University of Alabama

Postgraduate Program in Pediatric Dentistry
Department of Community & Public Health Dentistry
University of Alabama School of Dentistry
UAB Station
Birmingham, AL 35294
Phone: (205) 934-7016

Profile
Fellowship

Program Length and Number of Positions

This is a twenty-four month program with optional third year to receive a Master's degree commencing July 1 of each year. Four or five new positions are offered each year.

Program Type

The program is both university and hospital based.

Application

The University of Alabama School of Dentistry participates in the Postdoctoral Dental Matching Program, and applicants must apply to this service. The application deadline is October 15 of the year preceding matriculation. Correspondence regarding application and admission procedures should be addressed to:
Office of Postdoctoral Education
University of Alabama at Birmingham
School of Dentistry
UAB Station
Birmingham, AL 35294

Description

The program in pediatric dentistry prepares professionals to pursue a career in either of the following areas: (1) community practice, (2) a full-time career in academics, or (3) combination of both. Five separate tracts are available:

Certificate: This program is directed toward individuals interested in pursuing clinical training and is geared toward preparing students to obtain pediatric dentistry board certification. This 24-month program provides mastering of objectives in undertaking comprehensive oral health care for children, adolescents, and patients with special medical or dental problems.


Certificate/Rural Dental Tract: This program is identical to the certificate tract except that a majority of the clinical experience is received in dental facilities in rural Alabama. Applicants accepted to this tract will travel and stay outside of Birmingham at the rural dental facility during parts of the workweek. Applicants must have an Alabama dental license prior to starting the program and at least one year of dental experience after graduation from dental school (GPR, AGD, private practice, etc.). Funds are available to compensate for travel as well as potential for a higher stipend exist. Information concerning this tract is available from Dr. John Thornton, program director, at (205) 934-1140. (U.S. citizens only)


Certificate/Degree Tract: This program is designed for individuals who seek leadership roles in pediatric dentistry or academia. It is a 36-month program leading to both a certificate in Pediatric Dentistry and a Masters degree in either Clinical Dentistry or Oral Biology. A Master’s research project and thesis are required in addition to the clinical training received in the standard certificate tract.


Pediatric Dentistry and Cariology Training Tract: This program is directed toward persons interested in an academic career in Pediatric Dentistry and Caries Research. This is a 48-month program resulting in a certificate in Pediatric Dentistry and a Master’s degree in Oral Biology. An advanced Master’s research project and thesis are required in addition to the clinical training received in the standard certificate tract. This traineeship is supported by the National Caries Program of the NIDR and receives a substantial stipend and tuition support. (U.S. citizens only)

Dentist Scientist Program: This 5+ year tract combines clinical training with basic science research and culminates in a Ph.D. Yearly stipend support in excess of $40,000 is available on a competitive basis. Specifics of this program are available on request. (U.S. citizens only)

Curriculum

All required clinical and didactic objectives of an accredited program are available including rotation in pediatric anesthesia at Children's Hospital of Alabama. Emphasis is placed on (1) comprehensive care for children and adolescents including special and medically compromised patients, (2) preventive dentistry, and (3) malocclusion management.

Program Stipend and Tuition

Certificate Tract: Stipends are available to U.S. citizens depending on availability of funds and range from $17,500 - $23,000 per year. Tuition is approximately $4,000 per year. Additional funds may be available for graduate assistant teaching positions for second and optional third year students. Non U.S. citizens are also eligible for these assistant teaching positions if funds are available.
Other Tracts: Details of stipend support for other tracts are available on request.

Facilities

1. University of Alabama School of Dentistry
2. The Sparks Center for Developmental and Learning Disorders
3. Children's Hospital of Alabama

Admission Requirements

Applications are required by October 15, which contain the following:
1. Completed application form
2. Transcripts of dental and predental education
3. National Board or GRE scores
4. Professional experiences
5. TOEFL score and evidence of financial support (Foreign applicants only).

Program Strengths

1. Complete curriculum with broad base of clinical experiences
2. Extensive and diversified patient population
3. Research opportunities with experienced scientists
4. Flexible options for academic development.

Program Faculty

Full Time
* Janice G. Jackson, DMD, FADI, Associate Professor and Program Director
* Noel K. Childers, DDS, MS, PhD, Professor
Stephen C. Mitchell, DMD, Associate Professor
John B. Thornton, DMD, MA, Professor

Part Time
Sue Nimer, DMD, MS, PhD, Assistant Professor
*Sory "Chuck" Shannon, DMD
David Merritt, DDS, MS
H. Patrick Stanley, DMD
* John J. Flowers, DMD
Gerald S. Samson, DDS
Eric Lowenhaupt, DDS
* Jerry Parker, DMD
Richard Simpson, DMD
Dean Brandon, DMD
Micheal Keller, DMD
Kimberly Carr, DMD, MS
Donald T. Norby, DMD

* Board Certified

School Profile

Program Type:	Hospital-based University-based Degree Certificate
Program Director:	Full-Time
Program Faculty:	4 Full-Time 14 Part-Time 6 Board Certified
Program Length:	24 Total Months July 1 Start Date
Program Accreditation:	Approved
State Licensure:	Restricted License Available
No. of entering positions:	4-5
Tuition in-state:	$4,000 First Year $4,000 Second Year $4,000 Third Year
Salary/Stipend:	$17,000 First Year $18,000-23,000 Second Year $Varies Third Year
Application:	$20 Fee October 15 Deadline
Participant in National Matching Service:	Yes
Participant in PASS:	Yes
Only US citizens from ADA accredited dental schools considered:	N/A
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
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 Clinic Half-Days 3 Lecture/Presentations
Facilities:	14 Chair/Operatories 3 Clinic Receptionist 7 Dental Assistants 3 Dental Hygienists

Fellowship