Dentistry

Dental Services at ECMC—Dental Care for the Family

The Department of Dentistry at Erie County Medical Center provides both inpatient and outpatient oral healthcare services for people of all ages, including children and seniors.

The ECMC Dental Center promotes comprehensive oral health, which includes two phases of treatment: preventive and restorative dental treatment.

Preventive dental treatment includes such procedures as sealants, fluoride applications and regular dental cleanings and checkups.

Restorative dental treatment includes a range of procedures that entails all phases of dentistry, including fillings, root canals, crowns, bridges, dentures and so on. The ECMC dental center also offers services for the treatment of gum diseases such as periodontitis and gingivitis, as well as gum surgeries.

A variety of oral surgical services are provided at ECMC. These services include the extraction of severely decayed teeth, the removal of impacted third molars (wisdom teeth) and dental implants, used to replace missing teeth.

ECMC is the designated Adult Regional Trauma Center for Western New York, and the Department of Dentistry assists in the surgical management of oral facial trauma. Dental treatment is also provided to spinal cord injury patients who may have sustained injuries in falls, automobile accidents, or industrial or athletic accidents.

The ECMC dental center has a professional quality assurance program and employs uniform precautions to assure all patients the highest standards in infection control during treatment. The department’s programs are fully accredited by the American Dental Association.

Patient Education

Warning Signs of Dental Problems

Dental problems range from routine to serious, but in every case, a dentist should be seen to evaluate and treat the problem.

Gum disease is the main cause of tooth loss in adults over age 35. More than half of American adults have gum disease, but many are not aware of it. Early diagnosis and treatment offer the best chance for a successful outcome.

If one or more of these problems is noticed, dental care should be sought:

• Red, puffy gums
• Bleeding gums
• Unpleasant taste in mouth
• Discharge from gums
• Loose teeth
• Pain when brushing
• Separation of teeth from gums

Injuries To Teeth

Any trauma to the mouth or jaw may result in injuries to gums and teeth. Please see your dentist immediately if the gums are bruised, if a tooth is chipped or knocked loose, or if a tooth is knocked out, keep the tooth moist (in milk or salt water if possible). Do not scrub the tooth.

Proper Dental Care

If these recommendations are followed you will reduce your chances of serious dental disease:

• Schedule a visit with your dentist every six months for an examination and cleaning
• Brush your teeth with a fluoride toothpaste after each meal
• Floss your teeth as often as you brush
• Avoid sticky and sugary foods
• Avoid smoking or chewing tobacco, which can contribute to gum disease and cause oral cancer
• Make an appointment with your dentist whenever you suspect a problem

To Obtain Treatment

Dental emergencies are seen by appointment by calling (716) 898-3189

To make an appointment, call the ECMC Dental Center at (716) 898-3189 between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. In the event of an emergency after hours or on weekends, call (716) 898-3000. Patients seen after regular hours will be given emergency treatment in the ECMC Emergency Room.

Residency Program Information

Director's Comments

Thank you for visiting our program's website and taking the time to review the opportunities at the Erie County Medical Center (ECMC) Department of Dentistry. Our general practice residency has a long history, dating back to the early part of the 20th century, well before such post-graduate training programs were formally accredited by the American Dental Association. Our attendings and auxiliary staff have extensive experience in helping to prepare residents to advance to the next level of their dental careers.

Not in any way a fifth year of dental school, the general practice residency at ECMC strongly encourages problem-solving and independent decision-making. Yet our program provides ample supervision and guidance by general dentists and specialists to assure feedback and professional growth. Over 15,000 patient visits per year afford the motivated dental resident with abundant opportunities to be a confident and competent general practitioner.

I strongly encourage you to examine our site and investigate the educational opportunities available at the Erie County Medical Center Department of Dentistry. I also invite you to contact me via e-mail at cgogan@ecmc.edu or via telephone at (716) 898-3351 if you have any questions about our residency.

Eight positions will be available on July 1, 2008. The stipend is approximately $40,000 and health insurance is provided by the program. Three weeks of leave time is provided, subject to approval by the Program Director.

The General Practice Residency Program is fully accredited by the American Dental Association.

FACILITY:

The purpose of the residency is to provide a year of clinical practice in a large, modern general hospital. A twelve operatory dental clinic is an integral part of the ambulatory care unit of Erie County Medical Center, a 500-bed regional trauma center.

ECMC is pleased to announce that it has just been awarded a grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to expand its general practice residency and increase the accessibility of general dental care to the community. Substantial improvements in our dental facility, as well as increased staffing levels, are anticipated in the coming year.

PROGRAM:

The training program draws from all resources of the hospital and the resident will receive formal training in the following areas:

Anesthesiology:

This assignment includes training in the administration of anesthesia airway maintenance, monitoring of vital signs, and emergency life support. The resident also gains proficiency in starting an I.V. and administering medications intravenously.

