Competencies are written statements describing the levels of knowledge, skill and values expected of graduates. In addition to these competencies expected at graduation, there are other components of the curriculum — foundation knowledge and skills — that are also required of students as part of their educational program. These are normally defined as learning objectives in individual courses.
1. Establish and maintain patient rapport
2. Perform a complete patient work-up, to include history and physical, laboratory and
radiographic examinations3. Interpret findings from the complete patient work-up and present them in a standardized format
4. Determine differential, provisional, and definitive diagnoses
5. Determine and consider patient's dental, medical, and personal situations in evaluating the range of dental theories appropriate for that individual
6. Combine diagnostic and prognostic data with a science base and patient's values to form an individualized, comprehensive, sequenced treatment plan
7. Discuss treatment plans with patients and caregivers, including presentation of findings, alternatives, risks and benefits, and obtain informed consent from them
8. Modify ongoing treatment plans based on changed circumstances
9. Make referrals to dental and medical colleagues and, in conjunction with them, manage patients' care
10. Use preventive strategies to help patients maintain and improve their oral health
11. Restore single teeth for therapeutic reasons
12. Treat patients who have missing teeth with simple fixed, removable, and implant-supported prostheses
13. Oversee long-term care for patients with dental prostheses
14. Work with commercial laboratory support associated with restorative treatment
15. Fabricate nightguard appliances to protect the dentition
16. Address simple cosmetic concerns
17. Prevent and treat pulpal inflammations using direct and indirect procedures
18. Perform uncomplicated endodontic therapy on permanent teeth
19. Treat plaque-induced gingivitis, mild chronic periodontitis, and other conditions requiring uncomplicated periodontal therapy
20. Recognize and treat or refer moderate to severe chronic periodontitis, aggressive periodontitis, and other conditions requiring complicated periodontal therapy
21. Assess results of periodontal treatment
22. Recognize and refer dental malocclusions and disturbances in the development of dentition
23. Perform simple and surgical tooth and root extractions
24. Treat simple and recognize and refer complex complications related to intraoral surgical procedures
25. Treat simple and refer complex oral bony abnormalities
26. Treat simple and refer complex oral mucosal abnormalities
27. Administer and prescribe medications commonly used in dentistry, including local anesthesia, and manage their complications
28. Recognize and respond to intraoral emergencies
29. Recognize and respond to medical emergencies occurring in the dental office
30. Perform CPR
31. Treat patients with special needs who do not require hospital adjunctive care as part of treatment
32. Recognize oral healthcare needs, refer, and ensure follow-up treatment for patients with complex disabilities and medical conditions
33. Involve caregivers, guardians, and other health and social service professionals in managing the oral health of patients
34. Perform treatment for children in a manner that incorporates consideration of their expected growth and development
35. Counsel patients on lifestyle habits that affect oral health
36. Function as a patient's primary and comprehensive oral health care provider
37. Prepare and use complete and accurate records
38. Use current infection and hazard control measures in dental practice
39. Practice four-handed dentistry
40. Direct services of dental auxiliaries
41. Develop a philosophy of practice
42. Develop a plan incorporating dental practice management principles
43. Participate in quality assurance systems
44. Practice consistent with sound business principles and legal requirements and regulations
45. Evaluate oral health care delivery and payment systems in terms of their impact on patients, dental practices, and the profession
June/July 200946. Diagnose and treat only within one's competence
47. Recognize moral weakness, uncertainty, and dilemmas in dental practice and practice in accordance with normative ethical principles
48. Recognize signs of abuse and neglect and take appropriate action
49. Communicate with patients, staff, and others in an empathetic and culturally competent manner
50. Participate in activities designed to improve the health of communities
51. Participate in organized dentistry
52. Assume active responsibility for one's lifelong learning
53. Use information technology for dental practice
54. Evaluate scientific, lay, and trade information and claims about new products and procedures
55. Think critically, solve problems, and base dental decisions on evidence and theory
