Clinical Simulation
Interim Director of Simulation Facilities, Applications and Research: Dr. Mohamed Shabayek
Clinical simulation realistically prepares students for the performance of patient care procedures and is employed in both the undergraduate dental and dental hygiene curricula.
As a basis for their performance of finite psychomotor skills, students are introduced to the principles of human-centered ergonomics early in their first year. They learn to derive a posture, position, and process for practice in ways that enable the attainment of occupational health and peak performance without compromise of task, patient, or self. Students learn to perform dental procedures to high standards of precision, quality, and accountability on lifelike manikins in simulated and real practice settings, before treating patients. This is accomplished in the School of Dentistry’s state-of-the-art clinical simulation unit that replicates the features of a dental practice operatory, and the general practice clinics in which patients receive care. Professional skills and habits acquired in realistic clinical simulation ensure student ease, confidence, and competence in their later application to patient care.
Predoctoral Clinical Education/Patient Care
The clinical education program is designed to fulfill competency-based criteria by providing each student with a broad background of clinical experience based on the philosophy of prevention and comprehensive patient care. Although the need for the treatment of existing disease is of paramount importance, the clinical program stresses long-term complete dental care founded on preventing the occurrence or recurrence of disease. Each student provides patient care with faculty supervision in the School of Dentistry’s clinics in a manner similar to practitioners in a general practice in the community.
Clinical areas for predoctoral instruction are designated primarily for general practice teams. Clinical instruction is accomplished using dentist-directors, general dentists and specialists providing interdepartmental instruction for the student, and the highest level of dental care for the patient. The clinical program functions year round to provide continuity of patient care.
Clerkship Program
Elective clerkships allow selected fourth year students to pursue further studies in departmental activities specially designed to meet their needs and interests. Students devote a portion of their clinic time to these specialized programs; the remaining clinic time is spent in the comprehensive treatment of patients in the regular program. Clerkships are available in basic science and clinical disciplines, and several incorporate off-campus clinical experiences in various practice settings.
Predoctoral Electives Program
Third- and fourth-year dental students are provided the opportunity to register for elective courses which cover a wide range of topics. Electives are offered during the fall and spring terms. Courses are held on Mondays and Wednesdays from 5:00-7:00 p.m. Each elective course consists of an 8-hour commitment for 0.50 credits or a 15-hour commitment for 1.00 credit.