Program in Pediatric Dentistry 
3302 Gaston Avenue
Room 210, Department of Pediatric Dentistry
Dallas, Texas 75246
Phone: (214) 828-8131
Fax: (214) 874-8456
Program Contact: Richard Lynn Mohundro, rlm2@tamu.edu 
Website: https://dentistry.tamu.edu/pediatric-dentistry/

Program Length and Number of Positions

This is a 24 month certificate program. At least 9 new positions are available each year.

Program Type

Combined University and Hospital

Application

All applicants must have a MATCH number and complete an application through PASS. Applicants must upload undergraduate, graduate and dental school transcripts.

The ADAT or GRE is NOT required for graduates of U.S. or Canadian CODA accredited dental schools.

International applicants: The ADAT or GRE IS required for graduates of foreign or non-CODA accredited dental schools. International applicants for whom English was not the primary language at their institution must submit TOEFL scores. Foreign degrees must be evaluated by a 3rd party service (i.e., WES)  prior to application and included with the PASS application.

Please see ADEA/PASS webpages for updated program information. There are supplemental questions to be completed in addition to the formal PASS application. Those questions are housed within that portal. There is NOT a supplemental application directly to the University

Description

The program in Pediatric Dentistry is designed to offer the advanced education student a curriculum balanced in didactic and clinical areas. Emphasis is placed on hospital dentistry, special needs patient care, sedation and interceptive orthodontics. Clinical training is provided in three hospital and one university-based clinics. Didactic training is university-based with support from hospital and special care facility personnel. An optional 36-month program is offered in which the candidate can pursue a M.S. degree in Oral Biology. Additionally candidates can elect to pursue a certificate in Public Health or a MPH.  The primary goal of the program is to develop a biologically oriented, technically capable and socially sensitive pediatric dentist capable of providing comprehensive care to all pediatric patients. Upon successful completion of all components of the program, the student receives a Certificate in Pediatric Dentistry and meets advanced education eligibility requirements of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry. It is anticipated that 2nd year residents will sit for the ABPD Qualifying Examination prior to graduation from the program.

Curriculum

A curriculum balanced in clinical and didactic material is offered by the program. Clinical instruction includes: training in advanced diagnosis and treatment planning, traumatic injuries, pharmacological and non-pharmacological behavior management, and interceptive orthodontics. Hospital and operating room protocol, oral rehabilitation and prevention are included in the clinical component. Clinical rotations include: assignments to the dental clinics at Children’s Medical Center, Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children, and Texas A &M College of Dentistry, as well as other hospital clinical rotations such as anesthesia, craniofacial team and pediatric medicine.

Didactic instruction consists of core curriculum courses and seminars in pediatric dentistry. The majority of core courses are assigned during the first year to provide a solid base for the pediatric specialty course and allow more time for clinical experience in the second year. All aspects of the specialty of pediatric dentistry are included in the didactic instruction. The didactic courses comprise approximately 20% of the program.

Teaching responsibilities, including technique classes and clinical instruction, are required by the program. A research project suitable for publication is required for the certificate while more complex research of publishable quality is required for the Master’s degree.

Program Stipend and Tuition

First and second-year stipend is $41,928.  In-state Tuition for first year is $7,969.23 and $7,772.20 for second year. Out-of-State Tution for first-year is $18,148.73 and $17,7744.20 for second year. All paid positions are eligible for either student insurance or employer-sponsored insurance.

Facilities

  • Texas A&M College of Dentistry, Department of Pediatric Dentistry
  • Children’s Medical Center
  • Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children
  • Community health/dental clinic

Admission Requirements

All applicants must have a MATCH number and complete an application through PASS. Applicants must upload undergraduate, graduate and dental school transcripts.

The ADAT or GRE is NOT required for graduates of U.S. or Canadian CODA accredited dental schools.

International applicants: The ADAT or GRE IS required for graduates of foreign or non-CODA accredited dental schools. International applicants for whom English was not the primary language at their institution must submit TOEFL scores. Foreign degrees must be evaluated by a 3rd party service (i.e., WES)  prior to application and included with the PASS application.

Please see ADEA/PASS webpages for updated program information. There are supplemental questions to be completed in addition to the formal PASS application. Those questions are housed within that portal. There is NOT a supplemental application directly to the University.

Applicants must have 4 letters of recommendation--one should be from a full-time pediatric dentistry faculty member. Must have passed NBDE parts I and II or the INBDE. Supplemental Code of Conduct questions in the PASS application must be completed. Must be eligible for state licensure. A 2x2 photo should be submitted.

