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Medical College of Georgia
School of Dentistry
Augusta, Georgia 30912
MCG School of Dentistry Competency Statements
In the care of the child, adolescent, adult, geriatric and medically compromised patient, graduates of the Medical College of Georgia School of Dentistry shall possess the knowledge, skills, and values to be competent to:
- Apply advances in modern biology to clinical practice and to integrate
new medical knowledge and therapies relevant to oral health care
- Apply the principles of behavioral science that pertain to
patient-centered oral health care
- Provide care to a diverse patient population
- Communicate with patients, staff and colleagues concerning oral health
care matters
- Evaluate different models of oral health care management and delivery
- Understand the basic principles of practice management and have the
skills to conduct a contemporary dental practice
- Recognize and apply the ADA’s Principles of Ethics and Code of
Professional Conduct and the Laws of Georgia and the Georgia Board of
Dentistry’s Rules
- Recognize his/her level of skill and knowledge, take steps to improve
areas of deficiency and to improve existing skills, and to refer patients
when appropriate
- Understand medical/dental literature, the application of scientific
principles and evidenced-based documentation in order to provide
comprehensive patient care
- Use information technology for professional development and
comprehensive patient care
- Obtain and assess diagnostic information from clinical and
radiographic procedures
- Develop ideal sequenced treatment plans and alternatives based on
etiologies, prognoses and patient circumstances
- Educate and treat patients to improve and maintain their oral health
- Obtain informed consent from a patient, parent, or guardian
- Prescribe and administer pharmacological agents for anxiety, pain,
infection and caries prevention
- Manage diseases and conditions of the teeth
- Manage replacement of teeth for the partially or completely edentulous patient
- Manage periodontal diseases
- Manage pulpal and periradicular disease
- Diagnose and manage orofacial abnormalities and pathology
- Perform uncomplicated oral surgical procedures
- Diagnose and manage common orofacial problems that cause patients to
seek urgent dental care
- Assess the dentition to determine the need for orthodontic treatment
- Evaluate the outcomes of treatment
- Prevent and manage complications and emergencies arising during dental care and to provide basic cardiac life support if necessary
