Core Curriculum
Rolf G. Behrents, DDS, MS, PhD
Executive Director / Orthodontic Program Director

The Center for Advanced Dental Education (CADE) at Saint Louis University is the academic division through which advanced training in dentistry is administered. The Center is committed to advancing the science and the art of all dental specialties through outstanding education, patient care, and research while promoting a multidisciplinary focus. At the present time, CADE is comprised of three graduate dental training programs: Endodontics, Orthodontics, and Periodontics. The Orthodontic program is wholly based at Saint Louis University while the Endodontic and Periodontic Programs are offered in close affiliation with Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine, Alton, Illinois. All advanced dental training programs are fully accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association. The prerequisite for matriculation in any CADE graduate dental training program is possession of a D.D.S., D.M.D., or equivalent general dental degree. Selection for admission is based upon the completed application file and a personal interview. Successful completion of all CADE graduate dental program requirements results in a Master of Science in Dentistry (Research) degree and a specialty certificate of completion of didactic and clinical requirements. Each individual specialty program demands full-time, in-residence participation. The three programs vary in length and differ in educational goals. Requirements include courses from the core listings below as well as specialty courses unique to the individual discipline (listed subsequently). The goal of the core curriculum is to provide advanced concepts in the sciences that comprise the foundation of graduate dental education.

Course Descriptions

CAD.501 Pain: Anatomy, Physiology, Psychology, Diagnosis & Treatment (1)
Explores multiple topics of pain with special emphasis on head and neck pain and conditions and/or syndromes that mimic dental pain. Protocols for dealing with both dental and non-dental "pain patients" will be addressed. (Offered every year.)

CAD.503 Advanced Oral Microbiology (0-2)
Examines the interface of human host and its microbial inhabitants converging to cause disease. Describes oral ecosystems resulting from interaction between human anatomy and physiology and microbial populations and their physiology with emphasis on the pulpal, periapical, and periodontal regions. Includes factors that maintain population balance and health or cause population imbalance and disease in these ecosystems. Includes management and prevention of oral microbial disease. (Offered every year.)

CAD.504 Molecular Biology of the Cell (2)
Up-to-date cell and molecular biology of the tooth and supporting structures. Attention given to molecular structure and function of composite proteins of tooth and bone and to cellular and physiological mechanisms key to driving development and repair. (Offered every year.)

CAD.505 Introduction to Statistical Inference (3)
Nature of measurement in graduate dentistry. Basic principles and techniques of research analysis, particularly in graduate dental research. Introduction to probability theory and sampling theory; criteria of reliability and validity. Fundamental concepts of descriptive and inferential statistics, introduction to levels of measurements and application of parametric and non parametric tests. (Offered every year.)

CAD.506 Ethics and Dentistry (1)
In general, the course studies the cross-cultural context for ethics discourse in dental education and practice. In particular, the course considers relevant ethical methods, principles, and codes of professional conduct as well as ethical decision making processes to engage and resolve applied ethical issues in dentistry. (Offered every year.)

CAD.508 Multidisciplinary Diagnosis and Treatment Planning I (1)
Diagnosis and treatment planning of various types of multidisciplinary dental problems through case studies. Various diagnostic and treatment modalities are discussed in order to render the most efficacious plan of patient treatment. Application of biomedical sciences to clinical oro-facial problems at the dental specialty level. (Offered every year.)

CAD.509 Research in Graduate Dentistry (1)
Research planning, design and qualitative and quantitative methodologies are examined together with the steps taken in the preparation of a research proposal, the conducting of the research in an efficient and ethical manner, and the writing and defense of a thesis. A culminating course requirement is the oral delivery and defense of a research proposal and the preparation of the associated literature review. (Offered every year.)

CAD.510 Dental Therapeutics (1)
A comprehensive review of the pharmacological considerations of clinical dentistry. Special emphasis is placed on dentally prescribed medications and their effects on systemic disease and associated systemic drugs. (Offered every year.)

CAD.511 Principles of Practice Management (1)
A practice management course which covers a broad range of business-management topics with an emphasis on application of concepts. (Offered every year.)

CAD.514 TMJ Disorders (1)
A lecture series to improve the understanding of TMJ disease and related disorders and to provide a rationale for differential diagnosis and treatment. (Offered every year.)

CAD.516 Advanced Oral Medicine (1)
Material on oral diagnosis and oral medicine is presented to develop the ability to make an accurate diagnosis of oral and general diseases. Special emphasis is placed on treatment of the medically compromised patient. (Offered every year.)

CAD.517 Advanced Oral Pathology (1)
Oral diseases with similar clinical appearances are presented. A differential diagnosis will be developed. For each entry, the etiology, biologic history, clinical features, histologic characteristics, progress, and current treatment will be identified. (Offered every year.)

CAD-519 Advanced Head and Neck Anatomy (2)
Discussion and laboratory demonstrations of the anatomy of specific areas of the head and neck that relate to dental practice. Emphasis will be placed upon the interrelationships, clinical significance, and variation of the structures studied. (Offered every year.)

CAD.522 Clinical Immunology (1)
A comprehensive review of inflammation and immunity and how they protect or harm the host with special focus on clinical dentistry. (Offered every other year.)

CAD523 Business Law (1)

CAD524 Implants & Temporary Anchorage Devices (1)

CAD.595 Special Study for Examinations (0)