AEGD Program Rotations
Required Rotations
Residents are required to volunteer their time at one Community Event during their program. Events will be assigned as they are available.
Supervisor:
Objectives:
- Increase administrative understanding of the management of underserved patients from a public health standpoint
- Learn how to motivate patients to seek care by providing opportunities and learning experiences outside of the dental office
- Feel encouraged to engage in community service upon completion of the AEGD program
- Assist community agencies by providing professional guidance
Residents will be assigned to the comprehensive care clinic in General Dentistry for the majority of their training. They have the opportunity to interact with multiple general dentists as well as specialists from periodontology, orthodontic, endodontics, prosthodontics, and oral surgery. Specialists in these areas are available in the clinic. Residents will develop skills in managing comprehensive care patients.
Supervisor:
Objectives:
- Perform a comprehensive work-up for dental care
- Provide high quality care in the areas of periodontology, restorative, fixed and removable prosthodontics, oral surgery, endodontics, TMJ, and implants, and integrate this into a well-sequenced treatment plan
- Develop skills in surgical placement and restoration of dental implants
- Develop skills to appropriately develop treatment plans for patients in need of comprehensive care
- Develop an appropriate maintenance plan for patients receiving comprehensive care
- Interact appropriately with specialists and request consultation when needed
During this half-day weekly rotation, residents assist with digital workflows including intraoral scanning, digital treatment planning, implant planning, surgical guide design and fabrication, digital wax-ups, and 3D printing. All activities are performed under faculty supervision, with an emphasis on appropriate case selection, workflow efficiency, accuracy, and integration of digital technologies into comprehensive patient care.
Supervisor:
Objectives:
- Apply advanced digital dentistry skills to support the diagnosis, treatment planning, and delivery of patient care
- Assist and guide other residents in intraoral scanning and appropriate digital clinical workflows
- Participate in digital implant planning and the design and fabrication of surgical guides under faculty supervision
- Design and produce digital wax-ups and 3D-printed applications for clinical use
- Evaluate digital workflows for accuracy, efficiency, and clinical appropriateness while maintaining effective communication with residents, faculty, and laboratory personnel
Each resident will complete a 3-month rotation in Oral Surgery within the General Dentistry Department, focusing on surgical removal of third molars. This rotation can be extended. Residents receive additional instruction through department seminars, literature reviews, a pre-clinical course in oral surgery, a dental implant course, and general practice presentations.
Supervisor:
Objectives:
- Increase understanding of the complexities of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
- Enhance skills in obtaining adequate consultations with other medical and dental specialists for management of patients requiring dental or surgical care
- Significantly improve skills in the surgical removal of impacted third molars
- Enhance skills in pre-prosthetic and alveoplastic surgery
- Enhance skills in biopsy surgery
- Enhance skills in evaluating and treating post-operative complications
- Enhance skills in risk assessment of surgical procedures.
- Enhance skills in surgically exposing impacted canines in need of orthodontic guidance
Each resident is required to complete four half-day sessions per year in the Periodontology program.
Supervisor:
Objectives:
- Enhance skills in Periodontal diagnosis
- Enhance skills in Advanced Periodontal Surgery, including grafting techniques
- Enhance skills and knowledge in Implantology
Each resident is required to complete one session in Oral Radiology.
Supervisor:
Objectives:
- Enhance skills in taking quality, peri-apical, and panoramic radiograph
- Enhance skill in evaluating radiographs for quality
- Enhance skill in properly positioning radiographs in x-ray mount
Research Rotations are mandatory for residents in the 2-year program and optional for those in the 1-year program.
After completion of the Research Workshop, 4 hours per week for 3 months are used to develop a research protocol. The protocol will be presented and discussed in the Research Seminar series. Upon completion and approval of the research protocol, residents have 8 hours per week to work on their research project for the remainder of their program, i.e. until the time of their results presentation. The selection of a research area is only limited by the availability of a research mentor. The execution of the project is supervised by the selected research mentor and progress is also monitored by an assigned research facilitator.
