Patient Care Conferences
Patient Care Conferences provide an opportunity for residents and staff to exchange ideas and philosophies about patient care. In addition, they provide the resident with the opportunity to gain experience in the preparation and presentation of formal presentations. During these presentations, residents select medically and dentally complex patients to present and gather feedback from staff dentists. The following presentations are given: treatment planning, complete case and dental management of medically complex patients.
Didactic program
Critical medical and dental topics are covered throughout the year in various formats such as lectures, literature reviews, videos, webinars, and continuing education courses.
Complementary educational program
Residents are expected to attend lectures on treatment including endodontics and oral pathology at Loma Linda Affiliate University. In addition, residents attend an introduction to anesthesia with oral surgery residents. Finally, residents attend practice management seminars with other VA San Diego residents.
Continuing education courses
Opportunities are available to take continuing education courses outside. Tuition fees are reduced for courses taught at Loma Linda University. Residents have the option of taking FC courses at Ranchos Los Amigos for a resident fee. Funds are not available through VAMC.
RCR / ACLS
Residents in general medicine must be certified in basic cardiac resuscitation. Recertification courses are offered at Loma Linda VAMC.
Certification in advanced cardiac support is required. Recertification courses are offered at Loma Linda VAMC.
Evaluation of results
Residents are assessed quarterly and receive daily feedback on the performance criteria defined at the start of the program. During the evaluations, residents are asked for feedback on opportunities for improving the program. In addition, formal evaluations of staff, off-duty rotations and program effectiveness are provided at the end of the residency.
Standardized Hospital and General Dentistry Reviews are conducted at the start and end of residency to provide feedback to aid in curriculum development.
Clinical program:
Rotations in service
The general practitioner resident performs two weekly block rotations in the dental clinic throughout the program year. Weekly block rotations consist of one week each of oral surgery and examination room every five weeks. During the oral surgery internship, the dental resident performs oral surgery procedures under the supervision of the oral surgeon. Examination room rotation includes recall exams, emergency triage, triage of new patients and dental authorization exams. Residents spend the other weeks throughout the year either at the GPR clinic (providing comprehensive care to assigned patients) or on off-duty rotations.
Out of service rotations
The resident in general medicine works in various hospital departments in order to perfect his skills in hospital dentistry.
Off-duty internships are offered in the following clinics: anesthesia (1 week), emergency room (1 week) and ENT (3 weeks). All resident activities are supervised by appropriate assistants at the medical center.
