Message from the Section Director

The General Practice Dental Residency Program at Rush University Medical Center accepts two residents each year and trains dental graduates who wish to enhance their dental school education learning the intricacies of a hospital-based practice. The program has been accredited by the American Dental Association since 1968. The General Practice Dental Residency Program is affiliated with the intramural Dental Group where most of the clinical experience in the treatment of medically compromised patients is received. The majority of the attending/teaching staff are graduates of the RUSH GPR program. The Dental Group is staffed by a nucleus of hospital-trained general practitioners complemented by specialists in orthodontics, oral and maxillofacial surgery, pediatric dentistry, periodontics and endodontics. Because our dentists and specialists practice together, patients have convenient access to all of their dental needs under one roof.

Approximately 85 graduate dentists have received certificates of completion over the last thirty-seven years. Forty-eight percent of these have gone into various specialty programs while 52% have remained in general practice. Of those who have remained in general practice, all but one are currently affiliated with a group practice and maintain active hospital privileges. Many of our program alumni are active in organized dentistry at the local (Chicago Dental Society), state (Illinois State Dental Society) and national level (American Dental Association).

We realize that our success depends not only upon the quality of services we provide, but also upon the quality of the relationships we establish. We go to great lengths to ensure that patients are satisfied with the care they receive and the relationship that we develop with them.

Leon R. Kelleher, DDS
Director-Section of Dentistry