- The main focus of Year 1 (D1) in dental school is to build a strong scientific and foundational understanding of oral health, the human body, and basic clinical principles. It’s the year students transition from the general sciences to applied biomedical and dental sciences.
On This Page:
What to Expect
- First-year students advance through a rigorous sequence of basic science courses that includes gross anatomy, biochemistry, microbiology, physiology, histology, and dental anatomy.
- Each of these courses is designed both to provide basic science information directly relevant to the practice of dentistry and to develop the broad understanding of normal form and function necessary for all health-care professionals providing patient care.
- During the first year, students have the opportunity to shadow third-year dental students in the clinic to observe patient care and gain early exposure to the clinical environment.
Pre Clinical Experience
- First-year students take two courses each semester that complement the basic-science focus of the first-year curriculum and begin the clinical training process.
- Clinical Dentistry I provides an introduction to patient examination techniques, normal function, and the principles of preventive dentistry.
- First-year students spend one afternoon each week gaining introductory clinical experience using each other as patients.
- In the first semester, students gain hands-on experience using dental handpieces, developing the fine motor skills required for tooth preparation and restorative procedures.
- In addition to the initial clinical experience, students also participate in a two-semester preclinical laboratory course that introduces the materials, instrumentation, and laboratory procedures that will be important in the second-year preclinical courses.
Year 1 Curriculum
- Click the links below to view full course descriptions.
Fall Semester
| PAS 500 | Gross Human Anatomy | |
| PAS500 teaches the identification, function, and relationships of the gross structures of the human body. Knowing the parts of the body and how they interact provides a basic foundation for the study of the body’s normal function and how it can be affected by injury and disease. 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 Instruction includes 9 hours of in-person laboratory per week distributed over 3 sessions, 2-3 hours of recorded instructional videos, and 1 hour of in-person active learning sessions per week. In the laboratory, students dissect cadavers and examine skeletons, medical images, and other materials to learn the morphology and spatial relationships of anatomical structures. Credits: 4 | ||
| PAS 504 | Histology | |
| 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 courses begins with a study of the cell, continues with an examination of the tissues and ends with the microscopic organization of the organs. Credits: 3 | ||
| BCH 500 | Dental Biochemistry | |
| BCH500 is a didactic course presented in the first semester of Dental School for D1 students. 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. To take care of teeth, you need to understand teeth as living tissue and be an expert in the properties and function of the oral cavity. To meet these requirements you first need a fundamental understanding of the molecular basis for the functioning and malfunctioning of living tissue. This is the goal of this Biochemistry course. It aims for you to take away a clear conceptual picture of the overall organizing principles and fundamental chemical forces that underlie life. While this course will prepare you for the Boards, it will also provide a clear view of the molecular basis of life, which will help you keep up-to-date with the advances in your field and prepare you to answer fundamental questions by future patients who want to understand the causes of their dental problems. To meet these goals, the faculty in this course place less emphasis on memorization and more emphasis on learning concepts and fundamental principles. Credits: 3 | ||
| CLD 800 | Introduction to the Profession | |
| 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. Credits: 2 | ||
| RDN 802 | Dental Anatomy & Dental Anatomy Lab | |
| This course is designed to develop technical and discriminatory skills with regard to Dental anatomy. This course presents the anatomical and functional differences of teeth and how they relate to each other. In this laboratory, students will become familiar with the morphological characteristics of the dentition and learn to replicate it in wax as precisely as possible. The position of teeth in relation to the adjacent and opposing teeth will be studied. Emphasis will be placed on teaching students how to develop the fine psychomotor skills that are necessary to practice dentistry. Students will also identify extracted human teeth. Additionally, 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. Oral anatomy topics will describe the physical examination of the oral cavity including, head and neck examination and cranial nerve examination. Collectively, this information begins the vital process of learning about the anatomy, physiology, and functions of the human masticatory system. Credits: 3 | ||
| RDN 807 | Preclinical Basic Skills | |
| 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 provides an introduction to intraoral scanning (Planmeca) and the use of Compare software (Planmeca Romexis) to evaluate tooth preparation. This course incorporates a number of didactic and clinical technologies to support instruction, as follows: • axiUm software for dental education management • UB Learns(Blackboard) course management system • Interoral scanning and Compare software (Planmeca Romexis) • Online classes using Zoom meeting Credits: 4 | ||
Spring Semester
| CLD 813 | Integrated Dental Practice | |
| 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 incorporates a number of didactic and clinical technologies to support instruction, as follows: • axiUm software for dental education management • UBLearns (Blackboard) course management system • Radiographic technologies • Clinical photography Credits: 4 | ||
| MIC 502 | Medical Microbiology | |
| 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 man. In this framework a background of fundamental concepts on which the sciences of microbiology rest 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 man. It should be stressed, however, that this is not a course of infectious diseases, which is the province of other Dental School Departments. Credits: 3 | ||
| ODS 811 | Oral Radiology 1 | |
| This course is conducted the second semester of the first year of the DDS program. The course is designed to help you learn foundational radiology concepts, including, but not limited to, radiation physics, diagnostic oral and maxillofacial radiography, and basics in interpretation with specific focus on radiographic anatomy in standard imaging modalities used in dental medicine. This course uses lectures and assignments (reading and occasional on-line video) to teach these aspects of oral and maxillofacial radiology made available on UB Learns (Blackboard). Credits: 3 | ||
| OSU 801 | Medical Emergencies | |
| 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. Didactic instruction will consist of lectures and suggested readings. Credits: 2 | ||
| PDO 801 | Professional Practice & Community Dentistry | |
| 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 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 at an assimilated dental appointment, develop interpersonal and communication skills with cultural competency to apply clinical knowledge of various oral health presentations and conditions. Credits: 3 | ||
| PDO 803 | Psychosocial Issues in Dentistry | |
| 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. Credits: 4 | ||
| PGY 502 | Physiology | |
| Human Physiology is a didactic course presented in the second semester of Dental School for Year 1 students. 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 in order to achieve success in undertaking advanced didactic and clinical courses and in meeting the SDM competencies. Credits: 4 | ||
| RDN 803 | Principles of Occlusion | |
| The primary purpose of dentistry is to maintain the functional integrity of the masticatory system. This is achieved, to a very great extent, by preserving and maintaining the dental occlusion. Although the term “occlusion” literally means “to close,” the “subject of occlusion” includes all of the biological, biomechanical and behavioral factors that cause, influence, or result from mandibular function, with or without opposing occlusal contact. Thus, the term “occlusion” implies that we are dealing with the structure and function of the entire masticatory system, as well as related structures and systems. It also implies that this subject, and therefore 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. Credits: 4 | ||
| RDN 806 | Introduction to Digital Dentistry | |
| 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 threedimensional images of human teeth allowing the understanding of the internal anatomy and introduces skills of virtual wax-up of anterior and posterior teeth. Credits: 4 | ||
| RDN 809 | Cariology & Direct Restorations Lecture & Lab | |
| 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. The laboratory course is designed to introduce students to the non-surgical and surgical treatment of dental caries. Students will develop the psychomotor skills required to perform basic direct restorative dentistry procedures to a clinically acceptable level when working in patient simulated position with manikins. The development of these skills will be required for achieving competency in the course. In addition, this course presents contemporary concepts in the practice of 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. Credits: 4 | ||
1st Year Photo Gallery
Phone: 716-829-6925
Fax: 716-829-2731
Email: sdmadmit@buffalo.edu
Hours:
8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., M-F
DDS Admissions
School of Dental Medicine
315 Squire Hall
University at Buffalo
Buffalo, NY 14214