Oral & Maxillofacial Radiology Program Vision
The vision of the UF College of Dentistry Oral & Maxillofacial Radiology Advanced Education Program is to be internationally recognized as a leader in the clinical training in oral and maxillofacial radiology.
Educational Mission
The mission of the department is to excel in teaching, patient care and research in the field of oral & maxillofacial radiology. The program comprehensively provides training for a career in academic or private radiology practice. The program also provides foundational research training and helps develop analytic and critical thinking skills to become competent OMR radiologists who are able to contribute to the profession. This program is designed to educate dentists to become leaders in radiology and is committed to developing the following qualities in the students: ethics, integrity, scholarship, open-mindedness, sound judgment, and the ability to communicate and relate to patients.
Educational Program Goals
The overall goals of the program are to allow the residents to attain diagnostic skills in theoretical and practical aspects of oral & maxillofacial radiology.
Graduates of this program should be able to:
- Demonstrate advanced knowledge in: Imaging Sciences (radiation biology, radiation physics, radiation protection, and digital imaging computer science), Clinical Sciences (intraoral, extra-oral, and cone beam CT radiographic imaging, radiographic interpretation of conditions affecting the oral and maxillofacial region, Medical Sciences (oral and maxillofacial pathology, head and neck anatomy) and Research Sciences (research design and basic biostatistics).
- Provide patient care using oral and maxillofacial radiology procedures, including intraoral, panoramic, cephalometric, tomographic, and digital-based imaging; cone beam computed tomography, conventional computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging.
- Apply knowledge of oral and general pathology and disease processes, head and neck anatomy, radiation physics, and radiation protection to radiographic interpretation of conditions affecting the oral facial region.
- Develop skills to critically analyze the oral and maxillofacial radiology literature.
- Become effective teachers and speakers on the applications and interpretation of oral and maxillofacial radiology.
- Participate in original research projects and/or scholarly activities.
Educational Objectives
To achieve our goals, all Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology residents will:
- Acquire foundational knowledge in radiation physics, radiation biology, radiation risk and safety, radiologic quality assurance, research design and basic biostatistics. Didactic education: Designed to provide knowledge in foundational radiation sciences (physics and biology), applied radiation sciences (imaging technology and radiation safety and protection), disease processes along with radiologic interpretation, and evidence-based imaging.
- Gain experience in clinical oral and maxillofacial radiology: Residents will actively participate and assume responsibility for interpretations and consultative reports on both plain and advanced imaging studies. Advance knowledge in diagnostic radiographic interpretation for various maxillofacial pathological conditions, including cysts, tumors, inflammation, trauma, dental and craniofacial anomalies, TMJ diseases, etc., by providing interpretative reports on at least 200 advanced imaging and 200 conventional imaging radiographs each year.
- Gain experience in clinical imaging procedures: Residents will learn and capture intraoral, panoramic, cephalometric and CBCT and demonstrate competency in these procedures.
- Residents participate and present in clinical oral and maxillofacial radiology case conferences held twice a week.
- Residents gain experience in hospital-based head and neck imaging via rotations through UF Health Shands and providing on-call interpretative services for dental radiographs for the Shands emergency services. Residents also participate in the weekly head and neck tumor board.
- Residents participate and present in multidisciplinary case conferences during weekly grand rounds.
- Residents participate in the predoctoral teaching program and CE courses of the division of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology.
- Residents will participate in oral and maxillofacial radiololgy literature reviews; and have the opportunity to participate in research and scholarly activity.