The University of Louisville - School of Dentistry

Competencies for the Pre-Doctoral Curriculum

Approved by the DMD Curriculum Committee: March 12, 2007

Reviewed by the ULSD Council: September 21, 2005

1.       Professionalism, Ethics, and the Law

1.1.             Provide compassionate and ethical care to a diverse population of patients.

1.2.             Communicate effectively with peers, other professionals, staff, patients or guardians and the public at large.

1.3.             Recognize the role of lifelong learning and self-assessment in maintaining competency.

1.4.             Obtain informed consent for oral health therapies that meets ethical and legal responsibilities.

1.5.             Apply the principles of ethical reasoning, evidence-based information, and professional responsibility as they pertain to patient care, practice management, and addressing the oral health status of the community at large.

2.       Information Management and Critical Thinking

2.1.             Apply critical thinking and problem solving skills in the comprehensive care of patients.

2.2.             Apply information technology resources in contemporary dental practice.

3.       Practice Management

3.1.             Comply with federal, state, and local regulations related to infection control, radiation and environmental safety measures in all clinical procedures.

3.2.             Evaluate relevant models of oral health care management and delivery.

3.3.             Understand the basic principles and philosophies of practice management and have the skills to function successfully as the leader of the oral health care team.

3.4.             Establish and maintain patient records and assure confidentiality of information.

4.       Patient Assessment

4.1.             Identify a patient's chief complaint, general needs, past dental history, and treatment expectations.

4.2.             Obtain patient data adequate to provide dental treatment.

4.3.             Perform a clinical examination of the head and neck and intraoral structures.

4.4.             Assess the need for, apply radiographic selection criteria, perform selected intra and extraoral radiographic procedures, and interpret appropriate oral and maxillofacial radiographs required for diagnosis.

4.5.             Obtain other relevant diagnostic information such as laboratory tests and medical consultations when appropriate.

4.6.             Recognize the normal range of clinical and radiographic findings and conditions that require monitoring or management.

4.7.             Recognize predisposing and etiologic factors that require intervention to prevent disease.

4.8.             Interpret findings from the history, clinical and radiographic examinations, and other diagnostic procedures.

4.9.             Integrate subjective and objective clinical findings in the formulation of the diagnosis.

4.10.          Evaluate the prognoses of various treatment options.

5.       Treatment Planning

5.1.             Formulate and discuss with the patient an individual, comprehensive, sequenced treatment plan and alternate plans based on relevant diagnostic findings and patient considerations.

5.2.             Discuss etiologies, prognoses, and preventive strategies with the patient; educate the patient so he/she can participate in the management of his/her own oral health care.

5.3.             Identify the need for and manage (treat or refer) timely referrals and consultations with other health care providers when appropriate.

6.       Establishment and Maintenance of a Healthy Dental Patient

6.1.             Recognize and manage (treat or refer) medical emergencies that may occur in dental practice.

6.2.             Manage (treat or refer) dental emergencies.

6.3.             Manage (treat or refer) patients with pain and anxiety associated with dental procedures.

6.4.             Apply principles of behavioral patient management and interpersonal skills sciences as they pertain to patient-centered approaches for promoting, improving, and maintaining oral health.

6.5.             Perform and evaluate therapies that emphasize prevention of oral disease.

6.6.             Restore missing or defective tooth structure to proper form, function, and esthetics.

6.7.             Diagnose and manage (treat or refer) patients with periodontal disease.

6.8.             Diagnose and manage (treat or refer) patients with pulpal disease and related periradicular pathology.

6.9.             Diagnose and manage (treat or refer) patients with temporomandibular disorders.

6.10.          Diagnose and manage (treat or refer) patients with malocclusion in the primary, mixed, and permanent dentition.

6.11.          Diagnose and manage (treat or refer) patients with oral mucosal disorders.

6.12.          Diagnose and manage (treat or refer) patients requiring oral surgical procedures.

6.13.          Diagnose and manage (treat or refer) patients requiring orthodontic treatment or space maintenance.

6.14.          Diagnose and manage (treat or refer) patients with uncomplicated partial or complete edentulous areas, including the use of implants.

6.15.          Diagnose and manage (treat or refer) traumatic injuries to the tooth, pulp, and maxillofacial structures.

6.16.          Diagnose and manage (treat or refer) patients whose medical, physical, psychological, or social situations make it necessary to modify normal dental routines in order to provide dental treatment including, but not limited to, people with developmental disabilities, complex medical problems, and significant physical limitations.

6.17.          Select and administer/prescribe appropriate pharmacological agents in the treatment of patients with dental disease.

6.18.          Anticipate, prevent, and manage (treat or refer) complications of dental treatment.

6.19.          Periodically assess and monitor the outcomes of comprehensive dental care.