ASDO 6000 - Fundamentals of Patient Management 2A

14 credit hours

Pharmacology: This course expands upon the basic principles of pharmacology taught in Basic Science Core Pharmacology. Content includes the rationale for use of specific drugs, drug indications/contraindications and drug interactions of major drug classes used to treat common systemic conditions, with an emphasis on drug classes of significance to dentistry. Topics include antibiotics, analgesics, drugs used for neuropsychiatric conditions, and drugs used to manage/treat cardiovascular disease. Basic principles of toxicology are reviewed, with an application to chemotherapy and radiation therapy used to treat cancer.

Body Systems - Gastrointestinal System: This module will demonstrate core principles in the complexities of the Digestive System in its various roles (digestion, absorption, transport at the molecular level, motility, the mucosal immune system, pathophysiology of digestive system disease, etc.). A core knowledge base will be presented and problem solving skills, information retrieval skills, and teamwork will be encouraged.

Body Systems - Genitourinary: This module will demonstrate core principles in the renal and urinary tract. It will cover the normal physiology, pathology, pharmacology and other details related to diseases in this area. Essentials related to male and female reproduction will also be covered.

Dental System - Head and Neck Anatomy: This module is a comprehensive treatment of the clinical gross anatomy of the head and neck as well as a detailed discussion of the cranial nerves applicable to the practice of dentistry.

Practice Management: The purpose of this module is to convey knowledge in dental management and economics. The program is designed to provide basic skills in business decision-making and practice management. The curriculum deliberately promotes early consideration of certain unexplored and unfamiliar personal and dental practice issues to allow sufficient time to build awareness, knowledge, and mindset for required competencies. In the Dental Practice Ready (DPR) program utilized for much of the content delivery and assessment, Level 1 describes career opportunities, introduces strategic planning as a way to address personal and professional challenges, and creates familiarity with financial statements and procedures. Levels 2 and 3 use the strategic planning and finance principles learned at Level 1 to develop problem-solving skills needed when practicing dentistry in the real world as owners, associates, employees, public administrators, or military personnel. Level 4 concludes the dental practice program. It offers advice on how to select a practice location, addresses many frequently asked questions on the transition to practice, introduces sources of information on financial and economic trends that affect the dental profession, and guides the application of knowledge and skills acquired in previous years to produce a professional business plan that could be used in attaining financial support for starting a dental practice.