Abstract

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.