Program Overview

Graduate Program in Pediatric Dentistry

The Graduate Program in Pediatric Dentistry has an established record of combined curricula with other disciplines in public health and the basic sciences. Dual or combined programs can be structured to accommodate a non-dental master’s degree, a postdoctoral fellowship, an individual dental scientist award or a doctoral degree. The most popular degree options are the Master of Science in Dentistry, the Master of Public Health and the PhD. There is no certificate-only option.

Curriculum

The clinical education of pediatric dentistry is a critical part of the Graduate Program in Pediatric Dentistry. Clinical experience is obtained in facilities located at the Adams School of Dentistry and UNC Hospitals and the Durham County Health Department.

A major aim of our program is to prepare graduates for roles of leadership in the professional community, the academic arena or in government service. A special emphasis is placed upon the recruitment and career development of individuals prepared to address the oral health issues of children in the coming decades.

Admissions

Applicants must utilize the Postdoctoral Application Support Service (PASS) administered by the American Dental Education Association and the Postdoctoral Dental Matching Program (MATCH).

• Application Deadline: September 15
• Applicants must not apply to the UNC graduate school until accepted into the program.

Admissions Requirements

All prospective students must hold a DDS, DMD or equivalent degree from a dental school.

• Admission criteria are applied equally to all applicants regardless of race, sex, color, national origin or religion.
• Minority students are encouraged to apply.

International Students

In addition to the above items, international applicants must include the following in their PASS application:

• Foreign transcripts evaluation
• TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo English Test score
  • International applicants must report official TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo English Test scores directly from the testing center. Must be current and no more than 2 years old.
• Official academic records bearing the signature of the registrar or another academic official and either a raised or ink stamp or seal of the issuing institution.
• Records must be issued in the original language and be accompanied by certified English translations.
• Verification that the degree has been awarded or a copy of the degree award.

Tuition, Stipend Support and Benefits

The cost of attending graduate school includes tuition, fees, and health insurance, for which the student is billed directly.

• Tuition and fees for the master’s programs in the Adams School of Dentistry are available through the University Cashier.
• Graduate students must pay tuition and fees during all years of study and training.
• These charges are subject to change at any meeting of the NC Board of Trustees and a yearly increase of 5-10 percent should be anticipated each year.
• Estimates for living expenses are available through the Office of Scholarships and Student Aid.

Stipend Support

Stipends are contingent on availability of funds. Regardless of the availability of stipend support, teaching responsibilities are required as a part of the program.

Tuition Remission

Tuition remission, or the reduction by 50% of the out-of-state to the in-state tuition rate, is awarded by the semester as is a 50% in-state award which also reduces tuition cost.

• To meet the general eligibility requirements, the student must be enrolled as a full-time student during the semester of the award.
• Awards are contingent on availability of funds; having a teaching or research assistantship does not guarantee remission will be awarded.
• There is no application process for tuition remission.
• Tuition remission is not offered during the summer.

Extramural Rotations

The Department of Pediatric Dentistry is committed to providing dental care to children living in underserved areas.

• Residents are required to rotate through a variety of extramural sites.
  • Durham County Department of Public Health
  • UNC Hospitals

Research Component

Graduates are expected to participate in research oral presentations during the 1st year of residency, and to present their thesis research in the Adams School of Dentistry’s Research Day during the third year of residency.

• Preparation of a master’s level project with submission to a peer reviewed journal and an oral defense are required.
• Students will be encouraged to prepare abstracts and/or table clinics for scientific or educational meetings, as appropriate.

Combined Certificate and Master of Public Health Program

This dual training program is designed to prepare pediatric dental residents for positions that require a breadth of knowledge of the field of public health.

• All requirements of the degree must be completed within five years from time the student first matriculates in the MPH program.
• Applicants first must be accepted as a candidate for the dual program by the Department of Pediatric Dentistry and also must be granted admission to the SPH.
• Following the results of the MATCH, applicants that have been approved will be asked to apply for SPH admissions.
• In addition to the courses in specialty of pediatric dentistry, residents in this program will take 13 courses at the Gillings School of Global Public Health (SPH) and participate in a practicum or field training experience.
• Each graduate student is expected to complete a research project.
• Since this program is a true combined program and SPH courses are integrated into the pediatric dentistry schedule, there are no additional tuition costs.
• There are additional practicum and professional fees.