DEN 721: Dental Disciplines Foundations Gateway

DDFG is a 12-week course placed at the end of the first-year curriculum. Under close faculty supervision and utilizing a student-pair model, students provide patient care. During DDFG, dental students begin their journey toward: 1) demonstrating progress toward competency in comprehensive dental care for patients, and 2) ultimately demonstrating acquisition of competency in the core skills of general dentistry by the conclusion of year 3. As they apply the knowledge, skills and values learned in the preceding first year courses to the task of resolving patients’ oral health issues, dental students are assessed utilizing a standardized formative assessment addressing five educational domains: 1) Critical Thinking and Application of Basic and Behavioral Science Knowledge, 2) Professionalism, 3) Communication and Interpersonal Skills, 4) Practice Management and Administration, and 5) Patient Care. Successful completion of DDFG is required to progress to the D2 year.