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UW School of Dentistry

course-year: third-autumn

DENTCP 684

Dental Curriculum Threads

Pediatric Dentistry Clinic

Course Director(s): Anna Forsyth
Credits: 3 (Earned over three quarters)
Quarters/Yr of Program: Autumn, Winter, Spring / 3

Course Overview

Students develop foundational skills in preventing, diagnosing, and planning treatment for pediatric dental patients. The course focuses on delivering comprehensive care at a beginner level, within the scope of general dentistry.

Learning Objectives

The student who successfully completes this course will be able to:

  1. Diagnose treatment needs for pediatric patients.
  2. Demonstrate charting medical and dental information relevant to pediatric patient care.
  3. Prescribe radiographic images of pediatric patients following AAPD guidelines.
  4. Interpret radiographic images of pediatric patients.
  5. Practice caries risk assessment according to AAPD guidelines.
  6. Provide individualized patient anticipatory guidance according to AAPD guidelines.
  7. Provide non-pharmacologic behavior management for pediatric patients following the AAPD guidelines.
  8. Demonstrate diagnosis and treatment planning of dental care for pediatric patients with special care needs.
  9. Complete accurate and timely chart documentation and record-keeping.

UWSOD Competencies: C-06, C-04, C-15, C-07, C-14, C-12, C-13, C-11, C-3

Date last updated: 2026-10-06

DENTCP 685

Dental Curriculum Threads

Periodontics Clinic

Course Director(s): Diane Daubert
Credits: 4 (Earned over three quarters)
Quarters/Yr of Program: Autumn, Winter, Spring / 3

Course Overview

Students provide periodontal diagnosis, treatment planning, and therapy for cases of minimal to moderate difficulty within the scope of general dentistry. Emphasis is placed on identifying patient needs, completing appropriate care, and recognizing situations that require referral to a periodontal specialist.

Learning Objectives

The student who successfully completes this course will be able to:

  1. Clinically assess patients with periodontal disease.
  2. Accurately identify radiographic findings for periodontal disease diagnosis.
  3. Design evidence-based treatment plans to address the periodontal needs and desires of the dental patient in conjunction with their overall dental and medical health needs.
  4. Demonstrate clinical skills and ethical values in periodontal therapy/treatment.
  5. Demonstrate oral hygiene instruction to patients.
  6. Perform periodontal prevention activities, caries risk assessment, and diet analysis on the periodontics patient.
  7. Accurately self-assess the quality of one’s work.
  8. Coordinate care for the management of periodontal diseases.
  9. Manage advanced periodontal lesions.
  10. Identify patients in need of periodontal surgery.
  11. Demonstrate the use of the correct periodontal instruments for each clinical need.
  12. Refer a patient to a periodontal specialist when indicated.

UWSOD Competencies: C-02, C-09, CE-02, C-03, C-04, C-15, C-14, C-28, C-12, C-13, C-31, C-17, C-05, C-18, C-24, C-25, C-26, C-22

Date last updated: 2026-10-06

DENTCP 687

Dental Curriculum Threads

Restorative Dentistry Clinic

Course Director(s): Sami Dogan & John Yae
Credits: 12 (Earned over three quarters)
Quarters/Yr of Program: Autumn, Winter, Spring / 3

Course Overview

This integrated clinical course prepares third-year DDS students to provide comprehensive, person-centered restorative care. The course develops competency in patient assessment, diagnosis, risk assessment, treatment planning, and delivering preventive, operative, prosthodontic, and implant-related care. The course emphasizes evidence-based clinical decision-making, multidisciplinary treatment planning and coordination, management of increasingly complex restorative needs, effective communication, and progressive development of clinical independence.

