Post-Doctoral Program Technical Standards

(Posted February 14, 2020)

Introduction

The Wichita State University AEGD Program has a responsibility to educate competent Dental Residents to care for their patients (persons, families and/or communities) with critical judgment, broad-based knowledge, and well-honed technical skills. All applicants to the Wichita State University AEGD program must have acquired and demonstrated the knowledge, skills and abilities to function in a broad variety of clinical situations and to render a wide spectrum of dental care. All individuals admitted to the Wichita State University AEGD Program will be asked to verify that they can meet these standards with or without accommodation(s) .

While each application is reviewed individually, it is necessary that each applicant be able to observe, adequately diagnose and perform (or recognize need of referral) each task required by the curriculum of the program.

Candidates for admission into the AEGD Residency program must possess abilities and skills in the following areas to satisfactorily complete the curriculum:

  1. These technical standards reflect a sample of the performance abilities and characteristics that are necessary to successfully complete the requirements of the AEGD Please note: the standards are not requirements of admission into the AEGD Program and the examples are not all-inclusive.
  1. Individuals interested in applying for admission to the AEGD Program should review these standards to develop a better understanding of the skills, abilities and behavioral characteristics required to successfully complete the AEGD Program. Key areas for technical standards in Dentistry include certain: (a) sensory and motor coordination and function; (b) communication skills; (c) observational skills; (d) cognitive skills; and (e) behavioral and social attributes.

Reasonable Accommodation(s)

Wichita State University is committed to providing educational opportunities to otherwise qualified students with disabilities to afford such students an opportunity equal to that provided to non-disabled students to achieve a desired educational outcome. A “qualified individual” with a disability is one who, with or without reasonable accommodations, meets Wichita State University AEGD Residency academic requirements and Technical Standards. Students wishing to request reasonable accommodations must contact the Wichita State University Office of Disability Services (ODS).

ODS determines qualified disability status and assists students in obtaining appropriate accommodations and services. Decisions regarding reasonable accommodation are determined on a case-by-case basis taking into consideration each student’s disability-related needs, disability documentation, and program requirements. While the AEGD Residency program will make every effort to work with students with a disability to accommodate their disability-related needs, the AEGD Residency program is not required to provide accommodations that fundamentally alter or waive essential program requirements. Students should contact OSD directly at disability.services@wichita.edu or 316-978-3309.

Observation

Candidates must be able to accurately observe laboratory experiments, clinical demonstrations, clinical laboratory procedures and patient-care activities.

Observation

Residents must be able to perform observational skills necessary to assess the health needs of clients/patients through auditory, visual, and tactile abilities.

Standard

  1. Ability to observe patient conditions and responses to health and illness.
  2. Ability to assess and monitor health needs.
  3. Computational thinking.
  4. Cognitive load management.

Rationale

  1. AEGD Resident competencies include the knowledge, attitude, and skills necessary to provide quality and safe patient care to patients across the continuum.
  2. Use and interpret information obtained from digital, analog, and waveform diagnostic tools (e.g., sphygmomanometer, illuminator, blood glucose, EPT, N2O, O2, and crash cart).
  3. Observe a patient during the course of comprehensive or focused assessments.
  4. Translate data into abstract concepts and understand data- based reasoning.
  5. Obtain and interpret information for evaluation of responses to dental actions.

Communication

Candidates must be able to communicate effectively and sensitively with patients and with all members of the health care team.

Communication

Residents must be able to complete accurate assessments of patient status. Communication includes verbal, reading, writing, non-verbal, and electronic behaviors with patients and the healthcare team that reflect sensitivity, clarity, and mutual comprehension.

Standard

  1. Communication abilities for sensitive and effective interactions with patients/clients (persons, families, and/or communities).
  2. Communication abilities for effective interdisciplinary collaboration with the healthcare team (patients, their supports, other professional and non- professional team members).
  3. Sense-making of information gathered from communication.
  4. Social intelligence.

Rationale

  1. Must be able to initiate and maintain Doctor- patient relationships.
  2. Must be able to give professional (using standard Dental and medical terminology) verbal and/or written reports to other healthcare team members with clarity.
  3. Must be able to document accurately and clearly in written and / or electronic format.
  4. Must be able to accurately convey information and interpretation of information using one or more means of communication (verbal, written, assisted (e.g., TTY) and/or electronic) to patients/clients/the healthcare team.
  5. Must be able to determine a deeper meaning or significance in what is being expressed.

Motor

Candidates must have physical dexterity to master all aspects of patient care. They must be able to execute motor movements required to arrive at a diagnosis and treatment plan, and to provide patient care, including emergency treatment.

Sensory & Motor Coordination & Functions 

Residents must be able to execute gross and fine motor movements required to provide assessment, general care, and emergency treatment of patients.

