Program Overview

Pediatric Dentistry, Professional Certificate

The professional Certificate in Pediatric Dentistry is a two-year residency program that prepares students for certification by the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry. Certificate students are trained in all phases of pediatric dentistry and have career choices in private practice, public health, education, or research. Special emphasis is placed on the development of leadership skills and strategies for serving vulnerable populations.

Program Details

• The department's certificate program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association.
• Approximately 60% of the certificate program is devoted to advanced clinical activity, 30% to didactic courses and practice teaching, and 10% to original research.
• The program includes a core of didactic, clinical, and research-oriented courses supplemented by electives determined by students' individual interests.

Program Associations

• The program maintains close associations with the University of Iowa Stead Family Children's Hospital, Stead Family Department of Pediatrics in the Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, the Center for Disabilities and Development, and University of Iowa Health Care.
• These associations provide experiences with oral rehabilitation under general anesthesia, treatment of children with oral conscious sedation, instruction in physical diagnosis, and management of medically complex children and those with special healthcare needs.

Combined Program

• A three-year graduate program in pediatric dentistry and dental public health allows individuals to earn a Certificate in Pediatric Dentistry and an MS in dental public health.

Admission and Application

• Openings in the program are filled through the Postdoctoral Dental Matching Program.
• Prospective students apply through the American Dental Education Association PASS program.
• Applications must be complete by September 1 the year prior to program matriculation.
• Applicants must meet the admission requirements of the Graduate College.

Financial Support

• Stipends for the two-year program are provided by federal agencies and other sources for qualified candidates.