Learning Objectives

The student who successfully completes this course will be able to:

  1. Perform a comprehensive patient history and clinical examination, including head and neck, intraoral, dental, periodontal, and occlusal examinations.
  2. Differentiate normal clinical and radiographic anatomy from pathology and identify conditions requiring further evaluation, referral, or co-management.
  3. Identify oral health risk factors and incorporate caries, periodontal disease, oral cancer, dietary, salivary, and other relevant risk assessments into patient care.
  4. Interpret biopsychosocial factors and assess their impact on oral health, treatment planning, treatment acceptance, and the delivery of patient-centered care.
  5. Prescribe, obtain, and interpret appropriate oral and maxillofacial radiographs, including CBCT when indicated, to support diagnosis and treatment planning.
  6. Identify urgent treatment needs and establish appropriate priorities for disease control, prevention, restorative treatment, prosthodontic rehabilitation, and maintenance.
  7. Develop, compare, and communicate comprehensive, multidisciplinary, person-centered, sequenced, and staged treatment plans that reflect each patient’s health status, needs, desires, expectations, and financial circumstances.
  8. Use patient assessment, diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment-planning processes to provide comprehensive restorative care.
  9. Determine the restorability and prognosis of individual teeth, existing restorations, and the overall dentition.
  10. Diagnose and manage caries, defective or failing restorations, root caries, partially or fully edentulous conditions, occlusal discrepancies, and relevant soft-tissue conditions.
  11. Perform evidence-based disease-control, preventive, chemotherapeutic, and restorative therapies appropriate to the patient’s diagnosis and caries susceptibility.
  12. Perform and interpret caries-risk assessments using the current ADA Caries Risk Assessment Form and explain the clinical implications of differing levels of caries risk.
  13. Select appropriate restorative materials, procedures, and techniques based on clinical findings, scientific evidence, functional and esthetic requirements, and patient-specific factors.
  14. Perform direct restorative procedures within the scope of operative dentistry, including Class II amalgam restorations; Class III and IV resin composite restorations; complex restorations; core build-ups; root-caries restorations; and crown repairs, with increasing clinical independence.
  15. Diagnose, treatment plan, and provide appropriate restorative and prosthodontic care for patients with partially or fully edentulous conditions.
  16. Explain the role of dental implants in the rehabilitation of partially and fully edentulous patients and incorporate implant treatment options into comprehensive patient care when indicated.
  17. Describe the indications for therapeutic acrylic occlusal splints and provide appropriate occlusal treatment when indicated.
  18. Apply dental digital technologies, including CAD/CAM systems, digital scanning, and digital planning tools, in the planning, design, and treatment of teeth, implants, and fixed and removable prostheses, when appropriate.
  19. Perform appropriate tissue-management procedures, including tissue-retraction techniques and electrosurgery, in support of restorative and prosthodontic treatment.
  20. Integrate relevant contributions from periodontics, endodontics, oral and maxillofacial surgery, oral medicine, and other dental specialties into comprehensive restorative and prosthodontic treatment plans.
  21. Manage restorative, prosthodontic, implant, and multidisciplinary cases of increasing complexity; recognize personal limitations; and seek faculty guidance, consultation, or referral when indicated.
  22. Assess the impact of systemic health conditions on oral health care and the effect of oral conditions on general health to promote patient safety and well-being.
  23. Communicate effectively and respectfully with patients, faculty, staff, peers, and other health-care professionals.
  24. Demonstrate ethical, legal, and professional conduct in all patient-care activities, including accurate documentation, informed consent, patient confidentiality, and appropriate clinical decision-making.
  25. Provide current, evidence-based restorative and prosthodontic care through critical evaluation and application of relevant scientific literature.
  26. Demonstrate self-directed learning, prepare appropriately for clinical experiences, accurately self-assess clinical performance, incorporate feedback, and develop strategies for continuous improvement.

UWSOD Competencies: C-01, C-10, C-02, C-09, CE-07, C-06, CE-02, CE-03, C-03, CE-06, C-04, C-08, C-15, C-07, C-14, C-28, C-12, C-13, C-31, C-16, C-29, C-17, C-05, C-11, C-30, C-24, C-19, C-20, C-21, C-22, C-23, C-27, CE-05

Date last updated: 2026-10-06

DENTCP 683

Dental Curriculum Threads

Orthodontics Clinic

Course Director(s): Burcu Bayirli
Credits: 1 (Earned over three quarters)
Quarters/Yr of Program: Autumn, Winter, Spring / 3

Course Overview

Students gain experience in recognizing and managing malocclusion through diagnosis and treatment planning. Emphasis is placed on developing sound clinical judgment in orthodontic assessment within general dental practice.

