Predoctoral Division
Periodontal disease is the inflammation and infection of gums, ligaments, bone, and other tissues surrounding the teeth. Scientific investigations indicate that periodontal diseases are responsible for more lost teeth in the United States than any other oral disease, including dental caries. This is particularly worrisome since, in their early stages, periodontal diseases progress without much in the way of warning signs for patients. In addition to possible tooth loss, new studies show that periodontal diseases can also impact a patient’s general health and wellbeing.
With periodontal disease on the rise, it is crucial that graduates of the UTSHCSA Dental School are provided with the information and skills necessary for diagnosing and treating this disease. Presently, the Predoctoral Division in Department of Periodontics offers a comprehensive series of required courses designed to meet that need for all dental students working on the Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree. Elective courses in more advanced techniques are also available to students as they progress through the dental program.
With many innovative and exciting treatment options for periodontal diseases underway, graduating dentists must be prepared to evaluate the effectiveness of new treatments as they come on line and apply them to meet the specific needs of each patient that walks into their office. Thorough knowledge of the nature of periodontal diseases and how the human body attempts to control these diseases is essential to providing excellent care.
As students graduate from the dental program here at UTHSCSA Dental School, it is the mission of the Predoctoral Division in the Department of Periodontics to have provided the following fundamental educational goals described briefly in the statements below:
- Perform a comprehensive periodontal examination
- Assess patients’ risk for developing periodontal diseases
- Plan and perform all types of nonsurgical periodontal therapy
- Manage communications with patients and with other health care providers
- Monitor the results of nonsurgical periodontal therapy
- Perform periodontal therapy for patients previously treated for periodontal diseases
- Manage patients with acute periodontal conditions such as a periodontal abscess
- Manage the referral of patients with advanced periodontal needs.
FACULTY AND STAFF
Dr. Archie A. Jones is a graduate of the University of Missouri at Kansas City School of Dentistry. He completed a two-year General Practice Residency with the Veteran’s Administration and practiced General Dentistry before completing post-doctoral training in Periodontology at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. Dr. Jones has been on the teaching faculty since 1981 and is currently Associate Professor of Periodontics at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio where his responsibilities include clinical and didactic teaching in Periodontics and Implantology. He is course director for several pre-doctoral courses and has been involved in numerous courses, clinical rotations and continuing education courses centered on Implantology.
Dr. Jones has participated for many years in clinical research related to periodontics, dental implant therapies and regeneration and has published scientific articles and abstracts on these topics. He is a member of numerous professional and dental organizations. Ms. Madeleine Long is the Administrative Assistant who supports day-to-day operations of the Predoctoral Division.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
For Dr. Jones:
Phone: 210 567-3576
FAX: 210 567-6858
Email: JonesA@uthscsa.edu
For Ms. Long:
Phone: 210 567-3585
FAX: 210 567-6858
Email: Long@uthscsa.edu