Pediatric Dental Residency Program 
Nationwide Children's Hospital
Ohio State University
700 Children's Drive
LA Suite 5A
Columbus, Ohio 43205
Phone: (614) 722-5651
Fax: (614) 722-5671
Email: kim.hammersmith@nationwidechildrens.org
Web: https://dentistry.osu.edu/academic-divisions/division-pediatric-dentistry

Program Length and Number of Positions

This is a 24-month program commencing July 1 of each year with a mandatory 2-week orientation starting mid-June. There are 8 new positions offered each year.

Program Type

University-sponsored, hospital-based, Certificate and Master of Science program.

Application

The application deadline is September 1 of the year preceding matriculation. For questions regarding application and admission procedures, please email pedsdentresidency@nationwidechildrens.org.

Description

The program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) and graduates meet the advanced education eligibility requirements of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry. Upon completion of the program including successful defense of a thesis project, a Certificate of Postgraduate Pediatric Dentistry Education by The Ohio State University College of Dentistry, a Certificate from Nationwide Children's Hospital, and a Master of Science degree are awarded. The program is designed to fully prepare the resident for specialty practice, and provides educational opportunities for those who desire to pursue a teaching or research career in pediatric dentistry.

Curriculum

The curriculum offers the opportunity for extending the resident's diagnostic ability, clinical knowledge and skills, and critical judgment. The core of the curriculum includes all subject matter indispensable to the development of a competent and inquisitive pediatric dentist. The resident will learn to work with consultants and clinicians in other dental specialties and health fields. Didactic courses, seminars and clinical experiences are provided to develop these necessary skills. Residents will learn to critically evaluate scientific literature and be expected to produce a publishable paper upon graduation.

Courses focus on: statistics and research design, children with special healthcare needs, restorative treatment, cariology, behavior guidance, pulp biology, traumatology, advocacy and public policy, biomechanics and limited orthodontics, and sedation. Clinical experiences are extensive and include comprehensive care, treatment of patients with special healthcare needs, emergency care, oral surgery, endodontics, orthodontics, and periodontics. Residents gain experience treating children and adolescents using behavior management techniques, nitrous oxide, conscious sedation, and general anesthesia. Residents also rotate through many services in the hospital including anesthesia, pediatric medicine, behavioral health, cardiology, otolaryngology, and the craniofacial clinic. 

Program Stipend and Tuition

Salaries are approximately $59,000-$61,000 in accordance with the GME salaries offered to PGY-1 and PGY-2 trainees at Nationwide Children's Hospital. Residents are eligible for benefits through the University as graduate students and the hospital as employees.

Tuition is currently waived by the College of Dentistry as residents are appointed as Graduate Teaching Assistants.

Facilities

• The Ohio State University, College of Dentistry
• Nationwide Children's Hospital

Admission Requirement

Applicants must fulfill the following requirements to be considered for admission

• Graduate of a CODA-accredited dental school
• ADEA PASS application, including transcripts, personal essay, CV/Resume, NBDE/INDBE results
• Professional evaluation forms (submit through PASS and see PASS for details)
• Personal interview if invited

Program Strengths

• The program provides an excellent balance between didactic knowledge and clinical experience in all areas of pediatric dentistry 
• MS degree conferred following completion of program and defense of thesis project
• Extensive experience in handling traumatic injuries to the teeth and jaws of children 
• Substantial clinical experience in busy hospital clinic, and heavy exposure to patients with special health care needs 
• Clinical and didactic training by orthodontists and a periodontist
• Formal training in health policy and advocacy
• Availability of resources and consultants in all areas of pediatric health care

