Diagnosis and Oral Health (DXOH)

Subject-area course lists indicate courses currently active for offering at the University of Louisville. Not all courses are scheduled in any given academic term. For class offerings in a specific semester, refer to the Schedule of Classes.

Course Fees

Some courses may carry fees beyond the standard tuition costs to cover additional support or materials. Program-, subject- and course-specific fee information can be found on the Office of the Bursar website.


DXOH 801. Infection Control1 Unit

Term Typically Offered: Fall Only

Description: This course introduces the infection and hazard control procedures necessary for the safe practice of dentistry. Topics include microbiology, practical infection control, sterilization and monitoring, chemical disinfectants, aseptic technique, infectious diseases, CDC Guidelines and OSHA standards. Upon completion, students should be able to understand infectious diseases, disease transmission, infection control procedures, biohazard management, OSHA standards and CDC Guidelines.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

DXOH 802. Pain and Anxiety Control3 Units

Term Typically Offered: Fall Only

Description: Students acquire an understanding of pain and the principles of pain as related to the treatment of patients. Competency is gained in the techniques of pain control, especially those of local anesthesia. Evaluation of the physical/mental/emotional status of the patient and determination of the proper pain control technique and its correlation with patient status and treatment procedure are stressed.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

DXOH 803. Oral Pathology4 Units

Term Typically Offered: Spring Only

Description: Students will learn to diagnose and recommend appropriate management for the most common and serious diseases and conditions of the oral mucosa and maxillofacial complex. This will be accomplished as student learn and apply, through cased-based exercises, the following diagnostic process (algorithm): 1) Describe soft tissue and bony lesions of the orofacial complex. 2) Ask questions relevant to the formulation of an accurate differential diagnosis. 3) Formulate a differential diagnosis first by major disease category and then by specific diseases. 4) Recommend appropriate treatment and management of the patient, including simulated communication with the patient and specialty providers. Students will continually apply this diagnostic process as diseases are sequentially added to the framework throughout the course, culminating in a comprehensive final exam where students will demonstrate their ability to apply the process to all diseases and conditions presented in the course.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

DXOH 804. General Pathology5 Units

Term Typically Offered: Fall Only

Description: This course is designed to prepare the dentist in the essential role of doctor and specialist of the oral cavity; i.e., one who recognizes, diagnoses and treats oral disease and systemic diseases which affect the oral cavity. Pathology deals with the alternations in anatomy, histology, physiology and biochemistry encountered in disease.It also include etiology (cause), pathogenisis ( mechanism of disease development), pathophysiology (how alterations of diseased tissue affect body functions) , clinical features (signs and symptoms), diagnosis, course and outcome (prognosis of disease).

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

DXOH 813. Oral Radiology I2 Units

Term Typically Offered: Spring Only

Description: This didactic course in Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology provides the student with the fundamental principles for the safe and effective use of radiation for diagnostic imaging in Dentistry. Students will be introduced to concepts in five domains: Radiation Physics, Radiation Biology, Dental Imaging Modalities, Imaging Selection Criteria, Digital Imaging and Picture Archiving and Communications (PACS) software use. The course will provide opportunities for critical thinking by applying knowledge and concepts to real-life clinical situations. Students will develop skills to help them solve scenarios that require the integration of multiple contexts when applying patient care.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

DXOH 814. Oral Radiology II1 Unit

Term Typically Offered: Fall Only

Description: The course comprises an intensive didactic component and a follow up pre-clinical simulated clinical experience encompassing the fundamental intra- and extraoral principles and best practices fundamental to contemporary oral and maxillofacial radiography. Lectures will introduce panoramic and periapical image formation principles, normal radiographic anatomy and intra- and extra-oral imaging techniques. Students will also learn radiographic quality control principles. Clinical activities provide opportunities for the student to apply their knowledge and develop skills in radiographic technique necessary to produce images of diagnostic quality essential to radiologic interpretation. The course will develop critical thinking skills to solve real-life clinical situations that require the integration of multiple contexts when applying patient care. Technical proficiency in basic radiography is developed working on manikins. Under direct supervision these skills are adapted to the clinical situation. This laboratory/clinic must be completed prior to enrollment in Clinical oral Radiology.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

