Departments / Periodontics

Predoctoral Didactic and Clinical Courses

The following didactic and clinical courses are taught at the predoctoral level.

Basic Periodontics

Course Description

This didactic course is an introductory level course presented in the winter and spring semesters of the sophomore year and covers:

1. The anatomy and histology of the periodontium
2. Etiology and classification of periodontal disease
3. Epidemiology of and risk factors for periodontal disease
4. The microbiology of periodontal disease
5. The histopathogenesis of periodontal disease
6. Examination, diagnosis and treatment planning
7. Occlusion and the role of occlusion and occlusal trauma in periodontal disease
8. Basic disease and infection control of periodontal disease (Phase I therapy)
9. Rationale for reconstructive and periodontal surgery (Phase II)
   
   

This course consists of lectures with some case presentations.

Course Goals

The student shall on completing the course be capable of:

1. Performing a detailed clinical examination of the periodontium and record the findings
2. Diagnosis of the presence of perodontal diseases
3. Understanding the local and systemic factors causing or contributing to periodontal diseases
4. Identifying risk factors for periodontal diseases
5. Writing a prognosis and treatment plan for periodontal diseases and a treatment plan for the prevention of periodontaldiseases
6. Non-surgical treatment to restore the periodontium to a state of health
7. Diagnose and treat acute periodontal conditions
8. Diagnose and treat occlusal trauma
9. Diagnose gingival hyperplasia and recession
10. Understand the rationale for conservative and surgical periodontal therapy
    
    

Periodontal Therapy

Course Description

This didactic course is an advanced level course presented in the fall and winter semester of the junior year.  The course complements the basic periodontics course and gives the student the basis for diagnosing and treatment planning more advanced periodontal cases and choosing the appropriate periodontal therapy.

Course Goals

The student shall on completing the course be able to:

1. Understand the role of periodontal therapy within a comprehensive treatment plan
2. Understand and describing the rationale for periodontal therapy and specific periodontal procedures
3. Understand and describe the biology of periodontal therapy including surgical/wound healing
4. Understand and describe the role of "minor tooth movement" in periodontal therapy
5. Understand and discuss endodontic-periodontal interrelationships
6. Understand and discuss periodontal-restorative interrelationships
7. Understand and discuss the significance and role of maintenance therapy
8. Understand and discuss implantology as an aspect of periodontal treatment
9. Understand and discuss the relationship between reconstructive and resective periodontal surgery

This course consists of lectures and case presentations

Periodontal Component of Clinical Dentistry

Course Description

An introduction to clinical periodontics via instrumentation, sharpening, “head and neck” soft tissue evaluation and a full periodontal intraoral examination.  This course consists of:

1. Lectures encompass clinical orientation, review of periodontal records, as well as a review of case presentations.
2. Clinical rotations to allow for hands on clinical experiences in periodontal examination and diagnosis as well as scaling and root planning with hand instruments.

Basic Periodontics for International Students

Course Description

This course is presented in the summer session to students enrolled in the International Dental Students Program. The course will orient and students in periodontal diagnosis and treatment planning.

Course Goals

The student shall on completing the course be capable of:

1. Performing a detailed clinical examination of the periodontium and record the findings
2. Diagnosing the presence of periodontal diseases
3. Understanding the local and systemic factors causing or contributing to periodontal diseases
4. Knowing the risk factors for periodontal diseases
5. Writing a prognosis and treatment plan for periodontal diseases and a treatment plan for the prevention of periodontal diseases
6. Learning the non-surgical methods for eliminating local and systemic factors and thereby restore the periodontium to a state of health
7. Understanding and describing the diagnosis and the treatment for acute periodontal conditions
8. Diagnosing occlusal trauma and knowing its treatment
9. Diagnosing gingival enlargements and recession
10. Knowing the rationale for reconstructive and periodontal surgery

Course Objectives

Calibrate dentists from varying dental educational backgrounds to the level and standards expected to be maintained in the clinical facilities of the New Jersey Dental School.

Periodontal Clinics I&II

To fulfill requirements in periodontics junior and senior students will carry out examinations, diagnosis, treatment plans, phase 1 periodontal therapy (non-surgical phase), phase 1 evaluations, maintenance therapy, and will assist in the surgical treatment of patients.