Program Faculty

Janice A. Townsend, D.D.S., M.S., Associate Professor and Chair, Pediatric Dentistry *
Homa Amini, D.D.S., M.P.H., M.S., Professor of Clinical Dentistry, Pediatric Dentistry*
Ehsan N. Azadani, D.D.S., M.S., Assistant Professor, Pediatric Dentistry*
Paul Casamassimo, D.D.S., M.S., Professor Emeritus, Pediatric Dentistry*
Dan Claman, D.D.S., Assistant Clinical Professor, Pediatric Dentistry*
Ann Griffen, D.D.S., M.S., Professor, Pediatric Dentistry*
Erin Gross, D.D.S., Ph.D., M.S., Assistant Clinical Professor/Director, Predoctoral Pediatric Dentistry*
Kim Hammersmith, D.D.S., M.P.H., M.S., Assistant Clinical Professor/Director, Postdoctoral Pediatric Dentistry*
Ashok Kumar, D.D.S., M.S., Professor of Clinical Dentistry, Pediatric Dentistry*
Dennis McTigue, D.D.S., M.S., Professor Emeritus, Pediatric Dentistry* 
Rosa Ortega, D.D.S., M.S., Adjunct Assistant Clinical Professor, Pediatric Dentistry*
Diego Solis, D.D.S., Assistant Clinical Professor, Pediatric Dentistry* (part-time)
Henry Fields, D.D.S., M.S., M.S.D., Professor, Orthodontics* (part-time)
Lucia Gerstmann, D.D.S., M.S., Pediatric Dentistry* (part-time)
Nick Kerns, D.D.S., M.S., Pediatric Dentistry* (part-time)
Benjamin Kwok, D.D.S, M.S., Pediatric Dentistry* (part-time)
Tanya Mathew, B.D.S., M.S., Pediatric Dentistry  (part-time)
Jodee C. McDaniel, B.S.D.H., M.S., Dental Hygiene  (part-time)
Jeff Milton, D.D.S., M.S., Pediatric Dentistry* (part-time)
Cecilia Moy, D.D.S., M.S., Pediatric Dentistry* (part-time) 
Scott Nieman, D.D.S., M.S., Pediatric Dentistry* (part-time)
Colleen Orellana, D.D.S., M.S., Pediatric Dentistry* (part-time)
Monica Patel, D.D.S., M.S., Pediatric Dentistry* (part-time)
Jessica Pizano, D.M.D., M.S., Pediatric Dentistry* (part-time)
Shaun Rotenberg, D.D.S., M.S., Periodontology* (part-time)
Marlina Shah, D.D.S., M.S., Pediatric Dentistry* (part-time)
Heidi Steinkamp, D.D.S., Ph.D., M.S., Pediatric Dentistry* (part-time)
Kumar Subramanian, D.D.S., M.S., Endodontics (part-time)
Steve Wilson, D.M.D., M.A., Ph.D., Pediatric Dentistry* (part-time)
Eric VanGilder, D.D.S., Pediatric Dentistry (part-time)

*Board certified

School Profile

 

Program Type:	Combined Degree Certificate
Program Director:	Full-Time Board Certified
Program Faculty:	9 Full-Time 19 Part-Time 26 Board Certified
Program Length:	24 Total Months July 1 Start Date (2-week mandatory orientation begins mid-June)
Program Accreditation:	Approved
State Licensure:	Restricted License Available
Number of Entering Positions:	8
Tuition In-State:	Waived First Year Waived Second Year
Tuition Out-Of-State:	Waived First Year Waived Second Year
Salary/Stipend:	$59,000 - $61,000
Application:	September 1 Deadline
Participant in National Matching Service:	Yes
Participant in PASS:	Yes
Only US citizens from ADA  accredited dental schools  considered:	No
US citizens from foreign dental schools considered:	Yes
Non-US citizens from ADA  accredited dental schools  considered:	No
Non-US citizens from foreign  dental schools considered:	No
Acceptance Applicant Ratio:	1:33
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 Outreach Minimal and Moderate Sedations Special Health Care Needs Behavior Guidance
Didactic Experience:	Seminars Literature Review Courses Case Conferences Lectures
Research Requirement:	Thesis Data Collection Project
Teaching Experience:	1/wk during second year Clinic Half-Days 1/wk during second year Lecture/Presentations
Facilities:	37 Chair/Operatories 8 Clinic Receptionist 50 Dental Assistants 19 Dental Hygienists