Program Overview
Program Description
The Advanced Dental Education Program in Pediatric Dentistry emphasizes clinical experience balanced with a didactic curriculum of multidisciplinary courses and seminars. There is also a research component to the program designed to expose residents to problem solving using the scientific method. An optional master of science (MS) degree or master of science in dentistry (MSD) degree track is available to students currently enrolled in the certificate program.
Program Goals
The goals of the Advanced Dental Education Program in Pediatric Dentistry are:
- To prepare the resident to be a specialist who is proficient in providing comprehensive, preventive, and therapeutic oral health care for infants and children through adolescence, including those with special health care needs.
- To provide an educational structure that complies with the standards set forth by the Commission on Dental Accreditation.
- To prepare residents for the practice of pediatric dentistry.
- To train pediatric dentists who have participated in pediatric dental research.
- To train pediatric dentists who have participated in teaching pediatric dentistry.
- To prepare the resident for certification by the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry.
Program Length
The program length is twenty-four months.
Possible Careers
Possible careers for graduates of the program include pediatric dentist working in private practice, dental education, or a hospital setting.
Admissions Requirements
The admissions requirements for the program are:
- The applicant must have a DDS or equivalent prior to entering the program.
- Official transcripts mailed directly from each post-secondary institution from which you have received credit, including colleges and dental school.
- A minimum cumulative dental school GPA of 3.0 or higher.
- Successful completion of the National Board Dental Examination Part I and Part II (when available) is required of all applicants who have or are currently completing dental school in the United States.
- Three letters of recommendation from individuals who have known and worked closely with you.
- Applicants must complete an additional application through the Postdoctoral Application Support System (PASS) and be registered with the Postdoctoral Dental Matching Program (Match).
- The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is required for all applicants who have completed dental school in a country other than the United States or Canada.
- Applicants who have completed dental school outside the United States or Canada must have a current dental license from their country and submit a notarized copy with their application.
International Applicants
For international applicants, the following additional requirements apply:
- Transcripts from non-US dental schools must be submitted with a translated course-by-course transcript report from one of the following agencies:
- World Education Services (WES)
- American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO)
- Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc (ECE)
- American Education Research Corporation (AERC)
- An official degree certificate or school-verified copy of the degree certificate must be mailed directly from the issuing institution to Admissions Processing, Loma Linda University.
- A current dental license from the applicant's country must be submitted with a notarized copy.
- English proficiency test scores are required for all international applicants, with minimum scores as follows:
- TOEFL: 80 (Internet-based test), 550 (Paper-based test), with a minimum final score of 5.0 on the TWE part (Test of Written English)
- IELTS: 6.5
- MELAB: 77
Prerequisites
There are no specific courses required for this degree. Please reference the Admissions Requirements.
Expected Cost of Attendance
The estimated cost of attendance is based on full-time attendance for the number of months enrolled per academic year. Estimated amounts may vary based on a number of factors.
Required Program Costs
The required program costs are:
- Tuition & Fees: $99,360 per year
- Books, Materials, Supplies & Equipment Allowance: $4,400 (Year 1), $2,200 (Year 2)
Other Educational Costs
Other educational costs that can be funded with scholarships/loans include:
- Living Expense (Food & Housing Allowance): varies depending on living arrangements
- Transportation Allowance: $4,200 per year
- Miscellaneous Personal Expenses: $4,380 per year
- Federal Student Loan Fees: $5,563 (Year 1), $5,466 (Year 2)
- Cost of Obtaining Professional License: $0
- Dependent Care: available upon request
- Disability-Related Expenses: available upon request
Notes
- Estimated amounts are for the academic year specified only and are based on full-time attendance for the number of months enrolled per academic year.
- International students need to calculate 12 months of living expenses based on these amounts.
- Amounts are expected to increase each year consistent with inflation in the professional education sector.
- To qualify for financial aid, most students must be enrolled at least half time in an aid-eligible program and be taking degree requirements. Half time is 6 units in a quarter for undergraduate programs and 4 units in a quarter for graduate programs.