Dental General Practice Residency

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Introduction
The Baltimore VA Medical Center, a part of the VA Maryland Health Care System, is an acute care medical and surgical hospital which offers a one-year Dental General Practice Residency Program following the Accreditation Standards established by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association.  There are a total of six dental residents each year and the program is accredited by the ADA.

Purpose
The purpose of this program is to provide the graduate dentist with the opportunity to advance his or her dental education and clinical experience to an advanced level beyond that accomplished in pre-doctoral training. The program also provides the opportunity to experience the practice of general dentistry within the hospital environment, employing a greater level of physician-dentist interaction.  Emphasis is upon dental treatment of the medically complex patient.

The major portion of the program is devoted to providing comprehensive dental care with emphasis on diagnostic techniques and therapeutic skill.  Emergency dental treatment is also provided.  The balance of the program is subdivided into scheduled assignments in other areas of the hospital such as Anesthesia and Medicine.  Lectures, seminars and clinic supervision are regularly provided by the medical center's attending staff.   The program is under the direct supervision of the Director of the General Practice Residency Program.

Period of Training
The training period is twelve months in duration, commencing on July 1st of each year and paying an educational stipend of approximately $42,000.00 for the year.  The resident will receive 20 paid days of leave per year. These days may be used for vacation, illness, outside courses or administrative leave.  Health insurance for self and family is provided.  Scrubs, gowns and white coats are also provided.  Upon successful completion the resident with receive a certificate which is registered with the ADA.  Professional liability coverage is provided.

Program
The program provides Didactic and/or Clinical training in:

The program will provide instruction in:

                                   
The program will include;

Assignments in critical review of scientific literature
Involvement in quality improvement
BLS certification

There are two rotations outside of the dental clinic (Goals and Objectives attached)

Anesthesia (70 hours)
Primary Care Medicine (70 hours)

There are Overall Program Goals and Objective (attached) as well as Specific Goals and Objectives for the program (attached).  These goals and objectives closely follow the Accreditation Standards for Advanced Education Programs in General Practice.  Goals and Objectives for the Anesthesia and Medicine rotations are also attached.

The training program will include a period of orientation and basic instructions in duties, responsibilities and privileges of the dental residents.  The resident will receive training in medical center procedures related to the dental and medical care of the patient.  Residents will provide after hours dental call services by long-range pager, which is provided.  Call responsibility is shared among eight dental residents.

Professional liability (under Tort Reform) is assumed by the Department of Veterans Affairs for treatment of veterans within the Hospital facilities only.

Requirements for Appointment

1. The applicant must be a U.S. Citizen
2. The applicant must be a graduate of a dental school approved by the American Dental Association
3. The applicant must be recommended by the Dean of his or her dental school
4. The applicant must be approved by the Dental Residency Review Board, VAMC, Baltimore, MD

Application Procedures
The applicant may apply through the PASS service.  We do not participate in the MATCH. The deadline is October 30th of the year prior to the anticipated start date.

The applicant must provide:

1. VA Form 10-2850b "Application for Residency"
2. Recommendation from the dental school Dean, to include anticipated date of graduation, academic rank and GPA
3. Dental School transcripts
4. National Board scores
5. Recent photograph
6. Curriculum vitae
7. Essay or Personal Statement
8. Three letters of recommendation. (1) operative dentistry, (2) fixed prosthetics and (3)  surgery (Oral or periodontal)

Contact Information:

John R. Iddings, D.D.S.
Chief, Baltimore Dental
VA Medical Center
Dental 160
10 North Greene Street
Baltimore, MD 21201

W. H. Inge, Jr., D.D.S.
Program Director, GPR
VA Medical Center
Dental 160
10 North Greene Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
410-605-7058
walter.inge@med.va.gov

Staff

Current Dental Residents

Tracey Diamond D.D.S.
George Jong D.D.S.
Dawn Merguerian D.D.S
Dave Taler D.D.S.
Alan Tengonciang D.M.D.
Joseph Vargas D.D.S.