Periodontics

This course is structured to prepare the dental student for clinical treatment of patients with periodontal disease. The student will learn to recognize normal anatomical periodontal structures and understand the importance of accurate probing in the identification of periodontal status. Chairside operator positioning, performance of recordation of patient blood pressure/vital signs, and an awareness of the limits of normal and abnormal will be covered. Students will implement proper asepsis, demonstrate proper infection control technique, and use of Personal Protective Equipment. Periodontal instruments and indications for use will be demonstrated and procedural technique will be evaluated.

This course is designed to present a series of didactic lectures in periodontics to dental students. The present series covers the physiologic and clinical features of healthy periodontal tissues and introduction to the physical examination. It also covers the systemic influences on the periodontal patient, as well as on the periodontium. The students will also learn the importance of optimal oral home care and etiologic factors associated with periodontal disease.

This course is designed to continue the presentation of a series of didactic lectures in periodontics to second year dental student. The present series covers the physiologic and clinical features of periodontal tissues in health and disease. Presentation of periodontal tissues in health and diseased states will be presented. Effects of various kinds of stressors on these tissues will be discussed. The pathogenesis of periodontal pockets and their impact on other tissues will be explained.

This course is structured to prepare the dental student for clinical treatment of patients with periodontal disease. Upon completion of the course, the student should be able to recognize normal anatomical structures; perform a head and neck examination; demonstrate accurate probing technique; perform an oral prophylaxis and polishing; familiar with all forms of periodontal disease, scaling and root planing procedures; identify hand instruments and perform instrument sharpening; interpret diagnostic radiographs; demonstrate proper patient and chair positioning and asepsis techniques; discuss etiology, epidemiology & prevention of periodontal disease; recommend plaque control & describe appropriate patient motivation methods of disease control for patients at all levels.

This course advances the Periodontics curriculum into a discussion of the basic and surgical principles of Periodontology, and relevance and application to clinical implementation. In turn, therapeutic and self-administered pharmaceuticals and their impact upon overall systemic health and treatment outcomes are presented. Dental implants and regenerative surgery will be covered along with surgical techniques and the indications and contraindications. Biomedical sciences associated with systemic health of the patient and that of the biomaterials used in the management of the periodontium will stimulate critical thinking and problem solving in determination of use in basic and advanced modalities of Periodontal therapy.

The main emphasis of this course is on the understanding of basic principles of periodontics and their application to clinical situations. The rationale for each treatment procedure is heavily stressed. Comprehensive periodontal treatment including restorative, prosthetics, endodontics, and implant dentistry are emphasized. Upon completion of this course, the student should be able to diagnosis periodontal disease, formulate a comprehensive treatment plan, and determine what treatment procedures fall within his (her) expertise and what should be referred.