Penn Predoctoral Endodontic Society: Education (Didactic and Clinical)

Predoctoral Required Courses (4):

655 Endodontics L/B
The purpose of this course is to introduce students to the basic principles of root canal therapy (technical aspects) and introduce them to the diagnostic elements of root canal procedures. Students are introduced to endodontic techniques under simulated conditions using Columbia teeth and extracted teeth.

755 Endodontics L
The purpose of this course is to give students a foundation for understanding the clinical aspects of endodontics and the interactions with other departments, for example, restorative and periodontic dentistry. Students will be exposed to endodontic problems such as pulpal and periradicular pathologies.

756 Endodontics C
The Endodontic Clinic trains predoctoral students to become competent in basic endodontic procedures on vital and non-vital teeth. This includes instruction in diagnosis, treatment planning, treatment/obturation, post-endodontic restoration and related entities (bleaching of non-vital teeth, treatment of traumatic injuries, etc.). This instruction is expanded and reinforced in the third year clinic.

856 Endodontics C
The Endodontic Clinic trains predoctoral students to become competent in basic endodontic procedures on vital and non-vital teeth. This includes instruction in diagnosis, treatment planning, treatment/obturation, post-endodontic restoration and related entities (bleaching of non-vital teeth, treatment of traumatic injuries, etc.). in the third- and fourth-year clinic.

Predoctoral Selective Courses (4)

There will be a total of 4 selective courses offered by Department of Endodontics:

Selective #1: Operating the Microscope in Endodontics
Course Director: Dr. Bekir Karabucak
Contributing Faculty: Dr. Syngcuk Kim, Dr. Yi-Tai Jou, Dr. Mian Iqbal
Number of Units: 0.5 (2nd & 3rd Years)
Number of Students: 6 -16

Topics:

• Introduction of the operating microscope in Endodontics
• Operating the microscope in endodontic surgery
• Operating the microscope in conventional endodontics
• Practicing operating the microscope in endodontics

Selective #2: Advanced Endodontic Techniques
Course Director: Dr. Michael Marmo
Number of Units: 0.5 (3rd Year Students)
Number of Students: 10-12

Topics:

• Modern cleaning and shaping
• Nickel Titanium (NITI) Instrumentation
• Machine versus Hand Instrumentation
• Problems with NITI Instrumentation
• Advanced Hand Instrumentation Techniques
• Endodontic Surgery
  • Why surgery?
  • Microsurgical Instruments
  • Ultrasonics
• Obturation
  • Warm Techniques
  • “Continuous Wave” Obturation
  • Obtura and System B

Selective #3: Individualized Research Selective; Research in Endodontics
Course Director: Dr. Mian K. Iqbal
Number of Students: 2-3

Research Guidelines:
The participants work on an in-vitro research project related to clinical endodontics. The initial phase involves identification of a research topic through literature review. A research protocol will be formulated following which practical work on the project will be initiated. Afterwards, collection of data and statistical analysis will be performed. The project will then be presented at a local dental meeting.

Selective #4: Digital Dental Office
Course Director: Dr. Andrew Kim
Objective:
To familiarize students with current trends in digital technology for dental offices.

Topics:

• Digital Radiography
• Practice Management Software
• Designing a paperless office
• Integration of various technology
• Internet & In-Office Network

Continuing Dental Education

Endodontic Microsurgery
(2-Day Hands-On Course, Live Demonstration Surgery)
Instructor: Drs. Syngcuk Kim, S. Kratchman and Faculty
Course Open to: Endodontists/GPs, Oral Surgeons, and Others
For dates and more information, please refer to the CE section of the Journal of Endodontics or visit: The Microscope Training Center.

For additional CDE courses about endodontics, please visit the Penn Dental Medicine Lifelong Learning seminars.

Clinical Expectation / Competency Requirement

Upon completion of two clinical years, each student will have completed a minimum of 22 canals or their equivalent. The clinical criteria follows:

• One half of a canal equivalent credit is given for each mandatory endodontic emergency clinic rotation that the student successfully completes for a total of 4 canal equivalents in two years
• Equivalent credit is also given for volunteer endodontic emergency clinic rotations
• One half of a canal equivalent is given for each rotation up to a maximum of 2 canal equivalents
• The remainder of the student's clinical expectations is made up of 3 extracted teeth (one anterior, one premolar and one molar, totaling 3 canal equivalents) and a combination of anterior, premolar, and at least two molar teeth
• Students must complete a minimum of 7 canals or equivalents on anterior or premolar teeth in order to be considered eligible to treat molar teeth. This minimum can be comprised of 7 natural canals in-vivo or 5 natural canals and 2 canals in-vitro

Endodontic Clinical Competency Examination
(CCEs-Endo)

The CCEs are part of an overall interdisciplinary competency evaluation program (ICE) to evaluate clinical competency and to assist in preparing students for the NERB examinations. All students are required to pass the CCEs to graduate.

Two Components of CCEs:

1. Clinical component – Qualitative / Quantitative Evaluation (Upon Canal Completion)

2. Objective Structured Competency Evaluation (OSCE)
Endo OSCE I
Endo OSCE II
Endo OSCE III
Director: Dr. Yi-Tai Jou

Endodontic procedures performed in a simulated clinical setting include:

• Access opening
  • Location
  • External Outline
  • Taper
• Canal Instrumentation
  • Cervical Preparation
  • Midroot Preparation
  • Apical Preparation
• Root Canal Obturation
  • Extent
  • Density
  • Adapation
  • Patient Management