Rotation Curriculum

Program Rotation
Internal Medicine: One month
Using the training gained in physical assessment, residents are expected to work up selected inpatients while on this service. Experience is gained in laboratory medicine and physical examination as well as medical risk assessment.

Anesthesia: Up to one month
Residents are assigned to the Department of Anesthesia to learn the principles and techniques of general anesthesia. Residents learn preoperative evaluation, IVs, intubation, maintenance of patients on anesthetic gases, and monitoring of vital signs. Emphasis is placed on the pharmacologic and physiologic basis for sedation and general anesthesia.

Oral Surgery: One- to two-month rotation, and on-going experience throughout the year
All residents take overnight calls in conjunction with the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Residents. Residents are also required to accompany Oral Surgeons and Oral Surgery Residents to the operating room as the assistant surgeon. Residents perform surgical and non-surgical extractions, wound suturing, oral biopsies and other procedures, as dictated by the case.

Implant Dentistry
The curriculum in implant dentistry is composed primarily of didactic and some clinical components. Instruction is provided in diagnosis and treatment planning, implant selection, placement and postoperative care, restoration, and maintenance procedures. Placement of implants is done in the OMFS clinic with their attendings and residents. Residents are expected to treatment plan for implants early in the year so as to complete a simple case by the end of the year.

Training in Dental Specialties Areas
The program includes didactic and advanced clinical training in all of the various dental specialties using modern dental technology such as intraoral cameras, rotary endodontics, and CEREC direct restorations. The resident will experience essential training in:

• Diagnostic Sciences
• Preventative Dentistry
• Periodontics
• Endodontics
• Pediatric Dentistry
• Orthodontics
• Prosthodontics
• Geriatric Dentistry
• Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery
• Implantology
• Latest in Cosmetic Dentistry
• Medical Rotations
• Operating Room (OR) Procedures at Nashville General Hospital
• Emergency Care
• Didactics

Residents are required to participate in seminar sessions and journal club meetings. Residents are also required to perform case presentations. Seminar topics include specific topics within all dental specialties and are tailored according to the interests of the group of residents. Attending faculty is available during clinic sessions for opportunities to provide individualized educational experience.

Facilities
The General Practice Residency Clinic is located within Meharry Medical College, School of Dentistry. Three hospital facilities are involved as affiliates in the GPR program. They are the Veterans Administration Hospital in Nashville and in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, as well as Metro General Hospital of Nashville, Tennessee. Each resident has the opportunity to rotate through these facilities.

View eligibility requirements and application process.