Learning Objectives

The student who successfully completes this course will be able to:

  1. Evaluate growth, skeletal as well as dental development, and management of the developing occlusion.
  2. Recognize malocclusion and the need for orthodontic treatment.
  3. Formulate dental and orthodontic treatment plans that may include referral to specialists to best meet patient needs.

UWSOD Competencies: C-27

Date last updated: 2026-10-06

DENTCP 682

Dental Curriculum Threads

Oral Surgery Clinic

Course Director(s): John Evans
Credits: 3 (Earned over three quarters)
Quarters/Yr of Program: Autumn, Winter, Spring / 3

Course Overview

This clinical course is the first step in developing competency in the simple extraction of teeth and other aspects of dentoalveolar surgery required for the practice of general dentistry. Students gain clinical experience in dentoalveolar surgery through the comprehensive care of patients of record, the treatment of limited-care patients referred from the community, and exposure to more complex oral and maxillofacial surgical care through assigned clinical experiences.

Learning Objectives

The student who successfully completes this course will be able to:

  1. Document a surgical treatment plan that is integrated with a comprehensive treatment plan based on clinical history, physical examination, appropriate clinical sciences, imaging, and laboratory studies.
  2. Demonstrate surgical and medical procedures needed by patients who present with oral and maxillofacial infections commonly seen in general dental practice.
  3. Demonstrate the basic principles of surgical care by performing risk assessment, informed consent, and the simple extraction of teeth and associated dentoalveolar surgery.
  4. Treat the common complications of dentoalveolar surgery within the scope of general dentistry.
  5. Demonstrate the clinical use of nitrous oxide in dental care. This includes evaluating medical history and performing preoperative risk assessment.
  6. Demonstrate clinical knowledge of the pathophysiology, anatomy, and treatment of acute orofacial pain.
  7. Identify the clinical features of common oral lesions, develop differential diagnoses, and prescribe appropriate treatment.
  8. Develop a professional relationship with a specialist based on trust and clear, open communication.
  9. Perform and document the physical examination of patients in the context of the surgical care of general dental patients.
  10. Treat patients with surgical and medical emergencies in an outpatient setting. This includes the evaluation of orofacial pain.

UWSOD Competencies: C-18, C-24, C-25, C-26

Date last updated: 2026-10-06

DENTCP 681

Dental Curriculum Threads

Oral Medicine Clinic

Course Director(s): Rolf Christensen
Credits: 4 (Earned over three quarters)
Quarters/Yr of Program: Autumn, Winter, Spring / 3

Course Overview

This course provides students with the experiential opportunities to develop skills necessary to provide dental care, from assessment through treatment, for patients with urgent and emergent oral health issues; developmental or acquired disabilities; chronic or acute orofacial pain; neurosensory, chemosensory, and movement disorders; and oral complications of cancer therapies.

Learning Objectives

The student who successfully completes this course will be able to:

  1. Communicate effectively with patients of all ages and stages of life and in a culturally sensitive manner with diverse populations including patients with special healthcare needs.
  2. Using the patient interview, make an appropriate treatment or management plan applicable to the dental care setting that includes non-dental considerations for patients with special healthcare needs.
  3. Assess the structural and functional status of the head, neck, craniofacial, oral, oropharyngeal structures of patients that involve an assessment of orofacial pain, temporomandibular dysfunction, and increased risks of oral dysplasia and cancers.
  4. From a problem list, develop a differential diagnosis and a working diagnosis for each problem that does not have a definitive diagnosis.
  5. Compose a comprehensive staged and sequenced treatment plan, customized to the patient’s needs, desires and financial restrictions, that contemplates non-dental considerations.
  6. Demonstrate good practices in case presentation and professional etiquette when writing referrals, consulting, and collaborating with other members of the health care team.
  7. Effectively communicate with medical, behavioral, or dental specialists when there are problems and issues that require referral.
  8. Facilitate the effective diagnosis and management of the patient’s oral and maxillofacial diseases and conditions, by prescribing and evaluating diagnostic radiographic imaging (including CBCT).
  9. Identify problems and issues from the problem list that require referral to or collaboration with another health care professional.
  10. Collaborate care with UW School of Pharmacy students to develop and execute care plans for patients’ pain, infection, dry mouth, and other patient-specific medication-related needs.
  11. Demonstrate diagnostic tests that can differentiate between the items on the differential diagnosis list and can help verify the correct diagnosis.

