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.

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
SDM OP 803 Seminar: Operative Dentistry 1 cr, 1st and 2nd sem.
SDM OP 805 Principles of Operative Dentistry and Preclinical Technique 2 cr, 1st sem.
SDM OS 761 Medical Concerns of the Dental Patient 2 cr, 1st sem.
SDM OS 828 Pain and Anxiety Control. 1 cr, 1st sem.
SDM OS 831 Head and Neck Anatomy 3 cr, 1st sem.
SDM PE 764 Current Concepts in Periodontology .5 cr, 1st sem.
SDM PE 827 Applied Dental Pharmacology 1 cr, 2nd sem.
SDM PE 830 Oral Medicine 1 cr, 2nd sem.
SDM PH 741 Behavioral Sciences 1 cr, 1st sem.
SDM PH 763 Bioethics and Law 1 cr, 2nd sem.
SDM PH 803 Biostatistics 2 cr, 1st sem.
SDM PR 761 Occlusion 2 cr, 1st sem.
SDM PR 810 Case Presentation and Treatment Plan Seminar 1 cr, 2nd sem.
SDM PR 812 Prosthodontic Seminar and Literature Review 1 cr, 1st sem.
SDM PR 813 Literature Review for General Dentistry 1 cr, 1st and 2nd sem
SDM PR 825 Postdoctoral Biomaterials 2 cr, 1st and 2nd sem.
SDM PR 828 Esthetic Dentistry 2 cr, 1st and 2nd sem.
SDM PA 801 Oral Pathology 2 cr, 2nd sem
SDM PH 763 Bioethics and Law 1 cr, 2nd sem.
SDM PH 912 Clinical Operative Dentistry I, 2nd sem


Year 2
SDM OP 803 Seminar: Operative Dentistry 1 cr, 1st and 2nd sem.
SDM OP 913 Clinical Operative Dentistry II


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.