Program Overview

Program Overview

The Pediatric Dentistry Certificate program is designed to offer graduate students a curriculum that is balanced in didactic and clinical areas. The primary goal of the program is to develop a biologically oriented, technically capable, and socially sensitive pediatric dentist who is capable of providing comprehensive care to all pediatric patients.

Program Details

• The program is 24 months in length, beginning in mid- to late June each year.
• Up to 11 new positions are available each year.
• All applicants must have a DDS or DMD degree or equivalent.
• All applicants must have a Postdoctoral Dental Matching Program (MATCH) number and all applications must be made through the Postdoctoral Application Support Service (PASS) portal.
• Applicants must submit official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended, and passing scores on the National Board Dental Examinations and the Advanced Dental Admission Test.
• The deadline to apply is October 1 of each year.

Curriculum

• The program includes both didactic and clinical training.
• Clinical instruction includes training in advanced diagnosis and treatment planning, treatment of traumatic injuries, pharmacological and non-pharmacological behavior management, and interceptive orthodontics.
• Hospital and operating room protocol, oral rehabilitation, and prevention are included in the clinical component.
• Clinical rotations include assignments to the dental clinics at Children's Medical Center, Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children, and the College of Dentistry.
• Didactic training is School of Dentistry-based, with support from hospital and special care facility personnel.
• Didactic instruction consists of core curriculum courses and seminars in pediatric dentistry.

Research and Teaching Responsibilities

• A research project, suitable for publication, is required for the certificate.
• Teaching responsibilities, including technique classes and clinical instruction, are required by the program.

Optional Degrees

• An optional, 32 credit hour MS in Oral Biology or a 42 hour online MPH may be attempted during the pediatric dentistry certificate program.
• In lieu of an MPH, a student may elect to pursue an online Certificate in Public Health.
• These degrees are not fully integrated with the certificate program.

Program Outcomes

• Upon successful completion of all components of the program, the student receives a Certificate in Pediatric Dentistry and meets the advanced education eligibility requirements of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry.
• It is required that each student take the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry qualifying examination prior to graduation from the program.

Related Programs

• Dentistry (DDS)
• Orthodontics (Degree-Dependent Certificate)