UWSOD Competencies: C-01, C-10, C-02, C-09, C-06, CE-02, CE-03, C-03, CE-06, C-04, C-08, C-15, CE-04, C-14, C-28, C-12, C-13, C-31, C-16, C-29, C-17, C-05, C-11, C-30, C-18, C-24, C-25, C-26, C-19, C-21, C-22, C-23, C-27

Date last updated: 2026-10-06

DENTCP 647

Dental Curriculum Threads

Restorative Dentistry Topics – Autumn

Course Director(s): Sami Dogan & Pollene Speed
Credits: 1
Quarters/Yr of Program: Autumn / 3

Course Overview

This didactic course provides third-year dental students with advanced instruction in restorative dentistry as applied to comprehensive patient care. Students develop clinical reasoning in caries diagnosis, prevention, direct and indirect restorative treatment planning, tooth preparation, provisionalization, impressions, cementation, and interdisciplinary communication with specialists and dental laboratories. As the course progresses, students will be introduced to increasingly complex restorative topics and variations in treatment planning, materials, and techniques. Through lecture-based instruction and case-centered discussion, the course strengthens the integration of evidence-based decision-making with clinical execution in restorative dentistry.

Learning Objectives

The student who successfully completes this course will be able to:

  1. Use Axium, CDT coding, and appropriate patient, staff, and laboratory communication to accurately document and coordinate restorative care.
  2. Perform risk-based caries diagnosis using clinical and radiographic findings and apply selective caries removal strategies that preserve tooth structure and pulpal health.
  3. Develop individualized preventive and recall plans using caries risk assessment, fluoride, silver diamine fluoride, salivary diagnostics, and informed consent principles.
  4. Plan and justify minimally invasive direct composite restorations using evidence-based criteria and tooth-preserving restorative approaches.
  5. Determine restorability and select appropriate buildups, post-and-core procedures, and provisional restorations that support long-term function, biologic health, and prognosis.
  6. Design tooth preparations for fixed restorations, including gold, PFM, zirconia, and ceramic restorations, using biomechanical, periodontal, and material-specific principles.
  7. Select and perform appropriate impression and cementation protocols, including soft tissue management, analog or digital workflows, and management of common complications.
  8. Identify cases requiring referral and produce clear laboratory prescriptions and referral communications that support coordinated, ethical, and patient-centered care.
  9. Integrate preventive, restorative, and prosthodontic knowledge to analyze clinical cases and make sound restorative treatment-planning decisions in comprehensive care settings.

UWSOD Competencies: C-01, C-10, C-02, C-09, C-06, C-03, C-08, C-15, C-07, C-14, C-12, C-31, C-16, C-29, C-17, C-05, C-11, C-30, C-18, C-24, C-26, C-19, C-20, C-23, C-2

Date last updated: 2026-10-06

DENTCP 646

Dental Curriculum Threads

Practice Management Topics – Autumn

Course Director(s): Rachel Greene
Credits: 1
Quarters/Yr of Program: Autumn / 3

Course Overview

This course introduces foundational concepts in dental practice management and the business of dentistry, including practice models, career and ownership pathways, financial management, scheduling, staffing, leadership, patient communication, risk management, and professional ethics. Through applied learning and real-world examples, the course prepares students to evaluate practice opportunities, understand the business and legal considerations that intersect with clinical practice, manage professional relationships, and develop the leadership skills necessary for a successful transition from dental school to practice.

