Virginia Commonwealth University (VA)

Advanced Education Program in Pediatric Dentistry
VCU School of Dentistry
Department of Pediatric Dentistry
521 North 11th Street
Richmond, VA 23298-0566
Phone: (804) 828-1790
Fax: (804) 827-0163
E-mail: pedsdent@vcu.edu
Web Address: http://www.dentistry.vcu.edu

Profile
Fellowship

Program Length and Number of Positions

This is a 24-month program commencing on July 1 of each year. Four new positions are available each year.

Program Type

The program is university based with hospital affiliations. A certificate and a Master of Science in Dentistry is awarded at the conclusion of the program. The certificate and the Master’s degree must be awarded concurrently.

Application

The application deadline is October 1 of the year preceding matriculation. The program participates in the PASS and National Matching Service programs.

Description

The Advanced Education Program in Pediatric Dentistry offers the student a comprehensive 24-month course of study in clinical and didactic pediatric dentistry and is designed to meet the educational requirements for limitation of practice to pediatric dentistry and examination by the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry. Emphasis is placed on all phases of pediatric dentistry and at the end of the program the student will be able to provide comprehensive oral health care for the well child, the medically compromised child and the child with special health care needs. Extensive experience is provided in the areas of sedation, analgesia and the use of general anesthesia to deliver dental treatment. Research experience is gained through completion of an individual research project and a master’s thesis.

Curriculum

Seminars held that cover topic relevant to pediatric dentistry and includes literature review and case presentations. Formal courses are presented in research design, pediatric advanced life support, and basic sciences. The residents also participate in undergraduate teaching and supervision.
Off service rotations occur in general anesthesia, pediatric medicine, pediatric emergency room and craniofacial clinic.

Program Stipend and Tuition

First year stipend: $22,000. Second year stipend: $24,000. No tuition is charged.

Facilities

The Pediatric Dental Clinic is located on the third floor of the Wood Building of the School of Dentistry. It is a modern 14 chair clinic which includes three suites equipped for deep sedation/general anesthesia, central nitrous oxide, a seminar room and computer/audio visual support. Residents are provided with desk and filing space. The Pediatric Dentistry Academic Offices are conveniently located across the hall from the clinic. The Ambulatory Surgical Center of VCU Medical Center had operating rooms utilized for outpatient dental treatment.

Admission Requirements

Applicants must meet the following criteria to be considered for admission:
• D.D.S. or D.M.D. from an ADA-accredited dental school
• Successful completion of Part I of the National Dental Board at the time of application and successful completion of Part II by the time of matriculation.
• Minimum grade point average of 3.0 on 4.0 scale
• Ranking in the top 50% of the class
• Dental education transcripts
• Participation in PASS And MATCH
• Personal Interview
• Applicants with less than a 3.0 GPA will be considered if they have significant clinical experience
• An externship in Pediatric Dentistry while attending dental school of at least a week in duration is highly encouraged

Program Strengths

• Diverse and balanced educational program in pediatric dentistry with dedicated and experienced dental faculty support
• Extensive experience in sedation/general anesthesia
• Operating room experience
• Cooperative relationships with other departments in the hospital and dental school
• Facilitated research experience
• Clinic is managed similar to a private practice

Program Faculty

Full time:
Tegwyn Brickhouse, DDS, PhD, Interim Chair, Associate Professor*
John H. Unkel, DDS, MD, MPA, Program Director, Associate Professor*
William P. Piscitelli, DDS, Assistant Professor
Elizabeth J. Berry, DDS, MSD, MPH, Assistant Professor
Alex M. Kordis, DDS, Assistant Professor*

Part time:
Randy Adams, DDS*
Carl Atkins, DDS*
Mitch Avent, DDS*
Kathryn Beiry, DDS
Townsend Brown, DDS*
Jackie Carney, DDS*
David Chapman, DDS
Thomas Cox, DDS*
Randy Eberly, DDS
Frank Farrington, DDS, Professor Emeritus
Christopher Hamlin, DDS*
Heidi Herbst-Mitnick, DDS
Mark Huie, DDS
Robert Kendig, DDS
Nick Lambardozzi, DDS*
Chris Maestrello, DDS*
Stephen Paulette, DDS
Herbert “Mick” Pope, DDS
Mark Sorin, DDS*
Paul Vitsky, DDS*
*Board Certified

School Profile

Program Type:	University-based Degree Certificate
Program Director:	Full-Time Board Certified
Program Faculty:	5 Full-Time 23 Part-Time 14 Board Certified
Program Length:	24 Total Months July 1 Start Date
Program Accreditation:	Approved
State Licensure:	Required
No. of entering positions:	4
Salary/Stipend:	$22,000 First Year $24,000 Second Year
Application:	$0 Fee 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:	No
Non-US citizens from foreign dental schools considered:	No
Acceptance/Applicant Ratio:	1:25
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:	Thesis Data Collection Project
Teaching Experience:	1/2 Clinic Half-Days 2 Lecture/Presentations
Facilities:	14 Chair/Operatories 3 Clinic Receptionist 5 Dental Assistants 0 Dental Hygienists

Fellowship