Prosthodontic Residency Training Program

Introduction - The Prosthodontic Residency Training Program, offered by the US Army Dental Activity (DENTAC), Fort Eisenhower, Georgia, is a three-year advanced education program leading to specialty certification in Prosthodontics for selected US Army Dental Corps officers. Upon successful completion of training, a resident will be awarded a certificate of completion and the skill identifier 63F9C by the Office of The Surgeon General of the US Army. The program is fully accredited by the Council on Accreditation of the American Dental Association and its graduates are recognized as qualified to take the examination of the American Board of Prosthodontics.
 
Purpose of the Program - The purpose of this program is to train selected dental officers in all aspects of prosthodontics. The resident will learn the background sciences and develop the clinical experience necessary to select those techniques which meet the biological, physiological, and mechanical requirements for oral rehabilitation. The clinical aspect will require attention to detail, precision, and perfection of various techniques. The interrelation of other clinical specialties with prosthodontics is also emphasized. The didactic phase will be presented through formal courses, staff lectures, consultant visits, hospital conferences, library and independent research, literature reviews and seminars.
 
Master's Degree Program - In cooperation with The Uniformed Services University, a Master’s Degree will be awarded in conjunction with the Certificate in Prosthodontics. The resident must initiate and complete a research project, to include a final written document, in order to be awarded either the Master’s Degree or certificate in prosthodontics.
 
Program Objectives -The Prosthodontics Residency Program has the following objectives:
 
◾Preparation of skilled and thoughtful prosthodontists.
◾Qualification and preparation for certification by the American Board of Prosthodontics.
◾Exposure to research methodology and scientific writing.
◾Preparation for teaching.
◾Preparation for a position as chief of a Prosthodontics Service.

Period of Training - The period of training is three years and consists of a minimum of 48 weeks each year.

Scope of Training - Training will include all clinical phases of prosthodontic practice. Residents will be exposed to a broad range of techniques used in fixed, removable, implant and maxillofacial prosthodontics during the program, thus gaining the background and experience necessary to select those techniques which work best for them, and to instruct others in their use. New and improved materials will be evaluated as they are introduced to the dental profession.

First Year of Residency Program (General Description) - The first year resident will treat patients 60% of the time and will be involved with didactic courses 40% of the time. Time is afforded for study and individual investigation into subjects as recommended by the American Dental Association Council on Dental Education. Technical laboratory assignments are made relative to all phases of the specialty. The fields of fixed, removable, and implant prosthodontics and maxillofacial prosthetics are included in the program to provide background in the broad field of prosthodontics and to enable the resident to challenge the American Board of Prosthodontics examination. The resident engages in practical exercises, assigned projects, and investigative procedures which prepare him/her to perform all laboratory procedures accurately and to be able to demonstrate them comprehensively to others.

Second Year of Residency Program (General Description) - Upon satisfactory completion of the first year of residency training, more flexibility will be permitted for the second year resident. The second year resident will treat patients 60% of the time and will be involved with didactic courses 40% of the time and will also assume a greater degree of responsibility for the examination and treatment planning of patients presenting for treatment at the facility. Development of a thorough degree of skill and aptitude in the specialty requires the repeated application of principles learned and the formulation of accurate and practical patient treatment practices. Supervision will remain constant through discussion and consultation with the mentor.

The second year residents will be required to present lectures and demonstrations to prepare them for assumption of future clinical and teaching assignments. He/she will begin to assume the duties and responsibilities of an assistant to the Mentors and Chief Resident and will provide guidance and assistance to the First Year residents.

Third Year of Residency Program (General Description) - At the beginning of the third year, the resident will have completed the didactic portion of the residency. Residents will now treat patients about 90% of the time, but will also assume the duties and responsibilities of an assistant to the mentors. Duties will be scheduled on a rotating basis and the senior resident will be assigned the title of Chief Resident. Time during the third year will be utilized for pursuing additional study in the areas of clinical patient care, research or education, and improving clinical practice efficiencies for becoming a productive prosthodontist. Through teaching and patient care the resident must demonstrate knowledge at the in-depth level in removable prosthodontics, to include complete dentures and removable dental prostheses (RDP’s), fixed prosthodontics, implant prosthodontics, and occlusion. The resident is also expected to present their research in the form of the poster competition at the annual session of either The American College of Prosthodontists (ACP) or The American academy of Fixed Prosthodontics (AAFP). A complete and detailed list of subjects and required depth of knowledge can be found in the Accreditation Standards for Advanced Specialty Education Programs in Prosthodontics produced by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association.

 

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