Learning Objectives

The student who successfully completes this course will be able to:

  1. Compare major dental practice models and describe how current trends in the dental industry influence career pathways, practice ownership, employment opportunities, and patient care delivery.
  2. Explain foundational dental business concepts, including key performance indicators, production, collections, overhead, case acceptance, patient flow, and clinical productivity.
  3. Apply scheduling principles to support practice goals, improve patient access, enhance clinical efficiency, and balance provider productivity with quality patient care.
  4. Demonstrate effective communication strategies that build rapport, increase patient trust, support case presentation, and improve interactions with patients, colleagues, and dental team members.
  5. Apply emotional intelligence and stress management strategies to support professional resilience, self-awareness, patient care, and effective participation in a dental practice environment.
  6. Use leadership and conflict management principles to navigate team dynamics, address workplace challenges, give and receive feedback, and contribute to a positive clinical culture.
  7. Analyze sustainability in dental practice, including financial sustainability, workforce sustainability, provider well-being, environmental stewardship, and long-term practice viability.

UWSOD Competencies: C-08, C-07, CE-04, C-14, C-28

Date last updated: 2026-10-06

DENTCP 645

Dental Curriculum Threads

Periodontics Topics – Autumn

Course Director(s): Diane Daubert
Credits: 1
Quarters/Yr of Program: Autumn / 3

Course Overview

Students expand their understanding of periodontal principles within the scope of general dentistry. Focus placed on foundational knowledge and treatment planning in preparation for clinical periodontal care.

Learning Objectives

The student who successfully completes this course will be able to:

  1. Explain the concepts of periodontal surgery.
  2. Explain the biology in periodontal regeneration.
  3. Manage advanced periodontal lesions.
  4. Clinically assess patients with periodontal diseases.
  5. Explain risk factors for peri-implant diseases and conditions
  6. Describe diagnosis and treatment of endo perio lesions.
  7. Explain the names, drug classifications, mechanism of action and side effects of commonly used diabetes and blood pressure medications.
  8. Provide a framework to guide clinical decisions regarding when to refer a patient to a specialist.
  9. Explain the steps in treatment of peri-implant diseases and conditions.

UWSOD Competencies: C-01, C-10, CE-02, CE-03, C-03, C-15, C-14, C-28, C-12, C-13, C-31, C-17, C-18, C-24, C-25, C-26, C-20, C-22, C-23

Date last updated: 2026-10-06

DENTCP 642

Dental Curriculum Threads

Oral Surgery Topics – Autumn

Course Director(s): John Evans
Credits: 1
Quarters/Yr of Program: Autumn / 3

Course Overview

Students study fundamental concepts in the surgical management of patients in general dental practice, ranging from dentoalveolar procedures to treatment of complex head and neck pathology. Emphasis placed on developing the knowledge needed for effective collaboration with oral and maxillofacial surgery specialists.

Learning Objectives

The student who successfully completes this course will be able to:

  1. Describe a surgical treatment plan that is integrated with a comprehensive treatment plan based on clinical history, physical examination, appropriate clinical sciences, imaging, and laboratory studies.
  2. Describe the surgical and medical procedures needed by patients who present with oral and maxillofacial infections commonly seen in general dental practice.
  3. Describe the basic principles of surgical care in the treatment of patients in general dental practice including risk assessment, informed consent, and the need for specialty care.
  4. Describe the diagnosis and treatment of common complications of surgical procedures performed by general dentists.
  5. Describe the clinical use of pharmacologic agents in the clinical care of patients including nitrous oxide, local anesthetics and antibiotics.
  6. Describe the pathophysiology, anatomy, and treatment of acute orofacial pain.
  7. Identify the clinical features of common oral lesions in the development of differential diagnoses and treatment modalities.
  8. Develop a professional relationship with a specialist based on trust and clear, open communication.
  9. Demonstrate a didactic knowledge of the physical examination of patients in need of surgical care including an assessment of a patient ‘s capacity to undergo prescribed surgical care.
  10. Demonstrate the basic didactic knowledge of the surgical and medical procedures employed by Oral and Maxillofacal Surgeons.

