Practicing dentists enjoy anatomy classby Terri AlstonCDM Class of 2006 Do you remember the first day of gross anatomy? Yes, the same day you said, “I’ll be so happy when this semester ends,” or “why did I choose this profession?” In either case, you stood firm, held your ground, survived and said, “I’m glad I only had to do that once.” But wait. A Continuing Education Course (CEC) in Gross Anatomy? Would you take it? If you’ re a current student you may say, “not in this lifetime.” But 17 practicing dentists who probably thought the same thing you’re thinking when they took gross gathered June 28 for a CEC in gross anatomy sponsored by the College of Dental Medicine class of 2006 as a fund raising event. The course took a year to plan with Catherine Myrick, class of 2006, heading the event. The course gave a general head and neck review of clinically important structures for dentistry and offered lecture as well as a hands-on review in the gross anatomy lab. Timothy Liptak, DMD, a graduate of the University of Connecticut School of Dentistry who practices in Massa-chusetts, said that he was looking forward most to getting in the gross lab to bring anatomical structures which he worked with on a daily basis, but could not see back into prospective. Ernest L. Myrick, DMD, a 1974 graduate of MUSC College of Dental Medicine, felt the course was an excellent idea and spent two weeks reviewing. “I forgot how large some of the structures were especially the lingual nerve,” he said. The dentists were asked, “Did you ever expect to take another gross anatomy class?” A big smile was followed by, “Are you kidding? I was a bit surprised to see a CEC in gross anatomy” was the answer almost every time. “I never forgot the smell and it now somehow seems worse,” said George A. Deussing, DMD, a pediatric dentist of 16 years. “If you are currently taking gross I’m sure it’s a scent you already know you will never forget.” The course proved useful because the dentists not only saw and related the anatomical structures, but also discovered new injection techniques to anesthetize patients who were difficult to numb. There were six lectures with a lab before lunch and one at the end of the day. “The dissection of the temporal mandibular joint (TMJ) (by 1992 MUSC College of Dental Medicine graduate and oral surgeon, Thomas McDonald, DMD, M.D.) allowed other dentists taking the course and students assisting in the lab see the TMJ in a way I have never seen or even thought I’d see,” said Joseph D. Moss, DMD, of Florence. Richard Dom, Ph.D., who has taught gross for more than 30 years, and Debra Hazen-Martin, Ph.D., professor of anatomy and pathology for 20 years, lectured and directed the lab work. They covered topics such as muscles of mastication and facial expression, surgical spaces and spread of infection, anesthetics and associated structures as well as other topics and related them to their clinical importance in dentistry. “It’s great to know that those in practice still have an interest in anatomy and have fun with it,” said Hazen-Martin. She also noted the difference in teaching practitioners verses students. “Practi-tioners already know, for the most part, the anatomical structures you’re speaking of, so they can just relate structure to their clinical experience. However, students sometimes have no idea what is even going on, so you must communicate both anatomical structures as well as the clinical aspects. But, they both have an interest in learning and that’s what counts.” Dom expressed the same views as Hazen-Martin and if asked to teach this CEC again, he said he would. He also took a moment to compliment Hazen- Martin for her long hours in preparing her lectures as well as the excellent dissection on the TMJ done by McDonald, one of his former students. So, some advice to the current gross students: Hold your ground. It
may seem like the end of the world, but it’s not. You’ll be happy
to take a CEC in anatomy during this lifetime. Who knows, you may be the
student Dom brags about.
Catalyst Online is published weekly, updated as
needed and improved from time to time by the MUSC Office of Public Relations
for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South
Carolina. Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107
or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to Catalyst
Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to petersnd@musc.edu
or catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Community
Press at 849-1778.
|
|