General Medicine:

Provided early in the training program, a seminar series on physical evaluation of dental patients is conducted by members of the University at Buffalo faculty. Each resident then participates in a rotation with the Family Medicine service. Through practical experience in history taking, physical diagnosis and radiological interpretation, the resident learns optimal care for the medically compromised dental patients.

Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF):

Each house officer is assigned a roster of SNF residents for whom he/she is responsible throughout the year. This assignment includes experience in geriatric dentistry, evaluation and treatment of patients with multiple medical conditions, and interaction with various health care providers in developing a total patient care plan.

Although based on a general dental/comprehensive care approach, the program also includes advanced training by various dental specialists

Oral Surgery:

The equivalent of 2 months is spent performing surgical and non-surgical extractions, wound suturing and oral biopsies. The resident also gains experience in admitting and discharging patients and in monitoring the patient's pre- and post-operative hospital course.

Oral Pathology/Medicine:

The resident has the opportunity to observe and diagnose a variety of lesions and to become familiar with their clinical and histologic appearance.

Pediatric Dentistry:

The resident receives training in behavior management of the pediatric dental patient, as well as complex restorative procedures.

Prosthodontics:

Residents will be responsible for restoring numerous arches with removable prosthodontic appliances. Transitional, immediate and, overlay dentures are included in the training experience. Training in fixed prosthodontics is included as noted below.

Comprehensive Care:

A comprehensive approach to patient care is emphasized at the ECMC. In order to optimize resident's training while providing the highest quality of care, dental specialists are available for consultation at designated times each week. A variety of operative and fixed prosthodontic procedures may be performed, using various impression and restorative materials, as well as innovative techniques.

Periodontics:

Diagnosis and treatment (both surgical and non-surgical) of periodontal diseases is accomplished in consultation with a periodontist. Surgical experiences in gingivectomy, flap design, surgical curettage, and crown elongation are included in the GPR program.

Endodontics:

The resident has the opportunity to treat a number of cases requiring varying degrees of skill. Training in manual and rotary instrumentation, as well as surgical endodontic procedures is provided.

Implants:

Residents will have the opportunity to participate in the placement and/or restoration of dental implants.

A graduate of this program would be expected to become

COMPETENT or PROFICIENT in the following areas:

• Patient assessment and diagnosis
• Planning and providing multidisciplinary comprehensive care
• Obtaining informed consent
• Promoting oral and systemic health and disease prevention
• Pain and anxiety control and experience with sedation
• Periodontal therapy
• Pulpal therapy
• Oral surgery, hard and soft tissues
• Treatment of medical and dental emergencies
• Medical risk assessment
• Requesting and providing consultation

The resident also has the opportunity to treat a variety of physically and mentally handicapped patients, both in the clinic and in the operating room.

All instruction is supervised by faculty members of the Schools of Medicine and Dental Medicine of the State University of New York at Buffalo. Journal Club participation and formal case reports are required. Research opportunities are available, although not required.

PROFESSIONAL OBLIGATION:

The resident is on “pager” call on a rotating basis and must be able to report to the hospital within 20 minutes of a call. Private practice, either within or outside the hospital is strictly prohibited.

INTERVIEWS:

Personal interviews are required as part of the application process. Residency applicants are encouraged to visit our facilities and meet the staff to better appreciate the opportunities available. These visits permit the applicant to gain a firsthand view of the hospital and its resources and, at the same time, provide the staff with an opportunity to assess the individual attributes and aspirations of the applicant. After submission of the required application material, a visit can be arranged on an informal basis by the applicant. Formal interviews will be requested by the Resident Selection Committee of candidates whose application merits further consideration.

APPLICATION PROCESS:

We welcome your application to our program. There is no minimum average for consideration, but successful candidates are able to demonstrate solid clinical and interpersonal skills.

The Erie County Medical Center participates in the PASS program of the ADEA. Applications should be made via:
PASS
American Dental Education Association
1400 K Street, NW
Suite 1100
Washington, DC 20005

All material must be received prior to November 15, 2007.

We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate as to gender, race, or ethnic background. We look forward to receiving your application.

Sincerely,
Catherine M. Gogan
Director of Dentistry
Erie County Medical Center

Past Resident Dental Schools:

Past GPR residents at ECMC have attended dental schools throughout the U.S. and Canada which include the following:

• State University of New York at Buffalo
• New York University
• University of California at San Francisco
• University of Western Ontario
• University of Minnesota
• University of Toronto
• University of Connecticut
• University of Maryland
• University of Missouri - Kansas City
• University of Pennsylvania
• Boston University
• Case Western Reserve University
• University of Manitoba
• University of Pittsburgh
• Temple University
• University of Detroit Mercy
• McGill University
• Howard University
• University of Montreal