During the final two years of your dental school education the
focus shifts from classroom and laboratory work to clinical
study. After the second year your lectures are also likely to
address practical dentistry diagnostics and techniques rather
than general systems.
If your program hasn�t brought you into contact with many case
studies prior to your third year, expect to spend a lot of "face
time" in front of patients by the time you arrive. You�ll start
visits to primary care units as well as general and specialty
clinics during these initial rotations. Don�t be surprised if the
school requires you to staff health fairs and grade school
check-ups.
The fourth year is when you�ll have your lion�s share of
providing clinical care. You�ll learn more advanced technical
skills and sharpen your diagnostic abilities through multiple
rotations. There may also be time for an elective lecture. It�s
to your professional benefit that you study as many disorders and
specialized treatments as possible, so choose wisely. Here�s a
sample fourth-year curriculum to give you an idea of how your
final year might shape up:
Medical Emergencies and Basic Life Support
Clinical Practice Management
Endodontics
Oral Biology
Oral Medicine
Advanced Clinical Diagnosis & Oral Medicine
Pediatric Dentistry
Periodontics
Prosthodontics Restorative Dentistry
New Developments in Dental Materials
Geriatric Dentistry Extramural Rotation
Hospital Dentistry Rotation
Clinical Management of Fearful & Phobic Patients
Clinical Conference in Oral Medicine
Dental Practice Administration
Dental Implants
Clinical Oral Pathology Conference
Oral Medicine Senior Seminar
Oral Surgery
Your program may also include an extended internship or
externship at an affiliated hospital or clinic. Check with your
school�s administration for details.
