University at Buffalo

Advanced Education Program in Pediatric Dentistry
University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine
Women & Children's Hospital of Buffalo
114 Squire Hall
Buffalo, NY 14214-8006
Phone: (716) 829-3717
Fax: (716) 829-3895
E-mail: bernat@buffalo.edu

Profile
Fellowship

Program Length and Number of Positions

This is a 24-month program beginning July 1 of each year. Five new positions are offered each year.

Program Type

Hospital-based certificate program with a Master of Science in Oral Science degree as an elective. Degree candidates may require more than two years to complete research and thesis requirements.

Application

The program participates in both the National Matching program and in PASS. Correspondence regarding application and admissions procedures should be addressed to:

Joseph E. Bernat, D.D.S., M.S., University at Buffalo, State University of New York, School of Dental Medicine, 114 Squire Hall, Buffalo, NY 14214-8006; bernat@buffalo.edu.

Description

The Pediatric and Community Dentistry Department has been serving the children of Western New York since 1917. Our faculty and staff employ the most up-to-date and comprehensive treatment techniques and materials to ensure excellent dental care for children at our five locations throughout Western New York.

Each year over 60,000 patients visit us for hygiene instruction, sealants, cleanings and comprehensive dental care. Our patient population is large and diverse with many medically and physically compromised children.

Curriculum

The Pediatric Dentistry Specialty Training Program is a hospital-based, 24-month certificate program fully accredited by the ADA Commission on Dental Accreditation and is located at the Women and Children’s Hospital of Buffalo. Our goal is to train the student to become proficient in all phases of pediatric dentistry including case analysis, child growth and development, diagnosis and treatment of the developing dentition, pharmacological and non-pharmacological behavior management techniques, treatment of children under general anesthesia, the management of the compromised child, advanced restorative techniques and the management of trauma. Off-service rotations in anesthesia, medicine, emergency medicine and special care are included in the program.

The opportunity for continued study and work in the area of dentistry for children is unlimited. The curriculum is organized to provide experience in all phases of clinical care, plus research experience. Women and Children’s Hospital has a dental clinic with 18 chairs. It is an active training area for junior and senior dental students who rotate through the hospital as part of their pediatric dentistry assignment. The residents do a limited amount of teaching in a supervised teaching program, but the major part of their time is directed toward treatment of both in and outpatients referred by other departments of the hospital and by outside physicians, dentists and social agencies.

The program is sponsored by the State University of New York at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine whose campus is located approximately five miles from the hospital.

Program Stipend and Tuition

First-year stipend is $42,500. Second-year stipend is $43,000. Tuition is approximately $31,500 for in-state students and $36,800
for out-of-state students in the M.S. program. There is no tuition for certificate students. Health insurance coverage is provided for residents and their families.

Facilities

• University of Buffalo School of Dental Medicine
• Women and Children’s Hospital of Buffalo
• Mercy Hospital
• University Pediatric Dentistry
• Mobile Dental Van

Admission Requirements

Applicants must fulfill the following requirements to be considered for admission:

• D.D.S. or D.M.D. from an ADA-accredited dental school
• Must be eligible for temporary license in New York State
• Dental education transcripts
• Three letters of recommendation
• Personal interview

Program Strengths

• Diverse patient pool with many medically and physically compromised patients
• Large amount of time devoted to patient management and sedation techniques
• One day per week devoted to orthodontic diagnosis and treatment
• All faculty hold dual appointments at the School of Dental Medicine and The Women
  and Children’s Hospital
• Large medical library
• Excellent working relationships with pediatric, surgical and obstetrical departments

Program Faculty

Robert Alexander, D.D.S., Clinical Assistant Professor (part-time)
Joseph E. Bernat, D.D.S., M.S., Clinical Associate Professor, Postdoctoral Program Director
Victor Bochacki, D.M.D., Clinical Assistant Professor (part-time)
Kelly R. Burke, D.D.S., Clinical Instructor (part-time)
Margaret Certo, D.D.S., Clinical Assistant Professor
Meelin ChinKit-Wells, D.D.S., Clinical Assistant Professor*
Paul Creighton, D.D.S., Clinical Associate Professor
Joan M. Doris, D.S.W., Assistant Professor
Mary Beth Dunn, D.D.S., Clinical Instructor (part-time)*
Denise Halter, D.M.D., Clinical Instructor
Christopher Heard, M.D., FRCA, Clinical Associate Professor (part-time)
Elias J. Kaufman, D.M.D., Associate Professor*
Suketu N. Patel, D.D.S., Clinical Assistant Professor*
Lisa Mruz, D.D.S., Clinical Assistant Professor (part-time)*
Marti Peterson, D.D.S., Clinical Assistant Professor
Michael Phillips, D.D.S., Clinical Instructor (part-time)
Mark Trautman, D.D.S., Clinical Instructor (part-time)

*Board certified

School Profile

Program Type:	Hospital-based Certificate
Program Director:	Full-Time
Program Faculty:	9 Full-Time 8 Part-Time 5 Board Certified
Program Length:	24 Total Months July 1 Start Date
Program Accreditation:	Approved
State Licensure:	Required Restricted License Available
No. of entering positions:	5
Tuition in-state:	$31,500 First Year $31,500 Second Year
Tuition out-of-state:	$36,800 First Year $36,800 Second Year
Salary/Stipend:	$42,500 First Year $43,000 Second Year
Application:	October 1 Deadline
Participant in National Matching Service:	Yes
Participant in PASS:	Yes
Only US citizens from ADA accredited dental schools considered:	Yes
US citizens from foreign dental schools considered:	No
Non-US citizens from ADA accredited dental schools considered:	Yes
Non-US citizens from foreign dental schools considered:	No
Acceptance/Applicant Ratio:	1:15
Clinic Experience:	Orthodontics Conscious Sedation Hospital Rotations Anesthesia Emergency Call Operating Room Oral Surgery Infant Oral Health Medically Compromised Mentally Disabled Craniofacial Disorders Physically Disabled
Didactic Experience:	Seminars Literature Review Courses Case Conferences
Research Requirement:	Case Report
Teaching Experience:	Yes Clinic Half-Days Yes Lecture/Presentations
Facilities:	44 Chair/Operatories 8 Clinic Receptionist 14 Dental Assistants 10 Dental Hygienists

Fellowship