Complex Care Faculty

Complex Dentistry faculty treat patients with dental issues that are intricate and require an experienced dentist to diagnose, treatment plan, and render care. Complex care is beyond the treatment ability of a predoctoral dental student, but TCNM has dentists assigned to our complex care clinic to perform these treatments with the assistance of predoctoral students. Based on our classification system, students will learn to recognize the need for referrals. These cases may involve multiple issues, such as:

• Missing teeth
• Severe bite problems
• Loss of vertical dimension
• Extensive decay
• Significant tooth damage
• Periodontal disease and infection
• Oral pain or dysfunction
• Teeth in unsuitable positions
• Bone loss.

Complex Care faculty will report to the Director of Clinical Education and the Associate Dean of Clinical Affairs. 

• →Initiating and guiding student doctor/patient interaction and assisting in transition to clinical practice.
• →Arriving prior to clinical start, providing guidance and direction in the care of complex patients by huddling with students and the Complex Care team in the treatment plan and progress of each of the daily patients.
• →Acting as a model to students on professionalism and patient management techniques;Assuring accuracy of notes, charges, preparedness, professionalism, promptness and their subsequent approval.
• →Assisting in solving patient related problems.
• →Monitoring unapproved notes and treatments on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis.
• →Reporting instances of misconduct to their CPL (clinical Practice leader), Director of Clinical Education and Assistant Dean of Clinical Affairs.
• →Maintaining calibration as determined by the Director of Clinical Education, as well as:
  • →Ensuring the clinical protocols are being followed in their clinical areas.
  • →Ensuring Infection Control Compliance.
• →Completing reviews of student activity upon request.
• →Attending periodic meetings, and attending clinical faculty meetings, including Faculty Forum.
• →Membership, if appointed, to relevant Clinical Committees that include Clinical Practice Leaders and Directors of Oral Surgery, Endodontics, Orthodontics, Pediatric Dentistry, Periodontics, Screening/Intake, Radiology, Anesthesia, and Facial Pain.

• D.D.S./DMD from a CODA-accredited dental school or equivalent required.
• Clinical experience of at least 5 years, preferred.
• Previous teaching experience, preferred.

• Certificate of training from an ADA-accredited AEGD or GPR program, or other advanced degrees required.