Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics |Curriculum

The mission of the MSD Program in Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics is to provide the knowledge and skills necessary to conduct an ethical, patient-centered, evidence-based practice in the specialty of orthodontics. The MSD curriculum is structured for a balanced work load to allow time for each postgraduate student to broaden their clinical and didactic experiences as well as provide opportunities to gain additional experiences in areas of special interest. Postgraduate students who complete the 34-month program are expected to have developed their skills and knowledge to the level of a specialist in orthodontics as approved by the ADA Commission on Dental Accreditation. This implies the student will have had considerable didactic background and direct experiences with patients exhibiting a variety of malocclusion presentations. Critical topics to the specialty of orthodontics will be covered in departmental based seminars (e.g. Craniofacial Growth & Development, Diagnosis and Treatment Planning, Space Supervision, Cephalometrics, Edgewise Appliances Design, Biomechanics, Dentofacial Orthopedics). Seminar topics will be supported by literature reviews and case analysis treatment planning sessions that are reinforced through clinical experiences. Recognition of malocclusion parameters, hereditary conditions and orofacial patterns will be expected by completion of the program with knowledge of physical and emotional development essential to successful outcomes. Utilizing diagnostic training, the graduate should be able to prepare and present a treatment plan that is comprehensive and efficiently sequenced. Clinical expertise will be attained in management of the primary and mixed dentitions (space supervision, interceptive procedures, growth modification, multi-phase early treatment), the young permanent dentition (comprehensive non-extraction and extraction protocols) and adult patients (orthognathic surgery, coordinated restorative - prosthetic management).

The MSD program curriculum and experiences are further designed to prepare graduates not only for successful entry into the contemporary practice of orthodontics; but to provide a scientific foundation for future growth in the field. In addition to clinical expertise, the graduate should have superior abilities in interpreting new evidenced-based procedures and concepts available to the profession and public. An evidenced-based understanding of the specialties knowledge base will be emphasized in seminar discussions, the clinical environment, through the core curriculum of the MSD program, and in research experiences. In sum, the MUSC Orthodontic Program will strive to produce knowledgeable and compassionate practitioners who have the skills and desire for lifelong learning and who will play a leadership role in specialty governance, education, research, and community activity.

In order to meet the goal of providing a wide range of experiences grounded in a process of critical analysis, the program provides the following:

• Clinical orthodontic care involving the diagnosis and treatment of children in the primary and mixed dentitions to include space supervision, guidance of eruption, interceptive orthodontic, growth modification, and Phase I early orthodontic treatment procedures.
• Clinical orthodontic care involving the diagnosis and treatment of patients in the young permanent dentition to include comprehensive management using both non-extraction and extraction protocols.
• Clinical orthodontic care involving the diagnosis and treatment of adults to include comprehensive management using non-extraction and extraction protocols as well as orthognathic surgical procedures and coordinated restorative - prosthetic management. 
• Craniofacial Anomalies - clinical management of children and adolescents with craniofacial anomalies are experienced in the Department's role as a primary care component of the MUSC Craniofacial Team.
• A structured curriculum of seminar and laboratory exercises supports the clinical experiences in addressing the parameters of orthodontic care for children, adolescents and adults from the primary through the mixed into the permanent dentitions.
• All postgraduate students will prepare comprehensive case reviews that document clinical management of patients following format criteria of the American Board of Orthodontics. Besides documenting performance of quality care; the case reviews will enhance the graduate's ability for critical analysis and patient documentation.
• Teaching experience by serving as clinical and laboratory instructors in the predoctoral orthodontic curriculum during the third year of the program one-half day a week.
• Interdepartmental courses provided through the Master of Science in Dentistry core curriculum to supplement the resident’s knowledge base in the basic and behavioral sciences and fulfill requirements for awarding of an MSD degree.
• Each postgraduate student conducts a data collection research thesis project and a comprehensive literature review - case report that are of publishable quality. Besides providing informational service to the profession, the experience of conducting research will enhance the student's ability for critical analysis.
• Exposure to practice management and dental care delivery through seminars and visits to varied private and public clinic sites.

An overview of curriculum components and distribution for the three years of the program:

                 
Course Listing for Program in Orthodontics & Dentofacial Orthopedics
The curriculum courses listed below are divided as to their category in terms of the overall MSD Program in Orthodontics – courses that are core MSD degree courses common to all post-doctoral programs at MUSC, didactic courses that are orthodontic program specific, and clinical course work. The listed courses are subject to change based on availability instructors, timing and sequencing issues relative to a continuum of advancing knowledge, and continued relevance of the course.

Didactically, the first year of the curriculum concentrates on basic concepts and knowledge essential to orthodontic diagnosis and management of malocclusion across age groups, fundamentals of biomechanics and technical procedures in orthodontics, clinical dental sciences, and foundations of evidenced-based research activities. The next two years concentrate on advanced biomechanical treatment concepts, clinical practice management considerations, and completion of research and case review requirements. Clinical observations and experiences are incorporated throughout the three years of the program.

Common Core Courses for all Post-doctoral Programs

Didactic Courses Specific to Post-doctoral Orthodontics Program

  
Clinical Orthodontic Courses