Doctor of Clinical Dentistry (DClinDent) in Prosthodontics

The philosophy of the Dental School in postgraduate education is to provide students with an opportunity to seek, to interpret and to apply knowledge while developing the skills required of a specialist practitioner.  Thus the doctoral degree programs are designed to provide candidates with advanced training in their chosen specialty, underpinned by an understanding of applied sciences, critical thought and analysis, interpersonal skills and self development.  A major aspect of the program involves students gaining an appreciation of research literature, research methodology, ethics and the conduct of a research project.

INTRODUCTION

The University of Adelaide's graduate program in Prosthodontics is of three years duration and leads to the degree of Doctor of Clinical Dentistry (Prosthodontics).  This is a specific program designed to lead to specialist registration in the field of prosthodontics.  The program comprises a mix of coursework, clinical work and a research project and is designed to conform to the “Educational Requirements” of the Australian and New Zealand Academy of Prosthodontists.

STAFFING

PROGRAM AIMS

The aim of the programme is to provide graduates with all of the skill and knowledge required for specialist practise in prosthodontics.

AVAILABILITY OF THE PROGRAM

There is a limited intake each year.
APPLICATION  CLOSING  DATE: 30TH JUNE of year prior to commencement.

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

A DClinDent program in prosthodontics involves a program of study comprising three years of full time research and study.  Candidates must attend such research seminars, research training courses and meetings, coursework tutorials, clinical sessions and other relevant courses as required by the supervisor.  Candidates must prepare a cumulative log summarising the clinical work performed in the principal subject areas for presentation to the examiners at the interim and final examinations.

The program is divided into two principal components:

1. Structured Program:

• Research methods, experimental design and ethics
• Coursework
• Clinical experience

2. Research:

• Research training
• Research project

STRUCTURED PROGRAM

Research methods, experimental design and ethics

A series of lectures, seminars and workshops that provide an introduction to research literature, research methods, critical thought, management of research data, ethics and other topics that are needed to undertake research training.  This part of the programme is presented in an intensive block followed by a series of seminars during the first six months of the program.

Course Work

Through reading, tutorials, seminars and case discussions students will gain knowledge and understanding in the areas of patient examination, assessment and management in prosthodontics, diagnosis, treatment planning and a range of prosthodontic techniques.  Students will also participate in a range of interdisciplinary activities with students from other specialist areas. 

Clinical Experience

Clinical work will focus mainly

• Fixed prosthodontics
• Removable prosthodontics
• Implantology
• Tempromandibular disorders
• Maxillofacial prosthodontics

All students are rostered to a minimum of clinical sessions per week for management of patients with prosthodontic needs.  Multidisciplinary patient care will also form part of the clinical experience. In addition, all students are required to participate in one undergraduate clinical teaching session per week and to attend clinical meetings.

RESEARCH

Research Training and Research Project

This is designed to provide training in the developmental and practical elements of biomedical research. It fulfils not only the requirement for a research project, but is based on the philosophy of research as the basis of biomedical science.  Students will be asked to evaluate published, current and future research as the basis of clinical practice with the expectation of research forming the platform for lifelong learning.
Details of recent and current prosthodontic research in the School of Dentistry is described on the School website.  http://www.health.adelaide.edu.au/dentistry/rdrg/

SCOPE

During the programme candidates are expected to acquire the following specified levels of knowledge:

1. A thorough knowledge of concepts and theories at specialist level in:
   • Fixed prosthodontics
   • Partial denture Prosthodontics
   • Complete denture prosthodontics
   • Implant prosthodontics
   • Maxillofacial prosthetics
   • Temporomandibular disorders
   • Occlusion
2. An understanding of and ability to apply knowledge in the following areas:
   • Biomaterials sciences
   • Gerodontics and prosthodontics
   • Diagnostic radiology
   • Periodontics
   • Preprosthetic surgery including implant placement
   • Endodontics
   • Speech pathology and therapy
   • Oral Surgery
   • Behavioural sciences
   • Teaching methods
   • Practice management, dental jurisprudence and dento/legal responsibilities
   • Orthodontics
   • Physical evaluation
   • Biostatistics and research methods
   • Literature review and scientific writing
3. Appropriate familiarity with the following areas:
   • Pain control
   • Medical emergencies
   • Oncology
   • Medically compromised patients
   • Hospital protocols
   • History of prosthodontics

During the programme students should:

1. Become competent in prosthodontic procedures such as:

• Occlusal equilibration
• Hinge-axis location
• Intraoral and extra oral tracings and static jaw relations
• Maxillomandibular transfer records
• Use of articulators
• Development of clinical occlusal schemes appropriate for fixed and removable prosthodontics
• Use of dental surveyors
• Differential diagnosis and treatment of temporomandibular disorders.

