Curriculum

Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) Curriculum Snapshot

The Ostrow School of Dentistry features a learner-centered environment that supports students as they work in collaborative groups to solve challenging, patient-based problems. The expert faculty encourages evidence-based, critical-thinking, and problem-solving strategies that aid students in the acquisition of the knowledge, skills, and values needed to excel in the delivery of comprehensive oral care.

The School remains committed to keeping the curriculum flexible and integrated across the biomedical, behavioral, and clinical sciences, with the cases studied continuously changing. Student input into ongoing curricular changes is encouraged.

Following is a snapshot of what to expect during the four-year Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) program.

Year One

Fall

Fundamentals of Restorative Dentistry Module
Anatomic Sciences, Microbiology, Pathology, Biochemistry, Physiology, Patient Management, Pharmacology
Dental Morphology, Function and Esthetics Module
Patient Management, Anatomic Sciences, Microbiology, Pathology, Oral Diagnosis
Introduction to Ethics and Professionalism
Biochemistry, Physiology, Anatomic Sciences, Microbiology, Pathology, Oral Diagnosis
Diagnosis Rotation
Radiology Dexter Rotation
Patient Management, Periodontics, Microbiology, Pathology
Extra and Intraoral Soft Tissue Exam, Oral Cancer Screening and Vital Signs Rotation
Patient Management, Anatomic Sciences, Microbiology, Pathology, Biochemistry, Physiology, Endodontics
Mock Patient Interview and Review

Spring

Adhesive and CAD/CAM Restorations Module
Microbiology, Pathology, Patient Management, Pharmacology, Biochemistry, Physiology, Anatomic Sciences
Dental Morphology, Function and Esthetics Module
Microbiology, Pathology, Patient Management, Biochemistry, Physiology, Pharmacology, Anatomic Sciences
Behavioral Dentistry Module
Microbiology, Pathology, Patient Management, Biochemistry, Physiology, Oral Diagnosis, Anatomic Sciences
Ethics and Professionalism Module
Biochemistry, Physiology, Patient Management, Anatomic Sciences
Radiology Patient Rotation
Microbiology, Pathology, Biochemistry, Physiology, Anatomic Sciences
Diagnosis Rotation

Summer

Indirect Restoration Module
Anatomic Sciences, Oral Diagnosis, Patient Management, Biochemistry, Physiology, Microbiology, Pathology
Head and Neck Anatomy Module
Biochemistry, Physiology, Anatomic Sciences, Patient Management, Oral Diagnosis
Periodontics Module
Microbiology, Pathology, Oral Diagnosis, Anatomic Sciences, Patient Management , Pharmacology
Radiology Patient Rotation
Biochemistry, Physiology, Anatomic Sciences, Microbiology, Pathology Patient Management, Pharmacology
Diagnosis Rotation
Biochemistry, Physiology, Patient Management, Microbiology, Pathology, Orthodontics, Pediatric Dentistry

Year Two

Fall

Endodontics Module
Anatomic Sciences, Microbiology, Pathology, Biochemistry, Physiology
Orthodontics Module
Pediatric Dentistry Module
Microbiology, Pathology, Pharmacology, Anatomic Sciences, Biochemistry, Physiology
Periodontics Module
Anatomic Sciences, Microbiology, Pathology, Biochemistry, Physiology, Pharmacology
Posterior Fixed Prosthodontics Module
Biochemistry, Physiology, Microbiology, Pathology, Anatomic Sciences
Treatment Planning Module
Evidence-based Dentistry Module
Biochemistry, Physiology, Patient Management, Microbiology, Pathology, Anatomic Sciences, Pharmacology
Radiology Patient Rotation
Diagnosis Rotation

Spring

Anterior Fixed Prosthodontics Module
Biochemistry, Physiology, Anatomic Sciences, Patient Management, Microbiology, Pathology
Removable Prosthodontics Module
Biochemistry, Physiology, Anatomic Sciences, Oral Surgery, Pain Control
Treatment Planning Module
Patient Management, Biochemistry, Physiology, Dental Anatomy, Occlusion
Orthodontics Module
Local Anesthesia and Nitrous Oxide Module
Microbiology, Pathology, Patient Management, Pharmacology, Biochemistry, Physiology
Periodontics Module
Biochemistry, Physiology, Patient Management, Anatomic Sciences, Microbiology, Pathology
Diagnosis Rotation
Radiology Patient Rotation

Summer

Emergency Medicine Module
Biochemistry, Physiology, Microbiology, Pathology, Patient Management, Anatomic Sciences, Orthodontics, Pediatric Dentistry
Ethics and Professionalism Module
Biochemistry, Physiology, Pharmacology, Oral Surgery, Pain Control, Microbiology, Pathology, Patient Management
Diagnosis Rotation
Emergency Rotation
Patient Management, Anatomic Sciences, Microbiology, Pathology, Biochemistry, Physiology, Orthodontics, Pediatric Dentistry
Oral Surgery Rotation
Anatomic Sciences, Biochemistry, Physiology, Dental Anatomy, Occlusion, Oral Surgery, Pain Control, Pharmacology
Treatment Planning Seminar/Rotation
Pediatric Dentistry Rotation

Year Three

Fall

Cultural Sensitivity for the Health Care Provider Module
Oral Histology, Microbiology, Pharmacology, Periodontics, Laboratory Testing
Communications, Patient Management
Dental Morphology, Oral Histology, Physiology, Patient Management, Smoking Cessation, Dental Materials, Prosthodontics, Endodontics, Esthetic Dentistry
Treatment Planning Seminar/Rotation
Periodontics, Patient Management, Treatment Planning
Rotations that may include: Community Outreach/Service Learning, Diagnosis, Emergency, Oral Surgery, Pediatric Dentistry

Spring

Anatomy, Histology, Geriatrics, Physiology of Aging
Orthodontics Module
Patient Management, Office Management
Oral Pathology Seminar/Rotation
Anatomy, Physiology, Laboratory Management, Prosthodontics
Treatment Planning Seminar/Rotation
Anatomy, Biochemistry, Physiology, Oral Surgery, Medical Emergencies
Rotations that may include: Community Outreach/Service Learning, Diagnosis, Emergency, Hospital Dentistry, Oral Surgery, Orofacial Pain/Oral Medicine, Pediatric Dentistry, Periodontics, Special Patients

Summer

Periodontics Surgery Laboratory Module
Practice Management Module
Treatment Planning Seminar/Rotation
Oral Pathology Seminar/Rotation
Rotations that may include: Community Outreach/Service Learning, Diagnosis, Emergency, Geriatrics, Hospital Dentistry, Oral Surgery, Medicine/Orofacial Pain, Periodontics, Special Patients

Year Four

Fall

Periodontics Surgery Laboratory Module
Practice Management Module
Treatment Planning Seminar/Rotation
Oral Pathology Seminar/Rotation
Rotations that may include: Community Outreach/Service Learning, Diagnosis, Emergency, Geriatrics, Hospital Dentistry, Oral Surgery, Medicine/Orofacial Pain, Periodontics, Special Patients

Spring

Treatment Planning Seminar/Rotation
Rotations that may include: Community Outreach/Service Learning, Diagnosis, Emergency, Hospital Dentistry, Geriatrics/IPE Geriatrics, Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine/Orofacial Pain, Periodontics, Special Patients