The Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM) is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Robert F. Hirsch as Dean of the LECOM School of Dental Medicine.
LECOM takes great honor in receiving Dr. Robert F. Hirsch as Dean of the LECOM School of Dental Medicine as it announces the opening of the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine School of Dental Medicine in Bradenton, Florida.
Previously, Dr. Hirsch held faculty and administrative positions at Case Western Reserve University School of Dental Medicine, Nova Southeastern University School of Dentistry, and the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry. He is a graduate of Case Western Reserve University where he received both his BA and his DDS degrees.
With a private dental practice in Erie, PA, for more than 20 years, Dr. Hirsch brings practice and education together as he takes the helm of the LECOM Dental School in 2011.
LECOM’s School of Dental medicine curriculum will mirror the problem-based learning (PBL) system already in place in the College of Osteopathic Medicine. The PBL curriculum emphasizes student-centered, self-directed learning. Groups of eight students meet with a faculty facilitator three times per week. A series of cases focuses on learning the basic sciences required to understand patient problems.
As part of their clinical training, students will provide basic comprehensive dental care for pediatrics, adult and geriatric patients in the dental school clinic. Beginning in January 2013, students under faculty supervision will treat up to 600 patients per day, including many low-income, fixed-income and retired people. Only patients whose treatment regimen meets the educational requirements of the dental school will be accepted.
LECOM School of Dental Medicine will meet the growing need for dental healthcare practitioners with the opening of this state-of-the-art facility.