DXOH 815. Clinical Oral Radiology1 Unit

Term Typically Offered: Spring Only

Description: Perfection of radiologic technical skills through supervised clinical practice in managing patients with varied oral and dental conditions. The student develops independent judgment through written interpretation of full mouth and other necessary radiographs to assist in diagnosis and treatment planning.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

DXOH 816. Advanced Radiologic Interpretation1 Unit

Term Typically Offered: Spring Only

Description: This seminar and case-based course presents a series of topics enabling students to identify, describe and interpret the radiologic features of various disease processes affecting the jaws, temporomandibular joint and maxillary sinuses likely to be encountered in general dental practice including developmental, trauma, inflammation, and neoplasia. The principles of management based on developing a differential radiographic diagnosis will be presented and the appropriate use of advanced imaging in dentistry demonstrated. Recent innovations in diagnostic imaging and evolving radiation safety concepts will be presented.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

DXOH 820. Endodontics I3 Units

Term Typically Offered: Fall Only

Description: Endodontics is the branch of dentistry concerned with the morphology, physiology, and pathology of the human dental pulp and periradicular tissues. Its study and practice encompass the basic clinical sciences including biology of the normal pulp; the etiology, diagnosis, prevention and treatment of diseases and injuries of the pulp; and associated periradicular conditions. (American Association of Endodontists) This clinical course includes lectures on the biological and clinical aspects of endodontics plus laboratory exercises. The biologic aspect lectures include discussions of pulp and periapical diseases, diagnostic and treatment procedures, selection of patients, and medications in endodontics. Clinical aspect lectures are devoted to procedures used in preparing and filling root canals, discussion of the materials used, restoration of endodontically treated teeth and clinic orientation. During laboratory exercises, students prepare and fill the root canals on extracted human and prefabricated teeth.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

DXOH 821. Endodontics II1 Unit

Term Typically Offered: Spring Only

Description: This didactic course will focus on clinical aspects of diagnosis and treatment in endodontics. The student will develop their knowledge of the morphology, physiology and pathology of the dental pulp and periapical tissues. Students will learn to diagnose and manage or treat: (1) traumatic dental injuries, (2) teeth with immature apices, and (3) endodontic emergencies. Other topics include the management of Cracked Tooth Syndrome, endodontic-periodontic interrelationships, procedural accidents, endodontic retreatment and pain of non-odontogenic origin. Additional instruction will be provided in the use of local anesthetics, antibiotics, and analgesics in endodontic treatment. This course is designed to be a continuation of Endodontics I and will build upon the knowledge obtained in that course.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

DXOH 822. Clinical Endodontics I1 Unit

Term Typically Offered: Spring Only

Description: This course will provide clinical experience in both diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the pulp and peri-apical region. It will emphasize clinical application of principles taught in endodontic technique and didactic courses.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

DXOH 823. Clinical Endodontics II2 Units

Term Typically Offered: Spring Only

Description: This course continues to emphasize diagnostic and therapeutic procedures as well as provide additional experience in the clinical application of principles taught in the previous courses. The student dentist is exposed to management or treatment of the more complicated endodontic therapy.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

DXOH 824. Advanced Endodontics1 Unit

Grading Basis: Pass/Fail

Term Typically Offered: Spring Only

Description: The discipline of Endodontics is in its evolutionary process and growth as a specialty of Dentistry. This advanced Endodontics course is for those fourth year students who have a special interest in endodontics. We will discuess changes over the past ten years, and how the practice of endodontics has been enhanced by new technology, innovations and evidence-based research.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

DXOH 830. Dental Clinical Pharmacology2 Units

Term Typically Offered: Spring Only

Prerequisite(s): BMSC 807.

