Post Graduate Program in Pediatric Dentistry

Two Year Certificate Program (Masters program optional): Accepting four residents per year
Accreditation Status: Full accreditation without reporting requirements (10/2007)
Patient Visits: Approximately 6700 patient visits per year
Clinical Operation: The UNMC Postgraduate Pediatric Dental Clinic operates on average 1880 hours each year, the equivalent of 236 days. Correcting the calendar year for week-ends and holidays, the clinic operates on approximately 94% of the available working weeks each year while the remaining 6% of the time is devoted to didactic work and other service related activities that have been specifically placed into the clinic schedule.

Photo: Pediatric Clinic and Residents

History
The University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Dentistry has played a major role in the development of Pediatric Dentistry as a specialty in the United States and in Pediatric Dentistry education. Prior to the 1930's, little emphasis was placed on dentistry for children. During the 1930's and 1940's, three dentists known as the “Three Musketeers of Pedodontics” traveled around the country promoting children’s dentistry. These three, Drs. John Brauer, Kenneth Eastlick, and Ralph Ireland are generally recognized as the Founders of American Pediatric Dentistry. In fact, these three men were the first three Presidents of the American Academy of Pedodontics (Pediatric Dentistry). Dr. Brauer left the Nebraska faculty to ultimately become Dean of the University of Southern California School of Dentistry and then founder and the first Dean of the University of North Carolina College of Dentistry. Dr. Ireland was the first Chairman of Pedodontics and then later became Dean at the University of Nebraska College of Dentistry.

The University of Nebraska College of Dentistry Department of Pedodontics (Pediatric Dentistry) was founded in 1940. The graduate program leading to a certificate in Pedodontics and a Master’s of Science degree was initiated in 1947, making it one of the first Pediatric Dentistry Post-Doctoral Programs in the nation. From 1968 to 1984 there were two University of Nebraska Post-Doctoral Pediatric Dentistry Programs. One, a graduate college/certificate program located at the College of Dentistry in Lincoln, and the other, a residency/certificate program located at the Medical Center in Omaha. In 1984, the two programs were combined into one program with students spending time in both Lincoln and Omaha.

The Pediatric Dentistry Post-Doctoral Program eventually became based in Omaha in the Munroe-Meyer Institute at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, with the residents periodically spending time at the College of Dentistry in Lincoln participating in patient care and teaching. In 2006, the Pediatric Postgraduate Dentistry and Adult Dentistry (GPR) resident programs merged to become the Department of Hospital Dentistry. In the 58 years of the program, nearly 200 pediatric dentists have graduated and have practiced in 38 states and 5 other countries.

Purpose
The purpose of the Postgraduate Program in Pediatric Dentistry at the University of Nebraska Medical Center is to train residents in accordance with the Accreditation Standards for Advanced Specialty Education Programs in Pediatric Dentistry, Commission on Dental Accreditation, American Dental Association which emphasize knowledge that residents must possess from structured didactic instructions, seminars, tutorial and laboratory exercises based on and delivered through clearly stated course and instructional objectives; skills they must acquire in their chosen specialties as an attestation to their clinical competence to diagnose, treat and manage patients with oral and dental diseases; and attitude which must cultivate and sustain in order to usefully, apply their knowledge and skills for the improvement of the oral and dental health of their patients.

Goals of the Program

1. To train residents who possess the knowledge and skills required to provide primary and comprehensive oral health care for infants and children through adolescence, including those with special health care needs.

Obj 1a. To provide the resident with an in-depth background in the basic sciences as they relate to the clinical practice of pediatric dentistry.

Obj 1b. To provide the resident with a sufficient number of diagnostic and clinical experiences which will result in proficiency in the practice of pediatric dentistry.

Obj 1c. To provide the resident, with the opportunity to present and discuss their clinical cases with the pediatric dentistry faculty.

2. To train residents who possess the knowledge and skills required to critically evaluate and apply current technological developments and research into their clinical practice.

Obj 2a. To train the residents in the basic principles of research methodology, biostatistics and data analysis, in order to ensure that students complete a research project.

Obj 2b. To provide the residents with the opportunity to read and critique scientific literature.

Obj 2c. To provide the residents with opportunities to work with and evaluate new instruments and techniques.

Obj 2d. To provide the residents with opportunities for continuing education and professional development after graduation.

3. To train residents to be ethical, sensitive and compassionate pediatric dentists who have successful careers in clinical practice, research and/or education.

Obj 3a. To prepare all residents so that they may obtain practice, teaching and/or administrative positions associated with the discipline of pediatric dentistry.

Obj 3b. To provide the residents with information pertaining to pursuing a career in clinical practice, research, and education.

Obj 3c To provide the residents with knowledge in patient and practice management.

Obj 3d. To provide the residents with an opportunity to conduct research.

Obj 3e To provide the residents with the training necessary to teach pediatric dentistry to dentists and dental students of all levels.

4. To prepare postdoctoral pediatric dentistry residents for any certification or examinations to practice pediatric dentistry.

Obj 4a. To provide the resident with the knowledge and skills to successfully complete the certification or examination process.

Obj 4b. To provide the resident with the incentive and support to successfully complete certification or examination process.

Obj 4c. To provide residents with the opportunity to take all required certifications or examinations.

5. To train residents as pediatric dentists who assume leadership roles in their communities.

Obj 5a. To provide the residents with opportunities to interact with professionals and institutions in the community.

Obj 5b. To provide the residents with opportunity to participate in community outreach programs, including the implementation of patient awareness and prevention programs.

For additional information about the UNMC Postgraduate Pediatric Residency program please follow the links to the College of Dentistry’s Postgraduate programs or contact the Hospital Dentistry Department Office at (402) 559-7954.

Last updated: June 23, 2009 1:08 PM