This is a private, non-profit , voluntary organization which designs, conducts, and scores examinations intended to establish the qualification of candidates for licensure in dentistry and dental hygiene. The board was formed approximately 25 years ago to allow graduating students greater flexibility in gaining licensure. The board examination takes place over three days and includes an evaluation of the candidates knowledge and clinical proficiency in operative dentistry, diagnosis, oral medicine, comprehensive treatment planning, periodontics, and prosthodontics. These programs provide a newly graduated dentist with the opportunity to gain additional clinical experience in a supervised environment. The goal of these programs is to provide additional clinical and didactic experiences that enable new graduates to better provide comprehensive care in a general practice setting.
Residents assume greater responsibility in providing care to their patients.
Attending general dentists and specialists provide expertise and guidance to residents in all phases of dentistry. Most GPR programs provide operating room experience as well as training in the use of general anesthesia and experience in the management of dental emergencies. Advanced Education in General Dentistry programs are located in clinic or dental schools settings. Like GPR programs, they provide new graduates with additional experience in comprehensive patient care to prepare them for careers as general practitioners. Emphasis is placed on developing patient management skills as participants expand their abilities in all phases of clinical dentistry.