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Integration of Digital Dentistry into a Predoctoral Implant Program: Program Description, Rationale, and Utilization Trends
Author(s) -
Afshari Fatemeh S.,
Sukotjo Cortino,
Alfaro Maria F.,
McCombs Jeri,
Campbell Stephen D.,
Knoernschild Kent L.,
Yuan Judy Chia-Chun
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
journal of dental education
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.53
H-Index - 68
eISSN - 1930-7837
pISSN - 0022-0337
DOI - 10.21815/jde.017.050
Subject(s) - curriculum , dentistry , workflow , competence (human resources) , medicine , implant , dental implant , prosthodontics , computer science , psychology , surgery , social psychology , pedagogy , database
A recently revised predoctoral implant curriculum at the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Dentistry integrated digital dentistry into both the preclinical dental implant course and clinical activities. Traditionally, competence in the didactic and clinical parts of predoctoral education in single tooth implant restorations has emphasized the analog impression technique and subsequent mounting of soft tissue working casts. However, computer‐aided design/computer‐aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) implant restorations can play a significant role in predoctoral dental education utilizing digital technologies. The goal of the curriculum expansion is to transition from analog to partially digital and, finally, complete digital workflow. The aim of this article is to describe the specific components, implementation, and rationale for the new digitally integrated implant curriculum and present short‐term clinical utilization trends.