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Didactic Training

Didactic Training

The didactic component of the AEGD program provides the resident with a broad academic background from which sound clinical judgments can be made regarding diagnosis, treatment planning and the selection of the appropriate method of treatment for each individual patient. 

The didactic phase is scheduled on a regular basis and includes lectures, seminars, literature reviews, treatment planning conferences, clinical pathological conferences, and special projects. 

Examples of special projects may include table clinics and preparation of a professional lecture. 

The following areas of interest are included in didactic sessions: 

  • Oral pathology & Oral medicine
  • Physical evaluation
  • Oral diagnosis and treatment planning
  • Preventive dentistry
  • Comprehensive control of pain and anxiety in the conscious patient,
  • Implants
  • Geriatric dentistry
  • Special care and medically compromised patients
  • Asepsis, infection, and hazard control.

In addition, residents will gain didactic knowledge and clinical experience in practice management techniques, which will enable them to be prepared to deal with acquiring, managing, and coordinating different types of potential practice situations they may explore upon graduation.

Oral Pathology & Oral Medicine

This phase of training will supplement the resident's ability to evaluate and manage patients comprehensively through heightened awareness and increased knowledge in oral pathology/oral medicine.  Specific emphasis will be placed on clinical differential diagnosis, medically compromised patients, use of laboratory tests and the taking and interpretation of a medical/dental history.

Physical Evaluation

As a formal course entitled "Physical Diagnosis", this course serves as an introduction to the process of physical diagnosis in Internal Medicine.  This includes not only the basic skills of physical examination but is fundamentally dependent upon the ability to obtain a complete and accurate medical history.  Therefore, the course will begin by examining parts of the medical history and will then complete a survey of the physical examination of the major organ systems.  Throughout the latter part of the course, the concepts of history taking will be referred to frequently to integrate them with the basics of physical diagnosis, the fundamental element in most medical specialties.

Oral Medicine - Diagnosis & Treatment Planning

The formal course entitled "Internal Medicine" will expand on knowledge obtained in the course on Physical Diagnosis.  A broad range of topics will be covered emphasizing the understanding of the pathophysiology of diseases and effects on the oral health of the patient, the ability to perform adequate oral hygiene and the need for modification of the dental treatment plan. The course is based on resident participation, and each resident will gain experience in the preparation and delivery of a formal presentation using audiovisual aids.

Preventative Dentistry

Modern dentistry requires a working knowledge of preventive care that ranges from individual oral hygiene instruction to advising community groups on fluoridation.  Residents should be conversant in the theories and research concerning dental caries to include its etiology, microbiology, progression, and prevention.  The AEGD goals in this area are to have residents attain a working didactic and clinical knowledge of all aspects of preventive dentistry, to include diagnosis, prevention, and treatment for varying oral conditions of hard and soft tissue that are manageable.  Oral hygiene must be taught and reinforced in all patients, especially those with altered quantity/quality of saliva. Because the college has a Stomatology Center and the co-location of a cancer hospital, residents will gain extensive clinical experience in the care of these patients.  In addition, it is the resident’s responsibility to educate patients as to their personal responsibility in prevention and control of disease as well as maintenance of restorative care. In addition, general practitioners must be knowledgeable in the application of fluoride, oral hygiene, behavior modification, patient counseling, and nutrition to the area of preventive dentistry. The role of saliva as to its sources, composition, reasons for changes in flow/chemistry and its significance in the maintenance of oral health must be appreciated.

Comprehensive Control of Pain and Anxiety

A major reason for avoidance of routine dental care is fear of discomfort.  The comprehensive control of pain and anxiety in the conscious patient is not only the standard of care in modern practice, but it is a major practice builder.  Instruction, consultations, demonstrations, and participation in a formal course entitled "Enteral Conscious Sedation" will lead to a working knowledge of which techniques and agents to employ for the comfort of each individual patient. 

