Welcome to the Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) program at Nucleus University School of Dentistry Aruba (NUSOD), where we are committed to cultivating the next generation of dental professionals. Our program is designed to provide you with a comprehensive education in dental medicine, integrating advanced scientific knowledge with practical clinical skills. As you embark on this journey, you are not just training to become a dentist; you are stepping into a role that will allow you to improve people's lives through oral health care.
The DDS program at NUSOD is a rigorous four-year curriculum that combines foundational biomedical sciences with clinical dentistry, starting from the basics and advancing to complex dental treatments and patient care strategies. Our curriculum is structured to ensure you develop a deep understanding of oral health diseases, diagnostic procedures, preventive dentistry, and effective treatment plans for diverse populations.
The first two years of the program lay the groundwork in biomedical sciences, covering anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, pathology, pharmacology, and more, all tailored to dental medicine. Concurrently, you will begin pre-clinical training in our state-of-the-art simulation labs, where you will learn dental procedures in a controlled environment, preparing you for patient interaction.
The final two years shift focus towards intensive clinical experience. Under the supervision of our esteemed faculty, you will treat patients in our on-campus dental clinics, gaining hands-on experience in general dentistry and specialized areas such as pediatric dentistry, orthodontics, periodontics, and oral surgery. This period is crucial for developing clinical judgment and interpersonal skills necessary for successful patient care.
At NUSOD, excellence is not just a goal but a standard. Our faculty comprises renowned educators and practitioners who are leaders in their respective fields. They are here to guide you, inspire you, and challenge you to reach your full potential. Our comprehensive curriculum, cutting-edge facilities, and focus on innovative research are designed to prepare you for a successful career in dentistry.
We believe that diversity enriches the learning experience and prepares our students to serve a diverse patient population. NUSOD is committed to creating an inclusive environment where all students can thrive, regardless of background, culture, or perspective.
As a student in the DDS program, you will learn to navigate the complexities of dental diseases, develop skills to manage a dental practice, and most importantly, understand the impact of oral health on overall well-being. Our program is not just about teaching you to be an excellent dentist; it's about shaping you into a healthcare leader who is ready to face the challenges of the future.
We look forward to welcoming you to our community and supporting you on your journey to becoming a dental professional.
The program objectives for the Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) at Nucleus University School of Dentistry Aruba (NUSOD) have been meticulously formulated by our esteemed Faculty of Dentistry. These objectives have received approval from both the Curriculum Committee and the Board of Trustees, ensuring they meet the highest standards of educational excellence. Furthermore, our program is carefully aligned with the framework established by the American Dental Association (ADA) and the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA), guaranteeing that our curriculum not only adheres to but also exemplifies the rigorous requirements set forth by these leading dental organizations. This alignment ensures that our graduates are well- prepared, both theoretically and practically, to excel in their dental careers while contributing meaningfully to the advancement of oral health care.
| Competency | # | Core Program Objectives |
|---|---|---|
| Professionalism (P) | P1 | Demonstrate a commitment to patients and the dental profession by employing best practices, adhering rigorously to ethical and legal standards, and integrating them into the delivery of dental care. |
| P2 | Collaborate with members of the healthcare team and consult with or refer to professional colleagues as appropriate. | |
| Communication (C) | C1 | Apply appropriate interpersonal and communication skills to communicate effectively with individuals from diverse populations. |
| C2 | Apply psychosocial and behavioral principles in patient-centered health care. | |
| Critical Thinking (CT) | CT1 | Apply critical thinking and problem-solving, including their use in the comprehensive care of patients. |
| CT2 | Demonstrate ability to access, critically appraise, apply, and communicate scientific literature to provide evidence-based patient care. | |
| Health Promotion (HP) | HP1 | Demonstrate ability to provide oral health care within the scope of general dentistry to include prevention, intervention, and educational strategies. |
| HP2 | Understand the values and challenges of contributing to the improvement of oral health beyond those served in traditional practice settings. | |
| Practice Management(PM) | PM1 | Identify the requirements of effective oral health care management and delivery, including using contemporary principles and resources in practice management. |
| PM2 | Apply principles of risk management, including informed consent, appropriate record keeping, maintaining legal and regulatory standards related to the provision and/or support of oral health care services. | |
