Endodontics

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Endodontics: is the dental specialty pertaining to the biology, pathology and regeneration of the human dental complex and periradicular tissues. Its study and practice encompass the biological and clinical sciences related to the normal and diseased dental pulp and associated periradicular tissues, as well as the etiology, diagnosis, prevention and treatment of pathoses and injuries of these tissues. Endodontics emphasizes the preservation of the healthy natural dentition to promote the highest quality of life.

It is our belief that the development of scientific attitudes, of inquiring minds, and of professional curiosity, is every bit as important as the development of technical skill and craftsmanship. Put differently, we are dedicated to the task of producing not only a competent endodontic specialist, but a professional person--professional in every sense of the word.

General Information

The University of Detroit began its educational work in 1877 and was incorporated as the Detroit College in 1881. In 1911, it was reorganized and became the University of Detroit. In 1990, it consolidated with Mercy College and was given its present name, the University of Detroit Mercy. The School of Dentistry was established in 1932.

The Postgraduate Endodontic Program began in 1959 as a part-time program, with the first graduate in 1961. The first full-time student graduated in 1966, receiving a Certificate in Endodontics. The first Master of Science degree was awarded in 1984. Our graduates are among the leading clinicians, researchers and educators in the United States and Canada.

In August, 1997 the dental school moved from its downtown location to a new clinical facility on the Outer Drive campus of the University in the Northwest section of the City of Detroit. Included in this facility is a 1500 square foot graduate Endodontic Clinic containing five operatories, a surgical suite and conference room equipped with state-of-the-art technology such as operating microscopes and digital radiography.

Fees and Expenses

The following chart shows the estimated cost of two years of study leading to the MS Degree and Certificate in Endodontics at the University of Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry.

*Fees are subject to change without notice. It is anticipated that the costs of tuition and books will increase commensurate with inflation, budget needs, or similar affecting factors. Current costs are available upon request.

First Year - 2006-2007 *(Estimated)
Tuition................ $37,500
Books, Fees, Insurance and.........
Instrument Rental $3,500

Total.................. $41,000


Second Year - 2007-2008* (Estimated)
Tuition................. $38,500
Books, Fees, Insurance and..........
Instrument Rental 3,500

Total................... $42,000

Admission Policies and Procedures

The program is limited to three students entering in each year. It is preferable that applicants rank in the top 25% of their graduating class and have had a minimum of one year of private practice experience or its equivalent (general practice residency, military service, etc.)

Applicants must plan to attend the program on a full-time basis.

Applications must be completed and filed with the Department of Endodontics by October 1st of the year prior to the year of anticipated entry into the program. The completed application must be accompanied by a $75.00 application fee. This fee is non-refundable and may not be credited to tuition fees should the applicant be accepted into the program. Applications will not be considered until all records and fees have been received.

Applicants may apply directly to the University of Detroit Mercy, School of Dentistry, Endodontic Department, or through the Postdoctoral Application Support Service (PASS). The specific University of Detroit Mercy application fee and photograph are not processed through PASS.

The University of Detroit Mercy is committed to the principle of equal opportunity for all regardless of age, sex, race, creed, national or ethic origin handicap, weight and sexual preference.

Applicants must be graduates from institutions in the United States or Canada accredited by the ADA Commission on Dental Accreditation, or a foreign dental school of equivalent educational background and standing as determined by the admissions committee.

Criteria used to evaluate program applicants include: dental school grade point average, class rank, National Board scores, research, publications, experience since graduating from dental school, letters of recommendation, and motivation for endodontics.

Applicants who are deemed acceptable by the Graduate Endodontic Admissions Committee are appointed for a personal interview. Upon written notification of acceptance into the program, the applicant must send a deposit fee of $1000.00 within ten days or he/she automatically loses his/her reserved place. This deposit fee is applied to the first term tuition and is non-refundable should the applicant withdraw his/her acceptance at a later date.

