Concentrations & Electives
- The Academic Concentration (formerly Minors) Program was established in 1972 to enable students to concentrate and expand their studies in disciplines of particular interest to them.
- Such efforts may later be used to enhance career goals, such as the emphasis on a particular area of interest in a general practice setting or, in some cases, the pursuit of specialty training.
- The term "concentration" in this context denotes the completion of a minimum number of hours in a particular area of dentistry of the student’s choice, beyond that required of all students in the DDS program and is distinct from “minors” as used in baccalaureate programs and every graduate's general dentistry "major."
On This Page
The goals of the oral biology concentration are to:
- Foster scholarly student activities through an organized, structured and supportive program;
- Expand the students' abilities to think analytically and independently, and to develop their problem-solving abilities;
- Encourage students who begin research early in the D.D.S. program to bring their research projects to some degree of completion
- Expose students to faculty role models so as to encourage their consideration of an academic career.
| ORB545 | Dynamic of Bone |
|---|---|
| ORB500 | Cranio Dev, Tissue Eng & Oral |
| ORB510 | Saliva and the Microbiome |
| OS512 | Research Design |
The purpose of this program is to:
- Develop a deeper understanding of the integration of four disciplines: oral radiology, oral pathology, oral medicine and orofacial pain in the diagnosis and treatment of our patients.
- Using case-based platform presentations and discussions, emphasis will be placed on various aspects of diagnostic methodologies and evidence-based treatment plans and protocols to build upon dental medicine fundamentals for patient care.
| ODS854 | ODS Seminar |
|---|---|
| Clinic | TMD and Orofacial Pain clinic |
| Clinic | Clinical Oral Pathology clinic |
| Seminar | Radiology clinic/seminar |
- A concentration in oral and maxillofacial surgery (OMFS) is offered to senior students who are considering the specialty as a career.
- Enrollment is limited to individuals who will be applying to oral and maxillofacial surgery residency training programs for specialty education.
| OSU871 | Independent Study |
|---|---|
| Rounds | Tuesday Morning Grand Rounds |
| Conference | Case Conferences |
| Conference | Preoperative Conferences |
| Seminar | Orthognathic/Orthodontic Seminars |
| Seminar | Pathology Seminar |
| Lit Review | OMS Literature Review |
- The concentration in Periodontics is designed for students interested in obtaining additional clinical and didactic experience in periodontics.
- This is of particular value for students contemplating a general dental practice in which periodontics will play an important role, as well as for students considering specialty training in periodontics.
| PER855 | Problem-Solving in Periodontal Therapy |
|---|---|
| PER914 | Postgraduate Treatment Planning |
| PDO840 | Elective Clinic |
| ORB545 | Dynamics of Bone |
| RDN853 | Adv Prosth-Gen Dentist |
| RDN855 | Sports Dentistry |
| RDN861 | Dental Practice Mgmt |
| OS812 | Res Design Oral Sciences |
| OSU866 | Oral Surgery Elective |
| Ind. Study | Independent Study |
- Prosthodontics is the specialty of esthetic, implant and reconstructive dentistry.
- The prosthodontics concentration is designed for students interested in additional clinical and didactic experience in these areas of restorative dentistry, and to introduce students to prosthodontics as a specialty.
- This program is particularly intended for students who demonstrate above-average interest and ability in all phases of restorative dentistry and have a keen interest in this discipline.
| RDN853 | Advanced Prosthodontics for the General Dentist |
|---|---|
| RDN900 | Advanced Clinical Treatment Planning and Clinical Case |
| RDN859 | Fixed Prosthodontics: The Inter-Disciplinary Specialty |
| RDN867 | Implant Dentistry Seminar |
Click the links below to view full course descriptions.
