The curriculum includes didactic and clinical components, known as core elements, which all residents are required to participate in, and elective assignments based on resident preference. Residents attend seminars as well as local continuing education programs offered by organized dentistry throughout the academic year.
Throughout year
Dr. Ray Lyons, Dr. Kim Espinoza, and Dr. Albert Brettner
Objectives: Through clinic rotations, sedation clinic, operating room rotations, seminars, and self-study modules will become familiar with treatment methodologies for patients with developmental disabilities, culminating in qualification of the resident to use the “Special Needs Code” as delineated by the New Mexico Department of Health for increase reimbursement when treating this population. The seminar will cover specific developmental disabilities, management of maladaptive behaviors, use of restraints and positioning devices, use of sedation, treatment planning, prevention, and legal issues.
Throughout year
Dr. Matthew Fisher and other Faculty
Objectives: To review the following topics - pediatric emergencies, management of oral infections, recognition of abuse, behavior management, pediatric restorative techniques, recognition of dental malocclusion, and space maintenance.
Throughout year
Dr. Steve Wagner, Dr. Charles Tatlock, Dr. Peter Jensen
Objectives: Identify the critical steps for commonly used techniques in prosthodontics; understand procedures based on selected dental articles; share experiences of students and faculty in regard to these procedures; and compare clinical merits of the various techniques.
Throughout year
Dr. Paul Balderamos, Dr. Charles Tatlock, Dr. Peter Jensen
Objectives: The primary objective of the course is to familiarize the residents with the basic biologic and technical aspects of osseointegrated implants. This is a “hands on” preparation for further clinical experience. The goal is for each resident to treatment plan a patient for a lower implant overdenture, place the implants, and fabricate the overdenture.
Throughout Year
Dr. Joe Matthews
Objectives: The main goal of this course is to allow residents to explore various topics in clinical dentistry in a problem oriented manner utilizing the existing seminar structures of Case Presentation, Journal Club, General Practice Presentation, and Medical/Dental Interrelationships.
Entire Year
Dr. Peter Jensen, Dr. Joe Matthews, Dr. Charles Tatlock
Objectives: Critically evaluate the dental and medical literature; perform literature searches; use the computer in literature search, word processing and data management; and lead small groups.
Entire Year
Dr. Peter Jensen and other Faculty
Objectives: Use interdepartmental consultations in the planning of patient treatment; prepare well-organized case reports; speak before groups; and understand the behavioral aspects of clinical dentistry.
Throughout year
Dr. Charles Tatlock
Objective: This is a six-part seminar that gives the resident a fundamental background in the use of clinical Spanish.
Throughout year
Dr. Robert Supple
Objectives: The resident will learn the evaluation, diagnosis and treatment of occlusal problems and how to evaluate the TMJ.
Throughout the year
Dr. Peter Jensen and guest speakers
Objectives: To review recognition and treatment of endodontic emergencies, diagnosis of endodontic problems, filling techniques for single and multirooted teeth. Clinical experience will be gained in surgical endodontics (apicoectomy and retrograde fillings, hemisection, incision and drainage). Treatment of avulsed teeth (apexification, bleaching, pulpotomie). To become familiar with rotary endodontic techniques.
Quarterly
Roger Freidank, Principal Financial Group
Bill Valentine, DMD, Dynamic Dental Solutions
Objectives: To give the residents knowledge of personal finances, types of insurance coverage a dentist should consider, and dealing with debt. The series will also deal with the in and outs of practice acquisition, and types of practice arrangements.
One-half day/month
Objectives: The objectives are met through both clinical and didactic interaction. Residents are to learn how periodontal status impacts upon fixed and removable prosthetic design; to understand indications and contraindications for periodontal flaps; to learn basic flap design and management; to understand the use of different types of bone grafts; to understand guided tissue regeneration, and to understand how resorbable and nonresorbable barriers work. The seminar will also provide more in-depth knowledge of endosseous implants, both from the surgical and prosthetic perspective.
Throughout year
Dr. Gary Cuttrell
Residents will have clinical and didactic experiences in the use of nitrous oxide sedation, oral sedation, and parenteral sedation techniques. The clinical experience will also involve treating patients under general anesthesia on an outpatient basis. Residents who desire to gain certification by the State of New Mexico in i.v. sedation techniques can complete the requisite number of cases under the mentoring of Dr. Cuttrell.
