Pediatric Dental Residency 
Cooper University Hospital 
805 Route 38 
Cherry Hill, NJ 08002 
United States 
(267) 350-2065 
Program Website: https://www.cooperhealth.edu/allied-health/pediatric-dentistry 
Program Director: Ashley Lebak 
Email: alebak@teethforkids.com  

Program Length and Number of Positions 

This is a 24-month program beginning the second/thrid week of June annually. Three positions are offered each year. 

Program Type 

Hospital-based certificate program 

Application 

Applications are asked to submit an application through PASS and wait until the program contacts them with more information on supplementals. 

Description 

The Cooper University Hospital Pediatric Dental Residency Program is a 24-month hospital-based certificate program. The program received its initial accreditaiton by the Commission on Dental Accreditation in February 2022. 

The program is designed to prepare residents for a practice in pediatric dentistry and certification with the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry. Residents receive in-depth training in Pediatric Dentistry comprised of comprehensive care of infants, children, and adolescents including those with special health care needs; pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic behavior management techniques including treatment of patients under conscious sedation; pulp and periodontal therpay; growth and development; and management of traumatic injusries and emergency care. 

The program is affiliated with Pediatric Dental Associattes and Special Smiles, LTD offering residents diverse experiences in anesthesiology, pediatric medicine, operating room dentistrty as well as comprehensive care for patients with secial health care needs. Additionally, residents receive exposure to various phases of craniofacial and cleft palate treatment planning through collaboration with the Cooper University Hospital Cleft Palate and Craniofacial Team. 

Utilizing our growing Education and Outreach Program, residentts have the opportunity to train and educate fellow healthcare professionals, parents, and children about oral health. Residents also provide oral health screenings at daycare centers, Head Start programs, and schools. 

Curriculum 

Academic: 

Basic Sciences - Oral Facial Biology, Histology, Embryology, Immunology, Microbiology, Oral Pathology, Anatomy, Genetics, Biostatistics, Pharmacology; Journal Review; Case Presentation; Orthodontic Seminars - Cephalometrics, Orthodontics for Primary and Mixed Dentitions; Syndromes, Diseases, Pathologies; Various Topics - Medical Ethics, Nutrition, Cardiology, Pediatric Behavior Psychology, Speech Pathology, Child Abuse, Infection Control, Patient Management, Hospital Dentistry, Oral Surgery, Prosthodontics, Periodontology, Dental Radiology and Photography, Practice Management, Office Design, Dental Trauma, Pulp Therapies, Medical Pathologies, Restorative Materialls, Flouride Rationales and Protocols, Local Anesthetics, Conscious Sedation, Anatomy and Physiology of the Pediatric Patient, Review of Systems, Nitrous Oxide Relative Analygesia. 

Clinical: 

The residents treat approxiamately 10 to 20 patients each day including comprehensive oral exams, extensive operative restorative treatment, and a multiple of behavior management techniques. The patient population is at poverty level within a multi-cultural society, consisting of 10-20% special needs. Each resident will complete 50-100 conscious oral rehabilitation sedation cases. Each resident will complete 20-30 oral rerhabilitation cases in an operation room facility.  

Rotation: 

Operation Room Dentistry at Cooper University Hospital SPU and Private SPU; Pediatric Anesthestia, Pediatric Medicine and Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Oral Maxillofacial Surgery and Cleft Palate Clinic at Cooper University Hospital. Special Needs Clinic at Special Smiles, LTD. 

Program Stipend and Tuition 

First year stipend is $60,155. Second year stipend is $62,645. There is no tuition. 

Benefits include: medical and dental insurrance, malpractice coverage and funding to support travel to meettings/conferences. 

Facilities 

• Cooper University Hospital 
• Pediatric Dental Associates Dental Clinic 
• Special Smiles, LTD 
• Children's Dental Health Orthodontics 
• Children's Dental Health Surgery 

Admission Requirements 

• D.D.S./D.M.D from a US or Canadian-accreditted dental school 
• Formal application and essay 
• Ability to obtain a dental license in Pennsylvania and training license in New Jersey 
• Personal Interview  
• Please see ADEA PASS website for updated requirements. 

Program Strengths 

• Extensive clinical exposure with active participation 
• Excellent medical staff support 
• Comprehensive orthodontic and growth guidance training 
• In-depth anesthesia and sedation training 
• Considerable operating room case experience 
• Enthusiastic attending pediatric dentists  

Program Leadership 

Ashley Lebak, D.M.D., Program Director, Pediatric Dentist (full-time)* 
Maria Bender, D.M.S., Pediatric Dentist (part-time) * 
Erin McGrath, D.M.D., Pediatric Dentist (part-time)* 

*Board-certified 

Program Faculty 

Noah Quinn, D.M.D, Pediatric Dentist (part-time)* 
Brian Smitth, D.M.D., M.D., F.A.C.O.M.S., Oral Surgeon (part-time)* 
Paul Dietrick, D.M.D., M.D., Oral Surgeon (part-time)* 

*Board-certified 

School Profile