Cleveland Clinic Mercy Dental Residency Program

The Cleveland Clinic Mercy Dental Residency Program is a distinguished General Practice Residency (GPR) program located at Cleveland Clinic Mercy Hospital in Canton, Ohio. This one-year postgraduate program is meticulously designed to provide recent dental school graduates with extensive, supervised clinical experience in general dentistry, particularly emphasizing the comprehensive care of patients with diverse and often complex medical needs. The program's core objective is to bridge the gap between dental school education and professional practice, equipping residents with the skills and knowledge to serve as primary care providers in a hospital environment. Residents gain hands-on experience in a wide array of dental procedures, including preventative, cosmetic, and restorative services, as well as managing dental emergencies, root canals, extractions, crowns, bridges, veneers, implants, and various denture options. A significant aspect of the training involves understanding the oral manifestations of systemic diseases and correlating dental treatment with overall patient health. Beyond general dentistry, the curriculum incorporates crucial rotations in other medical specialties such as Anesthesia, Emergency Medicine, and pre-operative history and physical examinations, typically accounting for about five to six weeks of the year. This interdisciplinary approach ensures that residents develop a holistic understanding of patient care and can function effectively within healthcare teams. They also receive specialized training and observation in areas like oral surgery, periodontics, endodontics, maxillofacial prosthodontics, temporomandibular joint disorders, and sleep dentistry. Didactic sessions, including lectures, journal clubs, literature reviews, and case presentations, complement the robust clinical experience. Residents are also responsible for on-call duties for dental emergencies, gaining valuable experience in emergency room settings. The program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA), upholding high standards of dental education. Cleveland Clinic Mercy Hospital's Dental Services, where the residency is based, also offers comprehensive family dental care to the community, including specialized care for individuals with special needs such as autism, cerebral palsy, and multiple sclerosis. The clinic's commitment extends to providing accessible and affordable dental services, addressing a significant unmet healthcare need in the region, especially for children and low-income adults. The dental staff comprises qualified general dentists and specialists, many of whom are part of the post-doctoral dental residency training program, contributing to a vibrant learning and patient care environment.