Reapplication - Applicants who are not successful in obtaining a training position may subsequently reactivate their application for the following year consideration. A reapplication letter of instruction must be accompanied by a $50.00 reapplication fee. Applicants are encouraged to update their application material to reflect the most current and accurate information. Completed application packets will be retained or one year following each review.

Financial Aid

All financial aid applicants are required to file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Applications are available in the Scholarship and Financial Aid Office.

Grants

Michigan residents studying at the University of Detroit Mercy may qualify for the Michigan Tuition Grant, a need-based grant given to Michigan residents who show eligibility. The amount of the grant may vary; the current maximum award is $2,000. To apply complete a FAFSA. Application deadline date is June 15 of each year.

Loans

Educational loans are available to help meet the cost of education, including living expenses if necessary. A complete FAFSA is required before a loan application can be certified by the Financial Aid Coordinator. The Federal Subsidized Stafford and Federal Unsubsidized Stafford loans combined allows you to borrow up to $18,500 per academic year. The interest is subsidized on up to $8,500 of the principle by the Federal government. The interest rate varies annually and as of July 1, 2005 the interest rate was 4.70%.

A variety of other educational loans are available to credit worthy applicants who need additional funding to help meet expenses. Generally the interest rates are slightly higher than the Federal loans and the interest is not subsidized.

Applicants are encouraged to borrow from the same lender as they have in the past; applications are available from your lender or the financial aid office. Additional information can be obtained from the Dental School Financial Aid Coordinator at:

Scholarship and Financial Aid Office
University of Detroit Mercy
2700 Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard
Detroit, MI 48208-2576
(313) 494-6617

School of Dentistry Financial Information maybe be directly obtained by contacting Camellia Taylor (taylorca2@udmercy.edu)

Graduate Program in Endodontics

The program is designed to satisfy in 24 months the educational requirements for certification of eligibility for limitation of practice in endodontics, and examination by the American Board of Endodontics. It conforms with the Guidelines for Advanced Study in Endodontics prepared by the American Board of Endodontics, the Education Committee of the American Association of Endodontists, and the Council on Dental Education of the American Dental Association. The incoming class enters July 1st every year.

Beyond the skills of a competent dentist, the student is expected to develop those skills and procedures consistent with the role of a specialist in endodontics. These include:

  • the ability to diagnose and treat all manifestations of pulpal and periapical disease in the context of sound health care and comprehensive dental therapy.
  • competency in all aspects of endodontic care: vital pulp therapy, non-surgical endodontic therapy, emergency care and surgical endodontic therapy -apicoectomy, root-end filling, root amputation and curettage.
  • thorough familiarity with past and current literature pertaining to endodontics and understanding of research methods, so that future literature will form the basis for rational modification of concepts.

In addition, students are expected to demonstrate the ability to define an endodontically related research problem, develop a research protocol, carry out the research and prepare a presentation of the project. Students also participate in undergraduate laboratory and clinical practice teaching.

A certificate in Endodontics and the degree of Master of Science will be granted by the University upon the satisfactory completion of all required courses and the research project.

Required courses include:

Preclinical Endodontics
Orofacial Pain
Head and Neck Anatomy
Oral Pathology
Endodontology
Research Methodology/Biostatistics
Microbiology-Immunology
Research Design and Analysis
Pulp Biology
Endodontic Surgery
Advanced Endodontics
Endodontic Case Review
Endodontic Literature Review
Clinical Endodontics
Current Literature Review

It is possible for our graduate students to practice outside of the graduate program while enrolled. However, this activity must not compromise the educational experience and the fulfillment of responsibilities to the patients and the Department of Endodontics.

The Research Program

Introduction

One of the requirements for the successful completion of the endodontic program in the Graduate Department of Endodontics at the University of Detroit Mercy is that you initiate, conduct, complete and present an original research project, including a written article for submission to a professional journal. The basis for the requirement stems from the conviction that a research experience can, perhaps better than any other learning experience, develop and/or refine habits of critical thinking and reading. It is difficult to imagine a more appropriate goal for education at any level.

