Dental Residency Program - Brochure and Application

Clinical Dentistry Disciplines

1. Restorative Dentistry:

Clinical work in this specialty provides the resident with varied experiences to improve his/her proficiency in operative procedures. Lectures and demonstrations by the staff members on special techniques are presented throughout the year.

2. Oral Surgery:

The resident will spend considerable time in oral surgery under the supervision of our oral surgeon and/or full-time attending staff. Residents will perform extractions and be trained in surgical procedures in the dental clinic and the hospital operating rooms. Oral surgery performed will include removal of impacted teeth, (often with IV sedation), osseous and soft tissue surgery and biopsies.

3. Prosthodontics:

The resident has the opportunity to spend optimal time in this specialty. The program is particularly strong in this field, as there are a great number of prosthodontic cases available. Many joint seminars will be held with the Graduate Prosthodontic Department. The resident experiences all phases in the fabrication of full dentures, partial dentures, crowns, bridges, immediate dentures, and special prostheses for patients who have undergone surgical removal of tumors of the oral cavity and face. Implant experience will be provided for treatment planning and work-up of cases.

4. Periodontics:

Diagnosis, etiology and rationale of periodontal treatment are presented. The importance of follow-up home care and professional maintenance is stressed. Specific periodontal treatment is presented by lecture, demonstration and supervised treatment administered by the resident. Residents will be trained in periodontal surgical techniques by our staff periodontist. Experience in both emergency cases and management of chronic periodontal disease is available.

5. Endodontics:

The staff supervise this specialty. Both the theory and techniques of conventional and surgical endodontics are presented. Training in use of rotary system, warm vertical condensation and use of apex locator.

6. Geriatric Dentistry/Extended Care:

An integral part of the resident’s 2-month Vancouver rotation will be working with an extended care population consisting of a 120-bed nursing home, an adult day care program (about 63 active patients), a Rehabilitation Program (20 in-patient beds), a Chemical Addiction Rehabilitation Service (30 beds), a newly opened Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Program (15 beds) and a facility for patients awaiting liver transplants. Dental Service also serves as a consultant for the home care program, and the Community Nursing Home program; both based in Vancouver. Upon completion of the extended-care rotation, we expect residents to demonstrate increased competency in patient assessment (medical and dental), interdisciplinary communication skills, patient transfer techniques, and planning and dental treatment of these complex patients.

The clinical program is oriented toward a general practice schedule, in that, fixed periods of time are not spent within each specialty area (with the exception of oral surgery). Rather, treatment is provided as in private practice so that each day is varied and residents are able to control their own appointment schedules. It is a flexible program where residents may pursue individual interests while completing required assignments in various fields of dentistry.