Advanced Education Program in Pediatric Dentistry 
Children's Hospital of Michigan
3901 Beaubien Boulevard
Detroit, Michigan 48201
Email: kponicht@dmc.org

Program Length and Number of Positions

This is a 24 month program beginning July 1 of each year. There are 4 new positions offered each year

Program Type

Hospital-based certificate program.

Application

There are typically four PGY-1 residency positions to be filled annually and approximately 15-20 candidates are interviewed for these positions. Interviews are by invitation only and take place in early November. Applications are accepted only through the American Dental Education Association's Postdoctoral Application Support Service (ADEA PASS) until September 15 for a start date of July 1st of the following year and must include:

  •  3 letters of recommendation (2 from pediatric faculty / 1 non-pediatric faculty)
  •  2”x 2” photograph

Description

The Children's Hospital of Michigan Advanced Education Program in Pediatric Dentistry produces highly-trained pediatric dentists - competent, caring, and compassionate professionals - capable of functioning independently in any clinical setting. The program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation and the United States Department of Education. Upon successful completion of the program, the resident receives a certificate.

Curriculum

The curriculum is a balanced mixture of didactic and clinical training in pediatric dentistry and includes experiences in pediatric and adolescent restorative dentistry, orthodontics, oral surgery, periodontics, and endodontics. Additionally, residents complete rotations in the hospital, including anesthesia, pediatrics, emergency department, craniofacial clinic. Residents are also provided with extensive experiences in the operating room. The patient base consists of both healthy patients and patients with special needs (e.g., behavioral issues, medically compromised) that require comprehensive treatment from birth to adolesence. 

Program Stipend and Tuition

Stipend rates are currently $57,847 for the first year and $59,582 for the second year.

Benefits:

  • Medical insurance (includes prescription drug) 
  • Dental insurance 
  • Vision insurance
  • Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
  • Basic Life and Disability insurance
  • Paid Time Off and Holidays
  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
  • Employee Discount Program

Facilities

  • Children's Hospital of Michigan
  • Detroit Medical Center participating hospitals
  • Private dental clinic for resident outpatient patient care

Admission Requirements

  • Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident of the U.S. or Canadian citizen
  • DDS or DMD degree from the U.S. or Canada from a dental school accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA)
  • Must have passed Part I and Part II of the National Dental Board Examination by the start date of the program for that year
  • Must be eligible for a Michigan state dental license by the start date of the program for that year

Program Strengths

  • Hospital-based program by academic and clinical faculty
  • Opportunity for development of clinical skills with patients between infancy and adolesence, including patients with special needs
  • Extensive sedation and OR experiences
  • Integrated management of patients with craniofacial anomalies
  • Training in interceptive orthodontics

Program Faculty

*Dr. Kristen Ponichter, DMD; Pediatric Dentistry Residency Program Director  
*Dr. James Stenger, DDS, MSD, FAPD; Chief, Division of Dentistry at the Children's Hospital of Michigan, Pediatric Dentist, Orthodontist 
*Dr. Ife Nwabueze, DMD, Pediatric Dentist 
*Dr. Martin Stern, DDS, Pediatric Dentist
*Dr. Mary Hannawa Calek, DDS, Pediatric Dentist 
*Dr. Dave Vazquez, DDS, Pediatric Dentist 
Dr. Basam Shamo, DDS, Pediatric Dentist 
Dr. Hiba AlSafi, DDS, Pediatric Dentist 

*Board certified

School Profile

 

Program Type: Hospital-based
Certificate
Program Director: Full-Time
Board Certified
Program Faculty: 2 Full-Time
2 Part-Time
3 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: 0 First Year
0 Second Year
Tuition Out-Of-State: 0 First Year
0 Second Year
Salary/Stipend: 57,847 First Year
59,582 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:		 Yes
Non-US citizens from foreign 
dental schools considered:		 No
Acceptance Applicant Ratio: varies
Clinic Experience: Orthodontics
Hospital Rotations
General Anesthesia
Emergency Call
Operating Room
Oral Surgery
Infant Oral Health
Medically Compromised
Mentally Disabled
Craniofacial Disorders
Physically Disabled
Community Clinics
Outreach
Minimal and Moderate Sedations
Special Health Care Needs
Behavior Guidance
Didactic Experience: Seminars
Literature Review
Courses
Case Conferences
Lectures
Research Requirement: Data Collection Project
Teaching Experience: 8 Clinic Half-Days
2 Lecture/Presentations