Text 2. Dental course in the USA

 

A person wishing to get dental education usually spends about 9-12 years afterhigh school to become a practicing dentist. Any college student or graduate can apply for admission to the four-year program of dental surgery doctor training. The average age of applicants is 24 years, so dentists are usually 30-32 years old when they start their practice.

Educational programs, which are very similar, are coordinated by the American Dental Association. It is mandatory for dental schools to be members of this Association. Each year the dental schools receive about 8,000 applications and admit 4,200 students, 36% of them being female.

The general admission requirements are as follows:

• Three or four years of college. Though a bachelor's degree is not specially required, 75% of students in the freshmen's class have this degree.

• All applicants for admission are required to take the Dental Admission Test.

• They also must present two or three letters of recommendation.

• Selected applicants are invited to the school for personal interview.

After admission a student spends four years in the dental school where he gets 5,000 hours of training, 80% of which are in clinical subjects, 17% in basic sciences and 3% in behavioral sciences, and graduates with a degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS).

During the first two years of study emphasis is placed on the basic sciences, the biological foundation of the dental profession. The basic sciences include anatomy, general histology, oral histology and embryology, microbiology, pathology, pharmacology, physiology and biochemistry. Students also study topics specific for dentistry, such as principles of occlusion, anesthesia and pain control, operative dentistry, facial growth and development and preventive dentistry.

Students are introduced into the clinic during the first term and progressively become more and more involved in patient care. The final two years emphasize training and instruction in the clinical field, including endodontics, operative dentistry, oral diagnosis and treatment planning, oral radiology, oral and maxillofacial surgery, anesthesiology, orthodontics, etc.

After graduation young dentists are ready to take licensing examinations (both written and clinical).

 

Translation

Translate one of the following texts (share them among the group-mates) and be ready to dwell on

- the application procedure,

- duration of study and the curriculum for each year,

- granted degrees,

- resources of the school/college/ university.

 

Text I. Creighton University (the USA)

Creighton University (the USA) is the most diverse educational institution of its size in the nation. The combination of relatively small size and unusual diversity is the key to appreciation of Creighton University's excellence. With an enrolment of greater than 6,000 students taught by a faculty of approximately 1,300, Creighton has set as its goal the conduct of higher education in the context of Christian values.

Founded in 1878, Creighton has a faculty and student body made up of individuals of many races and faiths from every geographical region of the United States and from numerous foreign nations.

Creighton is a university in the true sense. In addition to the Creighton College of Arts and Sciences, Creighton has a College of Business Administration, University College, School of Dentistry, Medicine, Law, Nursing, Pharmacy and Allied Health Professions, and a Graduate School offering Master's and Doctor's degrees. The School of Dentistry was opened in 1905 and is now fully accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association.

Creighton University School of Dentistry is committed to excellence in education, patient care, service and research. It exists to develop dental professionals who will use the knowledge and technology of the 21st century in the Jesuit educational tradition characterized by compassion, leadership, professionalism, creativity and service.

The School Year

The academic year begins in August on the day specified in the School Calendar and continues into May. The year includes approximately thirty-two weeks of instruction, divided into two semesters. In addition, a summer session of approximately ten weeks is mandatory for students progressing into the Junior and Senior years. Accordingly, those students promoted into the summer session are considered to be automatically registered for the summer.

There is a short Thanksgiving vacation, a two-week Christmas-Midyear recess, a one week vacation in the spring, a short recess between the second semester and the summer term, and a total of three weeks of vacation following the summer session.

 

Freshman Year

Biochemistry (Fall)

Histology (Fall)

General Gross and Neuroanatomy (Fall)

Head and Neck Anatomy (Spring)

Oral Histology and Embryology (Spring)

Microbiology (Spring)

General Neuroscience (Spring)

Sophomore Year

The same subjects added by

Physiology

Junior Year

The subjects added by

Dental Pharmacology I (Fall)

Dental Pharmacology II (Spring)

Nutrition (Spring)

Senior Year

The subjects added by

Dental Pharmacology Update (Fall)

 

Having graduated from the School of Dentistry the students may enter any higher educational establishment to proceed to DDS degree.

Text II. Baylor College of Dentistry

Baylor College of Dentistry (BCD) is dedicated to combining higher education and research with community service. Almost two-thirds of all the dentists in the Dallas/Fort Worth area received their education at BCD, and more than one-third of all dentists in Texas are graduates of the college.

The BCD faculty, staff and graduates helped to ensure the continuing quality and prestige of the college from its beginning in 1905 as the private State Dental College, through its affiliation with Baylor University from 1918 to 1971, and throughout the next 25 years as an independent, private institution. In September 1996, BCD became a member of The Texas A&M University System, and today is a component of The A&M System Health Science Center.

Achievements: Baylor College of Dentistry was named one of the top four dental institutions nationwide for periodontology, endodontics and geriatric dentistry by American Health Magazine. Each year, the college provides more than 103,500 patient care visits, 45 percent of which benefit low-income individuals. Of the care it provides, the college donates $3.3 million in services to the community.

Academic Programs: BCD offers a four-year program leading to a DDS (doctor of dental surgery) degree; a bachelor's degree in dental hygiene; several master's degree programs and a Ph.D. program in biomedical sciences; and post-doctoral degrees in the dental specialties. A M.D. program is offered in conjunction with Texas University Health Science Center. Dental professionals from around the world have the opportunity to continue their education and access the latest dental technology through BCD's Department of Continuing Education.

Research Programs: BCD is a nationally recognized center for oral health education as well as basic and clinical research. Faculty members are opening new doors in a wide range of areas including laser technology, computer-aided dental restorations, dental material improvement, craniofacial deformity and salivary dysfunction treatment.

* To learn more about the subjects studied at Baylor College of Dentistry, See Appendix1 (p.)