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Department of General Dentistry

Dr. M. Taleghani
Chair: Dr. Mohsen Taleghani

Modern health care requires caring, competent primary care providers who place patient welfare above all other considerations.

In dentistry, the General Dentist fulfills that role. The traditional term, “Attending Doctor” indicates such a doctor / patient relationship, and signifies the philosophy of the Department that the general dentist is responsible for leading diagnostic, treatment planning, and therapeutic endeavors for all patients under his or her care.

The nine dental specialties support general attending dentists by providing expert care for those patients whose diagnostic or treatment needs demand advanced levels of skill and expertise. It is the responsibility of the general dentist to lead the referral team and constantly insure that the best interests of the patient are met.

Contact the Department of General Dentistry

214-828-8267

Mission

The mission of Baylor College of Dentistry is to improve the oral health of Texans and shape the future of dentistry by:

  • Developing exemplary clinicians, educators, and scientists.
  • Caring for the needs of a diverse community.
  • Serving as a leader in health professions education.
  • Seeking innovations in science, education, and health care delivery.

Go to http://exchange/intranet/ClinicManual/index.htm for full version.

The mission of the General Dentistry Program is to bring the College Mission stated above to reality in a patient-centered competency-based program of comprehensive dental care. The objectives of this patient-oriented focus are to:

  • Prepare students to diagnose and provide comprehensive oral health services in a professional manner.
  • Provide students a clinical experience that resembles a broadly-based general dental practice, including personnel and patient management.
  • Demonstrate in word and action the commitment by the dental profession to provide competent care in a timely manner while respecting the patient’s values and interests.
Behavioral Objectives

The department’s vision is to consistently produce ethical graduates who are diagnostically, managerially, and therapeutically competent in keeping with Baylor College of Dentistry’s competencies document. For full document, go HERE.

By the end of the General Dentistry program the student should be able to:

  • Examine and evaluate patients’ general health status.
  • Diagnose conditions, identify and list patients’ dental needs.
  • Prescribe treatment plans, effectively communicate them, and perform the patient care competently.
  • Recognize the need to refer patients to a specialist when the scope of required treatment is beyond the student practitioner’s competence.
  • Manage and delegate to appropriate others, duties such as patient scheduling and other patient services that do not require the skill and judgment of a dentist.
  • Demonstrate concern and understanding for patients.
  • Model the intellectual, ethical, and behavioral aspects of professionalism.
 Measurement Objectives

Student performance is evaluated, both subjectively and objectively, in all competency areas by:

  • Clinical evaluation of procedures / quality assessment forms.
  • Comprehensive Care Program Group Leader conferences.
  • Patient appointment associate (PAA) assessment.
  • Semester progress evaluations.
  • Office of Patient Services computer analysis.
  • Student record audits (self-assessment).
  • Progress examinations / competency (Mock Board) examinations.
  • Patient satisfaction surveys.
  • Final report tabulations.