Advanced Education

Pediatric Dentistry

The Division of Pediatric Dentistry offers a 24-month program leading to a Certificate of Proficiency in Pediatric Dentistry. The program enrolls four residents each year beginning July 1st. The certificate program can be extended and combined with programs leading to a graduate degree (Masters or Ph.D. degree). Strong clinical and research based faculty members prepare residents for academic, hospital or private practice careers.

Strengths of the Pediatric Dentistry programs include:

• Extensive clinical experience in a children’s hospital and community health center setting treating healthy, medically compromised, and developmentally disabled infants, children, and adolescents.
• A strong didactic program with flexibility to accommodate specific professional goals.
• Emphasis on leadership training for academic careers, hospital practice or private practice.
• An active and diverse faculty research program.

Program Goals, Objectives and Description

The 24 month certificate program is designed to prepare students for patient care in a private practice or hospital setting. Residents are expected to develop the knowledge base and skills needed to provide oral health care and developmental guidance to healthy, medically compromised, and developmentally disabled children, and to acquire the ability to interact effectively with other healthcare providers.

The certificate program can be extended and combined with graduate programs leading to an advanced degree. (Masters or Ph.D. degree).

A 36-month program leading to a Certificate of Proficiency in Pediatric Dentistry and a Master of Dental Science degree is available for clinicians who wish to pursue careers in clinical dentistry, teaching and research. This program maintains the strong 24-months clinical experience.

A 60-84-month program leading to a Certificate of Proficiency in Pediatric Dentistry and a Ph.D. degree in Biomedical Sciences is available for clinicians who wish to pursue careers in teaching and independent research. The program length varies depending on the research background and progress of the candidate and maintains the strong 24-months clinical experience.

Curriculum and Requirements

The residency program is a 24-month program primarily based at the School of Dental Medicine and the Connecticut Children's Medical Center. Academic course work occupies approximately 20 percent of the resident's time and includes the following courses, seminars and rotations;

Interdepartmental Didactics

Advanced Oral Histology, Functional Oral Anatomy, Sedation, Oral Microbiology, Biomaterials, Biostatistics, Advanced Oral Pathology, Craniofacial Growth and Development, Multidisciplinary Conference, Combined Orthodontic Pediatric Dentistry Mixed Dentition seminar and Pediatric Grand Rounds

Intradepartmental Didactics

Introduction to Pediatric Dentistry, Behavior Management, Hospital Dentistry, Case Presentation, Journal Club and Board Review, Interceptive Orthodontics and Data Base Analysis, Advanced Pediatric Dentistry Seminar, and Case Review Seminar

Clinical Rotations

Pediatrics, Anesthesia, Chief Resident, Hospital Resident and Emergency Room Rotation.

The residents provide after hour emergency coverage on a rotating basis for the Connecticut Children's Medical Center and the John Dempsey Hospital. Second year residents also teach in the undergraduate clinic on a rotating basis.

Requirements

Each resident is required to submit a research paper suitable for publication and prepare six comprehensive documented cases treated during their residency program. Upon completion of all program requirements, the resident receives a Certificate in Pediatric Dentistry and meets the eligibility requirements for the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry examination process.

Resources

The Pediatric dentistry program includes several facilities for clinical training including the Pediatric Dentistry Clinic at Connecticut Children's Medical Center in Hartford, John Dempsey Hospital at the University of Connecticut Health Center in Farmington, and Burgdorf Dental Clinic in Hartford.

The faculty of the Pediatric Dentistry program includes program director, seven full time faculty, and a large complement of part time faculty.

Admission Requirements

The Pediatric Dentistry program is open to graduates of accredited US or foreign dental schools. Candidates must possess a D.D.S. or D.M.D. degree (or equivalent) prior to beginning the program. Applicants who do not use English as a primary language must take the TOEFL examination and must score in excess of 550 for the paper-based exam or 215 for the computer-based exam.

The Department of Pediatric Dentistry participates in the Postdoctoral Application Support Service (PASS) and the Postdoctoral Dental Matching Program.

Application materials can be requested by writing to:

American Dental Education Association (ADEA)
Postdoctoral Application Support Service (PASS)
1400 K Street, N
Suite 1100B
Washington, DC 20005-2403
Email: csrpass@adea.org
eForm Inquiry Email: passeforms@adea.org
Phone: 1-800-353-2237 or 202-289-8123
Fax: 202-289-8702
Web site: www.adea.org/DAS/student-applicant/default.htm

All applicants are required to register with:

National Matching Services
20 Holly Street, Suite 301
Toronto, Ontario
Canada, M4S 3B1
Phone: 416-977-3431
Fax: 416-977-5020
Email: matchinfo@natmatch.com

The application deadline is October 1st of the year preceding July 1st matriculation.

Application requirements include the following:

• PASS application.
• Updated Curriculum Vitae with small photograph.
• Part 1 National Dental Boards.
• TOEFL exam if English is not primary language.
• $75 application fee payable to the University of Connecticut Health Center.
• Personal interview.

Stipends and Benefits

Residents in the Pediatric Dentistry Certificate program receive an annual stipend. Tuition and clinic fees are waived. All residents receive a comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance, liability coverage, and vacation and sick day allowances.

Additional Opportunities

Clinical Instructor Program

There are a limited number of Clinical Instructor positions available in the Division of Pediatric Dentistry. These positions are available to individuals who have completed specialty training in Pediatric Dentistry from an ADA approved Pediatric Dentistry Residency Program. The positions are primarily community based, clinical in nature, but also afford research and teaching opportunities. These positions are paid and include a faculty appointment with a fringe benefit package.

To apply, send a letter of interest and CV to:

Dr. Richard Skinner
Associate Professor and Director of Clinical Operations
Department of Craniofacial Sciences, Division of Pediatric Dentistry
University of Connecticut School of Dental Medicine
263 Farmington Avenue
Farmington, CT 06030-1610
Phone: 860-545-9032