UWSOD Competencies: C-18, C-24, C-25, C-26

Date last updated: 2026-10-06

DENTCP 641

Dental Curriculum Threads

Oral Medicine Topics – Autumn

Course Director(s): Rolf Christensen
Credits: 1
Quarters/Yr of Program: Autumn / 3

Course Overview

This course helps prepare dental students to plan and oversee dental care for patients with urgent and emergent oral health issues; developmental or acquired disabilities; chronic or acute orofacial pain; neurosensory, chemosensory, or movement disorders; and/or oro-facial problems caused by treatment of cancer.

Learning Objectives

The student who successfully completes this course will be able to:

  1. Communicate effectively with patients of all ages and stages of life and in a culturally sensitive manner with diverse populations, including patients with special healthcare needs.
  2. Using the patient interview, make an appropriate treatment or management plan applicable to the dental care setting that includes non-dental considerations for patients with special healthcare needs.
  3. Assess the structural and functional status of the head, neck, craniofacial, oral, oropharyngeal structures of patients, including disorders affecting orofacial pain, temporomandibular dysfunction, and mucosal lesions.
  4. From a problem list, develop a differential diagnosis and a working diagnosis for each problem that does not have a definitive diagnosis.
  5. Compose a comprehensive, staged, and sequenced treatment plan, customized to the patient’s needs, desires, and financial restrictions, that considers both dental and non-dental factors.
  6. Demonstrate diagnostic tests that can differentiate between the items on the differential diagnosis list and can verify the correct diagnosis when a definitive diagnosis is possible.
  7. Facilitate the effective diagnosis and management of the patient’s oral and maxillofacial diseases and conditions by prescribing and evaluating diagnostic radiographic imaging (including CBCT)
  8. Identify problems and issues from the problem list that require referral to or collaboration with another health care professional.

UWSOD Competencies: C-01, C-10, C-02, C-09, C-06, CE-02, CE-03, C-03, CE-06, C-04, C-08, C-15, C-14, C-28, C-12, C-13, C-31, C-16, C-29, C-17, C-05, C-11, C-30, C-18, C-24, C-25, C-26, C-19, C-21, C-22, C-23, C-2

Date last updated: 2026-10-06

DENTCP 680

Dental Curriculum Threads

Endodontics Clinic

Course Director(s): Natasha Flake & Lindsey Yap
Credits: 3 (Earned over three quarters)
Quarters/Yr of Program: Autumn, Winter, Spring / 3

Course Overview

Students perform diagnosis, treatment planning, and endodontic therapy for minimal difficulty level cases within the scope of general dentistry. Learning experiences include assisting peers and graduate students in patient care and completing clinical simulation exercises to strengthen endodontic skills.

Learning Objectives

The student who successfully completes this course will be able to:

  1. Perform endodontic examination and diagnostic testing procedures.
  2. Diagnose pathoses of endodontic origin using correct pulpal and periapical diagnostic terminology.
  3. Formulate treatment plans for the endodontic care of patients, including emergency and definitive treatment plans.
  4. Provide emergency endodontic treatment, when indicated; e.g., pulpal debridement or other palliative treatments.
  5. Perform root canal therapy of minimal difficulty level.
  6. Provide vital pulp therapy, when indicated.
  7. Prescribe appropriate antibiotics and analgesics, when indicated.
  8. Evaluate endodontic case prognosis and outcomes.
  9. Practice within a general dentist’s scope of practice in an ethical and professional manner.

UWSOD Competencies: C-02, C-09, C-14, C-28, C-12, C-16, C-17, C-11, C-18, C-26, C-19, C-23

Date last updated: 2026-09-23

DENTCP 640

Dental Curriculum Threads

Endodontics Topics – Autumn

Course Director(s): Natasha Flake & Lindsey Yap
Credits: 1
Quarters/Yr of Program: Autumn / 3

Course Overview

Endodontics Topics prepares dental students to deepen their understanding of endodontic principles within the scope of general dentistry. Emphasis is placed on expanding knowledge and skills in preparation for clinical endodontic patient care.

