The College of Dental Medicine at Roseman University of Health Sciences has opened a new state-of-the-art clinical floor of Roseman Dental, the clinical practice of Roseman University College of Dental Medicine, South Jordan, Utah location.
This clinical floor is dedicated to Team-Based Education, which is a new education model that focuses on team practice rather than the traditional single-practice model widely used throughout the United States.
As an expansion to the existing Roseman Dental clinical space, the Team-Based Education clinical floor shares the same high-quality patient-centered operating procedures, general and specialty dentistry services, and affordable pricing.
However, there are very distinct differences between the two clinical spaces. In the existing clinic space, the faculty dentist, dental hygienist, and dental assistants oversee the students in providing direct patient care and treatment while students fill the support positions.
The Team-Based Education clinical floor puts a fresh perspective on this traditional teaching model. The new model allows the faculty dentist and dental hygienist to directly provide team-based general dentistry care to patients and teach students their initial procedures in the clinic.
“Since the pandemic began, we have seen a higher demand for flexible healthcare service,” said Dr. Frank Licari, Dean of the Roseman University College of Dental Medicine. “There has been an expansion of urgent care clinics, telemedicine and drive-thru testing and vaccination facilities. Dental practices will also have to evolve to meet patient demands that want more convenient hours and services. We are dedicated at Roseman to prepare our graduates to be successful in that new dental practice environment.”
Dental assistants are more actively engaged in providing direct chairside assistance to the providers. Students continue to rotate and train through all support positions, including dental assistant and hygienist, emphasizing learning how to treat a volume of patients as a dentist, thus creating a student “Team-Based” educational model and service delivery in a clinical setting.
This updated perspective is the vision of an educational model that prepares graduates for a future-ready group practice environment. As such, Roseman is developing a futuristic faculty educator and a highly efficient person-centered care delivery system in which student learning and assessment occur without compromising overall patient care outcomes.
Each team has eight students and one faculty dentist (Team-Based Educator) to treat assigned patients. The faculty dentist is accountable for the patients progressing through treatment and actively interacting with students by demonstrating and providing probing questions to assess student knowledge and progress through competence.
“This team-based education model will lead dental practices to serve a higher volume of patients per day,” Dr. Licari said. “Our students now see six to eight patients a day, compared to the traditional teaching model which students could only see two patients a week.”
Students are paired in teams based on the provider’s patient needs and skill level, and all procedures have a recommended time interval for completion. The vision and significant focus of the clinic are to provide person-centered care at maximum efficiency. Efficiency is collected via integrated technology throughout the clinic and assessed under specific quality control measures.
As part of Roseman’s commitment to graduate future-ready practitioners, the Team-Based Education clinical floor is significantly focusing on technology integration through all aspects of the clinic. The clinic is equipped with collaborative student workspaces with large interactive digital screens, digital signage, scheduling displays, etc. It has built-in innovative Bluetooth technology with data-collecting sensors to optimize operational efficiency, student education, and patient care. Patient appointments are monitored for efficiency, timeliness, and overall patient satisfaction.
Roseman believes the Team-Based Education clinical floor’s educational model is the future of dental education and will serve as a model moving forward.
Perhaps you were the kid that wanted to see the rat skull in your friend’s backyard because you wanted to look at its teeth. Maybe you are the type of person now that analyzes dental problems when someone you meet first smiles. Some people are just meant to be dentists!
There are many different areas of specialization to explore beyond general dentistry. No matter what your specific fascinations, there’s a particular path of education that can be tailored to fit. The American Dental Association recognizes twelve unique specialties, each of which requires an advanced expertise:
Dental Anesthesiology
Professionals in this field manage patients’ pain, anxiety, and overall health through dental diagnoses and procedures.
Dental Public Health
Dentists in this field work to prevent dental diseases within a community and control any diseases that arise, as well as promote public awareness of the need for oral health care.
Endodontics
This specialty focuses on the condition of the human dental pulp (the inside part of the tooth) and tissues. Dentists study the biology of the pulp and how to prevent, diagnose, and treat diseases there.
Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology
These dentists research and treat conditions, diseases, defects and injuries causing and/or contributing to functional and aesthetic problems in the mouth, teeth, jaws and face.
Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology
These specialists interpret radiology scans to diagnose diseases or show the general condition of the mouth, teeth, jaws and face.
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
Dentists with this advanced degree have specific expertise in corrective surgery for problems with the tissues in the oral and maxillofacial regions.
Oral Medicine
Specialists in this area focus on oral healthcare for medically complex patients, along with diagnosing and managing medically related conditions affecting the mouth, teeth, jaws and face.
Orofacial Pain
Orofacial pain specialists diagnose, manage and treat pain disorders affecting the jaw, mouth, face, head and neck.
Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics
These specialists correct the improper placement of the teeth with braces and other therapies.
Pediatric Dentistry
Dentists in this specialty work with infants and children to provide preventative and therapeutic dental services.
Periodontics
This specialty includes the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of problems with the tissue surrounding the teeth.
Prosthodontics
Prosthodontists provide solutions and comfort for people suffering from deficient or missing teeth.
The first step for any of these dental specialties is to get a degree in general dentistry, or a Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) degree. If any of these specialized fields seem particularly interesting, then you might want to consider continuing your education with advanced degrees or getting the proper certifications to do what you love in the field of oral health.
Lucy Hobbs Taylor was the first known American woman to enroll in dental school. The year was 1865 and in the three decades that followed, a yearly average of just six women graduated from dental schools in the United States. A lot has changed since then.
Women Making Their Mark in Dentistry
Dental medicine has seen a gradual but steady increase in female applicants to dental school programs. “For context, my wife Dr. Brenda Harman was one of two females in a class of 160 when she entered dental school in 1971,” said Dr. William Harman, Associate Dean for Admissions and Student Services for the College of Dental Medicine. In the last 20 years, the number of women practicing dentistry in the United States has more than doubled to the current figure of approximately 60,000. And while women currently comprise just 32% of the active dental workforce, 2018 was the first year in which female dental school enrollees nationwide outnumbered their male counterparts at 50.5%.
In addition, American Dental Association (ADA) statistics show that close to half (49%) of US dentists under the age of 35 are women. If current trends continue, practicing female dentists will outnumber their male counter parts within the next decade. Similarly, the first class of dental students enrolled at Roseman University in 2011 was comprised of 22% female students. Today, the current enrollment of female students is 47%. And, the current applicant pool reflects a 50/50 split between male and female applicants.
Future of Dentistry
According to the ADA, female dentists continue to face unique challenges in the profession, but they have found and continue to find opportunities to move dentistry forward, contributing in various fields including academia, science and research, organized dentistry and advocacy. As male dentists of the baby boomer generation retire, the next era in dental medicine is likely to be led by women. “The boomers are retiring at a high rate of close to 10,000 per year,” said Kathleen T. O’Loughlin, DMD, the current (and first female) executive director of the ADA. “We are seeing a significant exodus of white males and a huge influx of women. Diverse women and millennials will become the majority of ADA members in the next five to 10 years,” she said. Fourth year dental student and president of the Roseman College of Dental Medicine Class of 2021, Heather Nichols, adds additional perspective, “I have noticed that many of my male classmates have entered the field of dentistry as a second career,” she said. “Whereas many of my female classmates have pursued their doctoral degrees after entering dental medicine as assistants, admins or hygienists,” she continued. “I found the contrast interesting as it occurred to me that women seldom get the luxury of changing careers.”
Dental medicine appeals to women interested in pursuing doctoral degrees for a variety of reasons, but key commonalities have emerged. For instance, female dentists may choose to work in clinical settings that offer flexible working hours and reduced administrative responsibilities. When you consider that women account for half of the US workforce, yet are still responsible for over 60% of household duties (for married of cohabitating heterosexual couples), flexibility in working hours is a key benefit for female practitioners seeking worklife balance.
Dr. Cherish Dunshee graduated from the College of Dental Medicine in 2020 having served as class president for two years and serving as president of the Dental Student Association. “I am now the breadwinner of the family for the first time in my nine-year marriage,” she said. “It’s been the greatest joy for me to provide for my family after being in school for so long, and to see my husband be so supportive and helpful with our one-year old daughter. He goes above and beyond what most fathers do.”