2. a) Have experience in the provision of the following fixed prosthodontic services:

• Complete arch restorations that may involve:
  • Fixed prosthodontics only
  • Fixed and removable prosthodontics
• Partial arch restorations that may involve:
  • Fixed prosthodontics only
  • Fixed and removable prosthodontics

2. b) This experience should include the following procedures:

• Full coverage restorations
• Partial coverage restorations
• Post and cores
• Pontics
• Follow-up care

3. a) Provide removable partial denture prosthodontic care for patients requiring:

• Partial prosthodontics only
• Partial prosthodontics in combination with fixed prosthodontics
• Partial prosthodontics in combination with conventional complete or overdentures.

3. b) This experience should include the following procedures:

• Tooth and tooth/tissue borne removable-prosthodontics
• Removable Prosthodontics with attachments
• Overdentures
• Transitional prostheses
• Follow-up care.

4. a) Provide complete denture prosthodontic care for patients requiring:

• Complete dentures for both arches
• Single complete dentures.

4. b) This experience should include the following procedures:

• Complete prosthodontic care for patients with varying anatomic characteristics.
• Complete prosthodontic care for patients with management problems including those of medical and psychological origin.
• Complete prosthodontic care for patients utilising a variety of occlusal schemes.
• Complete Prosthodontic care utilising various tooth forms and base materials.
• Complete prosthodontic cam involving 'immediate appliances'.
• Follow-up care.

5. a) Provide implant prosthodontic care involving fixed and removable prostheses for complete and partial arches and have exposureto a range of different implant systems.

5. b) This experience should include the following procedures:

• Complete fixed prostheses supported and/or retained by implants.
• Partial arch fixed prostheses supported and/or retained by implants.
• Removable partial prostheses supported and/or retained by implants.
• Overdenture prostheses supported and/or retained by implants.

6. Maxillofacial Prosthodontics
It is not intended that the programme should give students an in-depth level of knowledge and clinical skill in the full range of maxillofacial treatment. Students wishing to obtain such training after completing this programme should undertake training of at least one year in an appropriate specialist facility.  However, during the programme students may gain experience in providing maxillo-facial prosthetic services for patients with a range of defects including:

• Acquired Defects - Experiences may include an understanding of the management of patients with oral and extraoral defects which are the result of disease or trauma.

• Congenital or Developmental Defects - understanding of the management of patients with naturally acquired oral and extraoral defects.

• Facial Defects - Experience might include an understanding of the management of patients with extraoral defects which were naturally acquired (developmental or congenital) or produced by trauma or disease.

• Definitive facial restorations, to include nasal, auricular, ocular, orbital or composite (combined intraoral-extraoral) prostheses.

7. a) Students will provide care for patients with temporomandibular disorders involving management of :

• Myogenous disorders.
• Arthogenous disorders.
• Chronic/persistent orofacial pain.

7. b) In this area students should acquire a thorough knowledge of:

• The anatomy and biomechanics of the masticatory system.
• Pain mechanisms.
• The aetiology of TMD.
• Diagnostics tests and imaging for TMD.
• Differential diagnosis and management of TMD.

ASSESSMENT OF THE STRUCTURED PROGRAM

Assessment of this part of the programme includes continuous assessment of achievements in each component of the programme, a written examination and clinical case presentations toward the end of each year. The assessment process is common to all DClinDent programmes. 

ASSESSMENT OF THE RESEARCH PROGRAM

The final assessment is external examination of the “research portfolio” which will include evidence of a range of research activities and include a final draft of a paper describing the results of a research project in a format suitable for publication.  The rules are detailed in University and School documents.

General Information

Doctor of Clinical Dentistry - General Information: D.Clin.Dent