Curriculum Year One
Synopsis of the First Year Curriculum
The LCSDM is a three-year dental education program in 36 continuous months with academic years beginning July 1 and commencing June 30. During months 1-12 (Year One), dental students will acquire and demonstrate mastery of the biomedical foundations of oral health, oral disease processes, and fundamental procedural skills essential for dental patient care via didactic, simulation, and clinical coursework. During the final three months of curriculum year 1, dental students complete supervised patient care activities during the Dental Disciplines Foundations Gateway Course.
First-year Curriculum Features:
- Integrated basic and clinical sciences; foundation science in context; “just-in-time” learning
- Reinforcement of didactic material through preclinical and laboratory activities
- Early hand skills development/earlier clinical experiences
- Experiences in the clinic allow dental students to demonstrate their skills in patient management and care. LCSDM faculty supervise, coach, assess, and certify that dental students are ready to provide supervised patient care during years two and three of the curriculum. Introduction to patient care experience during the Clinical Care Foundations 2 Course and the Dental Disciplines Foundations Gateway Course is accomplished using a variety of methodologies including: 1) OSCEs, 2) simulated patient encounters, and, 3) actual patient encounters.
First-Year Courses
Curriculum Years Two and Three
Synopsis of the Second- and Third-Year Curriculum
During curriculum months 13-36 (years two and three), dental students develop, refine, and ultimately demonstrate competency in the core skills of general dentistry, linked to CODA standards 2-10 through 2-26. During the bulk of curriculum years 2 and 3, dental students provide oral health care consistent with the LCSDM definition of general dentistry, with students working under the direct supervision and guidance of clinical faculty. During the last 6 months of the D3 year and based on a demonstration of competency, D3 students may have the opportunity to complete elective clinical rotations at affiliated external educational activity sites.
Second and Third-year Curriculum Features:
- Patient care experiences in patient assessment, therapy, and follow-up are orchestrated to facilitate students' acquisition of the LCSDM’s defined competencies. Evaluation of students’ competency is implemented by calibrated clinical supervising faculty.
- Advanced topics such as geriatrics, special needs, and implants are provided to enable students to attain competency in managing a more complex patient cohort.