Mentoring the Next Generation
The availability and role of mentors is another key differentiator for women pursing dentistry. Mentorship is an important underpinning of women’s success in dentistry. Mentors don’t just pave the way for mentees’ success at dental school and in practice; they share invaluable wisdom and insights learned through their experiences in a male-dominated profession. “Having female dentists as role models is incredibly important to career decisions at all ages,” said Dr. Harman. College of Dental Medicine faculty, Dr. Angela Christensen agrees. “When I ask a little girl if she wants to be a dentist when she grows up, I see the thought has never occurred to her and then I see excitement as she realizes she could be a dentist too!,” she said. “It is rewarding to open minds to see all the options available. Our patients are (about) 50% female and thus 50% of our dentists are also.”
This is not lost on female dental students who are mindful of the work done by those who have come before. College of Dental Medicine alumnus Dr. Nadine El Ayouty, who served as president of the Class of 2020 and is currently in a post-doctoral program at The Ohio State University added, “The late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg stated, ‘Women will only have true equality when men share with them the responsibility of bringing up the next generation.’ I am proud to be part of the next generation of women in dentistry where we are no longer minorities in the field but slowly the majority; becoming leaders in our educational institutions and communities.”
Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) Awareness Month takes place every November with the purpose of educating the public about the realities of TMJ disorders. According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, estimates suggest that TMJ disorders affect over 10 million Americans.
What is TMJ?
TMJ is a hinge that connects the jaw to the temporal bone of the skull. There is one joint on each side of the jaw. This joint works together with supporting jaw muscles and ligaments to help an individual talk, chew, and yawn by moving the jaw up and down, and side to side.
Because this joint is so small and delicate, it’s prone to becoming damaged, inflamed or irritated. When this occurs, an individual might experience issues with chewing, speaking or opening their mouth, and suffer from severe pain and discomfort.
What is TMD?
Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) is the term used to refer to the various disorders that can affect the temporomandibular joint.
What causes TMD?
The TMJ combines a hinge action with gliding motions. The parts that interact in the joint are shielded with cartilage and are separated by a small shock-absorbing disk which keeps the movement smooth. Although the exact cause of the condition is not clear, there are several factors that may increase the risk of developing TMD.
Causes and possible risk factors include:
Deterioration of the disk through various types of autoimmune diseases
Jaw injury or dislocation due to trauma from an accident
Overuse through excessive gum chewing or teeth grinding and/or clenching
Tooth or jaw alignment
Infection or inflammation in the chewing muscles
What are the Symptoms of TMD?
An individual with TMD often experiences severe pain and discomfort. It can be temporary or last several years and might affect one of both sides of the face. TMJ disorders are known to affect more women than men and are most commonly found in those between the ages of 20 and 40.
Common symptoms include:
Pain or tenderness in the TMJ or jaw muscles
Locking of TMJ – making it difficult to open or close the mouth
Clicking sound or grating sensation when opening the mouth or chewing
Tension in the face, neck and shoulders
A change in teeth alignment
Treatment Options for TMD
Most TMJ disorders are self-limiting, therefore a conservative approach is best. This approach includes eating soft foods, avoiding repetitive function (gum chewing, biting nails, ice chewing), modifying pain with heat packs, and practicing relaxation techniques to minimize tension. A dentist may recommend exercises to strengthen the jaw muscles, medications, or a night guard or bite plate to decrease grinding or clenching.
Care at Roseman Dental
Patients experiencing symptoms associated with a TMJ disorder, needing help to treat pain, jaw dysfunction, or restoration of bite can visit Roseman Dental. To find out how to become a patient of Roseman Dental at Roseman University College of Dental Medicine, or to schedule an appointment, please contact us at the location closest to you. Roseman Dental is here to help in eliminating the pain and discomfort associated with TMJ disorders.
Becoming a dentist can result in an abundance of professional possibilities. Besides private practice options, dental school graduates can teach future dentists, travel with international health and relief organizations, work in hospital emergency rooms, or conduct advanced laboratory research.
