Pediatric Dentistry Residency
Pediatric Dentistry Section, Department of Advanced Specialty Sciences
Medical University of South Carolina
173 Ashley Ave., Room 347
MSC 507
Charleston, South Carolina 29425-1260
Phone: (843) 792-3916
Fax: (843) 792-3917
Staff Contact: Mary Elizabeth Shue
Email: shue@musc.edu
Website: ttps://dentistry.musc.edu/students-and-admissions/graduate-programs/pediatric
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
Combined university and hospital-based certificate program.
Application
The Medical University of South Carolina participates in the Postdoctoral Dental Matching Program and applicants must apply to this service. The application deadline is August 15th of the year preceding matriculation. Correspondence regarding application and admission procedures should be sent to Program Coordinator, Mary Elizabeth Shue via email, shue@musc.edu.
Description
The residency program in pediatric dentistry is a two-year, university and hospital based program. The primary philosophy of care in the program is the care of the whole child. This program offers a balanced curriculum of clinical and didactic material with the overall goal to provide a broad base of knowledge in the specialty of pediatric dentistry.
Residents will receive extensive clinical and didactic training in pediatric dentistry including: comprehensive care of both healthy and special needs children and adolescents, restorative dentistry, pulp therapy, periodontal therapy, pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic behavior management techniques, space maintenance, orthodontic therapy, growth and development, treatment of patients under sedation, treatment of patients in the operating room under general anesthesia, and management of traumatic injuries and emergency care. Hospital rotations of general anesthesia, pediatric emergency room and pediatric medicine are also part of the curriculum. In addition, a research project and teaching responsibilities are required components of the program.
The program is administered by the Pediatric Dentistry Section, Department of Advanced Specialty Sciences and is approved and accredited by the ADA Commission on Dental Education. Upon successful completion of all requirements, the student is awarded a Certificate in Pediatric Dentistry and meets the advanced education eligibility requirements of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry. The program is designed to fully prepare the student for specialty practice, as well as to provide educational opportunities for those who desire to pursue a teaching or research career in pediatric dentistry.
Curriculum
The overall philosophy of the curriculum is to educationally prepare residents for the contemporary practice of pediatric dentistry, expanding upon traditional pediatric therapies. The clinical program is supported by a comprehensive didactic foundation. Seminars, lectures and case reviews are used to deliver information on: behavior management, sedation, pharmacology, general anesthesia, dental care in the OR, treating special patients, orthodontic diagnosis, growth and development, oral pathology, endodontics, periodontics, oral surgery, esthetic dentistry, materials, trauma management, syndromes, speech pathology, practice management, developmental psychology, physical diagnosis, research design and biostatistics, literature review, prevention, infant dental care, cariology and cleft lip and palate care. The pediatric dentistry literature is reviewed in seminars, and current literature is discussed.
A one-month rotation in general anesthesia is provided for all trainees by the Department of Anesthesiology. During this time, the trainee learns the physiology and pharmacology of anesthetic agents, as well as techniques involved in intubation. The rotation includes active participation in general anesthesia.
An additional rotation of at least two-weeks is provided in pediatric medicine. During this time the trainee learns to obtain medical histories, perform physical examinations, and increase their understanding of diagnosis, management and treatment of medical conditions in pediatric patients.
Program Stipend and Tuition
For 2025-2026, First-year stipend is $61,935. Second year stipend is $64,151.00. Tuition is waived. All equipment, instruments and supplies are provided by the program. Fringe benefits include malpractice coverage, MUSC wellness center membership, meal allowance, generous annual, sick, and professional leave as well as eligibility to participate in state health insurance and retirement plans.
Facilities
- Postgraduate Pediatric Dental Clinic – James B. Edwards College of Dental Medicine -Medical University of South Carolina
- Medical University of South Carolina Teaching Hospital Clinics
- MUSC Shawn Jenkins Children's Hospital
- MUSC R. Keith Summey Medical Pavilion
Admission Requirements
- Graduate of an ADA-accredited dental school
- Submit the ADEA PASS application
- Dental education transcripts (through PASS only)
- Minimum of four PEFs
- ADAT Exam – Not required, but accepted
- Submit a CV/Resume (through PASS)
- INBDE
- Preliminary virtual interview by invitation
- Personal interview by invitation
- Active US state dental license prior to program start date
Program Strengths
- Comprehensive program in contemporary clinical practice of pediatric dentistry
- Strong didactic and clinical foundation in pediatric dentistry with emphasis on pediatric medicine, hospital dentistry, interceptive orthodontics and conscious sedation
- Off-service rotations in pediatric medicine and anesthesia
- Large number of patients available, both well and medically, physically or emotionally compromised conditions
- High volume of dental emergency patients seen for orofacial trauma, pain and/or infection
- State-of-the-art facilities
- Extensive use of various treatment modalities for pain control and behavioral management, such as sedation, analgesia and general anesthesia
- Significant orthodontic curriculum and patient care in growth and development
- Emphasis on hospital based care for special patients, including team management of craniofacial anomalies, oncology pediatric patients, hemophilia and sickle-cell patients
Program Faculty
Calli Baranouski, DMD, Clinical Assistant Professor
Jennifer Berwick DDS, Assistant Professor, Orthodontics *
Frances Gouldin, DDS, Clinical Assistant Professor
Mary Alice Hughes, DMD, Affiliate Clinical Assistant Professor, Pediatric Dentistry*
Eric Koren, DDS, Affiliate Clinical Assistant Professor, Pediatric Dentistry*
Erin Nichols, DMD, Clinical Assistant Professor, Pediatric Dentistry*
Robert Nieders, DMD, Affiliate Clinical Assistant Professor, Pediatric Dentistry*
Katherine Renne, DMD, Clinical Assistant Professor, Pediatric Dentistry*
Hannah Rustin, DMD, MSD, Assistant Professor & Program Director, Pediatric Dentistry*
Gabe Ross, DMD, Affiliate Clinical Assistant Professor, Pediatric Dentistry*
Steven Shapiro, DMD, MD, Clinical Associate Professor, Pediatrics/Pediatric Dentistry*
Deirdre Williams, DDS, MS, Associate Professor & Section Head, Pediatric Dentistry*
*Board-Certified
School Profile
| Program Type: | Combined |
| Program Director: | Full-Time |
| Program Faculty: | 4 Full-Time 8 Part-Time 10 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 |
| Tuition Out-Of-State: | 0 |
| Salary/Stipend: | 61,935 First Year 64,151 Second Year |
| Application: | August 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: | 1:28 |
| Clinic Experience: | Orthodontics Hospital Rotations Emergency Call Operating Room Infant Oral Health Medically Compromised Craniofacial Disorders Community Clinics Outreach Minimal and Moderate Sedations Special Health Care Needs Behavior Guidance |
| Other Clinical Experience Description: | |
| Didactic Experience: | Seminars Literature Review Courses Case Conferences Lectures |
| Research Requirement: | Data Collection Project |
| Teaching Experience: | Didactic lectures and clinical teaching, timeline varies |
| Facilities: | 12 Chair/Operatories 4 Clinic Receptionist 4 Dental Assistants 0 Dental Hygienists |