A message from the director

In order to deal effectively with this challenging environment, and flourish in it, dentists need a richer base of knowledge and skills than in the past. Dentists need the abilities and competencies to assess the constantly changing landscape of the health care system, and to traverse it successfully.

A Call for the Future

At Lutheran Medical Center we believe there are compelling reasons for today’s dental graduates to consider a residency program. Dentists, like other health care professionals today, find themselves in a much more complex environment than their predecessors. In order to deal effectively with this challenging environment, and flourish in it, dentists need a richer base of knowledge and skills than in the past. Dentists need the competencies to assess the constantly changing landscape of the health care system, and to traverse it successfully.

Despite remarkable improvement in the oral health of many Americans, dentists will remain responsible for the recognition, prevention, management, treatment, and evaluation of caries and periodontal diseases. They will work in closer collaboration with physicians and other health care providers in the management of the pharmaceutical needs of an aging population, birth defects and developmental disorders, oral and pharyngeal cancers, HIV/AIDS, and other chronic and disabling conditions. The Surgeon General’s Report on Oral Health and other recent evidence establishing links between oral health and cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and low birth rate, among other health problems, provide an even more compelling rationale to pursue postdoctoral training.

Oral health, so essential to general health and well being, eludes many in our society. For example, the highest rates of dental caries affect children and families with lower incomes and lesser education. At the same time, many children and young people with developmental or chronic conditions are unable to find access to any dental care, regardless of economic or educational background. Dental needs often overwhelm the health care resources available to many communities. We at Lutheran Medical Center believe deeply in our obligation to serve our communities and we dedicate ourselves to fulfilling this mission as creatively as possible.

Lutheran Medical Center also commits itself to providing an excellent and supportive environment for educating residents in the respected traditions of medicine and dentistry. Modern facilities, a superb faculty, and plentiful educational resources foster a dynamic and satisfying educational experience. We take pride in the quality and inventiveness of our programs and the professional guidance provided during this important phase in your career. We encourage you to explore our programs and look forward to welcoming you to Lutheran.

Neal Demby, DMD, MPH
Director, Department of Dental Medicine