Teaching Programs

Predoctoral Program
As one of the school's largest divisions, we have a broad and extensive involvement in the predoctoral teaching program.  Dental student education is comprehensive and is integrated through a series of didactic, laboratory, clinical, and seminar courses addressing the following topics:   operative dentistry, fixed prosthodontics, dental morphology and occlusion, esthetic dentistry and geriatric dentistry.  Our curriculum is designed to provide students with an adequate number of clinical experiences to perform several skills assessments. These evaluations are designed to build the students' confidence and knowledge in clinical restorative dentistry. Upon completion of the requisite experiences and evaluations, student will be prepared to challenge a competency examination. After successfully completing the comprehensive competency examination, students will be provided the opportunity to treat patients more independently in an Advanced Restorative Dentistry Clinic (ARDC).

Post-doctoral Advanced Education in General Dentistry (AEGD) Program
The Advanced Education in General Dentistry (AEGD) one-year post-doctoral program is designed for dental graduates who plan to remain as general practitioners, yet wish for additional intensive training in treating various complex and comprehensive dental rehabilitations. 

Courses Taught

1st Year

2nd Year

3rd Year

4th Year

Selectives 

* Fourth year students are exposed to advanced techniques in cast and direct gold through the Student Cast Gold Study Club. Nearly one-half of the fourth year class chooses to participate in the didactic portions of this selective, with a select group of twenty students performing clinical procedures.

Research Activities

The Restorative Division is very active in Dental Materials research, in both technique and product testing. A newly developed Restorative Research Laboratory plans to explore numerous topics in both materials science and education under the leadership of Drs. Nishimura, Fanuscu and Hewlett.

Patient Care

General Clinic
Over 80 faculty in the Division are engaged in clinical teaching at both the School of Dentistry and the Venice Dental Center. In the General Clinic, dental students treat a broad range of patients with differing needs under the close supervision of part and full time dental school faculty. Within the General Clinic, students have the option of performing complex esthetic dentistry, and the restoration of dental implants.

Advanced Restorative Dentistry Clinic
Students who have passed the competency exam are eligible to participate in the Advanced Restorative Dentistry Clinic. This clinic allows competent students the opportunity to treat more complex cases and increase their patient load during clinic sessions. Students work under the mentorship of restorative faculty in a specially designated clinical area. Faculty provide support and advice as requested, however, students are encouraged to work more independently than in the general restorative dentistry clinic area.

Advanced Education in General Dentistry (AEGD) Clinic
Patients may elect to have treatment provided by residents in the AEGD Clinic.  This treatment is provided under the supervision of Restorative Dentistry Division faculty. 

Center for Esthetic Dentistry
Patients with special esthetic needs are often treated in the Center for Esthetic Dentistry Clinic. In a joint effort between Continuing Education and the Division of Restorative Dentistry, the CED treats hundreds of patients per year. Patients in the CED Clinic are treated by Esthetic Dentistry Residents under the close supervision of experts in the field of esthetic dentistry.

Faculty Group Dental Practice
Most of the Division's full time faculty maintain a private practice setting, treating patients at UCLA Medical Plaza.

Volunteer Opportunities

We are always open to talking with prospective dentists interested in volunteering for pre-clinical and clinical teaching, research projects, and continuing education courses. Please contact the Division for more information.

Division Commitment

1. To encourage faculty to be dedicated and to keep them updated and calibrated with our curriculum, standards, and objectives.
2. To provide instruction in all phases of restorative dentistry for dental students.
3. To provide a competency-based curriculum in Clinical Restorative Dentistry to 3rd and 4th year students.
4. To encourage faculty to enroll in continuing education programs and seminars that would enhance their knowledge in Restorative Dentistry.
5. To prepare students to pass the California State Dental Board Examination.
6. To keep abreast of the latest literature in dentistry, dental equipment, dental materials, and educational advancements.