Students / Prospective Students / Postdoctoral / CODA Accredited Programs / Pediatric Dentistry

PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY

Mission
The mission of the postdoctoral program in Pediatric Dentistry at the UMDNJ-New Jersey Dental School is to educate and train specialists in Pediatric Dentistry who can competently evaluate, improve and maintain the oral health of infants, children, adolescents and persons with special health care needs in a productive and compassionate manner.

Goals
The goals of the Postdoctoral Program are:

1. To train postdoctoral students with the necessary knowledge, skills and critical judgment required to competently practice and promote the specialty of Pediatric Dentistry.
2. To develop the postdoctoral student's ability to interpret and engage in research and scholarly activities.
3. To prepare the postdoctoral students for certification by the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry.
4. To enhance awareness of service to the community and the profession by participating in community outreach activities.

Program Length and Number of Positions
This is a 24-month program beginning July 1 of each year. Four or five new positions are offered each year. Only graduates of ADA approved schools are eligible for resident salaries and tuition waivers.

Program Type
This is a combined university and hospital-based residency/certificate program for residents and foreign trained postgraduate students. An optional Master of Dental Science degree program may be selected.

Application
The application deadline is October 1 of the year preceding matriculation. The New Jersey Dental School participates in the American Association of Dental Schools PASS centralized application program and the matching program of the National Matching Services.

Description
The program in pediatric dentistry is balanced with significant hospital experiences. The course of study includes seminars and clinically oriented basic sciences, instruction in advanced clinical procedures and training in hospital protocol. Upon completion of the program, the resident receives a Certificate in Pediatric Dentistry and meets eligibility requirements for the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry examination.

Curriculum
PROGRAM ACCREDITATION - This program is designed according to the guidelines of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and the accreditation requirements of the American Dental Association Commission on Dental Accreditation. The program has been granted full approval by the Commision and includes the courses listed below.

CORE CURRICULUM - The Core Curriculum is designed to provide a broad foundation in the Biomedical Sciences upon which training in specialized dental disciplines is based. The Biomedical Science Core Curriculum meets the requirements set forth by the American Dental Association for all advanced dental specialty education. Didactic instruction occurs in a weekly two-hour seminar during both academic years of the program.

BASIC PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY TECHNIQUES - At the beginning of the first year, the resident participates in a review course covering basic treatment techniques. The resident is involved in seminar discussion as well as pre-clinical technique experiences.

ADVANCED CLINICAL PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY - Clinical experience with advanced pediatric dentistry treatment is provided in the department clinic where residents are assigned for eight half-days each week during both academic years of the program. Patients requiring conscious sedation are treated in the department clinic. Patients requiring general anesthesia are treated in the facilities of the adjoining University Hospital.

ADVANCED PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY SEMINAR - Didactic instruction occurs in a weekly two-hour seminar during both academic years of the program. Classical readings and current periodic literature are reviewed for subjects such as child development, behavior management, growth and development, cariology and prevention, pulp biology, trauma, genetic syndromes, space management and interceptive orthodontics, dental materials and restorative dentistry, oral pathology, and periodontal disease.

CLINICAL SEMINARS - During a one-hour weekly seminar, residents review treatment of assigned patients. Each resident prepares case presentations for discussion with residents and faculty.

TEXTBOOK REVIEW - During a one-hour weekly seminar, a detailed review of current textbooks of pediatric dentistry is conducted, providing an in-depth overview of Pediatric Dentistry practice.

CURRENT PERIODICALS REVIEW - One hour is devoted each week to a review of the current periodic literature. Faculty and residents rotate as leaders of discussion of pediatric dentistry and general dental literature.

MANAGEMENT OF SPECIAL NEEDS PATIENTS - Residents treat patients with special care needs in the Pediatric Dentistry Clinic or the Special Care Treatment Center of the New Jersey Dental School. In addition, residents are assigned to a state institution for a half-day per week for four months in order to treat institutionalized persons with special needs. Comprehensive treatment is rendered with a variety of management techniques, including conscious sedation and general anesthesia.

