diagnostic impressions

• Pouring of impressions and fabrication of diagnostic casts

• Facebow record and mounting of diagnostic casts

• Fabrication of bleaching trays

• Observation in junior, senior, AEGD, PG pros and urgent dental care clinics

• Experience in suturing

• Observation in SDM dental laboratories

• Introduction to instrument management

This course is designed as a core course on the basic concepts that are essential for an understanding of the microorganisms of medical and dental importance. In this framework a background of fundamental concepts on which the sciences of microbiology rests will be presented in a manner that relates to clinical medicine and dentistry. Emphasis will be placed on the aspects of microbiology that are directly pertinent to the diagnosis, treatment and prophylaxis of infectious diseases of humans.

This course is conducted the second semester of the first year of the DDS program. Oral Radiology I is designed to help you learn foundational oral radiology concepts, including, but not limited to, radiation physics, diagnostic dentomaxillofacial imaging modalities, and basic concepts in interpretation with specific focus on radiographic anatomy in standard imaging modalities used in dental medicine. The purpose is to provide the student with a foundation upon which to build throughout their dental school career.

This required course in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery will review and discuss the common medical emergencies which arise in the setting of the clinical practice of dentistry identification, evaluation, treatment.

The objective of the course is to inspire dental students to take their profession and practice confidently into the community. PDO801 serves as an introduction to the community, its diversity, oral health needs and the health care provided. The course teaches the importance of service learning as a form of experience-based education and empowers students to raise the awareness of oral health in their community.

Students interact with multi-faceted aspects of identity including race, age, ethnicity and ability and they receive information on existing community programs, create programs of their own, and participate in outreach events. The course ends with the opportunity to demonstrate best behavioral practices through an assimilated dental appointment and develop interpersonal and communication skills with cultural competency to apply clinical knowledge of various oral health presentations and conditions.

The purpose of this course is to introduce students to the behavioral aspects of successful patient care. Students will learn that the psychosocial component is inseparable and needs to be addressed in all positive patient interactions. Students will develop effective patient communication skills and behavioral strategies. Students will also gain experience in identifying the oral health implications associated with the psychosocial component. The course will contribute to competence in practice, as well as preparation for board examinations.

The course provides the student with a basic understanding of how the normal body functions and defines the fundamental physiological principles that are necessary to understand to achieve success in undertaking advanced didactic and clinical courses and in meeting the SDM competencies. Students will learn to be able to explain the function of each system physiology and its role in healthy and disease states. Additionally, they will articulate/describe the connections between the physiological organ systems and their function in the body.

This course, encompasses information on the form and function of most components of the masticatory system, including the craniofacial complex, the teeth, the organization of the dentition, the periodontal supporting apparatus, the temporomandibular joints, the masticatory musculature, the neurosensory and neuromuscular systems, as well as mastication, deglutition, speech articulation, respiration, and parafunctional movements of the mandible associated with oral habits. At the end of this course, each student will be expected to thoroughly understand the form and function of dental occlusion, as well as the underlying systems, structures, functions and phenomena of opposing arch movements.

This course is a continuation of the prior Fall courses, on Dental Anatomy and Preclinical Basic Skills. This course reemphasizes the knowledge and skills developed in the previous courses by using virtual three-dimensional images of human teeth allowing the understanding of the internal anatomy and introduces skills of virtual wax-up of anterior and posterior teeth.

This lecture course is designed to provide relevant information regarding the topics of diagnosis and treatment of carious lesions and other hard tissue defects, caries risk assessment, fundamental methods for the prevention of dental caries using fluoride varnishes and other remineralizing agents, fundamental concepts in the practice of modern direct restorative dentistry, as well as the principles for the preparation and restoration with direct restorative materials.

This course introduces resin composite restorations, which will be presented from a clinical application, composition and handling standpoints. Properties of the adhesive dental biomaterials presented in the course will be discussed as the different types of restorations are introduced. The course is designed to provide the first year dental student with the cognitive knowledge regarding terminology, principles, instruments, materials and techniques utilized in the practice of direct restorative dentistry.