Advanced Endodontics Program Curriculum

Note: Postgraduate Endodontics courses are designated PEND. 200-level Postgrad Endodontics course do not carry CGHS credit. 800-level courses carry CGHS credit.

• PEND 800 – MDS (Endodontics) Research & Manuscript: This course provides postgraduate students with the experience of engaging in research in dental and related sciences, and to pursue a Masters of Dental Science (MDS) degree in the UTHSC College of Graduate Health Sciences. In this course, students will work on individual research projects under the supervision of an individual advisor experienced in research methodologies and scientific writing. Students will work on the inception, implementation, and submission for publication of a research project with an individual advisor. The time commitment is 4 hours per week. However, the exact schedule is to be determined by the student and their advisor. Student activities include library research, writing a literature review, developing a research protocol, hands-on research, gathering and analyzing data, interpreting experimental results, developing conclusions, and publishing outcomes. Submission for publication of the original research is required. The research requirements for the MDS degree can be completed in the two years that focus on clinical training, however additional time off campus and a ‘delayed graduation’ should be expected. This course can be repeated up to 6 times for a total of 24 credit hours. [Course Director: Dr. George Huang; MDS Variable Credit Hours: 1-4; Offered: Spring & Fall]
  
  
• PEND 810 – Classic Endodontic Literature Review: Continuous weekly seminars devoted to review of classic endodontic and related literature and discussion of research methods. For each topic, a series of textbook chapters and review articles have been identified. This background information is meant to give the student an overview understanding of the topic. Selected classic and contemporary articles in a particular topic are assigned, carefully reviewed, analyzed, abstracted and presented to fellow students. During the first week of the program, there is a particular emphasis on student learning to critically read and evaluate articles and assess their scientific and/or clinical contribution supporting endodontic principles and practice. Throughout the remainder of the training program, every effort is made to integrate the present and future status of the specialty of endodontics with a sound understanding of its historical background. Resident's recall and perspective are assessed as they relate classic and new literature to the evolving clinical practice of the specialty. The scope and effectiveness of the post-graduate student's instruction in this area is thorough. [Course Director: Dr. George Huang and Dr. Harry Cosby; MDS Credit Hours: 4; Offered: Fall & Spring]
  
  
• PEND 811 – Contemporary Evidence-Based Endodontic Journal Club: Ongoing review of current, pertinent, professional literature is fundamental to the successful practice of endodontics. The assessment of current literature for its evidence-based value is critical. This course has a basic journal club format, and involves surveying major dental periodicals to identify important articles, reviewing those articles, and discussing each article in an open face to face format. Journal Club provides a mechanism for surveying dental periodicals with high impact factors to identify important articles, reviewing those articles, and discussing each article in an open seminar format. Contemporary Evidenced-Based Journal Club will meet for 2 hours weekly. This schedule is necessary to stay abreast of the ever-expanding volume of endodontic literature. This course can be repeated up to 6 times for a total of 12 credit hours. [Course Director: Dr. George Huang; MDS Credit Hours: 2; Offered: Fall & Spring]
  
  
• PEND 220 – Introduction to Clinical Endodontics Lecture and Lab: This course is designed to review current philosophies and techniques of endodontic practice as presented in current textbooks in order to give the students the opportunity to demonstrate their current endodontic clinical skills, and to allow the students the opportunity to modify their philosophies and techniques and improve their skills. [Course Director: Dr. George Huang and Dr. Harry Cosby; MDS Credit Hours: NA; Offered: Fall]
  
  
• PEND 222 – Teaching Methodology and Lecture Skills: A series of seminars aiming to introduce teaching methodologies and lecturing/public speaking. The student is involved in dynamic interactive discussions concerning teaching strategies and is taken through a series of lecturing exercises. [Course Director: Dr. George Huang and Dr. Harry Cosby; MDS Credit Hours: NA; Offered: Fall]
  
  
• PEND 225 – Case Presentation Seminar: The purpose of this seminar is to provide a forum in which clinical experiences can be shared and in which discussion of clinical cases presented will benefit not only the presenter, but all in attendance. [Course Director: Dr. George Huang, and Dr. Harry Cosby; MDS Credit Hours: NA; Offered: Fall & Spring]
  
  
• PEND 260 – Seminars in Endodontics: These seminar series in endodontics are presented in a variety of formats (literature/textbook review and discussion, lecture, student presentations, invited speaker demonstrations and seminar) and are designed to provide an in-depth level of knowledge in contemporary endodontic treatment modalities that are developing at a pace which is not reflected in the current endodontic literature. Invited guests who are recognized leaders in their respective fields present lectures, seminars, interactive group discussions and hands-on experiences for the most up to date clinically relevant topics. Subject areas covered include: 1) rotary endodontics; 2) instrument design and fabrication; 3) obturation materials and techniques; 4) irrigation to canal debridement and disinfection; 5) dental material science and novel alloy development; 6) restorative aspects of returning the endodontically treated; 7) tooth to function; 8) dental traumatology; 9) pulpal and periapical pathosis; 10) relevant topics in bioengineering, including stem cell therapy; 11) for pulpal regeneration; 12) revascularization of immature permanent teeth and the pediatric component of endodontic care; 13) differential diagnosis of facial pain; 14) prognosis of endodontic surgical and non-surgical retreatment vs. implants; 15) microsurgical endodontic procedures and other subjects pertinent to the practice of endodontics. A variety of approaches to treatment and the importance of supportive therapy for treated patients are emphasized. The interrelationship between basic sciences and clinical aspects of endodontics is emphasized. An annual review of topics relevant to the private practice of endodontics is provided. Appropriate reading material from standard textbooks and endodontic literature is often assigned for seminar meetings. [Course Director: Dr. George Huang and Dr. Harry Cosby; MDS Credit Hours: NA; Offered: Fall & Spring]
  
  
• PEND 266 – Clinical Endodontic Practice: Clinical endodontic care is provided in the Advanced Endodontic Clinic at the UTHSC College of Dentistry. Clinical experiences include the complete scope of endodontic practice. Students perform the vast majority of procedure using an operating microscope. Direct patient care does not exceed 60% of the total program time. Emphasis is given to the patient’s chief complaint, a problem focused exam and case workup, diagnosis and etiology of endodontic disease, endodontic treatment planning, providing experience in a wide variety of approaches to endodontic treatment, clinical and photographic documentation, and a careful evaluation of post-treatment results. A minimum of 180 non-surgical clinical cases must be completed, a significant number being non-surgical retreatments. Surgical experience is sufficient to be competent in providing patient care, and in the use of techniques and materials for periapical surgery. All cases must demonstrate a clinically acceptable result or refinement is required. [Course Director: Dr. George Huang and Dr. Harry Cosby; MDS Credit Hours: NA; Offered: Fall & Spring]
  
  
• PEND 293 – Teaching Clerkship in Endodontics: All endodontic residents serve as teaching assistants in the Department of Endodontics. As teaching assistants, residents are involved in the organized instruction of pre-doctoral dental students (D2-D4). Experience is gained in both pre-clinical endodontic laboratory courses and pre-doctoral endodontic clinics. Residents are subjectively monitored for content and quality of teaching. [Course Director: Dr. George Huang and Dr. Harry Cosby; MDS Credit Hours: NA; Offered: Fall & Spring]