ORTHODONTIC TREATMENT PLANNING SEMINAR - Residents participate in a one-hour per week treatment planning seminar with the faculty of the Department of Orthodontics during both first and second years of the program.

CLINICAL ORTHODONTICS - An opportunity is provided to treat a variety of orthodontic conditions with fixed and removable appliances. Residents are assigned to the Department of Orthodontics clinic for supervision by the Orthodontics faculty one half-day per week throughout both years of the program.

PEDIATRICS - Residents are assigned for 4 weeks to the Department of Pediatrics of the UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School. Under the direction of the Pediatric Attendings, the resident participates in hospital pediatric rounds, out-patient clinics, and seminars in pediatrics. The resident is prepared to perform a routine physical examination on a child, differentiate normal and abnormal heart sounds, and discuss general principles of medical care for acutely and chronically sick children.

ANESTHESIOLOGY - Training in general anesthesia is provided by the Department of Anesthesiology of the UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School. The training involves a 4-week, full-time rotation at University Hospital. During these rotations, the resident participates in seminars, pre- and post-operative rounds, and the administration of anesthesia for general surgery. The resident is prepared to perform intramuscular, intravenous, and subcutaneous injections, and to prescribe sedation prior to general anesthesia. The resident also learns to intubate a patient and monitor the patient's vital signs during general anesthesia.

STATISTICS/SCIENTIFIC WRITING - During the first semester, residents participate in a 16-hour course introducing basic principles of statistics and research design. Experience in scientific writing is provided, including the preparation of abstracts, protocols, and research reports.

PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY RESEARCH - Residents are required to perform a research project. The protocol should be approved and the review of literature completed by the end of the first calendar year. At the completion of the second calendar year, the resident must have completed the research project and a report acceptable for publication in a major journal.

PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY TEACHING - The resident is provided with practical experience in teaching clinical pediatric dentistry to undergraduate students. This usually involves one half-day per week in the second year of the program.

Program Stipend and Tuition
Residents receive stipends of approximately $50,808 for the first year, and $54,251 for the second year. Tuition is waived for US or Canadian-trained residents. Foreign trained postgraduate students receive no stipend and must pay the tuition of $46,784. (Subject to increase)

Facilities
Instruction takes place in the following facilities:

1. Department of Pediatric Dentistry, New Jersey Dental School
2. University Hospital
3. North Jersey Developmental Center

Admission Requirements
Applicants must have available the following items to be considered for admission:

1. Dental and pre-professional education transcripts
2. Three letters of recommendation
3. Personal interview
4. Residents must have passed part two of the National Board examination prior to the start of the program.

1. Excellent resident stipend for graduates of ADA approved schools.
2. Waiver of tuition for graduates of ADA approved schools.
3. Strong didactic program.
4. Opportunity to perform research.
5. Opportunity to register for Master of Dental Science degree program.

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Program Faculty
Pediatric Dentistry

*Nanci Tofsky, DDS, MS, Interim Chair, Professor and Clinical Director
*R. Glenn Rosivack, DMD, MS, Postgraduate Program Director, Clinical Professor
*Milton Houpt, DDS, PhD, Professor
*Mary Burke, DDS, Clinical Assistant Professor
Gerald Guzy, DDS, Clinical Assistant Professor
Madhu Mohan, DMD, Clinical Assistant Professor
*Jorge Caceda, DDS MPH, MS, Clinical Professor
*Melvyn Oppenheim, DMS, MDS, Clinical Professor
*Yasmi Crystal, DMD, Clinical Associate Professor

*Board Certified

Special Care Treatment Center

Evan Spivack, DDS, Professor and Director
Mark D. Robinson, DMD, Assistant Professor
Michal Gold-Rosenbach, DMD, Adjunct Clinical Instructor

Application for Admissions

Correspondence regarding application and admission procedures should be directed to:

Ms. Irma Fernandes, Sr. Management Assistant
University of Medicine & Dentistry of New Jersey
New Jersey Dental School
Department of Pediatric Dentistry
110 Bergen Street, Room C-722
Newark, NJ 07101-1709
(973) 972-4621
frananir@umdnj.edu

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