The Research Project

The research topic must be one that can be formulated in terms of a research hypothesis and one that is amenable to systematic and scientific investigation, including statistical evaluation of the data. Also, the project should be one that can be completed during your two year program. All research topics must be approved by the Director of Research and the Research Committee at the outset

Project Advisor and Review Committee

In carrying out your research project there are several people who will be available to you for advice and assistance. These include the Director of Research, your Department Chairman, your Project Advisor, your Review Committee, and members of the faculty.

The Project Advisor generally will be a faculty member of this institution or some affiliated institution, and is the person with whom you will work most closely in terms of advice and guidance throughout the project. In most instances you may select the individual who will serve as your Project Advisor.

Your Review Committee will consist of a minimum of three persons: the Director of graduate endodontics, Project Advisor, and the Director of Research. Additional qualified persons may be asked to serve on the Review Committee by any of the persons previously mentioned, or by yourself. Such a request need only be relayed to the Director of Research, who will make the necessary arrangements.

At least two "research hearings" will be held. A "preliminary hearing" will be held soon after you have established your research design. It is at this time that any questions, confusions or apprehensions concerning the research, either on the part of the Review Committee or yourself, should be fully aired.

The "final hearing" will be held after you have completed your research project and after each member of your Review Committee has received a typewritten copy of the final version of your research report. If, for any reason, either you or any member of your Review Committee should wish to convene the Committee for an additional hearing, such requests simply may be relayed to the Director of Research who will make the appropriate arrangements. The recommendations of the Committee are given to the student immediately following the hearing, who is then responsible for implementing these recommendations.

The Research Paper

The University of Detroit Mercy Department of Endodontics no longer requires the traditional thesis as the written report of your research. In place of the thesis, the Department requires that the written report take the form of an article in suitable form for submission to a professional journal. The journal to which you submit your research may be of your own choosing. If you select a target journal at the outset of your research project, the format and style of the written report will adhere to that employed by that particular journal. If you do not have a particular journal in mind as you begin your research, the written report will simply follow the format utilized by most professional journals in reporting research results, that is: Introduction, Review of the Literature, Methods and Materials, Results, Discussion, Summary and Conclusions, and References. The Director of Research and your Project Advisor will work closely with you during this phase of your project.

Timelines

By the completion of course DEN 590 (Basic Research Methods), each resident will have developed a written research proposal. The proposal will include the problem statement, purpose and background literature review. During this semester, the project advisor and review committee will be determined and provide appropriate input.

By the completion of the course DEN 591 (Biostatistics), each resident will have developed the written research protocol. The protocol will include the introduction, purpose, methods and materials, and statistic analysis in the format of the referred journal to which the article will be submitted. The research protocol will then be reviewed/approved by the review committee.

It is anticipated that the experimentation and data collection will be conducted during the summer between the first and second years. By the completion of the second year Fall Term, all data will be collected, analyzed and the written article developed.

The project will be presented multiple times during the final semester and the written manuscript submitted for publication

Curriculum

First Year

Summer Term
DEN 501 Head and Neck Anatomy
DEN 506 Preclinical Endodontics

Fall Term
DEN 501 Head and Neck Anatomy
DEN 511 Endodontology
DEN 514 Microbiology and Immunology
DEN 515 Clinical Endodontics
DEN 521 Endodontic Case Review
DEN 522 Pulp Biology
DEN 524 Endodontic Literature Review
DEN 525 Current Literature Seminar
DEN 567 Advanced Endodontics
DEN 590 Biostatistics/Basic Research Methods

Winter Term
DEN 508 Differential Diagnosis of Orofacial Pain
DEN 511 Endodontology
DEN 515 Clinical Endodontics
DEN 517 Oral Pathology
DEN 521 Endodontic Case Review
DEN 522 Pulp Biology
DEN 524 Endodontic Literature Review
DEN 526 Current Literature Seminar
DEN 568 Advanced Endodontics
DEN 569 Endodontic Surgery
DEN 575 Microbiology and Immunology
DEN 591 Biostatistics/Basic Research Methods

