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University of Kentucy College of Dentistry 
Building a Foundation for the Future
 
DMD Program

College Competencies for the new DMD program graduate


Competencies are defined as a set of knowledge, skills and values that a dental graduate is expected to demonstrate consistently and independently.  Successful completion of each competency evaluation is one of the requirements for graduation from the College of Dentistry.  These competencies are subject to continuous review and improvement:

  1. The new dentist must be able to practice ethically.

  2. The new dentist must be able to acquire, analyze, and  synthesize information in a scientific, critical and effective manner.
  3. The new dentist must be able to communicate effectively, both orally and  in writing, with colleagues, other health care providers, staff, patients, and the public. 
  4. The new dentist must be able to collect, record, and evaluate the biological, psychological, and social information needed to assess the patient’s oral and general health. This includes the ability to recognize and manage behavioral factors that affect oral health and utilize the information to implement strategies that facilitate the delivery of oral health care.
  5. The new dentist must be able to establish a differential, provisional or definitive diagnosis by interpreting and correlating findings from the history, consultations, and examination.
  6. The new dentist must be able to develop, present, and discuss treatment goals and plans that address the needs, desires, and abilities of patients in diverse age groups.
  7. The new dentist must be able to promote and improve the oral health of individuals, families, and groups in the community.
  8. The new dentist must be able to provide care for patients of diverse ages that emphasizes prevention of oral disease and supports the maintenance of existing systemic and oral health.
  9. The new dentist must be able to assess, diagnose, and manage anxiety, apprehension, and dental and orofacial pain.
  10. The new dentist must be able to assess, diagnose, and   manage diseases of pulpal and periradicular origin.
  11. The new dentist must be able to assess, diagnose, and  manage periodontal diseases and monitor the effectiveness of therapy.
  12. The new dentist must be able to assess, diagnose, and  manage conditions requiring oral and  maxillofacial surgical therapy.
  13. The new dentist must be able to assess, diagnose, and  manage dental and  medical emergency situations encountered in the practice of general dentistry.
  14. The new dentist must be able to assess, diagnose and manage orofacial pain, temporomandibular disorders (TMD), bruxism, and dysfunctional dental occlusion.
  15. The new dentist must be able to assess, diagnose, and   manage developmental and/or acquired craniofacial/dental abnormalities of the primary, mixed, and  permanent dentitions.
  16. The new dentist must be able to assess, diagnose, and  manage oral mucosal and  osseous diseases or disorders and  be able to provide general dental care to most medically, physically or emotionally compromised patients in an outpatient setting.
  17. The new dentist must be able to assess, diagnose, and   manage dental needs of children & physically and  mentally disabled patients.
  18. The new dentist must be able to assess, diagnose, and treat the oral conditions of patients requiring restoration and replacement of teeth in order to achieve a dentition that is comfortable, functional, and natural in appearance.