Mission Statement

The University of Massachusetts Medical School General Practice Residency in Dentistry is designed as a one-year postdoctoral training program in general dentistry. 

An optimal educational, clinical and scientific environment for the training of dental residents is accomplished with support from hospital, university, community, institutional and private oral health care programs. 

 Image of young girl practicing brushing teeth on a stuffed animal as a dental professional looks on. Brushing well is key to good dental health 

The residency serves as a community resource for the delivery of quality comprehensive clinical services to patients with a variety of dental, medical, social and economic profiles. Inherit in the goals of the General Practice Residency is the development of socially responsible dental professionals with a commitment to community service and lifelong learning. 

Program Goals

This mission is accomplished by a curriculum that addresses the following goals: 

  • The ability to recognize and diagnose oral diseases based on diagnostic data, laboratory data and information available from other health professionals.
  • The ability to manage the emergent, urgent, episodic and comprehensive oral health needs of patients.
  • The ability to develop patient assessment methodologies that lead to appropriate dental treatment recommendations and alternatives for patients with a variety of complex dental, medical, age dependent, social and economic needs.
  • The ability to make referrals and obtain consultations from professional colleagues for the incorporation of dental, medical, psychological and social considerations that impact on dental treatment.
  • The ability to integrate multiple dental disciplines into effective treatment planning.
  • The ability to develop clinical practice philosophies using evidence-based principles.
  • The development of confidence, efficiency and technical knowledge in the advanced principles of general dentistry including preventive dentistry.
  • The ability to use pharmacological and non-pharmacological methods of pain and anxiety control for effective patient management.
  • The ability to practice in hospital, community and private office settings and have an understanding of the medical legal issues associated with patient care.
  • The development of an understanding of hospital organization, functioning and credentialing.
  • The development of an awareness of and ability to work with community resources to promote oral disease prevention and treatment. 

Program Objectives

Please  click here  to access our detailed summary of objectives in PDF file format.