Pediatric Dentistry

Pediatric Dentistry Postdoctoral Program | Graduate

The Advanced Education Program in Pediatric Dentistry is a 24-month University based program beginning July 1 of each year. Six positions are authorized for the first year class. The program is designed to meet the requirements of the Council on Dental Education of the American Dental Association, the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry.

The curriculum is a mixture of both didactic and clinical and is intended to encompass the progressive sequence of formal, graded courses and hospital experiences in the theory and practice of pediatric dentistry at the postgraduate level. It emphasizes the application of biological, physiological and psychological principles during the periods of physical and emotional development of the infant, child and adolescent and the special needs patient. An appreciation for and understanding of the role of preventive measures, community dental health programs for children, exposure to hospital practice and research are also major areas of focus.

Residents matriculate through a variety of facilities throughout the 24-month period which include the following:

• The Howard University College of Dentistry
• The Howard University College of Medicine
• The Howard University Hospital
• The Children’s Hospital National Medical Center
• The Spanish Catholic Center
• Mary's Center
• Greater Washington Dental Clinic

Program Core Values:

• Teaching
• Learning
• Service

Program Goals:

1. To produce pediatric dentistry graduates who have clinical and didactic experiences that will equip them with the skills, knowledge and competence needed to practice and teach pediatric dentistry.
2. To prepare pediatric dentistry residents to participate in and successfully complete the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry (ABPD) board certification examination and achieve Diplomate status following matriculation from the program.
3. To encourage residents to participate in organized dentistry on a local, state and/or national level during the program and beyond graduation.
4. To prepare matriculating residents to make meaningful contributions to the body of knowledge through quality evidence-based research.

The postdoctoral residents will participate in the evaluation, diagnosis and treatment of a variety of patients in the various clinics they rotate through during their matriculation in the program. They provide comprehensive and preventive dental treatment to the patients and make appropriate referrals to specialists as needed. The hospital rotations at Children’s Hospital National Medical Center and Howard University Hospital provide the residents with the experience in the area of anesthesia for the pediatric and special needs patients. Pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic management of patient behavior is taught in accordance to the guiding principles of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry.  Moreover, the Pediatric Medicine rotation at Howard University Hospital pediatric outpatient clinic allows vertical integration of diagnostic and interviewing skills in the practice of pediatric dentistry.

The program is school-based; the residents take a series of sequenced graded courses that provide the necessary didactic background for appropriate evidence-based dentistry.

Participation in organized dentistry is emphasized in the program along with service in the local and global communities. The postdoctoral residents also participate in community events to provide much needed service to the underserved and uninsured families which include but are not limited to: Special Olympics Special Smiles, Health Science Outreach Program Yes (H.O.P.E. Yes) and numerous health fairs throughout the metropolitan DC area.

At the end of the 24 months, the postdoctoral resident is required to submit a publishable-an original research thesis. Residents will have the opportunity to present their research to faculty, administrators and peers within the College of Dentistry, the University, and in local and national dental meetings.

The Postdoctoral residents must take the written Qualification Examination (QE) which is the first step in the process toward certification in the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry. This exam is administered nationally in May of their last year. Each resident is encouraged to continue the process of board certification and assured of support for their efforts after completion of the program.

Program Tuition and Stipend

• Program Tuition: $43,912
• Stipend: none
• Positions: 6

Program Faculty

The program is staffed by a dedicated Program Director and faculty who are board certified in the specialty of pediatric dentistry.

Application

To complete an online application, contact PASS (Postdoctoral Application Support Service) at www.adea.org. Deadline annually for completion of the PASS application is September 15th for the class beginning the following year on July 1st.

The PASS application is the only application required; refer to the link https://portal.passweb.org to apply to the program. There are no supplemental applications. This postdoctoral also participates in the National Matching Service and all positions are offered through the Postdoctoral Dental Matching Program. Applicants are required to register for the MATCH. More information can be obtained by contacting:

National Matching Services, Inc.

595 Bay Street

Suite 301, Box 29

Toronto, Ontario Canada M5G 2C2

416 977-3431 (telephone)

416 977-5020 (Fax)

www.natmatch.com/dentres

 

• Degree Classification: Graduate
• Program Frequency: Full-Time
• Format: In Person

1. Must be a graduate of an accredited dental school
2. Must have passed the National Dental Boards
3. Must possess at least a 3.0 GPA in dental school
4. Must demonstrate proficiency in the English language and mastery of concepts, which are basic to the practice of dentistry, if the applicant possesses a foreign dental degree

Caution to Prospective Students

The Board of Trustees of Howard University on September 24, 1983, adopted the following policy statement regarding applications for admission: "Applicants seeking admission to Howard University are required to submit accurate and complete credentials and accurate and complete information requested by the University. Applicants who fail to do so shall be denied admission. Enrolled students who as applicants failed to submit accurate and complete credentials or accurate and complete information on their application for admission shall be subject to dismissal when the same is made known, regardless of classification."