Program Description
The Department of Pediatric Dentistry offers a two-year Advanced Education Program in Pediatric Dentistry resulting in a Certificate in Pediatric Dentistry. Residents are trained in the advanced diagnostic and clinical techniques necessary to provide specialty care to children, adolescents, and individuals with disabilities. Residents are eligible to participate in the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry certification examinations, upon successful completion of the program.
An option to obtain a Masters in Dental Science (MDS) is available and will require additional coursework resulting in additional time beyond the two-year period.
All facilities within the School of Dental Medicine are available for resident use, and there is a vast Health Science Center Library system housed in the medical school directly across the street from the School of Dental Medicine.
Goals and Objectives of the Program
It is the intent of the program to prepare residents for a career in specialty pediatric dentistry practice, teaching, and community health service in the area of comprehensive oral health care for children, with a particular emphasis on providing quality services for children with special health care needs. The Program is designed to follow the principles, policies and educational requirements set forth in the accreditation requirements in the American Dental Association Guidelines for Advanced Specialty Education Programs and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry Guidelines for Advanced Education in Pediatric Dentistry.
Goals
-
To prepare graduates for a career in the specialty of pediatric dentistry with emphasis upon clinical practice.
-
To produce a pediatric dental specialist competent in the prevention and management of orofacial health problems as defined by the scope of practice.
-
To generate knowledge through scientific investigation and research and promote the use of scientific approach to clinical practice.
-
To prepare graduates for the certification examinations of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry.
-
To conduct a CODA accredited advanced education program in pediatric dentistry that adheres to the approved standards.
Objectives
-
Competency in prevention, diagnosis, treatment planning and treatment of developmental and acquired oral conditions in infants, children, adolescents and patients with special needs;
-
Competency in the use of non-pharmacologic and pharmacologic means of patient management;
-
Competency in the evaluation and treatment of developing and existing orthodontic problems; and
-
Competency in the evaluation of scientific literature
Curriculum
The multifaceted advanced pediatric dentistry curricula integrate scientific principles and methods with the clinical application of pediatric dentistry. Ample time is provided for either basic science or clinical research. Emphasis is also given to community and dental public health experiences. In addition to the core curriculum for all specialty residents, the following pediatric dentistry specific conferences are offered:
- Behavior Guidance
- American Board of Pediatric Dentistry Board Review
- Cleft Palate/Craniofacial Anomalies
- Clinical Pediatric Dentistry
- Community Dentistry Off-site Experiences
- Diagnosis and Case Presentation
- Growth and Development
- Interceptive Orthodontics
- Outpatient General Anesthesia
- Pharmacological Patient Management
- Pulp Therapy
- Special Needs Patients
- Traumatology
Rotations
Rotations are scheduled at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) - Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, UPMC Presbyterian Hospital, and the Cleft Palate/Craniofacial Center.
The following rotations are completed at the Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC or at one of its satellite offices:
- Anesthesiology
• Hospital-based Operating Room - Pediatric Medicine
- Pediatric Emergency Department
- Craniofacial Clinic
- Pediatric Dental Trauma Rotation
Advanced Education Pediatric Dentistry residents also rotate through the pre-doctoral pediatric dentistry clinic and the preclinical simulation clinic to provide instruction and clinical supervision to pre-doctoral dental students.
Application Process
The Advanced Education Program in Pediatric Dentistry applications must be filed through the Postdoctoral Application Support Service (PASS) and the Postdoctoral Dental Matching Program (MATCH).
For additional information about how to apply to the advanced dental education residency program in pediatric dentistry, please visit our Advanced Dental Education Residency Programs general information page.
Supplemental Application Fee
A non-refundable $75 supplemental application fee is required at time of application.
Application Deadline
Applications are due by September 15 of the preceding year before matriculation.
Benefits, Stipend, Tuition & Fees
Students are responsible for the charged tuition, which varies if you are in-state or out-of-state, and includes a student activity fee, books and professional fees.
A yearly stipend is provided to pediatric dental residents.
Pediatric Dentistry Research
A research project is a graduation requirement for the Advanced Pediatric Dentistry Residency Program.
The following are projects completed, or in progress, within the last five years
- Association Between Autism Spectrum Disorder and Caregiver-Reported Dental Caries in Children
- Child Dental Neglect Laws: State Specifications and Repercussions for Dentists
- The Relationship Between Training with a Dental Anesthesiologist and Preference in the Modality of Anesthesia Delivery Among Board-Certified Pediatric Dentists in the United States
- Factors Associated with the Agent of Choice for Moderate Sedation
- Parental Acceptance of the Human Papilloma Virus Vaccine
- Outcomes of Single-Surface Restorations Placed in Young Children Receiving Outpatient General Anesthesia
- Race and Payer Types for Child Visits with Public Health Dental Hygienist Practitioners
- Various Recall Intervals Following Outpatient General Anesthesia Services for Patients with Special Needs and DMFT Scores