Pediatric Dentistry Residency Program
Children's Healthcare of Atlanta
Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics
Center for Cleft and Craniofacial Disorders
5461 Meridian Mark Rd., Suite 200
Atlanta, GA 30342
Phone (404) 785-3687
Fax (404)785-5892
Email: peddentalresidency@choa.org
Web: https://www.choa.org/medical-services/child-dentistry-orthodontics

Program Length and Number of Positions

This is a 24-month certificate program. Two positions are available each year.

Program Type

Hospital-based certificate program

Application

Applications are to be submitted via ADEA PASS. The deadline for the class to start on July 1, 2024, will be October 15, 2023. The National Matching Services Dental MATCH system will be used.

Description

Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta (Children’s) is a leader in pediatric care in the Southeast. For more than 100 years, they have played an essential role in making kids better today and healthier tomorrow.

Children’s has 673 licensed beds, three hospitals, Marcus Autism Center, Center for Advanced Pediatrics, with eight urgent care centers. It employs more than 11,500 employees, with access to more than 2,600 pediatric physicians representing more than 60 pediatric specialties and programs.

Children’s has a primary academic partnership with Emory University School of Medicine. In 2022, Emory’s Department of Pediatrics ranked number one in National Institutes of Health funding awarded to pediatric departments. This accomplishment reflects the more than 1,500 active studies being conducted, 1,700 submitted publications, and 97 million dollars awarded for research grants.

This pediatric dental residency provides a vast clinical experience in the treatment of infants, children, and individuals with special healthcare needs. The diverse patient population includes healthy individuals and those with medically complex conditions such as cardiac, hematological/oncology, craniofacial, transplant, and neurologic conditions. The didactic seminar series and core curriculum courses are prepared by board certified dental and medical specialists with a diverse background and knowledge base. These seminars will also have guest presenters locally from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention; Emory University: School of Medicine, Rollins School of Public Health, Gouzetta School of Business; Georgia State University Center for Health Policy; and Georgia Institute of Technology as well as clinicians in private practice and public health settings. Medical rotations provide a full immersion into the specific discipline. We strive to graduate each resident to be competent and compassionate for the patients they treat and the profession they will lead. The large metropolitan area of Atlanta brings a broad patient population and provides a unique learning opportunity to treat rare pathologies and genetic conditions.

Curriculum

The didactic component is based on clinical practice guidelines, best practices, and oral health policies from the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry’s Reference Manual. The curriculum also covers the subject domains used for the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry certification examinations. Seminars are conducted every week of the two-year residency and some core curriculum courses are taken with some pediatric residents and fellows. Behavior guidance techniques (non-pharmacologic and pharmacologic methods) are covered through a seminar series and clinical setting. Craniofacial growth principles and orthodontic courses are taught by board certified orthodontists and pediatric dentists. Resident rotations are composed of anesthesiology, pediatric medicine, and emergency medicine. Each resident must complete an original research project that is of publishable quality.

Facilities

The residency will be based at the Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta three main campuses: Scottish Rite, Egleston, and Outpatient Surgery Center at Satellite Boulevard. The pediatric dentistry/orthodontics clinic is on the Scottish Rite campus and co-located with Center for Cleft and Craniofacial Disorders - one of the busiest craniofacial centers in the United States.

Admission Requirements

All applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Graduate from a United States or Canadian dental school
• Complete an application
• Curriculum vitae
• Participate in an interview

Program Strengths

• Dedicated and experienced faculty
• Innovative Healthcare system
• Large diverse patient population
• Collaborative teamwork with medical disciplines
• Exceptional research opportunity

Program Faculty

JC Shirley, D.M.D., M.S.,M.Sc., Division Chief, Dentistry* (FT)
Brittany Waters, D.M.D., Program Director* (FT)
Karen Uston, D.D.S., M.S., Associate Program Director* (FT)
Jack Thomas, D.D.S., Pediatric dentist* (FT)
Michael Minyard, D.M.D., M.P.H., Pediatric dentist* (FT)
Richard Byrd, D.D.S., Craniofacial orthodontist (FT)
Nikky Shotwell, D.M.D., Pediatric dentist* (PT)
Mitali Patel, D.D.S., Pediatric dentist* (PT)
Adesegun Tewogbade, D.M.D ., Pediatric dentist* (PT)
Alpesh Patel, D.M.D.,M.S., Orthodontist* (PT)
Rob Crawford D.M.D., M.S., Orthodontist*(PT)
Patricia Mullins, MD, Pediatrics *
Deborah Andresen MD, Pediatrics*
Bruce Miller, MD, Pediatric Anesthesiology*
Joseph Williams, MD, Director, Center for Cleft and Craniofacial Disorders, Craniofacial / Plastic surgery*
Colin Brady, MD, Craniofacial / Plastic surgery*
Magdalena Soldanksa MD, Craniofacial / Plastic surgery *

Board certified *
Full-time (FT)

School Profile

 

Program Type:	Hospital-based, certificate, full time
Program Director:	Board certified
Program Faculty:	5 Full-Time 5 Part-Time 10 Board Certified
Program Length:	24 Total Months
Program Accreditation:	Initial Accreditation
Number of Entering Positions Available:	2
Tuition In-State:	N/A
Tuition Out-Of-State:	N/A
Salary/Stipend:	$63,971 First Year $67,687 Second Year
Application:	Applications are to be submitted via ADEA PASS. The deadline for the class to start on July 1, 2024, will be October 15, 2023. The National Matching Services Dental MATCH system will be used.
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
Clinic Experience:	Orthodontics Hospital Rotations General Anesthesia Emergency Call Operating Room Oral Surgery Medically Compromised Craniofacial Disorders Outreach Minimal and Moderate Sedations Special HealthCare Needs Behavior Guidance
Didactic Experience:	Courses Lectures Literature Review Seminars
Other Didactic Experience Description, if Applicable:	Pediatric Grand Rounds
Teaching Experience:	Case Presentations Medical Students/Residents During Rotations Interdisciplinary Session with Other Health Professionals Infant Oral Health Conference Presentations
Facilities:	11 Dental Chair/Operatories 5 Hygienists 10 Dental Assistants