Course Outline:

Introduction to clinical pediatric dentistry, including behavior management, oral diagnosis, preventive dentistry, care of infants and toddlers, dental anomalies, radiography, anesthesia, restorative procedures, pulp therapy, space maintenance, oral surgery for the primary dentition, and traumatic injuries in the primary and permanent dentitions. The course is structured so the student may gain experience in the skills necessary to integrate orthodontic treatment within the context of general dental practice. These include a comprehensive clinical evaluation, selecting the correct diagnostic records, developing a list of the patient's orthodontic problems, formulating treatment objectives and establishing a treatment plan that will include the integration of orthodontic treatment with other aspects of dental care when appropriate. The student will also gain familiarity with the biomechanical and patient management principles of orthodontic treatment so they may provide their patients with accurate information about the benefits, risks, practices and alternatives available to patients with both simple and complex malocclusions.