Choosing a Dental School
There are over 65 dental schools in the United States accredited by the ADA’s Commission on Dental Accreditation. Each program is meticulously assessed to ensure compliance with quality and content standards. Typically, DMD and DDS programs take four years to complete. Additional years are necessary for dental specialties such as Pediatric Dentistry and Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. When choosing a dental school, factors to consider include:
• Grading system
• Geographical location
• Combination programs
• Student-to-faculty ratio
• Required laboratory work
• Community-centric vs. larger, clinical experience
Admission to dental school is highly competitive, but the application process is straightforward. In fact, many U.S. dental schools utilize the American Association of Dental Schools Application Service enabling you to submit one online application and send it to a variety of schools.
Researching Dental School Programs
Where you attend dental school is a significant decision requiring a lot of research. Start with the dental school guidebook from the American Dental Association to help you rule out certain schools that don’t meet your criteria. When narrowing down your list of dental schools, don’t rule out your ideal school right away, even if it seems out of reach due to the program cost or academic standards. It may end up being attainable with further research.
Completing the Dental School Application Process
Keep your options open and don’t make a quick decision. Before submitting your applications, make sure to narrow down your options to the dental school programs that best align with your goals and objectives. That way you can realize your dream of achieving a rewarding career as a dentist. The result is a sustainable work-life balance and competitive salary in the health care industry.
Keep Roseman University College of Dental Medicine in Mind
If you are interested in a career in dentistry, Roseman has a 4 year Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) degree located at our South Jordan, UT campus. The College of Dental Medicine (CODM) utilizes Roseman’s innovative Six-Point Mastery Learning Model, with courses organized in a block curriculum. Rather than competing with other students to achieve high grades on a “curve”, students work together and everyone is expected to achieve competency at a high level in order to progress through the program.
Students at Roseman CODM also experience a unique classroom setting, with interactive and immersive technology, and state-of-the-art equipment that allows students and faculty to connect using a variety of instructional techniques, moving beyond the traditional lecture format. Reimagine your future with Roseman University.
Are you still in high school, or do you have a child still figuring out what career to pursue? The options are limitless, but there are certain advantages to getting into the dentistry field. If you are interested in helping others or playing a key role in your community, then becoming a dentist might be the right career choice for you.
Dentists Help Others
One of the most rewarding things in any career is the knowledge that people depend on you and that you are making a difference in people’s lives. You will be helping people maintain healthier lives and improving their smiles for a better appearance. Additionally, part of the job will include identifying risk factors for disease and working with other healthcare professionals to identify signs of cardiovascular disease, manage diabetes, and spot cancer, so you can even save people’s lives.
Dentists are in High Demand
Every city needs dentists, and people of all ages require dental care. From small children to senior citizens, everyone needs access to high-quality dental procedures. With an aging population in the country, the demand is only going to increase in the coming years, so there will certainly be opportunities available to you once you are out of school.
Be Your Own Boss as a Dentist
Being your own boss is highly desirable to many people, and it is a real possibility when you get into dentistry. If you feel like it is time, then you can open up your own practice. This also makes dentistry a highly lucrative career to get into financially. The amount you will be able to make will depend on where exactly in the country you live, but for the most part, dentists are well paid.
If you have never considered a career as a dentist before, then you should seriously start considering it. The benefits are great, and it is a highly rewarding career. For any high schoolers out there, start looking at the schools you should go to in order to have the biggest leg-up when you graduate.
James M. Broadbent, DDS, MS Associate Professor of Dental Medicine
Dr. James M. Broadbent joined Roseman University of Health Sciences in 2009 (the first year of orthodontic residency training) as a full-time faculty member in the Advanced Education in Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics/MBA (AEODO/MBA) Residency Program. At Roseman, he is course director of several modules of learning. He serves on University faculty senate and several committees. His professional and research interests include phase I orthopedic growth modification, functional jaw orthopedics, accelerated orthodontics, facial esthetics, and air way and temporomandibular joint disorders.
Dr. Broadbent graduated from Brigham Young University with a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in Zoology. Dr. Broadbent received his Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree from the Northwestern University Dental School in Chicago. He completed a dental specialties internship at the Chandler Medical Center, University of Kentucky. He then served as an Assistant Professor of Crown and Bridge at Northwestern University Dental School and practiced general dentistry prior to dental specialty training. Dr Broadbent received his Master of Science (MS) degree and Certificate in Orthodontics from Northwestern University.
