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  Graduate & Professional :: School of Dentistry
 
  

Endodontics

Director:
James C. Kulild, D.D.S., M.S., Diplomate, American Board of Endodontics
Faculty:
James A. Dryden, D.D.S., M.S., Diplomate, American Board of Endodontics, Ron Riley, D.D.S., Diplomate, American Board of Endodontics; Charles Lee, D.D.S., Felix G. Quiason, D.D.S., Edward W. Grimes, D.D.S., Diplomate, American Board of Endodontics; Jim Tinnan, D.D.S., Diplomate, American Board of Endodontics; Robert H. Altomare, D.D.S., Barton W. Putnam, D.D.S.; Dan Lavitt, D.D.S., M.S., Diplomate, American Board of Endodontics; Sonia Scheerer, D.D.S.

Program Overview

The endodontics postgraduate program is designed to prepare a dentist for a career in clinical endodontics, research and teaching. The overall goal is to educate dentists to become competent clinical endodontists who will serve the public and the profession at a high level of excellence. It stresses the importance of knowledge and skills in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases associated with the dental pulp and related periapical tissues. Didactic and clinical training is also conducted in other related areas within the scope of practice of the field of endodontics as established by the Endodontic Standards of the Commission on Dental Accreditation. The correlation of basic sciences and clinical sciences is an integral part of the program. A research project is required and comprehensive examinations must be successfully completed. The program is also designed to prepare the graduate endodontist to challenge the requirements for certification as a Diplomate by the American Board of Endodontics. Individuals who successfully complete this advanced education program will be awarded a Certificate in Endodontics.

Student Learning Outcomes

The following listing of skills required by the Standards for Advanced Specialty Education Programs in Endodontics are assessed through seminars, examinations, one-on-one discussions, papers, presentations, laboratory exercises, mock board exercises, and clinical care on patients.

The graduate will demonstrate applied knowledge and clinical skills in the following areas:

  1. Anatomy of soft and hard tissues of the head and neck with particular emphasis on the teeth and their supporting structures.
  2. Embryology, histology and physiology of the pulpal/periradicular complex.
  3. Microbial ecology of the oral flora and the microbiologic aspects of caries, and pulpal and periradicular diseases.
  4. Infectious and immunologic processes in oral health and disease.
  5. Pathophysiology as is relates to diseases of the pulpal/periradicular complex and orofacial pain.
  6. Mechanisms of inflammation and wound healing with emphasis on the pulpal/periradicular/periodontal complex.
  7. Oral medicine and pathology as they relate to the differential diagnosis and management of clinical conditions that may require endodontic treatment.
  8. Pharmacotherapeutic agents used in the management of systemic diseases that may influence the management of patients requiring endodontic treatment.
  9. Mechanisms, interactions and effects of drugs used in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of pulpal and periradicular pathoses.
  10. Principles of biostatistics, research design, research methodology, scientific writing, and critical evaluation of the literature.
  11. Biomaterial science as it relates to endodontics.
  12. Collect, organize, analyze and interpret data from the medical and dental histories and clinical evaluation to determine their relationship to the patient's endodontic treatment.
  13. Perform tests and clinical examinations and interpret the significance of the data in the differential diagnosis of clinical conditions arising from injury to the pathosis of pulp and periradicular tissues.
  14. Expose, process and interpret radiographs and/or take and interpret digital images.
  15. Establish differential interpretations of lesions and normal anatomic structures through radiographs or digital images.
  16. Formulate a diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment plan for conditions that require endodontic treatment in support of the total oral health of the patient, requesting information/consultation from other healthcare professionals as needed.
  17. Provide appropriate emergency treatment to relieve pain and resolve infections of endodontic origin.
  18. Recognize and manage, or prevent, endodontic pain and associated anxiety using physical, chemical and psychological modalities.
  19. Provide nonsurgical and surgical endodontic treatment.
  20. Retreat endodontically-treated teeth using both non-surgical and surgical techniques.
  21. Evaluate the results of endodontic treatment and determine whether additional evaluation/treatment is required.
  22. Provide space for intraradicular restorations and cores in endodontically treated teeth.
  23. Communicate to patients the nature of their endodontic conditions and the value of treatment to their overall oral health.
  24. Communicate with other health care professionals, interpreting their assessments and integrating this information into the treatment of the patient.
  25. Provide vital pulp therapy.
  26. Perform root-end closure procedures.
  27. Evaluate, diagnose and manage traumatic injuries to teeth and their supporting structures.
  28. Provide endodontic treatment for the medically compromised patient.
  29. Develop a differential diagnosis of orofacial pain.
  30. Diagnose and treat periodontal disease and defects in conjunction with the treatment of the specific tooth undergoing endodontic therapy; treatment should be provided in consultation with the individuals who will assume the responsibility for the completion or supervision of any additional periodontal maintenance or treatment.
  31. Place intraradicular restorations and cores in endodontically treated teeth; when the patient is referred, this treatment is accomplished in consultation with the restorative dentist.
  32. Perform non-surgical and surgical endodontic procedures using microscopy.
  33. Perform intracoronal bleaching procedures.
  34. The history of endodontics, teaching methodology, ethics.
  35. Endodontic endosseous implants, osseointegrated implants and techniques for placement of implants, and orthodontic extrusion procedures.

