Advanced Education Program in Pediatric Dentistry

Description

The Advanced Education Program in Pediatric Dentistry offers the student a comprehensive 24-month course of study in clinical and didactic Pediatric Dentistry. The program is designed to meet the educational requirements for limitation of practice to the specialty of Pediatric Dentistry and examination by the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry. The program emphasizes a diversified educational experience. The program places emphasis on all phases of pediatric dentistry including trauma, preventive dentistry, restorative, endodontics, periodontics, oral surgery, orthodontics and hospital dentistry. The program enables the student to provide comprehensive oral health care for the well child, the medically compromised, and children with special needs. There is extensive use of various treatment modalities for pain control and behavioral management, such as sedation, analgesia and general anesthesia. Research experience is gained through completion of an individual research project and master's thesis.

Seminars are held in pediatric dentistry, orthodontic diagnosis and treatment, treatment planning, growth and development, cephalometric analysis, pediatric dentistry literature review and behavior guidance. Formal courses in biostatistics, principles of pediatrics, pediatric advanced life support, head and neck anatomy, neurodevelopmental disabilities, leadership seminars, basic sciences and clinical core courses are required. The students participate in undergraduate clinical teaching and supervision.

One month rotations occur in general anesthesia, and two week rotations occur in the pediatric emergency room, pediatric medicine and oral pathology. During the year, rotations in cleft palate and craniofacial anomalies occur.

Students completing the program earn a specialty Certificate in Pediatric Dentistry and a Master of Science degree. Students must complete the requirements for the master's degree prior to being awarded the specialty certificate.

The program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association.

Facilities and Resources

The facilities of the School of Dentistry are housed in the Wood Memorial and Lyons Buildings and contain clinical facilities, research facilities, classrooms, student laboratories, departmental offices, and a computer learning laboratory. The laboratories and classrooms contain closed circuit television receivers. The Tompkins-McCall Library for the Health Sciences is located across the street from the School of Dentistry. This is the largest health science library in Virginia.

The Pediatric Dental Clinic is located on the third floor of the Wood Building. The Pediatric Dental Clinic was totally renovated in November 1999 and now includes; a modern 14 chair clinic which includes two conscious sedation suites and two suites for deep sedation and general anesthesia, central nitrous oxide, seminar room, and computer and audio visual support. Advanced education students are provided with a desk and filing space. The Pediatric Dentistry Academic Offices are conveniently located across the hall from the clinic. Secretarial support is provided by a Department Secretary. Clinic support personnel is composed of a manager, three receptionists, two insurance clerks and five dental assistants.
The Ambulatory Surgical Center of the Medical College of Virginia Hospital has operating room facilities for outpatient dental treatment.

Qualifications

The application deadline is October 1 of the year preceding matriculation. Students seeking admission to the Pediatric Dentistry Program must meet the following minimum requirements:

1.        DDS or DMD from an ADA accredited dental school.

2.        Successful completion of Part I of the National Dental Boards at the time of application (minimum 83) and anticipated completion of Part II by the time of matriculation (minimum 83)

3.        Dental School transcripts.

4.        Minimum grade point average of 3.0 (4.0 point scale) or equivalent or ranking in the top 50% of the class.

5.        Three letters of recommendation.

6.        Participation status with PASS and National Matching Service.

7.        Personal interview.

8.        Students with less than minimum board scores and/or GPA will be considered with significant clinical experience.

All advanced dental education students are required to successfully pass a pre-matriculation drug screen test.