Department of Biomaterials
General Goals
The Master's in Clinical Dentistry is designed to provide residents with the opportunity to enhance their research, biomaterials, and clinical backgrounds. When finished with the program, our goal is to produce highly trained, precision dentists who will be very competitive in applying for academic positions, enhanced clinical experiences, or additional post-doctoral educational oportunites.
Biomaterials
Students are educated on a variety of basic material science, as well as in the particulars of dental materials. In addition to the classes offered at the School of Dentistry, courses are taken in the School of Engineering, the School of Public Health, and the School of Medicine. This variety of course work allows the student to develop skills and knowledge necessary for productive research, clinical, and teaching careers.
Research
Students are offered a research opportunity tailored to match an individual’s interests and talents. Because of the wide variety of interactions at UAB, students enjoy a choice of research topics. Students typically rotate through the labs of their mentor and/or departmental faculty to assist with projects while learning laboratory skills and techniques.
Upon completion of the program, the successful Master’s candidate will be well-versed in current literature (dental biomaterials as well as clinical dentistry and specific research areas). Students will be taught how to design and implement a research protocol, and also how to navigate institutional regulations concerning human subjects, animal, and research integrity issues. More information on some possible areas of research interest can be obtained from our faculty page.
Clinical Dentistry
As a relatively new addition to the Master’s program in biomaterials, residents are offered advanced training in clinical restorative dentistry, including treatment planning and patient interactions. Patient experiences may include direct restorations, indirect resin restorations, single crowns, small bridges, implant treatments, and other aspects of general dentistry. Some residents elect to rotate through the hospital dental unit to experience the treatment of medically compromised patients. Also, opportunities are available to observe and assist faculty members in advanced dental treatment cases. This portion of the program has been well received, and promises to add a unique and important dimension to the training program. It has been especially helpful to foreign-trained dentists, as it gives them a perspective on differences in training between the U.S. and abroad.
Summary
Our goal is to see our Master’s students graduate with research experience and at least one publication, a solid background in dental biomaterials, and strong clinical patient treatment skills. We feel these graduates will be well positioned for an academic career in the United States or abroad.
Program Overview
- Year One: Courses in Biomaterials, Clinical Exercises
- Year Two: Research, Patient Treatment
- Year Three: Patient Care, Teaching Assignments (for selected students)