College of Dentistry

Courses

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

The Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery combines clinical and didactic training to fit the individual interests, abilities, and development of students. Its predoctoral program is based in the College of Dentistry, with some clinical assignments in the oral and maxillofacial surgery division at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. Graduate study is based primarily in the residency training program at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics.

Professional Program

The clinical portion of the curriculum allows students to develop surgical skills and apply the theoretical knowledge acquired in didactic courses. Theory and application of anesthesia-analgesia, intravenous sedation, and nitrous oxide analgesia techniques are presented through didactic and clinical experiences.

Residency Program

The recommendations of the Council on Dental Education of the American Dental Association, the Committee on Graduate Training of the American Society of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, and the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery have been considered carefully in planning the structure and scope of training.

The residency period covers four years of hospital training, providing an orientation to hospital procedures, integration of basic and clinical sciences, acquisition of surgery principles, and familiarization with varied aspects of health services.

Competence in clinical oral and maxillofacial surgery requires knowledge of the basic medical sciences related to the specialty. So in addition to hospital and clinical training, residents take advanced course work in subjects such as applied pharmacology, surgical anatomy, pathology, physiology, and microbiology. They also review closely related disciplines such as roentgenology, anesthesiology, physical diagnosis, and laboratory procedures.

The assumption of increased responsibility and the opportunity for clinical and operating room experience are important aspects of residency training.

Residents gain clinical training in anesthesiology through an assigned rotation in the Department of Anesthesiology. Previous advanced training in physical diagnosis, physiology, pharmacology, and pathology take on greater clinical significance, and increased responsibility in the operating room as first assistant and surgeon further develops surgical judgment and skills.

Development and implementation of a research project under staff supervision enhance the value of the residency training.

Senior residents may be given responsibility for major oral and maxillofacial surgical cases during rotations at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics and at the Veterans Affairs Iowa City Health Care System. Each fourth-year resident is assigned to a rotation as a clinical and didactic coordinator and assumes responsibility to qualify for examination by the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery.

Admission

Applicants must have graduated from an accredited college of dentistry, should be in the upper one-third of their graduating class, must be licensed to practice dentistry in the United States, and must take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test. Applicants must meet the admission requirements of the Graduate College.

They must submit an application for graduate study in oral and maxillofacial surgery; an applicant appraisal form from the applicant's references; transcripts; and letters of recommendation from the dean of the dental college from which the applicant graduated, and from two professional references.

Once applicants have been matched, they must submit Graduate College admission forms by March 1 for admission in July. To obtain forms, contact the Office of Admissions or visit its web site.

Graduate Program

Master of Science

Facilities

Courses