Supervisor:
Objectives:
- Understand how to select a research topic and formulate a research question
- Enhance skills in providing background and rationale for the project and design a research method
- Enhance skills in writing a research protocol
- Improve skills in executing and complete the research project
- Enhance skills in writing a research manuscript and presenting a research paper
This rotation takes place in the Golisano Specialty Care Clinic and provides an immersive, hands-on experience in evaluating, planning treatment, and providing clinical care for patients with special health care needs (SHCN). This includes individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), physical limitations and disabilities, complex medical conditions, and cognitive impairments (e.g., dementia) and sensory challenges. The rotation emphasizes behavior management, interprofessional collaboration, patient advocacy, and treatment modifications necessary for the safe and effective delivery of dental care.
Residents will develop competence in assessing treatment risks, coordinating care with medical and allied health providers, and practicing ethically grounded, patient-centered care. This rotation reflects the growing need to address disparities in oral health access and train clinicians capable of serving vulnerable patients, consistent with EIOH’s community-focused mission and commitment to underserved populations.
Supervisor:
Objectives:
- Gain hands-on experience in the evaluation, treatment planning, and clinical care of patients with special health care needs (SHCN), including individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD)
- Develop competence in assessing treatment risks, coordinating care with medical and allied health providers, and practicing ethically grounded, patient-centered care
Each resident will complete a rotation in Urgent Dental Care. Additional instruction is received through dental department seminars, literature reviews, case presentations, general practice presentations, and orientation lectures.
Supervisor:
Objectives:
- Develop skills in the evaluation and diagnosis of dental emergency problems
- Become skilled in developing appropriate treatment plans for patients with emergency problems
- Become skilled in treatment of dental emergency problems requiring placing temporary restorations, pulpectomies, extractions, excavating caries, incision and drainage of intra oral abscesses, treatment of minor dento-alveolar trauma including splinting of avulsed tooth, gingival curettage of localized acute pain of periodontal origin and postoperative treatment including dry socket and post-operative complications
- Become skilled in time management when evaluating and treating emergency patients
- Understand the processes of dental and medical referrals
- Understand the use of social workers in assisting patients need
Optional (Elective) Rotations
This rotation takes place in the EIOH Community Dentistry Department (offsite). It is a 4 to 26 week rotation of one half-day per week, or a two-week full-time experience. Residents receive additional instruction through dental department seminars, literature reviews, case presentations, general practice presentations, and orientation lectures.
Supervisor:
Objectives:
- Develop a more in-depth understanding of the field of community dentistry and enhance skills
- Increase understanding from a dental public health standpoint about the management of underserved patients
- Understand the development and management of community-based programs
Each resident has an opportunity to spend 4 half days at a commercial dental laboratory of their choice. The objectives of this rotation are shared with the commercial dental laboratory manager.
Supervisor:
Manager of a commercial dental laboratory
Objectives:
- Enhance understanding how to communicate and work with a commercial dental laboratory a commercial dental laboratory
- Increase knowledge in modern techniques of fixed and removable laboratory work
Residents may complete an elective rotation at a nursing home (Jewish Home), working under the supervision of a faculty dentist who supervises provision of care and evaluates performance.
Supervisors:
Objectives:
- Develop a more in-depth understanding and skill in management of the geriatric patient.
- Work with other dental and medical geriatric health care team members as needed to carry out treatment protocols specialized for ill elderly patients, including use of oral sedation and use of special equipment including wheelchair lift and headrest.
- Develop preventive oral care plans which accommodate for reduced capabilities and the increased dependence of geriatric nursing home residents.
This is a collaboration between the Division of General Dentistry and the Division of Oral Medicine. The rotation is composed of two distinct sections: Clinical Experiences and Integrative Learning Experiences.
