DENTAL EMERGENCY RESIDENCY PROGRAM
Dr. Talal H. Bokhamsin*
ABSTRACT
Dental Emergency by definition is a specialized field of study which
deals with acute emergent and urgent dental conditions, as well as
dental trauma. Most emergency physicians and dentists face dental
emergency cases, yet may feel uncomfortable due to inability to
adequately deal with the patient as whole, emergency practitioners may
lack certain dental related skills, and dentists may not be able to handle
the other related medical conditions that the patient suffers from, this
poses a management dilemma plus the fact that the emergency rooms
in emergency department usually not equipped to treat dental
emergency patients. So, as a way of bridging the gap, we proposed in
this thesis a residency program which offers either specialist an
opportunity to merge both fields into one, creating a more holistic and
collaborative approach to patient care. Since the stated educational program is a residency
geared toward specialty training and is a subdivision of emergency medicine, clinical
dentistry and oral maxillofacial surgery, the theme implements an integrated, objective and
competency- based curriculum. The main educational goal is to develop the required
knowledge and skills for practical application and to act as a consultant in clinical cases
related to the field of emergency dentistry. As a planned educational activity, curriculum
implements an objective, competency-based approach, with competency defined as: the blend
of skills, abilities, and knowledge needed to perform a specific task. Educational activities are
divided into blocks or cycles organized according to the clinical rotations and distributed
throughout the three years training period. Each resident is also required to complete a
research project for publication as a pre requisite for graduation.
Keywords: Dental Trauma, Dental Emergency, oral maxillofacial surgery, competency.
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