Iran Dental Specialty Board - Periodontics study plan
Iran Dental Specialty Board - Periodontics · Give each week a clear focus.
8 weeks · About 8 hours per week
Periodontal Anatomy, Histology, and Physiology & Etiology and Pathogenesis of Periodontal Disease
Draw and label the microscopic anatomy of the periodontium, including gingival epithelium, connective tissue, periodontal ligament fiber groups, cementum types, and alveolar bone, from memory.
Explain the physiology of gingival crevicular fluid, epithelial turnover, and host defense mechanisms in the healthy periodontium.
Describe the histopathology of gingivitis and periodontitis, including the stages of lesion development (initial, early, established, advanced).
Compare the virulence factors of major periodontal pathogens (e.g., Porphyromonas gingivalis, Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, Tannerella forsythia) and their role in tissue destruction.
Summarize the role of the host immune response, including cytokines, matrix metalloproteinases, and osteoclastogenesis, in periodontal pathogenesis.
Your checkpoint
Create a one-page schematic of periodontal histology and a table comparing microbial virulence factors and host responses, then explain both aloud in a 10-minute recorded summary.
Periodontal Diagnosis and Clinical Assessment & Non-Surgical Periodontal Therapy
Perform and document a complete periodontal examination, including probing depths, clinical attachment levels, bleeding on probing, plaque index, and mobility, on at least two patients or simulated cases.
Interpret full-mouth radiographs to identify bone loss patterns and calculate bone loss percentages.
Formulate a periodontal diagnosis using the 2018 classification system, including staging and grading, for five clinical vignettes.
Design a non-surgical therapy plan for a patient with generalized chronic periodontitis, including scaling and root planing, oral hygiene instructions, and adjunctive therapies.
Evaluate the evidence for adjunctive chemical agents (e.g., chlorhexidine, local antibiotics) and host modulation in non-surgical therapy.
Your checkpoint
Complete a written case report for one patient (real or simulated) that includes full periodontal charting, radiographic interpretation, diagnosis with staging/grading, and a detailed non-surgical treatment plan with rationale.
Periodontal Surgical Therapy & Regenerative and Reconstructive Periodontics
Describe the indications, contraindications, and surgical techniques for gingivectomy, flap surgery, and osseous surgery.
Explain the principles of regenerative periodontal therapy, including guided tissue regeneration, bone grafts, and enamel matrix derivatives, and their evidence base.
Compare reconstructive procedures for furcation defects and intrabony defects, including the use of biologics.
Outline the postoperative care and complications of periodontal surgery.
Evaluate the outcomes of regenerative versus resective approaches in clinical scenarios.
Your checkpoint
Produce a decision-tree flowchart for selecting surgical or regenerative therapy based on defect morphology, patient factors, and evidence, and write a 500-word justification for two contrasting case scenarios.
Implantology and Peri-Implant Disease & Periodontal Medicine and Systemic Interactions
Explain the principles of implant placement, including bone density assessment, implant stability, and loading protocols.
Diagnose peri-implant mucositis and peri-implantitis using current case definitions and describe risk factors.
Develop a treatment algorithm for peri-implant diseases, including non-surgical and surgical interventions.
Summarize the bidirectional relationships between periodontal disease and systemic conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and adverse pregnancy outcomes.
Describe the impact of medications (e.g., bisphosphonates, immunosuppressants) on periodontal health and implant therapy.
Your checkpoint
Write a comprehensive management plan for a patient with peri-implantitis and uncontrolled diabetes, including systemic workup, local treatment, and maintenance, and present it as a 10-slide case presentation.
Multidisciplinary Treatment Planning & Research Methodology, Evidence-Based Practice, and Ethics
Integrate periodontal, orthodontic, prosthodontic, and endodontic considerations into a multidisciplinary treatment plan for complex cases.
Sequence treatment phases (e.g., disease control, reconstructive, maintenance) and coordinate care among specialties.
Critically appraise a periodontal research article using evidence-based criteria, including study design, bias, and generalizability.
Apply ethical principles (informed consent, conflict of interest, patient autonomy) to periodontal practice scenarios.
Formulate a PICO question and search strategy for a periodontal clinical uncertainty.
Your checkpoint
Complete a critical appraisal of one recent periodontal randomized controlled trial and a written multidisciplinary treatment plan for a patient requiring combined periodontal-orthodontic-prosthodontic care.
Periodontal Surgical Therapy & Regenerative and Reconstructive Periodontics & Implantology and Peri-Implant Disease
Review and synthesize surgical techniques, regenerative approaches, and implantology concepts through case-based discussions.
Identify common pitfalls and complications in periodontal surgery and implant placement and propose preventive strategies.
Compare long-term outcomes of different surgical and regenerative modalities using current evidence.
Practice interpreting surgical and implant radiographs and clinical photographs to make treatment decisions.
Develop a personalized checklist for preoperative assessment and postoperative management in surgical cases.
Your checkpoint
Create a set of 10 case-based multiple-choice questions with explanations covering surgical, regenerative, and implant topics, and achieve at least 80% on self-testing.
Periodontal Anatomy, Histology, and Physiology & Etiology and Pathogenesis of Periodontal Disease & Periodontal Diagnosis and Clinical Assessment & Non-Surgical Periodontal Therapy
Revisit foundational science and non-surgical therapy concepts through spaced retrieval practice.
Complete a full-length mock examination under timed conditions, simulating the board exam format.
Analyze incorrect answers from the mock exam to identify knowledge gaps in basic science, diagnosis, and non-surgical therapy.
Review and reinforce key classification systems, diagnostic criteria, and treatment guidelines.
Summarize the evidence for nonsurgical periodontal therapy in special populations (e.g., smokers, elderly).
Your checkpoint
Score at least 70% on a 100-question mock exam covering domains 1-4, and produce a written error analysis with a focused study plan for weak areas.
Periodontal Surgical Therapy & Regenerative and Reconstructive Periodontics & Implantology and Peri-Implant Disease & Periodontal Medicine and Systemic Interactions & Multidisciplinary Treatment Planning & Research Methodology, Evidence-Based Practice, and Ethics
Revisit advanced clinical domains and multidisciplinary care through case vignettes and rapid review.
Complete a second full-length mock examination covering all domains, with emphasis on surgical, regenerative, implant, and systemic interactions.
Refine exam-taking strategies, including time management and question interpretation.
Review ethical and research methodology principles and apply them to exam-style questions.
Consolidate key facts and guidelines into a concise summary sheet for final review.
Your checkpoint
Achieve a score of at least 75% on a 150-question comprehensive mock exam, and create a one-page high-yield summary sheet covering all domains for last-minute review.
Milestones
Week 2: Successfully complete a full periodontal charting and diagnosis for two cases with accurate staging and grading, and receive feedback from a peer or mentor.
Week 4: Present a complex implant/systemic case to a study group or mentor and demonstrate understanding of peri-implant disease management and systemic interactions.
Week 6: Score at least 80% on the self-generated case-based MCQ set and demonstrate correct decision-making in surgical and regenerative scenarios.
Week 8: Pass the final comprehensive mock exam with a score of 75% or higher and complete the high-yield summary sheet.