Supervisor:
Objectives:
- Absorb the essence of oral medicine for patients with orofacial, non-odontogenic diseases. This includes the diagnosis and management of patients with diseases such as:
- Acute disease (e.g. herpetic gingivostomatitis, erythema multiforme)
- Chronic mucosal disease (e.g. vesiculo-bullous diseases)
- Salivary gland disease (e.g. Sjögren syndrome, cGVHD)
- Orofacial pain and neurosensory dysfunction conditions (e.g. BMS)
- Oral manifestations of systemic diseases (e.g. sarcoidosis, Crohn)
- Oral infections (e.g. candidiasis, viral infections)
- Follow and understand consultations for dental and medical professionals. This may include:
- Diagnosing and managing patients with conditions as outlined above
- Managing cancer therapy-related oral complications
- Diagnosing and managing odontogenic infections in medically complex patients
- Performing bed-side consults for in-patients with oral lesions
- Performing dental evaluations in patients in preparation for organ transplantation and head and neck cancer therapy
- Apply scientific principles to learning and patient care. This is obtained through critical thinking and self-learning, including:
- Reading and critically interpreting the scientific literature
- Reviewing literature on topics related to the experience during the rotation
- Being aware of evidence-based decisions regarding patient care
Residents may complete a rotation in the Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery (OMFS) Clinic at Strong Memorial Hospital, either for one day per week for two months, or for two weeks full-time. Under the direction of the OMFS Division Chief, residents will participate in daily activities, including rounds, patient consultation, and medical risks assessment, patient care in the operating room, IV sedation and out-patient surgical procedures.
Supervisors:
Objectives:
- Increase understanding of Oral Surgery procedures performed at the hospital
- Increase understanding of Hospital procedures and policies
- Enhance skills and/or knowledge in treatment planning, soft tissue management and clinical technique when performing Oral Surgery procedures
- Improve skills in medical risk assessment of patients who will undergo oral maxilla-facial surgery procedures
- Increase understanding of hospital protocol and policies
- Improve skills in performing surgical procedures, including removal of bony and soft tissue impacted third molars, biopsies and alveoloplasty
- Improve skills in the management of the fearful patient with the use of conscious sedation
Each resident may complete two sessions in the operating room at Strong Memorial Hospital when dental care is provided to patients who have intellectual or developmental disorders.
Supervisor:
Objectives:
- Enhance understanding of operating room procedures and policies
- Enhance understanding of how proper airway is established for operating room procedures
- Enhance understanding of anesthesia in the operating room
- Enhance understanding of how general dentistry is performed in the operating room under general anesthesia
- Enhance the understanding of pre- and post-operative management of patients with special needs in the operating room
Each resident may complete a few sessions in the Orofacial Pain Department, when dental care is provided to patients with orofacial pain. Residents are expected to be present in the clinic during their assigned time, and to attend any case presentations/didactic activities that may take place in the department during their rotation.
Supervisor:
Objectives:
- Identify basic mechanisms and the anatomic, physiologic, neurologic, vascular, behavioral, and psychosocial aspects of orofacial pain
- Observe and describe multidisciplinary/interdisciplinary management of orofacial pain
- Observe and describe the procedures involved in the diagnosis of orofacial pain
- Observe and explain the treatment/management of orofacial pain
Each resident has the opportunity to spend one half-day per week for one to three months in the Orthodontics program. Residents will assist in the orthodontic clinic and participate in seminars.
Supervisor:
Objectives:
- Improve understanding of the types of malocclusions that are correctable with orthodontic treatment, the approximate time for treatment, and alternative treatments
- Develop skills in consulting with specialists in orthodontics
- Understand the possibilities and limitations of orthodontic tooth movement
- Develop skills, knowledge, and the ability to collect the data necessary to analyze orthodontic records
- Improve understanding of orthodontic examination protocols and procedures
- Understand the basic diagnosis, treatment planning and therapy in orthodontics
Residents have the opportunity to spend one half-day per week for four weeks in the EIOH Pediatric Dentistry Department. Extended rotations are also available. Additional instruction is provided through dental department seminars, literature reviews, case presentations, general practice presentations, and orientation lectures. Residents also participate in a formal course, Advanced Pediatric Dentistry.
