FAQ
Do you require an Advanced Dental Admission Test (ADAT) score to apply to your AEGD program?
Does the program have an adequate patient population?
Do the school clinics employ digital radiography?
Upon completion of the program, will residents receive certification in IV sedation?
Does SIU have specialty programs, and how does this impact the AEGD resident experience?
SIU has a specialty program in endodontics and also offers a fellowship program in dental implantology.
Most AEGD residents find it to their advantage that the school has a limited number of specialty programs. Since SIU has no GPR program, patients with complex medical histories are referred to the AEGD residents. Similarly, in the absence of prosthodontic and periodontal programs, the residents treat a large number of patients with complex restorative and periodontal needs.
Do the AEGD residents get much surgical experience?
How much clinical experience do the residents get in pediatric dentistry?
About 10% of the resident's clinical care rotations are spent treating pediatric patients. The Pediatric Dentistry Rotation occurs at the East St. Louis Dental Clinic; the Advanced Care Clinic in Alton; and two additional area hospitals. Children are seen in other clinics and/or during other rotations (Special Needs Clinic and Oral Surgery Clinic), but in fewer numbers.
Most of the patients being treated for dental implants are adult patients. However, a number of children who are affected by ectodermal dysplasia receive treatment through our Implant Program. The National Foundation for Ectodermal Dysplasias is located in southern Illinois, and we work closely with that organization to improve the quality of life for those patients.
The patient population of the AEGD residents at our East St. Louis clinic is primarily comprised of adult patients and children over the age of 12. Residents see patients of all ages for dental emergencies. Patients under the age of 12 are typically treated by pre-doctoral students. However, if oral sedation is required, the patients are referred to the AEGD residents for care.
Do the residents get much experience in prosthodontics?
Describe the residents' implant experience.
Do the residents get endodontic experience?
Yes. While the lack of specialty programs generally provides an advantage for the AEGD residents, the presence of our endodontic program actually enhances the endodontic experience of our residents. Since both programs share the Advanced Education Clinic, the AEGD residents have access to endodontic faculty, equipment and supplies. We also have the advantage of being able to refer the most difficult cases to the endodontic residents.
Hands-on exercises in rotary endodontics are a component of the AEGD program.