Second Year

Summer Term
DEN 516 Clinical Endodontics
DEN 523 Endodontic Case Review
DEN 596 Endodontic Research

Fall Term
DEN 516 Clinical Endodontics
DEN 523 Endodontic Case Review
DEN 529 Endodontic Literature Review
DEN 530 Current Literature Seminar
DEN 586 Practice Teaching
DEN 599 Endodontic Research

Winter Term
DEN 519 Clinical Endodontics
DEN 527 Endodontic Case Review
DEN 529 Endodontic Literature Review
DEN 531 Current Literature Seminar
DEN 587 Practice Teaching
DEN 599 Endodontic Research

Course Descriptions

DEN 501
Head and Neck Anatomy

This course consists of head and neck dissection with emphasis on structures and functions relating to dentistry in general and endodontics specifically. 2 credits

DEN 506
Preclinical Endodontics

This course introduces the entering graduate students to the major topical areas in clinical endodontics prior to beginning patient care. 4 credits

DEN 508
Differential Diagnosis of Orofacial Pain

This course provides the foundation knowledge necessary to differentiate orofacial pain of endodontic origin from nondontogenic pain. 3 credits

DEN 511
Endodontology

Specific areas of clinical pharmacology, internal medicine and infectious diseases that may have a direct relationship to clinical treatment of the endodontic patient are discussed. (Two terms) 4 credits

DEN 514, 575
Microbiology and Immunology

Current concepts of clinical microbiology, immunology, virology and antimicrobial chemotherapy are considered in their application to maxillofacial infections. 4 credits

DEN 515
Endodontic Clinic

The clinical delivery of comprehensive endodontic therapy to patients with various types of pulpal/periapical conditions. (Two terms) 8 credits

DEN 516, 519
Endodontic Clinic

These courses are a continuation of DEN 515. 4 credits each


DEN 517
Oral Pathology

A study of pathologic conditions affecting the oral and paraoral regions. 6 Clinical features are correlated to the histologic alterations characteristic of each disease. 4 credit

DEN 521
Endodontic Case Review

This seminar will review and evaluate the success/failure of all patients treated. Treatment records will be analyzed during a detailed discussion of diagnosis and treatment providing a critical evaluation of the clinical result. 2 credits

DEN 523, 527
Endodontic Case Review

These courses are a continuation of DEN 521. 1 credit each

DEN 522
Pulp Biology

An in-depth study of the dental pulp in health and disease. Pulpal reactions to irritants are emphasized along with associated diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. (Two terms) 3 credits

DEN 524
Endodontic Literature Review

This course gives the student an in-depth knowledge of certain previously published articles in the endodontic literature and related fields. 4 credits

DEN 529
Endodontic Literature Review

This course is a continuation of DEN 524. 4 credits

DEN 525
Current Literature Seminar

Endodontic texts and/or published reports of special conferences related to endodontics are reviewed and discussed. Current journal articles of interest will also be reviewed. 1 credit

DEN 526, 530, 531
Current Literature Seminar

These courses are a continuation of DEN 525. 1 credit each

DEN 567
Advanced Endodontics

Prepares the student to be able to diagnose, treat and manage patients with diseases of pulpal origin. 1 credit

DEN 568
Advanced Endodontics

A continuation of DEN 567. 1 credit

DEN 569
Endodontic Surgery

Basic principles of surgical endodontics are presented. Indications, contraindications and techniques are emphasized. 1 credit

DEN 586
Practice Teaching

This course is designed to expose the student to the methods of teaching undergraduate dental students in the clinic, laboratory and classroom. 2 credits

DEN 587
Practice Teaching

A continuation of DEN 586. 2 credits

DEN 590, 591
Biostatistics/Basic Research Methods

Basic principles and techniques of research design and analysis are presented. Introduction to probability theory, sampling theory, criteria of reliability and validity and fundamentals of descriptive and inferential statistics are discussed. Scales of measurements and applications of parametric and nonparametric tests are introduced. Interpretation and evaluation of current research findings to professional practice is emphasized. (Two terms) 1 credit each