Supervisor:
Objectives:
- Develop skills in the management and treatment of dental conditions in the pediatric patient
- Become familiar with behavioral management techniques for the pediatric patient
- Have the knowledge and ability to appropriately administer local anesthetics to the pediatric patient
- Develop skills in diagnosing the need for placement of stainless steel crowns
- Be skilled in preventive therapy for the pediatric patient
Each resident has the opportunity to spend one half day per week in the Specialty Care/Perinatal Clinic.
Supervisor:
Objectives:
- Understand how to apply foundational knowledge of oral health during pregnancy, postpartum, and early infancy to support comprehensive maternal and child oral health care
- Recognize and manage common oral health needs and risk factors in pregnant women and young children, incorporating prevention, patient education, and appropriate referral when indicated
- Utilize digital technologies, including intraoral scanners, digital cameras, and tele dentistry platforms, for diagnosis, treatment planning, communication, and delivery of patient-centered care
- Apply principles of community-based research and evidence-based practice to identify and address oral health needs in prenatal and perinatal populations.
Residents have the opportunity to further expand their knowledge and skills by completing 2 to 12 additional sessions in the Periodontology program.
Supervisor:
Objectives:
- Gain additional skills in properly diagnosing and managing periodontal disease
- Enhance skills and knowledge to properly treatment plan and select implant components
- Develop advanced surgical skills and techniques in implant surgery and managing periodontal disease
Each resident has an opportunity to spend four half days in a private practice of their choice. The objectives of this rotation are shared with the supervising dental provider or practice manager.
Supervisor:
Dental provider or practice manager of a private practice clinic
Objectives:
- Better understand the management of a private practice
- Understand different systems of staff utilization in a private practice
Each resident will have the opportunity to spend one half-day per week for one to three months in the prosthodontic residency program.
Supervisor:
Objectives:
- Increase knowledge regarding management of complex prosthodontic cases
- Increase knowledge and skills in treatment planning for patients with complex prosthodontic needs
Research Rotations are mandatory for residents in the 2-year program and optional for those in the 1-year program.
After completion of the Research Workshop, 4 hours per week for 3 months are used to develop a research protocol. The protocol will be presented and discussed in the Research Seminar series. Upon completion and approval of the research protocol, residents have 8 hours per week to work on their research project for the remainder of their program, i.e. until the time of their results presentation. The selection of a research area is only limited by the availability of a research mentor. The execution of the project is supervised by the selected research mentor and progress is also monitored by an assigned research facilitator.
Supervisor:
Objectives:
- Understand how to select a research topic and formulate a research question
- Enhance skills in providing background and rationale for the project and design a research method
- Enhance skills in writing a research protocol.
- Improve skills in executing and complete the research project
- Enhance skills in writing a research manuscript and presenting a research paper
Residents may complete an elective rotation in the Special Care Clinic at the Complex Care Center.
Supervisor:
Objectives:
- Perform a comprehensive work-up of patients with developmental disabilities
- Assess oral health needs and develop treatment plans, which are rational and appropriate for patients with developmental disabilities
- Perform indicated routine dental procedures
- When necessary, work with other dental and medical health care team members to carry out treatment protocols specialized for developmentally disabled patients
- Develop preventive oral care plans, which accommodate for the reduced capabilities of the developmentally disabled population.
Residents who have appropriate educational background and experience and are interested in gaining teaching experience may be offered the opportunity to function as a Teaching Assistant in the AEGD or GPR program by the Program Director. This rotation would be 0.5-1 day per week for 3-12 months per year.
Supervisor:
Objectives:
- Enhance experience and skills in clinical teaching
- Enhance understanding of responsibilities and requirements of clinical teaching