​Competency Statements

Graduates of the College of Dental Medicine are expected to be competent to begin the practice of general dentistry. The following competency statements outline the scope of general dentistry as defined by the faculty of the College of Dental Medicine. They are aligned with the College’s mission statement and reflect the knowledge, skills, and values required for the practice of primary care dentistry on patients across the phases of life including those with special needs. The statements are grouped into six domains of competence necessary to address patient’s oral healthcare needs and to contribute to their overall wellness.

Knowledge of the Body in Health and Disease

Graduates must be able to:

  1. Demonstrate understanding of biological principles including knowledge of fundamental structures, functions, and interrelationships of the body systems
  2. Demonstrate understanding of the biology of the oro-facial complex and its interrelationship with the body
  3. Demonstrate understanding of abnormal biological processes including the etiology, epidemiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, prevention, treatment, and prognosis of oral and oral-related disease

Patient Care: Diagnosis and Treatment Planning

Graduates must be able to:

  1. Apply biomedical science knowledge in diagnosis and treatment planning
  2. Perform screening and risk assessment for head and neck cancer
  3. Manage patient assessment, diagnosis, and prognosis
  4. Complete comprehensive treatment planning and identify the need to refer patients

Patient Care: Health Promotion and Disease Management

Graduates must be able to:

  1. Promote oral health and disease prevention
  2. Recognize and manage caries, periodontal diseases, pulpal diseases, malocclusion, oral surgical needs, dental emergencies, and hard/soft tissue lesions
  3. Manage pain and anxiety for dental patients
  4. Restore defective and missing teeth to proper form and function
  5. Develop plans for the maintenance of oral health
  6. Evaluate treatment outcomes

Professionalism and Interprofessional Collaboration

Graduates must be able to:

  1. Behave ethically and professionally
  2. Apply principles of behavioral sciences in communication and patient-centered care
  3. Collaborate with members of the health care team
  4. Communicate effectively with individuals from diverse populations

Practice Management

Graduates must be able to:

  1. Apply the basic principles of practice management
  2. Apply legal and regulatory standards in the provision of oral healthcare, including obtaining informed consent
  3. Apply standard health precautions in the dental setting for protection of patients, providers, and staff
  4. Demonstrate understanding of how to lead an oral health care team
  5. Evaluate different models of oral health care delivery

Critical Thinking and Self-Assessment

Graduates must be able to:

  1. Critically analyze, problem solve, and communicate findings from scientific and lay literature to provide evidence-based patient care
  2. Demonstrate the ability to continually self-assess knowledge and clinical skills