Dr. Broadbent practiced orthodontics many years in Provo, Utah, and served as adjunct faculty at Utah Technical College (now Utah Valley University), American Institute of Medical Dental Technology, and Provo College. Dr. Broadbent made a significant contribution to the art and science of orthodontics in teaching numerous continuing education courses, seminars, and presentations at local, state, and national and international dental meetings, and university graduate training programs. Along the way, he was awarded the Joseph E. Johnson Outstanding Table Clinic, American Association of Orthodontists, and twice the (AAFO) J. Robert Bronson Clinician of the Year award.
Dr. Broadbent completed board certification in orthodontics, achieving the status of Diplomate, American Board of Orthodontics. His interest and training in temporomandibular joint disorders and oral facial pain lead to achieving status of Diplomate, American Academy of Pain Management.
Dr. Broadbent has published many articles in several professional journals. He served as president of the Provo District Dental Society, Utah Dental Association annual program, and president of the Utah Association of Orthodontists.
Dr. Broadbent demonstrates vision and leadership in community organizations and service. He is recognized as a Kentucky Colonel, Commonwealth of Kentucky; member President’s Club, Brigham Young University; Boy Scouts of America distinguished Silver Beaver; and James E. West Fellow. For more than 20 years he served the Boy Scouts of America; Utah National Parks Council (one of the largest National BSA Councils), as Council Jamboree Chairman; National Boy Scout Jamboree, A.P. Hill Virginia (1985, 1989, 1993); and Chair of highly successful Council Events (1996, 2000) and as Utah National Parks Council Commissioner (1987-2000) and UNPC Vice President Program (2000-2003). He earned the distinguished Eagle Scout and Silver Explorer awards.
Dr. Broadbent is a member of the American Dental Association, Utah Dental Association, American Association of Orthodontists, Rocky Mountain Society of Orthodontists, Utah Association of Orthodontists, American Association for Functional Orthodontics, International Association for Orthodontics, and the American Dental Educators Association.
Before joining Roseman University of Health Sciences, he served as attending dentist and adjunct faculty instructor of several courses of education at Salt Lake Community College, Dental Hygiene Program (South Jordan Utah Campus).
Dr. Broadbent is licensed to practice dentistry in California, Nevada, and Utah.
Personal activities include fly fishing, off-road rock crawling motor sports, over landing motor sports, and white water river running.
Prashanti Bollu, MBA, MS, DMD Program Director, Associate Professor of Dental Medicine, AEODO/MBA Program
Dr. Prashanti Bollu received dental school training from Boston University School of Dental Medicine. She holds a Master’s degree in Health Care Administration as well as a Master’s in Business Administration. Part of the inaugural class, Dr. Bollu received her orthodontic training from the Roseman University of Health Sciences.
Dr. Bollu has received several awards for outstanding academic achievements during her undergraduate and graduate training. Her interest in research was sparked early in dental school and strengthened further during her employment at Boston University during which time she worked with many prominent researchers. She has been involved in several research projects and presented multiple posters at national conferences. Dr. Bollu has been recognized by DENTSPLY and Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Society, for outstanding research.
Besides serving as a clinical and teaching faculty, Dr. Bollu was actively involved in growing the research component of the Advanced Education in Orthodontics & Dentofacial Orthopedics (AEODO) /MBA Residency Program. As Director of Dental Research for College of Dental Medicine (Henderson Campus), she facilitated all resident and faculty research endeavors. Her research interests include Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT), practice management issues, orthodontic insurance coverage gaps and access to orthodontic care.
Currently, Dr. Prashanti Bollu serves as the Interim Program Director for the AEODO/MBA residency program. She also practices in a few private orthodontic offices in the Las Vegas area. Dr. Bollu is a Board Certified Orthodontist and has active professional affiliations with multiple national and regional dental/orthodontic associations including American Association of Orthodontics, Pacific Coast Society of Orthodontists, and Southern Nevada Dental Society. She has also been a member of the International Association of Dental Research as well as the American Association of Dental Research.