DEN 596, 599
Endodontic Research

Independent research relating to the research project requirement for the MS degree in endodontics.
Phase I consists of the formulation of the research idea, review of appropriate literature and establishing the research design.
Phase II comprises the collection of the data relating to the research project.
Phase III involves the analysis and interpretation of the data and the finalization of the article to be submitted to a professional journal. 8 credits

Department Faculty

Full-time

Dr. John P. Braud Jr., Associate Professor, Chairman
B.A. Louisiana State University - 1965
D.D.S. Loyola University, New Orleans - 1970
Certificate in Endodontics, University of Oregon - 1978
M.Ed University of New Orleans - 1981
Diplomate, American Board of Endodontics

Dr. Michael Hoen, Associate Professor, Graduate Program Director
B.S. United States Military Academy - 1970
D.D.S. University of Detroit - 1978
Certificate in Endodontics, Walter Reed Army Medical Center - 1987
Diplomate, American Board of Endodontics

Dr. H. Robert Steiman, Dean
B.S. North Dakota State University - 1964
M.S. Wayne State University - 1967
Ph.D. Wayne State University - 1969
D.D.S. University of Detroit - 1973
M.S. Endodontics, Indiana University - 1979
Diplomate, American Board of Endodontics

Dr. Josef Ma. Karlos S. Bringas, Assistant Professor
D.M.D. University of the Philippines - 1991
Certificate in Prosthodontics, Indiana University - 1997
D.D.S. University of Detroit Mercy - 2000
Certificate in Endodontics, University of Detroit Mercy - 2005
M.S. University of Detroit Mercy - 2005

Part-Time

Dr. Lawrence Ashman, Adjunct Assistant Professor
D.D.S University of Detroit - 1973

Dr. Arnold Gartner, Adjunct Assistant Professor
D.D.S. University of Detroit - 1968
Certificate in Endodontics, University of Detroit - 1976
Diplomate, American Board of Endodontics

Dr. George Goodis, Adjunct Clinical Associate Professor
B.S. University of Michigan - 1962
D.D.S. University of Michigan - 1966
Certificate in Endodontics, University of Southern California - 1978
Diplomate, American Board of Endodontics

Dr. Michael Gossack, Adjunct Clinical Associate Professor
B.S. McGill University - 1972
D.D.S. McGill University - 1977
Certificate in Endodontics, University of Detroit - 1982

Dr. Gerald Halk, Adjunct Instructor
B.S. University of Michigan - 1983
D.D.S. University of Michigan - 1987
M.S. ODRS University of Michigan - 1988
M.S.- Endodontics, University of Detroit Mercy - 1990
J.D. University of Detroit Mercy - 1995

Dr. Louis Hirschmann, Adjunct Clinical Associate Professor
B.S. Wayne State University - 1958
D.D.S. University of Detroit - 1962
Certificate in Endodontics, Loyola University - 1969

Dr. Timothy McManus, Adjunct Clinical Instructor

B.S. University of Western Ontario - 1985
D.D.S. University of Detroit - 1989
Certificate in Endodontics, University of Detroit Mercy 1996

Dr. Susan Paurazas, Adjunct Instructor

B.S. University of Detroit - 1981
D.D.S. University of Detroit - 1985
MHSA University of Michigan - 1994
M.S. University of Detroit Mercy - 1998
Certificate in Endodontics, University of Detroit Mercy - 1998

Dr. Edward Snella, Adjunct Clinical Professor

D.D.S. University of Detroit - 1963
Certificate in Endodontics, University of Detroit - 1966

Dr. Vladimir Tismenetskiy, Adjunct Clinical Instructor
B.S. Wayne State University - 1995
D.D.S. University of Detroit Mercy - 1999
M.S. - Endodontics, Albert Einstein MC - 2001