Standard

  1. Perform and /or assist appropriately to administer cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
  2. Obtain accurate information from patients using gross and fine motor skills appropriate to the technique required.
  3. Strength sufficient to move, transfer, and/or position patients or equipment safely under a variety of circumstances. Ability to lift independently or with assistance of a lift team/device for the delivery of general dental care or in emergency situations.
  4. Perform and/or assist appropriately with expected procedures, using sterile or clean techniques appropriate to the type of procedure or treatment.
  5. Ability to perform dental skills requiring the use of gross and fine motor skills (e.g. place endondontic bur into handpiece, use needle for injections into gums, etc.). A candidate should be able to execute motor movements reasonably required to provide dental care and emergency response to patients.
  6. Obtain accurate information from patient assessment using tactile sensory functions.

Rationale

  1. Must be able to administer CPR.
  2. Use the assessment skills of palpation, auscultation, inspection, and percussion.
  3. Demonstrates the ability to perform clinical skills required in the clinical setting.
  4. Determine changes in skin temperature.

Intellectual-Conceptual, Integrative and Quantitative Abilities

A candidate must have intellectual-conceptual, integrative and quantitative abilities that include measurement, calculation, reasoning, analysis and synthesis. Problem solving, one of the critical skills demanded of dentists, requires all of these intellectual abilities. In addition, the candidate must be able to comprehend three-dimensional relationships and understand the spatial relationship of structures.

Cognitive

Residents must have sufficient critical thinking skills in the practice of dentistry. The Resident will need to problem solve clinical issues and situations by synthesizing information in an analytical, deliberative, evaluative, and decisive manner. Residents must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and attitude necessary to provide quality and safe patient care in all health care settings.

Standard

  1. Accurately measure, calculate, reason, analyze, and synthesize subjective and objective data to carry out the dental process in relation to patient assessment, diagnosis, goals, plan of care/interventions, and evaluation.
  2. Analyze data to prioritize all aspects of the patient’s health care needs and dental diagnoses.
  3. Use synthesized data to develop a plan and implement dental interventions relevant to patient’s needs which integrates patient preferences to deliver appropriate, evidenced-based, quality and safe patient care.
  4. Demonstrate intellectual and conceptual abilities to accomplish the essentials of the Residency program (e.g. baccalaureate essentials).
  5. Demonstrate cognitive abilities related to course and program outcomes, which include intellectual, conceptual, integrative, quantitative, critical thinking, and comprehension skills that indicate that the student is able to carry out the dental processes in the care of patients. 

Rationale

  1. Accomplish, direct or interpret assessment of persons, families and/or communities to develop, implement and evaluate plans of care or direct the development, implementation and evaluation of care.
  2. Make proper judgments regarding safe and quality care.
  3. Critically assess and develop content that uses new media forms, and to leverage these media for persuasive communication.
  4. Literacy in and ability to understand concepts across disciplines.
  5. Represent and develop tasks and work processes for desired outcomes.
  6. Comprehend extensive information from written documents, visual and/or oral presentations, and patient computer information.
  7. Accurately follow course syllabi, assignment directions, patient protocols, and any action plan(s) developed by deans, faculty, administrators, or health care agency staff.
  8. Media literacy

Emotional and Behavioral Attributes

In addition to these skills, candidates must possess the high moral and ethical standards demanded of dentists and possess the capability required for full utilization of intellectual abilities, the exercise of good judgment, the prompt completion of responsibilities attendant to the diagnosis, treatment planning and care of patients, and the development of mature, sensitive and effective professional relationships with patients. Candidates must be able to cope with taxing workloads and to function effectively under stress. A candidate must also be able to adapt to changing environments, to display flexibility and to learn to function in the face of uncertainties in the clinical problems of many patients. In addition, personal qualities such as compassion, integrity, concern for others, interpersonal skills, interest and motivation should be assessed during the admissions and clinical educational settings. Technological accommodation can be made for some inadequacies in certain areas, but a candidate must be able to perform in a reasonably independent manner.

Behavioral and social attributes

Residents must possess the emotional stability to enable them to develop therapeutic relationships and successfully communicate with individuals and aggregates from a variety of social, emotional, cultural, and intellectual backgrounds. Residents should possess the qualities of self- awareness, emotional maturity, objectivity, flexibility, empathy, and integrity. Residents should be emotionally able to handle demanding workloads and to function effectively under stress.

Standard

  1. Concern for others, integrity, ethical conduct, accountability, interest and motivation.
  2. Acquire interpersonal skills for professional interactions with a diverse population of individuals, families and communities.
  3. Acquire interpersonal skills for professional interactions with members of the health care team including patients, their supports, other health care professionals and team members.
  4. Acquire the skills necessary for promoting change for necessary quality health care.
  5. Cross-cultural competency. under all circumstances.

Rationale

  1. Maintain effective, mature, and sensitive relationships with clients/patients, students, faculty, staff, community members and other professionals
  2. Function effectively under stress and adapt to changing environments inherent in clinical practice.
  3. Demonstrate professional role in interactions with patients, intra and inter professional teams.
  4. Operate in different cultural settings (including disability culture).