Electives

senior electivesPredoctoral Electives – Special Topics Courses

Third- and fourth-year dental students are provided the opportunity to register for elective courses which cover a wide range of topics. Electives are offered during the fall and spring terms. Courses are held on Mondays and Wednesdays from 5:00-7:00 p.m. (see course descriptions below for session details).  Each elective course consists of an 8-hour commitment for 0.50 credits or a 15-hour commitment for 1.00 credit. Please read the course descriptions below which include the time commitment and number of credits.

Policies & Eligibility

Third-year dental students may register for no more than one (1) elective per term. This limitation is inclusive of the third-year Research with Mentor course (ODSC 599).

Fourth-year dental students may register for no more than two (2) electives per term, which is exclusive of any clerkship course or the Research with Mentor course (ODSC 599).

Any student wishing to enroll in an elective course must be in good academic standing.

Grading

All elective courses are graded as pass/fail. Instructors may assign exercises and assessments at their discretion; however, at minimum, attendance is required at all course meetings dates in order to achieve a passing grade. Please see course descriptions for additional grading criteria.

Students who do not request to have an elective course dropped from their schedule prior to the first meeting date will receive a “W” on their transcript to indicate withdrawal from the course.

Upon successful completion of the elective course(s), credit will be given under the special topics course, DNTS 548, and it will appear on your official transcript.

Registration

When choosing your elective(s), please carefully check your schedule to ensure you are available to attend all sessions, and for D4 students also make certain that multiple elective courses do not have overlapping session dates.

Please use this link to register for the electives: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CTNJTJP

Questions may be directed to:

Mrs. Ellen Seed
eseed@umaryland.edu

 

Offerings for FALL 2024

DNTS 548: A Mindfulness Approach to Clinical Excellence

Instructor(s): Dr. Douglas Drewyer

Credits: 0.5

Capacity:  16 students

Dates:  Mondays – 9/16, 10/7, 11/4 and 11/25 from 5:00-7:00 pm in room 9105

Course Description: As you read the course description, keep in mind that this is a conversational class.  Through your participation we will uncover, unravel and consider the power behind what we do, how we do it, and who we might be in service with most effectively from here on out.  Those who have come before you in this time together continue to reflect on the impact, the resources and the empowerment they took away as the reward for their participation.  I look forward to providing the space to discover just what it means to you to be a dentist in the 21st century.  During our conversations, we will explore practices for dealing with the daily rigors of professional life.  Students will be introduced to useful, relevant concepts for improving their understanding, communication, planning and partnership services.  Rooted in ancient wisdom traditions, philosophical distinctions will be offered to the student/practitioner for immediate incorporation into their daily lives.  Lecture topics include: developing awareness of self and surroundings; the practices of dentistry are the practices of life; staff relations and training; entering private practice; conflict resolution and team development; business practices and ethics; personal values and consolidation.

Grading Requirements: Grading is pass/fail, based on attendance (100% is expected).  Specific Criteria: each session will include a one page written assignment exploring the distinctions shared during that class.  Credit will only be complete when a course evaluation is submitted to Dr. Drewyer.

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DNTS 548 – Future Academic Clinician-Educators (FACE 1)

Instructor(s): Dr. Sarah Rollor and Dr. Nisha Ganesh

Credits: 0.5

Capacity:  25 students

Dates:  Wednesdays – 10/2, 10/9, 10/16 and 10/23 from 5-7 pm in room G313

Course Description:  The primary objective of this course is to provide exposure and insight into careers in Academic Dentistry.  The elective will primarily focus on: 

  1. Introduction & Principles of Adult Education
    1. Panel of dentists consisting of various pathways to academia
  2. Experiential Learning Application Sessions
    1. Panel of dentists that teach in pre-clinic and pre-doc
  3. Service
    1. Community vs. academic service
    2. Academic dentists in role of society
    3. Academic admission
    4. Committees within the school
  4. Research & Scholarly Activity
    1. Panel of ADCFP Fellows
    2. Discuss current research projects

Grading Requirements:  Attendance to all sessions of this elective is the minimum requirement for a passing grade. The course director may have additional requirements.   

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DNTS 548:  Overview of Clinical Anesthesia and Sedation  

Instructor:  Dr. Gregory Winter

Credits:  0.50 

Dates:  All sessions take place from 5-7 pm in room G307 on Wednesday, 10/9 and 10/16. 

Course Description: Overview of clinical anesthesia for dentistry.  Covered topics include oral sedation, IV sedation, and inpatient and outpatient general anesthesia, and will include pharmacology and practical applications.  Some reading may be assigned. 

Grading Requirements:   Attendance to all sessions of the elective is required for a passing grade along with any additional reading or other assignments as designated by the course presenter.