Accreditation

The program in endodontics is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation and has been granted the accreditation status of "approval without reporting requirements". The Commission is a specialized accrediting body recognized by the United States Department of Education. The Commission on Dental Accreditation can be contacted at (312) 440-4653 or at 211 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611.

Eligibility

An applicant for this program must be a citizen of the United States or a foreign national having a visa permitting permanent residence in the United States. Applicants must also submit evidence of graduation from a school of dentistry accredited by the American Dental Association or the Canadian Dental Association.

Program Duration

The 24-month program covers six continuous semesters and begins on July 1.

Number of Residents

There are generally two first-year and two second-year residents.

General Applicant Information

Applicants must have successfully completed Part I of the National Dental Board at the time of application and Part II by the time of matriculation. Applicants must have demonstrated English reading, writing and speaking proficiency and a minimum score of 550 on the TOFEL examination. Applications must be submitted using applications furnished by the Office of Student Programs, UMKC School of Dentistry. Use the link www.umkc.edu/dentistry/assets/forms/advancededucation.htm to receive a brochure describing the program and application materials. The program deadline date for receipt of all completed application materials is Aug. 15.

Graduate Medical Education (GME) Stipends

Currently, residents are eligible for GME stipends of approximately $21,000 per year. This is a federal, not School of Dentistry, program and is subject to current federal guidelines and availability of funds.

Income from Endodontics Program Practice

Residents will be paid approximately 33 percent of the net fees collected for clinical treatment they provide in the program. Net collected clinical fees are defined as gross clinic fees collected, less scheduled laboratory fees incurred as a part of the treatment procedures, and/or less any fee waivers granted.

Extramural Employment

Residents are not allowed to practice outside of the endodontic program.

Tuition and Fees

Estimated school tuition costs can be found in the Fees section of this catalog. If selected for the program, there is a $1,000 nonrefundable acceptance fee which must be paid within two days of the time of acceptance of the position. More information will be provided to the applicant once he/she is accepted into the program.

Instruments and Equipment

Residents will be required to lease their dental instruments through the school and purchase some other instruments and equipment. The school employs a centralized sterilization program for the lease instruments. Additionally, each resident is required to purchase an endodontic operating microscope head with beam splitter and attachment to accommodate a minimum 4 mega pixel digital camera which must also be purchased. A list of other required instruments and textbooks will be provided when an applicant is selected to attend the program. Estimated cost for purchases for the 24-month program are approximately $20,000. Estimated lease expenses are approximately $6,400 for the 24-month program, $1,600 per each fall and spring semesters. Currently, there are no charges for leased instruments for the summer semesters.

Postgraduate Endodontic Clinic

The postgraduate endodontic clinic is a true state-of-the-art facility made possible by the generous donations of Mrs. Virginia Stowers, Dr. Ben Johnson, and other benefactors. All rooms are equipped with dental operating microscopes to include the Zeiss ProErgo which allows power adjustments for focus, zoom, focal length, and intensity of the Zenon light source. It also has a 3-chip video camera and attachment for a Nikon Coolpix digital camera. Each room has its own x-ray head, dual Adec track light system, and ASI dental unit carts complete with air-driven high and low speed fiber optic handpieces, two electric handpieces, two ultrasonics, dual micro irrigators, micro air syringes, and curing light. The program is linked into the all-electronic paperless patient record management system which also integrates the digital x-ray sensors available in each operatory. Please go to the clinic web page at http://dentistry.umkc.edu/bec_patient/endodontics.htm for a 360 degree photo tour. Also please see http://dentistry.umkc.edu/bec_patient/stowers.htm for more information about faculty, residents and staff.

Study Areas

Residents have excellent office space with computer and printer support connected to a high-speed LAN. The program also has a dedicated seminar room for literature reviews, case presentation, lectures, etc.

Financial Assistance

Up-to-date additional information on financial assistance can be found in the School of Dentistry portion of the Financial Aid Charts at http://www.sfa.umkc.edu.

Interview

Competitive applicants will be invited to Kansas City for an interview with the program director and other selected faculty and staff. If invited, the interview is a required part of the application process, and travel expenses are the responsibility of the applicant.

Point of Contact

To request further information, please contact either the Office of Student Programs at (816) 235-2080 or dds@umkc.edu; or the program director, Dr. James C. Kulild, at (816) 235-2749 or kulildj@umkc.edu.

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