Dental Anesthesiology Program

Program Strengths

• Ethnically diverse patient population
• Large patient population
• Modern clinical facilities
• Close professional relationship with dental and medical staff
• University affiliation for education
• Extensive training in the use of pharmacological/non-pharmacological modalities of treatments
• Specialists in all disciplines of dentistry including but not limited to orthodontics, pediatric dentistry, prosthodontics, special needs patients, oral surgery, oral pathology and periodontics.
• Large number of Dental Anesthesiologists on staff
• Chronic pain rotation
• Proximity to New York City, with excellent breadth of educational experiences

Program Description

The program began in July 2008 and is fully accredited without reporting requirements by the American Dental Association Commission on Dental Accreditation. Lutheran Medical Center is recognized as a Level 1 Trauma Center in the Sunset Park area of Brooklyn, New York. As such, the residents gain experience in diagnosing and treating a complex and diverse mix of patients as well as develop clinical skills in a culturally sensitive environment.

Application

The application deadline is November 1st of the year preceding matriculation. The program participates in PASS and MATCH. Application materials may be obtained from PASS. Additional correspondence may be obtained through: Dr. Charles Azzaretti, Director of Dental Anesthesiology: cdazzaretti@gmail.com

Curriculum

The curriculum consists of structured lectures, learning activities and scheduled weekly conferences (live and live-via-video teleconferences). There is ample opportunity for small resident group interactions. There are multidisciplinary seminars with the GPR, Pediatric Dentistry, Endodontic and AEGD residents as well as specialty-focused seminars. Biomedical courses include: oral biology, anesthesia, physical diagnosis, orofacial pain, research methods and materials and extensive literature review. First-year residents participate in relevant aspects of the dental core curriculum. Lutheran Medical Center is affiliated with SUNY Downstate Medical Center and the residents go there for an intensive orientation for the first several months and subsequently for weekly lectures. Grand Rounds, Colloquia, Board review and general lectures are given at Lutheran Medical Center throughout the year. Additional education is presented by renowned speakers utilizing distance learning via live video teleconferences. The anesthesiology curriculum includes a 8 week medicine rotation where history and physical diagnosis is emphasized and a similar 4 week rotation in Pediatric Medicine. Because the program is mainly situated in the hospital, there is an emphasis on treatment of the medically compromised patient. Currently, some books are supplied; the hospital has an on-site library as well as on-line resources for books and journals. Residents take part in critical reviews of the literature and in-depth courses in research methods and materials. Along with dental and medical peers they are encouraged to produce a paper of publishable quality under the guidance of the Office of Clinical Research. The residents make presentations at Lutheran’s Annual Research Fair held each spring. Upon graduation, residents will have been trained to become boarded by outside agencies such as the American Dental Board of Anesthesiology and be recognized as providers of anesthesia services to dental patients as a result of graduation from a CODA approved program.

Competency and Proficiency Statements

Download Dental Anesthesia Competency and Proficiency Statement

Program Stipend and Tuition

There is no tuition and the residents receive a stipend appropriate to a PG1 salary. Fringe benefits include medical and dental insurance, prescription plan, $750/per year for course registration, nine holidays, 20 days paid vacation and paid sick days.

Admission Requirements

• DDS or DMD from an ADA-accredited American or Canadian Dental School
• Must be eligible for temporary license in New York State
• Non U.S. Candidates must be proficient in the English language
• PASS application
• Recent photograph sent directly to Lutheran Medical Center
• Personal interview (if invited)