| ODS 861 | Dental Sleep Medicine and Oral Appliance Therapy | |
| This course provides an introduction to the field of dental sleep medicine, an area of great interest and growth in dentistry today. We will cover the science of sleep, including sleep physiology and sleep disorders, with a focus on obstructive sleep apnea and how to interpret a sleep study. Students will learn the treatment options for snoring and sleep apnea, including the dentist's role in diagnosis and treatment with oral appliances. With an emphasis on clinical practice, we will discuss appliance selection and application, relationships with physicians and dental labs, medical and dental insurance considerations, and practice management. Course is mandatory for TMD / orofacial pain residents and limited to 20 dental students, Tuesdays 7:45 - 8:45am. Credits: 1 | ||
| ODS 862 | Special Needs Dentistry | |
| Significant research supports the need for improvement in the oral care for adults with development and intellectual disabilities. This course offers clinical exposure to patients with intellectual/developmental disabilities (IDD) and complex medical histories in the ambulatory and operating room settings at Erie County Medical Center and 800 Hertel. This exposure will encourage those interested to seek further training after graduation. Students will treat patients for 3 day-long clinic sessions in the ambulatory clinic, and 1 day-long operating room session. Additionally, a brief corresponding informal discussion-based lecture series is given on Wednesday afternoons from 4:30-5:30 PM for the first half of the semester. Please be mindful of concentrations and electives which may meet during this time. Grading is pass/fail and is attendance and participation based. Those interested must submit a brief (250-word max.) paragraph to Dr. Kapral at (ekapral@ecmc.edu) by July 1, 2024. Credits: 1 | ||
| ORB 519 | Critical Analysis of Literatures | |
| The goal of this course is to train the graduate students from Oral Biology Graduate Program to read and present research papers in the field of microbiology, immunology and cell biology. The papers presented by students must be recently published in peer-reviewed journals. This course runs on each Friday between 12:00~1:00 pm Credits: 1 | ||
| ORB 545 | The Dynamics of Bone | |
| Please note this is a graduate course, which will follow the graduate school calendar (Not Dental). The composition and structure of bone will be reviewed. Mechanisms involved in and regulating matrix formation, nucleation, and crystal growth, will be considered, including means of studying those. Effects of hormones, vitamins and trace metals will be examined. The relation of these to growth and resorption and the pathophysiology of alveolar bone disease is included. Credits: 2 | ||
| ORB 855 | Advances and Controversies in Oral Sciences | |
| ORB is intended for advanced dental students (D4) to improve skills needed to read, interpret, and present recent scientific literature to a professional audience. A variety of topics will be explored related to the modern practice of dental medicine. A focus will be on critical thinking and analysis within the context of understanding disease pathogenesis, diagnosis, prevention, treatment, and public health. The relationships between dental and medical implications of the findings will be considered. Topics will include pathogenesis of oral disease, diagnosis, prevention, treatment, public health, and others of interest to the group. Credits: 1 | ||
| OS 506 | Oral Sciences: Biomaterials | |
| This course reviews and builds upon your prior knowledge of the properties and applications of polymers, metals, and ceramics used for restoration of oral health. Methods used for characterizing these materials are emphasized, with a focus on the intended use of materials in general dentistry and clinical specialties. The regulatory aspects of dental and biomedical products also are addressed. Credits: 1 | ||
| PER 914 | Post Graduate Treatment Planning | |
| Although this is a Post Graduate course, students pursuing a concentration may attend. There is a limit of 5 students; please stop by 250 Squire to register. Credits: 1 | ||
| RDN 853 | Advanced Prosthodontics for the General Dentist | |
| This course exposes the student to an array of advanced topics in prosthodontics not currently presented to great extent in the core curriculum. Topics include diagnosis and treatment planning for the complex prosthodontics patient, including when to refer to a specialist; dentofacial esthetics and concepts of occlusion as a basis for nonconformative restorative treatment; all-ceramic systems and their indications; laboratory communication and shade selection; digital dentistry; a review of complete denture concepts; overdentures and attachments; and implant treatment in the esthetic zone. The class meets once a month for eight sessions over two semesters. It is a required course for those pursuing a concentration in prosthodontics. Credits: 1 | ||
| RDN 855 | Sports Dentistry | |
| Sports Dentistry focuses on dental issues frequently encountered in athletics. The main topics will be prevention and treatment of dental injuries and establishing community-based sports dentistry programs. Included is a review of protective athletic equipment, an assessment of different types of mouth guards as well as fabrication of custom mouth guards. A review of management of dental injuries is included as well. Other topics covered in the course include issues that affect athletes more than the general population, such as eating disorders, use of smokeless tobacco, and concussion injuries. A hands-on section of the course will be fabrication of mouth guards for athletes on various University sports teams. Credits: 1 | ||
| RDN 864 | Advanced Adhesive Dentistry | |
| The purpose of this course is to develop a deeper and broader understanding of contemporary restorative dental techniques, materials and treatments than is currently taught in other restorative courses. In depth case presentations and discussion regarding preparation design and material choice for direct and indirect anterior and posterior restoration will be covered, including elective procedures such as veneers. Emphasis will be placed on non-metallic restoration of the adult dentition with an eye towards a superior esthetic and functional outcome. This course will provide students with an overview of both new and conventional techniques and materials systems important in the daily practice of contemporary restorative dentistry. Exposure to the most current theories in smile design, direct and indirect restoration material choice, and preparation design for both anterior and posterior restorations will give the student an understanding of the critical thinking skills employed by the practitioner in everyday clinical practice. It is a required course for those pursuing a concentration in esthetics. Credits: 1 | ||