| Patient Care (PC) | PC1 | Apply biomedical science knowledge in the delivery of patient care. |
| PC2 | Manage the oral health care of the infant, child, adolescent, and adult, as well as the unique needs of women, geriatric and special needs patients. | |
| PC3 | Prevent, identify, and manage trauma, oral diseases, and other disorders. | |
| PC4 | Obtain and interpret patient / medical data, including a thorough intra/extra oral examination, and use these findings to accurately assess and manage all patients. | |
| PC5 | Select, obtain, and interpret diagnostic images for the individual patient. | |
| PC6 | Recognize the manifestations of systemic disease and how the disease and its management may affect the delivery of dental care. | |
| PC7 | Formulate a comprehensive diagnosis, treatment, and/or referral plan for the management of patients. | |
| PC8 | Utilize universal infection control guidelines for all clinical procedures. | |
| PC9 | Prevent, diagnose, and manage pain and anxiety in the dental patient. | |
| PC10 | Prevent, diagnose, and manage temporomandibular disorders. | |
| PC11 | Prevent, diagnose, and manage periodontal diseases. | |
| PC12 | Develop and implement strategies for the clinical assessment and management of caries. | |
| PC13 | Manage restorative procedures that preserve tooth structure, replace missing or defective tooth structure, maintain function, are esthetic, and promote soft and hard tissue health. | |
| PC14 | Diagnose and manage developmental or acquired occlusal abnormalities. | |
| PC15 | Manage the replacement of teeth for the partially or completely edentulous patient. | |
| PC16 | Diagnose, identify, and manage pulpal and periradicular diseases. | |
| PC17 | Diagnose and manage oral surgical treatment needs. | |
| PC18 | Prevent, recognize, and manage medical and dental emergencies. | |
| PC19 | Recognize and manage substance abuse. | |
| PC20 | Diagnose, identify, and manage oral mucosal and osseous diseases. |
The Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) curriculum at Nucleus University School of Dentistry Aruba (NUSOD) is a comprehensive, four-year program designed to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and ethical grounding required for a successful career in dentistry and leadership in the community. The program is structured to ensure a logical progression of learning, beginning with the foundations in Year 1, where students are introduced to the basic sciences and fundamentals of dentistry.
In Year 2, the focus shifts to preclinical studies, allowing students to apply their foundational knowledge in a controlled, simulated environment. This phase is crucial for developing technical skills before engaging with real patients. By Year 3, students transition into clinical settings, applying their skills to patient care under close supervision, marking a significant step in their journey from learners to practitioners. The curriculum culminates in Year 4 with advanced clinical practice, where students are exposed to complex cases and advanced treatment planning, preparing them for independent practice.
Running parallel to the clinical curriculum is a robust research component, encouraging students to engage in scholarly inquiry and contribute to the dental community's body of knowledge. Integral to our curriculum are courses in professionalism, ethics, and cultural competence, which are woven through all four years of the program. These courses underscore the importance of ethical practice, respect for cultural diversity, and the professional conduct expected of a dentist.
Clinical exposure begins in Year 2 and intensifies through Years 3 and 4, offering students increasing responsibility in patient care as they progress. This hands-on experience is complemented by community-based learning models, which place students in diverse settings outside the university clinic, exposing them to a wide range of patients and community health issues.
Our pedagogical approach embraces self-directed and lifelong learning models, empowering students to take ownership of their education and remain curious learners throughout their careers. The ultimate goal of our DDS program is not just to train competent dentists but to develop leaders in the field who are equipped to address the evolving challenges of dental health care and serve their communities with integrity and excellence.
| Year 1 | Foundations | Didactics | Labortary / Preclinicals | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Professionalism+Ethics | |||||||
| Research | Community Dental Programs | ||||||
| Year 2 | Preclinicals | Didactics | Labortary / Preclinicals | ||||
| Professionalism+Ethics | Community Dental Programs | ||||||
| Research | |||||||
| Year 3 | Clinicals | Didactics | Labortary / Preclinicals | ||||
| Professionalism+Comprehensive Clinics+Ethics | |||||||
| Research | |||||||
| Year 4 | Advanced Clincals | Didactics | Professionalism+Comprehensive Clinics+Ethics | ||||
| Community Dental Programs | |||||||
All courses at Nucleus University School of Dentistry, including clinical activities, are taught and examined solely in English. The clinical interaction, including personal contact with patients, their families and other healthcare professionals, which takes place as part of the course of study, is conducted in English.
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