Case Western Reserve University’s School of Dental Medicine’s new partnership with Rambam Health Care Center in Haifa, Israel, is aimed at preparing foreign graduates for Advance Education in General Dentistry (AEGD) training at Case Western Reserve.
The agreement, signed earlier this month, outlines a program for foreign students to spend one year of preparatory work at Rambam, mastering dental competencies required in the United States. After completing the program, the students begin the rigorous two-year AEGD certification program at Case Western Reserve.
The agreement also allows for Israeli students to participate in graduate specialty programs.
The preparatory program begins in 2013. Two students will be accepted into the program to spend the year in Israel, followed by the accredited AEGD residency program in the fall of 2014 at Case Western Reserve.
Students will be recruited from Russia, the Far East, India and other foreign countries. All classes in Israel will be in English to ease the transition when arriving at Case Western Reserve.
This training makes it possible for foreign students who have graduated from dental schools in their countries to begin treating patients on their first day at Case Western Reserve, Jerold Goldberg, dean of the Case Western Reserve dental school, said.
The faculty has worked closely with Rambam to design a curriculum that aligns the skills of the foreign students with US dental students.
Goldberg said the program builds on the university’s efforts to promote more international experiences through educational programs and collaborations.
This is the first agreement with Rambam, whose faculty member Zvi Gutmacher now has a joint appointment as a visiting professor at the dental school. Gutmacher resides in Israel and will oversee the preparatory classes.
Advanced education in general dentistry programs in the US go beyond the four-year dental school programs for the DMD or DDS and give dental doctors experience in treating complicated oral health issues that a private practice dentist rarely encounters.
Also attending the signing will be dental school faculty members Sorin Teich, assistant dean of clinic operations; Mark Hans, associate dean of Graduate Studies; and Lisa Lang, chair of comprehensive care and assistant dean of clinical education.
Source: Case Western Reserve University
