A new school's perspective on clinical curriculum.

The new predoctoral dental education program at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, officially began on August 26, 2002. Key concepts identified as foundations for the UNLV clinical curriculum model include Student Active Integrated Learning (SAIL), the need to actively link oral health to systemic health, a sophisticated practice management model, a focus on culturally sensitive statewide outreach, establishing a strong biomedical research base, and development of future faculty. The predoctoral program will be comprised of five general practices. Students from each of the four academic years will be assigned to a practice group; each student will be expected to provide patient care within the scope of his or her current training.