Advanced Education Program in Pediatric Dentistry 
Department of Pediatric Dentistry, College of Dental Medicine
Augusta University, The Dental College of Georgia
1430 John Wesley Gilbert Drive
Augusta, Georgia 30912-7190
Phone: (706) 721-2716
Fax: (706) 721-1893
Program Director: Dr. Michael Milano
Email: mmilano@augusta.edu

Program Length and Number of Positions

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

Program Type

University-based certificate program with option for a Master of Science in Oral Biology or Doctor of Philosophy in a basic science.

Application

The application deadline is September 15 of the year preceding matriculation. Correspondence regarding application and admission procedures should be addressed to:

Dr. Michael Milano, Director, Graduate Program in Pediatric Dentistry, Augusta University, The Dental College of Georgia, Augusta, GA 30912-1210. 

Description

The Advanced Education Program in Pediatric Dentistry is based at Augusta University, The Dental College of Georgia. A substantial portion of clinical care is provided in hospital settings. Approximately 2,500 hours of each resident's program is devoted to patient care in the Augusta University Pediatric Dentistry Clinic. The program is fully accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation, upon completion, the resident receives a Certificate in Pediatric Dentistry and meets the advanced education eligibility requirements of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry.

Curriculum

Approximately 1,000 hours are spent in formal course work or hospital rotations. The curriculum involves in-depth investigation and inquiry into the topics critical to pediatric dentistry. Twenty-five pediatric dentistry courses, as well as clinical and basic science core courses, are taken by the pediatric dentistry resident. Hospital rotation experiences include: anesthesiology, pediatrics, and hemophilia. Residents devote 10 percent of their time to a clinical or laboratory research project. During the second year of the program, residents participate in 200 hours (1 half-day per week) of undergraduate clinical teaching and supervision.

Program Stipend and Tuition

First-year stipend is approximately $49,985. Second-year stipend is approximately $51,494. No tuition is charged. All equipment, instruments and supplies are provided by the program. Professional liability and health insurance are provided. Residents receive 12 days of vacation, 12 days of sick/medical leave, 5 days of educational leave and 10 days of professional leave for continuing education each year. Additional benefits include registration and travel for continuing education courses (which may include the AAPD course "Comprehensive Review of Pediatric Dentistry") and the AAPD annual session, registration for the ABPD qualifying examination and registration for Pediatric Advanced Life Support..

Facilities

  • Augusta University, Department of Pediatric Dentistry 
  • Augusta University Children's Hospital of Georgia
  • Augusta University Ambulatory Surgical Center

Admission Requirements

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

  • D.D.S. or D.M.D. 
  • Dental and pre-professional education transcripts 
  • Four letters of recommendation (one from dean of dental school)
  • Personal interview 
  • Letter describing interest in pediatric dentistry 
  • National Board Dental Examination results 

Program Strengths

  • Extensive clinical experiences in varied clinical settings, including the operating room, with the opportunity to provide care to children with special needs
  • Strong didactic background
  • Option for pursuing Master of Science degree in accordance with academic career objectives of candidate 

Program Faculty

Bruce Riggs, D.M.D., M.P.H., * Associate Professor/Director, Pre-doctoral Program
Carole Hanes, D.M.D.,* Professor/Associate Dean for Students, Admission and Alumni
Roy Rockman, D.D.S.,* Assistant Professor
Tara Schafer, D.M.D., M.S.,* Professor/Chair
Cynthia Hipp, D.M.D., * Associate Professor
Michael Milano, D.M.D., * Associate Professor/Director, Advanced Education Program
Steven Adair D.D.S., * Emeritus Professor (part time)
John Ambrose D.M.D., Clinical Instructor (part time)
Shelley Berganske, D.M.D., * Clinical Assistant Professor (part time)
Jovas Booker, D.M.D., * Clinical Instructor (part time)
Emily Bradley, D.M.D.*, Clinical Assistant Professor (part time)
Jonathan Drawdy, D.D.S., Clinical Instructor (part time)
Ron Fields, D.M.D., Clinical Assistant Professor (part time)
Lacy Garrett, D.D.S. *, Clinical Instructor (part time)
George MacMaster D.M.D.*, Clinical Assistant Professor (part time)
Aksana Marshall, D.M.D., * Clinical Assistant Professor (part time)
Michael Minyard, D.M.D., Clinical Instructor (part time)
June Murakaru-McCollum, D.M.D.*, Clinical Instructor (part time)
Christopher Parker, D.D.S., * Clinical Instructor (part time) 
Leigh Ann Patel, D.M.D.*, Clinical Assistant Professor (part time)
Brandon Pennington, D.M.D., * Clinical Instructor (part time)
Ben Popple, D.M.D.*, Clinical Assistant Professor (part time)
Tisha Ross D.D.S., Clinical Assistant Professor (part time)
Ken Sellers, D.M.D., * Clinical Assistant Professor (part time)
Andrew Shoemaker, D.M.D.*, Clinical Assistant Professor (part time)
Stephanie Silva, D.M.D., * Clinical Instructor (part time)
Jennifer Turner D.M.D.*, Clinical Assistant Professor (part time)

*Board certified 

School Profile

 

Program Type: University-based
Certificate
Program Director: Full-Time
Program Faculty: 5 Full-Time
22 Part-Time
21 Board Certified
Program Length: 24 Total Months
July 1 Start Date
Program Accreditation: Approved
State Licensure: Required
Number of Entering Positions: 4
Tuition In-State: No tuition is charged
Tuition Out-Of-State: No tuition is charged
Salary/Stipend: 49,985 First Year
51,494 Second Year
Application: September 15 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
General Anesthesia
Emergency Call
Operating Room
Oral Surgery
Infant Oral Health
Medically Compromised
Mentally Disabled
Craniofacial Disorders
Physically Disabled
Didactic Experience: Seminars
Case Conferences
Research Requirement: Data Collection Project
Teaching Experience: 1 Clinic Half-Days
Yes Lecture/Presentations
Facilities: 7 Chairs/Operatories
2 Clinic Receptionists
5 Dental Assistants
0 Dental Hygienists