Learning Objectives

The student who successfully completes this course will be able to:

  1. Interpret endodontic examination and diagnostic test findings.
  2. Diagnose pathoses of endodontic origin using correct pulpal and periapical diagnostic terminology.
  3. Formulate treatment plans for the endodontic care of patients, including emergency and definitive treatment plans.
  4. Provide emergency endodontic treatment: pulpectomy, pulpotomy, pulpal debridement, incision and drainage, caries control, and/or other palliative treatments.
  5. Provide vital pulp therapy, when indicated.
  6. Prescribe appropriate antibiotics and analgesics, when indicated.
  7. Cite guidelines for treatment of traumatic dental injuries.
  8. Determine when to treat and when to refer a case employing the “AAE Endodontic Case Difficulty Assessment Form and Guidelines.
  9. Recognize treatment options for conditions that may require referral to an endodontist: resorption, endo/perio lesions, apexification/regeneration cases, retreatment and endodontic surgery cases, and internal bleaching cases.
  10. Evaluate endodontic case prognosis and outcomes.
  11. Practice within a general dentist’s scope of practice in an ethical and professional manner.

UWSOD Competencies: C-09, C-14, C-28, C-12, C-16, C-17, C-11, C-18, C-26, C-19, C-23

Date last updated: 2026-09-23

DENTCL 607

Dental Curriculum Threads

Ethics & Jurisprudence

Course Directors:  Kerry Streiff 
Credits: 1 (Earned over four quarters)
Quarters/Yr of Program: Summer, Autumn, Winter, Spring / 3

Course Overview

This course provides an overview of the “ADA Principles of Ethics and Code of Professional Conduct (ADA Code)” and Washington State laws governing the practice of dentistry. Students will learn to evaluate ethical dilemmas systematically through online didactic and on-campus small-group learning. Students will evaluate the ethical and legal aspects of case-based scenarios and real-life examples.

Learning Objectives

The student who successfully completes this course will be able to:

  1. Recognize ethical and legal dilemmas faced in the practice of dentistry.
  2. Describe an ethical dilemma faced in the practice of dentistry.
  3. Apply the relevant tenets of the “ADA Code of Ethics” to ethical dilemmas.
  4. Apply the relevant Washington State laws to ethical/legal dilemmas.
  5. Describe ways in which ethical and legal standards may conflict in certain situations.
  6. Describe systematically the decision-making process in resolving an ethical/legal dilemma.
  7. Minimize ethical and legal dilemmas in dental practice.

UWSOD Competencies: C-01, C-06, C-09

Date last updated: 2026-01-07

DENTCL 605

Dental Curriculum Threads

Foundations of Interprofessional Education

Course Director: Marilyn Rothen

Credits: 1 (Earned over three quarters)
Quarters/Yr of Program: Autumn, Winter, Spring / 3

Course Overview

This course in interprofessional education (IPE) prepares students to collaborate with members of other health professions in future interprofessional patient practice (IPP) to improve patient healthcare and health outcomes. Students identify the roles and responsibilities played by other members of the healthcare team. They co-learn on teams with UW faculty and students from other health professions, applying principles of team-building dynamics to actual case analysis through role playing and a clinical skills workshop. Students also learn to communicate with patients and families using a team approach.

Learning Objectives

The student who successfully completes this course will be able to do the following:

  1. Explain the roles and responsibilities of other members of the healthcare team.
  2. Identify the need for consultations within interprofessional teams.
  3. Plan treatment in collaboration with other members of the interprofessional team care group.
  4. Integrate recommended medical treatment into the dental treatment plan.
  5. Collaborate with other members of the health care team in the delivery of health care.
  6. Assist in the optimization of health system performance by improving the patient care experience.

UWSOD Competencies: C-02, C-08, C-15, C-07, C-14, C-05

Date last updated: 2026-01-07