Program Overview

One of the most important aspects of the Section of Dentistry is its dental General Practice Residency program. This program has existed since 1968, and serves as a training period for dental graduates who desire to further their education beyond what the dental school curriculum provides. The program stresses advanced education and training in all aspects of dental care, but especially stresses care of the medically-compromised patient.

Dental residents share many responsibilities with their medical colleagues. Their hospital responsibilities include evaluation of hospital in-patients as well as treatment of patients with dental needs prior to surgery, including transplantation. These responsibilities also include alleviation of pain for patients who are hospitalized and have no other access to dental care. Rotations include two months in the department of Anesthesiology, and one month each with Otolaryngology and Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. These rotations provide a valuable background for the future, hospital-based practice of dentistry. The residents spend close to six months providing outpatient, ambulatory care as well.

At the end of the one year program, the residents are well-equipped to move into a hospital-based dental practice, or to provide high-level dental care in a private dental office which may include the care of patients with medically-compromising conditions. Often, these patients find it difficult to obtain care from dentists without the advanced training provided by the General Practice Residency.

At this time, the program at RUSH accepts two residents per year. The positions are highly sought by many of the top graduating dental students, in part because of its reputation and history of producing dentists who score well above the national average on the year-end comprehensive examination taken by all general practice residency graduates. In addition to the program certificate, RUSH graduates complete ACLS requirements and most qualify for the Category A Anesthesia permit in the State of Illinois. The program is fully accredited by the American Dental Association Accreditation Committee.