Program Overview

Master of Dental Surgery in Endodontics

Introduction

The Master of Dental Surgery in Endodontics (MDS-EN) provides the trainee with a broad academic background in biomedical sciences, non-surgical and surgical endodontic principles, in the diagnosis and management of medically compromised and non-compromised patients, fundamental knowledge, principles, and clinical skills in the treatment of pulpal and periapical diseases.

Program Objectives

The goals of the MDS-EN program are to enable students to:

1. Develop contemporary knowledge specifically in endodontics, and relevant areas in dentistry and medicine to enable to make appropriate clinical decisions.
2. Acquire basic and advance skills in patient care, investigation techniques, and clinical skills at a level of competency for safe practice.
3. Participate in multidisciplinary team work for effective patient care.
4. Develop and adopt high values in decision making, with contemporary evidence-based knowledge and skills.
5. Communicate efficiently and practices the highest level of Ethics and Professionalism
6. Promote as an advocate for health and continue to be a life-long learner.

Program Structure & Requirements

The program begins with basic medical sciences and relevant dental sciences courses that help build a core knowledge that enable the trainee to proceed for further endodontic education and training. Clinical experience includes non-surgical and surgical endodontic cases in different levels also use of dental operating microscope. Multidisciplinary team work and quality patient-care outcome in a safe environment remain as the main philosophy of training.

Academic Courses and Study Plan

• Pre-Clinical Endodontics: Clinical anatomy of the pulp chamber, isolation of the operative field, endodontic access, and removal of the contents.
• Clinical Endodontics (I-VI): Clinical Endodontic Procedures and applications in simple and complex cases.
• Seminar in Endodontics (I-VI): Cutting edge information from the literature, reviewing and correlating basic and endodontic science with clinical applications.
• Investigation Leading to Thesis (I-II): Finding a research topic, mentoring students in research, and introducing graduate students to critical thinking, research methodology, and evidenced-based practice skills.
• Current Literature Review (I-VI): Exposure to contemporary and cutting edge scientific literature in various subject areas associated with endodontics.
• Case Presentation and Treatment Planning (I-VI): Presenting selected endodontic cases and treatment plans, critiqued by the group.
• Advanced Treatment Planning: Systematic approaches to treatment planning, determining restorability, and treatment finalization systems in endodontics.
• Introduction to Basic Sciences in Dentistry: Integrated manner covering growth and development, human anatomy and physiology, biochemistry, and genetics.
• Pulp Biology: Reviewing the latest developments in pulp biology, particularly elements of specific interest to clinical endodontists.
• Research Methodology & Biostatistics: Critical exploration of research language, ethics, and approaches, and introduction to biostatistics.
• Advanced Biology of the Dental Pulp for Endodontist: Pulp anatomy, characterization of pulpal cells, and their functions.
• Surgical Endodontics: Essential concepts and current information necessary for a thorough knowledge of surgical endodontics.
• Advanced Root Canal Preparation Techniques: Advanced preparation techniques, philosophy, and current concepts.
• Advanced Root Canal Obturation Techniques: Different root canal obturation techniques.
• Pulp and Periapical Pathology: Pulpal and periapical pathologies, situations, diseases, and their etiology, pathogenesis, and patho-physiology.
• Endodontic Microbiology: Microbial flora of pulp and periapical tissues, microbiologic relations of endodontic and periapical diseases.
• Pre-Clinical and Clinical Teaching in Undergraduate Program (I-VI): Improving teaching skills while teaching undergraduate students.
• Pharmacology and Medicine in Clinical Endodontics: Endodontic pharmacology and medicine, materials, solutions, and medicine used in endodontics.
• Retreatment Methodologies: Indications and removal of obturation materials, methodology, and strategies.
• Procedural Errors and Management: Teaching separated instrument removal, intra-canal perforation repairs, and management of procedural errors.
• Post Endodontic Restorations: Restoring teeth after root canal treatment, post materials, and procedures.
• Regenerative Endodontics: Regenerative strategies aiming at the generation of new vital tissue, tissue engineering concepts.
• Geriatric Endodontics: Demographic data, background about geriatrics, physiological and histological changes in the pulp, teeth, and mouth of older people.
• Endo-Perio Relations: Pulpal-periodontal tissues interactions, endodontic-periodontic interrelationships, clinical considerations, and treatment approaches.
• Laser Use in Endodontics: Laser use in endodontics, safety measures, and related topics.
• Imaging Techniques in Endodontics: Radiographic, CBCT, and related imaging techniques used in endodontics.
• Multidisciplinary Treatment Planning I-II: Critically discussing cases needing complex periodontal-restorative and implant treatment.
• Research Project (I-IV): Searching for a research topic, identifying a supervisor, performing a literature survey, and generating a research hypothesis.

Special Admission Requirements

1. A BDS degree from the University of Sharjah or an equivalent qualification, with a GPA of 3.0 or above.
2. A minimum of one-year post-qualification work experience.
3. English Language requirements: A minimum of 550 on paper-based TOEFL or 6.0 on IELTS or its equivalence.
4. Applicants must attend an interview session and may be required to sit for a written and/or practical test.

Evaluation and Research

• Evaluation of cases during the program to understand and evaluate student performance and progress.
• Research presentation and defense of the Master's thesis.
• Research is a critical component of endodontic education and training, introducing concepts of research, creativity, and innovations.