| RDN876 | Emerging Educators in Academic Dentistry | |
| The goal of this course is to provide the student with meaningful exposure to preclinical teaching. The student/instructor will primarily provide hands-on coaching for less experienced peers as they work on lab assignments during this component. During the semester, 4 sessions will be scheduled to allow students to discuss the courses they are teaching and reflect on the progress they’ve made throughout the year. Upon completion of all course experiences the student should reflect on their interests in or perspectives on dental education, identify potential career or professional goals (particularly as they may include academic aspirations) and describe their impressions of being a dental school faculty member. Additionally, the student should provide specific and candid feedback regarding their experiences in this elective course series, including any suggestions for modifications. Credits: 1 | ||
| ODS 850 | Forensic Dentistry | |
| Forensic Dentistry is a specialty of the forensic sciences concerning dentistry and the law. This course will be introductory, providing insight into aspects of victim identification, mass disaster response, bitemarks analysis, jurisprudence and dental age assessment. The course will bein-person, lecture based and will present actual casework and the research at the UBSDM that hassignificantly impacted the field. Reading assignments will be a part of the curriculum. Students will be introduced to the Laboratory for Forensic Odontological Research at the School of Dental Medicine. Grading is pass/fail and based on attendance and active participation. Credits: 1 | ||
| ODS 862 | Special Needs Dentistry | |
| Significant research supports the need for improvement in the oral care for adults with development and intellectual disabilities. This course offers clinical exposure to patients with intellectual/developmental disabilities (IDD) and complex medical histories in the ambulatory and operating room settings at Erie County Medical Center and 800 Hertel. This exposure will encourage those interested to seek further training after graduation. Students will treat patients for 3 day-long clinic sessions in the ambulatory clinic, and 1 day-long operating room session. Additionally, a brief corresponding informal discussion-based lecture series is given on Wednesday afternoons from 4:30-5:30 PM for the first half of the semester. Please be mindful of concentrations and electives which may meet during this time. Grading is pass/fail and is attendance and participation based. Those interested must submit a brief (250-word max.) paragraph to Dr. Kapral at (ekapral@ecmc.edu) by July 1, 2024. Credits: 1 | ||
| ORB 510 | Oral Immunology | |
| This course covers concepts in immunology that are applicable to oral biology. It emphasizes oral aspects of humoral and cell mediated immunity, covering topics such as oral vaccines, mucosal immunity, genetic basis of normal function as well as aberrations in immunological mediators, and host responses in oral diseases. The students are expected to have a basic knowledge of immunology although a review session on basic immunological concepts is provided at the beginning of the course. Emphasis is placed on the aspects of immunology that are directly pertinent to the pathogenesis, diagnosis, treatment and prophylaxis of inflammatory condition and diseases associated with the oral cavity and with oral biology. Although lectures based, the course relies heavily on research-based current literature and the students are expected to derive information from that literature and present a review of some of those papers in the last portion of the course. Discussion on medical and research topics is part of the course, and the students are also evaluated on that basis Credits: 4 | ||
| OS 504 | Oral Immunology | |
| This course covers concepts in immunology that are applicable to oral biology. It emphasizes oral aspects of humoral and cell mediated immunity, covering topics such as oral vaccines, mucosal immunity, genetic basis of normal function as well as aberrations in immunological mediators, and host responses in oral diseases. The students are expected to have a basic knowledge of immunology although a review session on basic immunological concepts is provided at the beginning of the course. Emphasis is placed on the aspects of immunology that are directly pertinent to the pathogenesis, diagnosis, treatment and prophylaxis of inflammatory condition and diseases associated with the oral cavity and with oral biology. Although lectures based, the course relies heavily on research-based current literature and the students are expected to derive information from that literature and present a review of some of those papers in the last portion of the course. Discussion on medical and research topics is part of the course, and the students are also evaluated on that basis Credits: 4 | ||
| ORB 520 | Critical Analysis of Literature | |
| The goal of this course is to train the graduate students from Oral Biology Graduate Program to read and present research papers in the field of microbiology, immunology, and cell biology. The papers presented by students must be recently published in peer- reviewed journals Credits: 1 | ||
| RDN 859 | Fixed Prosthodontics: The Interdisciplinary Specialty | |
| Emphasis will be placed upon diagnosis and treatment planning, occlusion and the periodontic, endodontic, and implant considerations in Fixed Prosthetic treatment, and an opportunity to integrate all the disciplines into a "Total Clinical Approach." A differentiation will be made in covering philosophy and techniques with Advanced “Esthetic”, "Crown and Bridge", "Periodontal Prosthesis" and “Implant” cases. Time will be spent on both direct and indirect Veneers, Tooth Preparation based on restorative material selection, and on Temporization techniques and utilization of Temporary Acrylic and Bis-GMA materials for both large and small Provisional Crowns and Bridges. Selected cases will be presented from start to finish and will include functional impact on esthetic design of cases. *This course is required for those pursuing a concentration in prosthodontics Credits: 1 | ||