This is the preliminary (or launch) version of the 2024-2025 VCU Bulletin. We may add courses that expose our students to cutting-edge content and transformative learning. We may also add content to the general education program that focuses on racial literacy and a racial literacy graduation requirement, and may receive notification of additional program approvals after the launch. The final edition and full PDF version will include these updates and will be available in August prior to the beginning of the fall semester.
ORPT 301. Dental Radiology. 1 Hour.
Semester course; 1 lecture hour. 1 credit. This is an introductory course that covers radiation physics, radiation biology and geometrical principles as applied to radiology and radiographic anatomy. Students will study the radiographic anatomy of the head and neck and exposure and processing techniques for diagnostic radiographic examinations of the head and neck. Areas are covered with the intent to link these principles to the knowledge needed in clinical practice.
ORPT 324. Oral Pathology. 3 Hours.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. This course is designed to provide the student with a body of basic information on general and organ specific pathology. The purpose of the course is to enable the student to better recognize and interpret symptoms, signs and pathologic characteristics of organ, systemic and oral disease that will be encountered in practice. Included is study relating to the etiology, pathogenesis, prognosis, prevention and treatment of oral disease. Students will study the development, reactive and neoplastic conditions of the oral cavity with emphasis placed on the more commonly occurring diseases.
ORPT 540. Clinical Pathology Conference. 1 Hour.
Semester course; seminar hours. 1 credit. Through this course, students develop advanced skills in the diagnosis and treatment of common oral pathologic findings.
ORPT 620. Oral Radiology I. 1 Hour.
Semester course; 1 lecture hour. 1 credit. Enrollment is restricted to students in the D.D.S. program. Oral and maxillofacial radiology is the specialized area of dentistry that deals with use of radiant energy for diagnosis of diseases and conditions affecting the head and neck. Through a series of lectures and laboratories, the course will introduce students to the basic physics of X-radiation, its biological effects on living systems, characteristics of radiographic images and fundamentals of intraoral and panoramic radiography in dentistry.
ORPT 621. Dental Radiology. 1 Hour.
Semester course; 1 lecture hour. 1 credit. Designed to provide the predoctoral dental student with an introduction to the theory, principles and techniques of diagnostic imaging and lay the groundwork for future studies in diagnostic interpretation.
ORPT 622. Oral Pathology. 3 Hours.
Yearlong course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. A problem-solving/critical-thinking experience emphasizing the more common oral abnormalities. The soft tissue and osseous pathologic entities will be discussed individually as well as within differential diagnosis cluster. By the end of the course the student should, when presented with an abnormality, be able to establish a differential diagnosis, discuss the salient features and present a logical sequential approach to discovering the final diagnosis and management.
ORPT 623. Temporomandibular Disorders and Orofacial Pain. 1 Hour.
Semester course; 1 lecture hour. 1 credit. Dentistry is one of the primary health care professions that is involved in evaluation, diagnosis, prevention and management of temporomandibular disorders. This course is designed to provide an overview of TMDs as a syndrome.
ORPT 700. Oral Diagnostic Sciences Radiology Senior Selective. 0.5 Hours.
Semester course; 1.5 laboratory hours. 0.5 credit. Radiology lab time may be weekly, in block rotation or variable schedule. Enrollment is restricted to students with D4 class status and who are selected to participate. Students must enroll in this course for two consecutive semesters. This selective will allow the student to experience a variety of activities in oral and maxillofacial radiology. The course will be of particular value to those interested in practicing general dentistry, in particular utilizing the applications of CBCT imaging in diagnosis, treatment planning and digital dentistry. The course will also introduce modern practice of oral and maxillofacial radiology and new trends in dental teleradiology. Graded as pass/fail.
ORPT 701. D4 Selective in Forensic Dentistry. 1 Hour.
Semester course; .5 lecture and 1.5 clinical hours. 1 credit. Enrollment restricted to students in the D.D.S. program as selected by the course director. This course will give selected students with an interest in expanding beyond the normal curriculum the opportunity to experience a variety of dental forensic activities, including working with the chief medical examiner’s office in Richmond in the proper identification of unidentified bodies. Graded as Pass/Fail.
ORPT 702. Oral Diagnostic Sciences Orofacial Senior Selective. 0.75 Hours.
Semester course; 2 clinical hours. 0.75 credits. Enrollment is restricted to students with D4 class status and who are selected to participate. Students must enroll in this course for two consecutive semesters. This selective will allow the student to experience a variety of activities in orofacial pain. Students will develop the skills to take detailed patient histories, create thoughtful differential diagnoses, critically evaluate conditions, write prescriptions and interact with other health care providers. By the end of the course, students will be proficient in recognizing and managing conditions such as TMD and atypical facial pain. Graded as Pass/Fail.
ORPT 703. Oral Diagnostic Sciences Pathology Senior Selective. 0.5 Hours.
Semester course; 1.5 clinic hours. 0.5 credit. Clinic time may be weekly, in block rotation or variable schedule. Enrollment is restricted to students with D4 class status and who are selected to participate. Students must enroll in this course for two consecutive semesters. This selective will allow the student to experience a variety of activities in oral and maxillofacial pathology. Students will learn how a biopsy specimen is processed into a slide, how pathologists make diagnoses and how pathology is a critical component in multidisciplinary patient care. Students will be exposed to oral pathology as a career and will learn the process of running a lab. Students with interest in performing biopsies in practice and those interested in an oral surgery residency, oral medicine residency, oral pathology residency or a dental oncology fellowship will find this selective beneficial. Graded as Pass/Fail.
ORPT 732. Clinical Oral Pathology and Oral Medicine. 1 Hour.
Semester course; 1 lecture hour. 1 credit. Designed to provide students with the knowledge to recognize, diagnose and treat the common diseases/conditions found in dental practice. Graded as pass/fail.
ORPT 737. D3 Radiology Rotation. 1 Hour.
Yearlong course; 1 clinical hour. 1 credit. This two-semester progressive clinical science course prepares the predoctoral dental student to be a competent practitioner of oral and maxillofacial radiographic technique and diagnostic interpretation. Graded as CO in the fall semester with a letter grade and credit awarded in spring.