OPERATIVE DENTISTRY
Dan Nathanson, DMD, MSD, Chair, Department of Restorative Sciences and Biomaterials
John Ictech-Cassis, DMD, Program Director, Operative Esthetic Restorative Dentistry
Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study in Operative Dentistry
The 24-month CAGS program offers advanced education in the conceptual, biological, and practical components of operative dentistry. Specifically intended for students pursuing teaching careers, the program includes training in basic sciences, biomaterials, lecture presentation, research methods, and the clinical aspects of restorative dentistry.
Initial activities include lectures, seminars, and preclinical training with special emphasis on resin and porcelain systems.
The clinical component of the program includes patient care and student teaching. Particular emphasis is placed on diagnosis and treatment planning, on the significance of periodontal health, of esthetics and cosmetic dentistry, and on conventional restorative procedures.
The program provides an opportunity to develop the academic and clinical skills required to participate in a dental school faculty.
Master of Science in Dentistry in Operative Dentistry
The MSD program requires a minimum of one year in addition to the time commitment for the CAGS in operative dentistry and entails a research project, thesis, and thesis defense.
Doctor of Science in Dentistry in Operative Dentistry
A limited number of candidates are accepted into this DScD program, which takes at least three years in addition to the time commitment for the CAGS to complete. Candidates must complete all basic science and clinical requirements for the CAGS program as listed above. The program also requires that candidates complete a major research effort related to operative dentistry. This research is usually conducted in conjunction with research faculty of the university.
Combined Advanced Operative Dentistry and Dental Public Health
After successfully completing two years of advanced operative dentistry and one year of dental public health, the student receives a CAGS in operative dentistry and an MSD in dental public health. A student who completes two years of advanced operative dentistry and a minimum of three years of dental public health and dissertation receives a CAGS in operative dentistry and a DScD in dental public health.
Affiliations
The postgraduate operative program at Boston University is affiliated with the following dental health centers: Dorchester House Dental Health Center.
Tuition
Tuition for the operative dentistry program is the same for all postgraduate programs. Please click here for financial information.
Benefits
Personal days
Students are given a maximum of eight personal days per year. These may be used for board exams, interviews, religious holidays, etc. There are no sick days. If a resident is out due to illness, personal days will be deducted.
Holidays
There are 12 university recognized holidays in which the school and all clinics are closed.
Between the fall and spring semesters there is an approximately two-week vacation time for residents. This usually begins mid-December and lasts until the first week of January.
Instruments
All supplies and materials must be purchased through the Boston University Dental School Supply Store. Please see the financial information web page for Operative Program instrument kit costs. It is recommended that residents also purchase an intraoral camera for case documentation.
Clinic Schedule
A typical schedule is as follows:
Students are scheduled in the clinic or in preclinical exercises five days a week for a total of 40 hours.
During the first semester of the first year, emphasis is placed on the preclinical exercises and biomedical science classes. Students are in preclinical exercises from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Fridays. Wednesdays and Thursdays students are in the clinic at the affiliated dental health center. Classes are held either before clinic from 8 a.m.-9 a.m. or after clinic from 5:30 p.m.-7 p.m.
Starting the second semester of the first year, the actual clinic hours increase and students are scheduled in the clinic from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. four days a week. Students are also scheduled one day a week at the affiliated dental health centers. Classes are held either before clinic from 8 a.m.-9 a.m. or after clinic from 5:30 p.m.-7 p.m.
Curriculum
Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study
Year 1
Preclinical Restorative
Laboratory instruction that will introduce new techniques and enhance technical restorative skills. Will provide exposure to procedures not exposed at the pre-doctoral level and give in-depth rationales of all potential clinical procedures that students will be expected to perform during their clinical career. Dr. Cassis and Faculty. 1st sem.
Preclinical Endodontics
Laboratory instruction in familiarizing the student with the cleaning and shaping and obturation techniques that are practiced in the dental health center. Dr. Sarkis and Faculty. 1st. sem.
SDM OP 803 Seminar: Operative Dentistry 1 cr, 1st and 2nd sem.
SDM OP 807 Preclinical Technique 1 cr, 1st sem.
SDM OP 912 Clinical Operative Dentistry I 6 cr, 2nd sem.
SDM OS 761 Medical Concerns of the Dental Patient 2 cr, 1st and 2nd sem.
SDM OS 828 Anxiety and Pain Control. 1 cr, 2nd sem.
SDM OS 831 Head and Neck Anatomy 1 cr, 1st sem.
SDM PA 801 Oral Pathology 2 cr, 2nd sem.
SDM PE 764 Current Concepts in Periodontology 1 cr, 1st sem.
SDM PE 827 Applied Dental Pharmacology 1 cr, 2nd sem.
SDM PE 830 Applications of Oral Medicine and Oral Pathology
1 cr, 2nd sem.
SDM PH 763 Bioethics and Law 1 cr, 2nd sem.
SDM PH 800 Introduction to Biostatistics/Epidemiology 1 cr, 2nd sem.
SDM PR 761 Occlusion 2 cr, 1st sem.
SDM PR 809 Prosthodontics Seminar and Literature Review 1cr 1st sem.
SDM PR 810 Case Presentation and Patient Care Conference 1 cr, 2nd sem.
SDM PR 813 Literature Review in General Dentistry 1 cr, 1st and 2nd sem
SDM PR 825 Postdoctoral Biomaterials 4 cr, 1st and 2nd sem.
SDM PR 828 Esthetic Dentistry 2 cr, 1st and 2nd sem.
SDM PR 844 Implantology Literature Review 2 cr, 1st and 2nd sem.
SDM PR 845 Implantology Topics 2cr, 1st and 2nd sem.
Year 2
SDM OP 913 Clinical Operative Dentistry II 20 cr, 3rd and 4th sem.
Master of Science in Dentistry in Operative Dentistry
In addition to the biomedical science and clinical requirements for the CAGS programs listed above, the following is required:
SDM OP 991 Research: Operative Dentistry 4 cr, 1st and 2nd sem.
Other coursework may be assigned at the discretion of the research adviser and the department chair.
Doctor of Science in Dentistry in Operative Dentistry
In addition to the basic science and clinical requirements for the CAGS programs listed above, the following is required:
SDM OP 992, 993, 994 Research: Operative Dentistry 12 cr, 1st-6th sem.
At the discretion of the Program Director and/or Department Chair, research students may participate in clinical activities during their research years.
