Pediatric Dentistry Postgraduate Program

The mission of the postdoctoral program in Pediatric Dentistry at the RBHS-Rutgers School of Dental Medicine 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.

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.

The application deadline is October 1 of the year preceding matriculation. The Rutgers School of Dental Medicine participates in the American Dental Education Association PASS centralized application program and the matching program of the National Matching Services. Residents may be eligible for a stipend as outlined here .

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

1. Dental and pre-professional education transcripts
2. Three PASS PEFs
3. Personal interview
4. US and Canadian graduates must have passed part two of the National Board examination prior to the start of the program.
5. International graduates must have passed part I of the national boards prior to application.

Application Information
$95 Fee - October 1st Deadline
Participant in National Matching Service: Yes
Participant in PASS: Yes
Only US citizens from ADA accredited dental schools considered: No
US citizens from foreign dental schools considered: Yes
Non-US citizens from ADA accredited dental schools considered: Yes
Non-US citizens from foreign dental schools considered: Yes

Correspondence regarding application and admission procedures should be directed to:
Dr. Madhu Mohan, Program Director
(973) 972-4621
mohanma@sdm.rutgers.edu

The CORE Curriculum is designed to provide a broad foundation in the Biomedical Sciences upon which training in specialized dental disciplines is based. The PGY1 CORE course is Foundations of Oral Biology, which consists of the following modules:

• Professional Ethics
• Research Design and Data Analysis
• Microbiology and Immunology
• Gross Anatomy
• Histology and Pathobiology

The PGY2 CORE course is Advanced Biomedical Science in Dentistry, which consists of the following modules:

• Orofacial Pain
• Oral Medicine & Pathology
• Advanced Dental Therapeutics and Pharmacology
• Embryology and Genetics
• Behavioral and Social Science in Dentistry

These courses are taught in an interdisciplinary format to residents in RSDM’s Advanced Specialty Education programs in Endodontics, Orofacial Pain, Pediatric Dentistry, Periodontics, and Prosthodontics, as well as students in RSDM’s Masters programs. This didactic instruction occurs in a weekly two-hour seminar.

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.

Pediatric Dentistry Review

This is a one-hour weekly review of Pediatric Dentistry which utilizes multiple sources of current information in the field of Pediatric Dentistry. These sources include scientific articles published in peer reviewed journals, the AAPD Core Curriculum Reading List, the Handbook of Pediatric Dentistry, the AAPD Oral Health Policies and Recommendations, and the Dentistry for the Child and Adolescent textbook.

Management Of Special Needs Patients

Residents treat patients with special care needs in the Pediatric Dentistry Clinic or the RSDM Special Care Treatment Center. Comprehensive treatment is rendered with a variety of management techniques, including 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.

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.

Out-Patient Pediatrics

Residents are assigned for 2 weeks to the Department of Pediatrics of the Rutgers New Jersey Medical School. Under the direction of the Pediatric Attendings, the resident participates in an out-patient clinic in pediatrics. The resident is prepared to perform a routine physical examination on a child, and discuss general principles of medical care for acutely and chronically ill children.

In-Patient Pediatrics

Residents are assigned for 2 weeks to the Department of Pediatrics in The Children's Hospital of New Jersey. During the assignment, the resident participates as a hospital house staff in the General Pediatrics inpatient service to include rounds and generally function on a level similar to a fourth-year medical student.

Anesthesiology

Training in general anesthesia is provided by the Department of Anesthesiology of the Rutgers New Jersey Medical School and Newark Beth Israel Medical Center. The training involves a 2-week, full-time rotation at University Hospital and a 2-week, full-time rotation at The Children's Hospital of New Jersey. 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.

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.