Program Strengths

  • Strong hospital component
  • Excellent resources for didactic component of program
  • Vast and varied clinical experiences
  • Participation in organized dentistry

Compromised Care & Hospital Dentistry Fellowship (CCHD)

The Compromised Care & Hospital Dentistry Fellowship (CCHD) Program at TAMCOD sponsors two full-time fellows who serve for a period of 12 months, beginning July 1 of each year. Fellows are tasked with providing dental care at two local children’s hospitals and several community clinics. Fellows will provide comprehensive and emergency oral care to a wide range of patients with regard to dental complexity, medically, physically and mentally compromising conditions. These ‘special’ patients present a unique challenge to dentist and require interdisciplinary treatment in a health center or hospital environment. Extensive clinical, didactic and hospital opportunities for interdisciplinary interaction between the fellows and other health care providers will be made available on a weekly basis. This program is designed to provide the recent graduate an opportunity to become proficient in all areas of hospital dentistry. 

Our Dental Fellowship is open to graduates of CODA-accredited U.S. dental schools with US citizenship. Please contact the Program Director, Dan Burch DDS (dburch@tamu.edu), for a program description. 

Program Faculty

Alton G. McWhorter D.D.S., M.S., Professor/Chairman, Pediatric Dentistry*
Carolyn A. Kerins, D.D.S., Ph.D., Associate Professor/Graduate Program Director, Pediatric Dentistry*
Nina Ray, D.D.S., Assistant Clinical Professor, Pediatric Dentistry*
Lolo Wong, D.D.S., Assistant Clinical Professor, Pediatric Dentistry*
Dan Burch D.D.S., Assistant Professor, Pediatric Dentistry*
Steve Layton, D.D.S., M.S.D., Assistant Clinical Professor, Pediatric Dentistry*
Susan S. McGuire, D.D.S., Assistant Professor, Pediatric Dentistry*
Kavitha Viswanathan, B.D.S., M.S., Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Pediatric Dentistry (part-time)*
Kathleen Pace, D.D.S., Assistant Clinical Professor, Pediatric Dentistry *
Priyanka Kainthla, D.D.S., Assistant Clinical Professor, Pediatric Dentistry (part-time)*
Ko Yu Lin, D.D.S., M.S., Assistant Clinical Professor, Pediatric Dentistry (part-time)
Anil Reddy, D.D.S., Assistant Clinical Professor, Pediatric Dentistry (part-time)*
Silvia King, D.D.S., Assistant Clinical Professor, Pediatric Dentistry (part-time)*
Harold Simpson, D.D.S., M.S.D., Assistant Clinical Professor, Pediatric Dentistry (part-time)*
Monica Aron-Tanur, D.D.S., Assistant Clinical Professor, Pediatric Dentistry (part-time)
Robert Williamson, D.D.S., Assistant Clinical Professor, Pediatric Dentistry (part-time)*
Rupande Patel, D.D.S., Assistant Clinical Professor, Pediatric Dentistry (part-time)
Erin S. Hinze, D.D.S., M.S. Assistant Clinical Professor, Pediatric Dentistry (part-time)*
Nilly Borovoy D.D.S., Assistant Clinical Professor, Pediatric Dentistry (part-time)
Andy Harris D.D.S., Assistant Clinical Professor, Pediatric Dentistry (part-time)*
Martha Alvarez D.D.S., Assistant Clinical Professor, Pediatric Dentistry (part-time)*
Mike Plunk D.D.S., M.S.D., Assistant Clinical Professor, Pediatric Dentistry (part-time)*
Mark Kogut D.D.S., M.S.D., Assistant Clinical Professor, Pediatric Dentistry (part-time)*
Kelly Ettlebrick, D.D.S., M.S., Assistant Clinical Professor, Pediatric Dentistry (part-time)*
Anna Seo, D.D.S., M.S.C., Assistant Clinical Professor, Pediatric Dentistry (part-time)*
Karina Marr, D.D.S., Assistant Clinical Professor, Pediatric Dentistry (part-time)*
Jen Deck, D.D.S., Assistant Clinical Professor, Pediatric Dentistry (part-time)*

* Board-Certified

School Profile

 

Program Type: Combined
Program Director: Full-Time
Board Certified
Program Faculty: 8 Full-Time
19 Part-Time
24 Board Certified
Program Length: 24 Months
June 21, 2021 Start Date
Program Accreditation: Approved
State Licensure Required to Begin Program: No
Number of Entering Positions: 9
Tuition In-State: 7,969.23 First-Year
7,772.20 Second-Year
Tuition Out-Of-State: 18,148.73 First-Year
17,7744.20 Second-Year
Salary/Stipend: 41,928 First-Year 
41,928 Second-Year
Application: $0, 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
Acceptance Applicant Ratio: 22:1
Clinic Experience: Orthodontics
Conscious Sedation
Hospital Rotations
General Anesthesia
Emergency Call
Operating Room
Oral Surgery
Infant Oral Health
Medically Compromised
Mentally Disabled
Craniofacial Disorders
Physically Disabled
Community Clinics
Outreach
Public Health
Minimal and Moderate Sedations
Special HealthCare Needs
Behavior Guidance
Didactic Experience: Courses
Case Conferences
Lectures
Literature Review
Seminars
Research Requirement: Data Collection Project
Teaching Experience: 1-2 clinic half-days depending on rotaions
Facilities: 17 Chair/Operatories
6 Clinic Receptionist
11 Dental Assistants
6 Dental Hygienists