Implants

Implants have become an important component of the restorative armamentarium.  Residents will gain clinical experience in the treatment of patients who require dental implants as part of their comprehensive care. Residents will gain experience in the diagnosis, treatment planning, placement, and restoration of implant cases.  Our residents are encouraged to work up cases so they can gain implant placement experience.   Our program is geared more toward diagnosis and treatment planning and restoration of implants than actual implant placement.   We expect every resident to get the opportunity to place implants in our program under the supervision of our periodontics faculty.

Geriatric Dentistry

The purpose of the geriatric dentistry component of the program is to increase the resident's awareness of the changing and potentially more challenging needs of the aging patient.  Didactic instruction and clinical experience will be provided concerning the dental, emotional, psychological, and medical complications as they relate to dentistry for the geriatric patient.

Special Health Care Needs & Medically Compromised Patients

Residents in the Advanced Education in General Dentistry (AEGD) program will gain valuable hands-on experience in the treatment of patients with special healthcare needs. Special healthcare needs patients are defined as individuals whose medical, physical, access-related factors necessitate modifications to standard dental treatment protocols to ensure safe and effective care. This population includes, but is not limited to, individuals with developmental disabilities, complex or chronic medical conditions, and significant physical impairments that impact their ability to receive traditional dental care.

In addition to providing comprehensive dental treatment to a diverse patient population in the AEGD clinic, residents will develop critical skills in managing more complex cases involving special healthcare needs patients. This experience will be structured through dedicated clinical sessions in the clinic, allowing residents to refine their ability to adapt treatment plans to meet the unique needs of these individuals.

The primary goals and objectives of this specialized training are as follows:

  • Enhancing Clinical Competence and Confidence – Residents will develop the expertise necessary to assess and manage the medical status of all patients as it relates to dental treatment. They will learn to integrate medical considerations into their decision-making process to ensure safe and effective dental care.
  • Understanding the Medical Consultation Process – Residents will be trained in identifying when and how to obtain appropriate medical consultations. This includes effective communication with physicians and other healthcare providers to coordinate comprehensive patient care.
  • Modifying Dental Treatment Plans as Needed – Residents will acquire the skills to tailor dental treatment based on each patient's specific medical, physical, or psychological conditions. They will learn to recognize when treatment modifications are required and implement them accordingly to optimize patient outcomes.
  • Recognizing When to Refer – Residents will develop the ability to determine when a case requires referral to a specialist or an alternative treatment facility. They will gain insight into interdisciplinary collaboration and the appropriate pathways for ensuring patients receive the best possible care.

This dedicated clinical training in special healthcare needs patient care will provide residents with invaluable experience that enhances their ability to manage complex cases, improving both their clinical proficiency and their ability to deliver compassionate, patient-centered care.

Asepsis, Infection and Hazard Control

All regulations are in accordance with the most current guidelines on a federal, state, and local level, and must be adhered to in all clinical and laboratory activities.  Correct use of personal protective equipment and barrier technique will be adhered to in the clinic and laboratory to ensure asepsis.  The AEGD clinic is a large, multiple chair clinic, and diligent effort must be made to avoid potentially hazardous contamination and/or cross-contamination of any kind.  All residents and health care workers are required to be immunized against hepatitis B, receive annual TB testing, and are strongly encouraged to be immunized against measles, mumps and rubella. Residents and staff must be responsible for the proper handling of sharps to avoid needle and instrument sticks.  In addition, in the event of an accident with a sharp, an “Incident Report” must be filled out immediately and the required protocol followed. Hazard control includes knowledge of the risks and proper handling of all potentially harmful materials and devices used in the clinic and laboratory. Annual training and review of the Texas A&M University College of Dentistry Clinic Manual is required.

Basic Sciences

Clinically applicable basic sciences will be integrated into the didactic program.  This will assist the resident in understanding the biologic, physiologic, psychologic, and physical ramifications of all proposed treatment.  This knowledge is extremely important ethically and medicolegally when a professional is entrusted with treating patients.

Practice Management

To achieve a fulfilling career in dentistry, a well-rounded knowledge of the many facets of practice management is essential.  This section of the AEGD will provide residents with the basics of locating, purchasing, and managing a practice.  In addition to lectures on financial matters, the behavioral and practical side of personnel management will be discussed in depth.