Description: This course will present topics in dental clinical pharmacology and oral medicine with specific emphasis on antibiotics,analgesics,local anesthetics, anxiolytic, antifungal and antiviral drugs as well as the pharmacologic management of medically related disorders and conditions affecting the oral and maxillofacial region.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

DXOH 835. Oral Medicine3 Units

Term Typically Offered: Fall Only

Description: This course is designed to instruct students in developing clinically-applicable knowledge concerning the assessment and management of dental patients with medical disorders/diseases and medically compromised states that may necessitate modification of routine dental treatment protocols and procedures, or require special precautions in order to prevent or reduce the risk of complications associated with the dental treatment of these patients.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

DXOH 845. Clinical Diagnosis3 Units

Term Typically Offered: Spring Only

Description: This clinical course is designed to assist the student in becoming knowledgeable in oral diagnosis and oral medicine. Clinical Diagnosis in the Oral Medicine curriculum entails a four-semester ongoing clinical experience in principles of diagnosis, medicine and emergency care (immediate or urgent care) that is graded at the end of the second (spring) semester of the D4 year.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

DXOH 851. Periodontics I1 Unit

Term Typically Offered: Spring Only

Description: This introductory course integrates basic science knowledge into the study of anatomy, physiology and pathology of the tooth supporting tissues.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

DXOH 852. Periodontics II1 Unit

Term Typically Offered: Fall Only

Description: This course introduces students to the basic concepts necessary in recognizing periodontal health and diagnosing periodontal diseases. Also emphasized are prognosis and treatment planning. Additionally, a consideration of the relationship of Periodontics to various clinical disciplines is presented. Periodontal treatment modalities for treating periodontal disease, rationale, indications, contraindications, objectives and techniques are presented.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

DXOH 853. Periodontal Modular Learning2 Units

Term Typically Offered: Spring Only

Description: This is a hands-on course in clinical periodontology. Periodontology is the science and study of the investing and supporting tissues of the teeth and jaws. The dental specialty which limits its treatment to those tissues is Periodontics and the dental specialist performing treatment on these tissues is a Periodontist. This course will consist of seven modules which will address data collection, diagnosis, prognosis, periodontal/preventive treatment planning and referral guidelines, plaque assessment, oral hygiene aids, instrument sharpening, calculus detection, scaling and root planning, ultrasonic instrumentation, treatment of hypersensitive teeth, non-surgical treatment methods and simple suturing techniques. This course will also discuss the psychology of the student doctor/patient relationship.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

DXOH 854. Periodontics III1 Unit

Term Typically Offered: Fall Only

Description: The course focuses on diagnosis, and treatment planning. Additionally, indications, contraindications and rationale for periodontal surgery, different surgical treatment techniques, surgical complication, periodontal plastic surgery and implant therapy will be discussed.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

DXOH 855. Clinical Periodontics I1 Unit

Term Typically Offered: Spring Only

Prerequisite(s): Completion of 1st & 2nd year periodontic didactic courses.

Description: Third year students will successfully demonstrate to faculty formative competencies in treating patients with periodontal disease. This includes examination and diagnosis, treatment planning, scaling and root planing, minor surgical procedures and re-evaluation of treatment success and maintenance therapy.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

DXOH 856. Advanced Periodontics Elective0.5 Units

Grading Basis: Pass/Fail

Term Typically Offered: Spring Only

Description: Aims of the course: 1To enrich didactic and clinical background of a limited number of dental students geared towards a career in Periodontics. 2 Provide clinical hands-on -exposure on fundamental periodontal surgery procedures. 3 Allow students to utilize their experience during the application process for advanced studies in Periodontology.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

DXOH 857. Clinical Periodontics II2 Units

Term Typically Offered: Spring Only

Prerequisite(s): Clinical Periodontics I (third year).

Description: Fourth year students will successfully demonstrate to faculty summative competencies treating patients with periodontal disease. This includes examination and diagnosis, treatment planning, scaling and root planing, minor surgical procedures and re-evaluation of treatment success and maintenance therapy.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

DXOH 900. Advanced Education in Endodontics9 Units

Grading Basis: Pass/Fail

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

Description: Postgraduate education in endodontics.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

DXOH 910. Advanced Education in Periodontics9 Units

Grading Basis: Pass/Fail

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

Description: Postgraduate education in periodontics.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes