UCSF Postgraduate Program in Pediatric Dentistry 
707 Parnassus Ave.
San Francisco, California 94143-0640
Phone: (415) 476-2737
Web: http://dentistry.ucsf.edu/admissions/admiss_program3-pedio.html
Program Contact Email: sod.postgraduate@ucsf.edu

Program Length and Number of Positions

This is a 36-month program beginning July 1 of each year. Five new positions are offered each year.

Program Type

Combined university and hospital-based certificate program with a Master of Science in Oral and Craniofacial Sciences.

Application

The application deadline is September 15 of the year preceding matriculation. Correspondence regarding application and admissions process should be addressed to:

Postgraduate Programs
Office of Admissions, School of Dentistry
University of California San Francisco
sod.postgraduate@ucsf.edu
(415) 476-2737

Description

The outstanding academic and clinical resources of the UCSF School of Dentistry and UCSF Benioff Children's Hospitals provide the comprehensive experience and training necessary to prepare for a career in academia, community public health, or private practice.

A well-balanced didactic curriculum, consisting of core basic science classes and pediatric dentistry lectures and seminars, is delivered throughout the program. Specialized guest speakers, literature reviews, and case presentations continually enhance the residents' knowledge. This didactic training is complemented by in-depth clinical experiences in outpatient clinics, operating rooms, and various clinical rotations. The program aims to develop well-rounded clinicians with strong critical thinking skills who are capable of providing compassionate and comprehensive care to all pediatric patients, including those with special health care needs.

Upon successful completion of the program, residents are awarded a certificate of specialty training in Pediatric Dentistry along with a Master of Science in Oral and Craniofacial Sciences. Graduates also meet the advanced eligibility requirements of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry. Third-year residents are required to participate in the ABPD Qualifying Exam prior to graduation.

Curriculum

Instruction in all areas of pediatric dentistry is delivered through lectures, seminars, and clinical experiences across diverse clinical settings, including specialty inpatient and outpatient clinics as well as hospital operating rooms. The program emphasizes the integration of pediatric dentistry with all other areas of dentistry and medicine, particularly in the care of medically complex patients and those with special health care needs.

All residents complete a core curriculum that includes biostatistics, developmental biology, oral pathology, pharmacology, genetics, and medical ethics. This comprehensive academic foundation strengthens residents' ability to apply evidence-based principles to clinical decision-making.

The clinical component of the program offers a well-balanced experience in treating healthy children, children with special health care needs, those with acute medical conditions, and patients presenting with traumatic injuries. Residents gain extensive exposure to both pharmacological and non-pharmacological behavior guidance techniques, which are integral to their training. Residents receive in-depth clinical training designed to prepare them for a wide range of scenarios, enhancing their ability to manage real-world clinical challenges.

Clinical rotations include anesthesia, pediatric medicine, emergency on-call duties and inpatient consultations, and rotations at an affiliated Federally Qualified Health Center. The program's close collaboration with the Divisions of Orthodontics and Craniofacial Anomalies provides additional education and experience in these areas. Residents are introduced to interceptive orthodontics early in the program. Residents also serve as teaching assistants in the pre-doctoral pediatric dental clinic during their second year.

Residents are required to complete a research project under faculty supervision and present their findings at a research conference.

Program Stipend and Tuition

First year stipend: $71,760
Second year stipend: $74,128
Third year stipend: $76,574
(Figures above are for 2024-2025 academic year. Figures are subject to change yearly.)

Health Insurance is offered through UCSF Plan Source.

MS Tuition: $19,146/year (in-state), $34,248/year (out-of-state)
(Figures subject to change yearly.)

Facilities

• UCSF Pediatric Dentistry Clinic
• UCSF Benioff's Children's Hospital – San Francisco
• UCSF Benioff's Children's Hospital – Oakland
• Rohnert Park Health Center, Petaluma, CA

Admission Requirements

• D.D.S., D.M.D. before the program starts
• Official dental and preprofessional education transcripts
• Three letters of recommendation 
• Official National Board Dental Examination results, Part 1 and Part 2 
• INDBE: Required before the MATCH deadline
• Biographical statement 
• Curriculum vitae
• TOEFL scores for applicants whose first language is not English (foreign graduates are admitted under very limited circumstances) 
• Participation with PASS
• UCSF supplemental application
• Application fee ($60)

Program Strengths

• Instructions provided by faculty from the Department of Orofacial Sciences and other departments across the Schools of Dentistry and Medicine.
• Comprehensive learning opportunities, including a strong hospital-based component at UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospitals.
• Academically driven environment with extensive resources available through the UCSF School of Dentistry.
• Exposure to comprehensive dental care delivered through diverse practice models, including Federally Qualified Health Centers.

Program Faculty

Full-Time Faculty:
JungSoo Kim, DDS, MS, Assistant Professor*
Thuan Le, DDS, PhD, Professor*
Brent Lin, DMD, Professor
Jean Star, DDS, MPH, Assistant Professor*
Ling Zhan, DDS, PhD, Professor *

Part-Time Faculty:
Mahmoud Ashrafi, DMD, MS, Clinical Professor*
Raymond L. Braham, BDS, LDSRCS, MScD, Clinical Professor Emeritus
Carl Buchanon II, DDS, MPH, Assistant Clinical Professor*
Niki Fallah, DDS, MS, Assistant Clinical Professor*
Walter Fuentes, DDS, Assistant Clinical Professor (Rohnert Park Health Center, Petaluma)*
Marc Grossman, DDS, Assistant Clinical Professor
Hengsheng Lin, BDS, MSD, Clinical Professor (Orthodontics)
Brian Liu, DDS, MS, Assistant Clinical Professor*
Jennifer Lo, DDS, MS, Assistant Clinical Professor*
Afsaneh Matin, DDS, Associate Clinical Professor*
Rebecca Renelus, DDS, MS, Assistant Clinical Professor (Rohnert Park Health Center, Petaluma)**
Ella Saeed, DDS, Assistant Clinical Professor*
Carolynn Vuong Shultz, DMD, MS, Assistant Clinical Professor*
Shawn Taheri, DDS, MS, Assistant Clinical Professor
Jacklynn Ha Thai, DDS, Assistant Clinical Professor*
Ye-Ming Wu, DDS, MS, Associate Clinical Professor*
Alaleh Zadmehr, DDS, MS, Assistant Clinical Professor*
*Board Certified
**Board Candidate

School Profile

 

Program Type:	Combined
Program Director:	Full-Time
Program Faculty:	5 Full-Time 17 Part-Time 16 Board Certified
Program Length:	July 1 Start Date, 36 months
Program Accreditation:	Approved
State Licensure:	Not required
Number of Entering Positions:	5
Tuition In-State & Out-of-State:	MS Tuition: $19,146 (in-state) (Figures subject to change yearly) MS Tuition: $34,248 (out-of-state) (Figures subject to change yearly)
Salary/Stipend:	First year: $71,760 Second year: $74,128 Third year: $76,574 (Figures are subject to change yearly.)
Application:	$60 domestic, $80 international Sept 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:	Yes
Acceptance Applicant Ratio:	1:16
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
Didactic Experience:	Seminars Literature Review Courses Case Conferences
Research Requirement:	Thesis Data Collection Project Thesis required for Master of Orofacial Sciences. Data Collection Project required for MPH
Teaching Experience:	Pre-Doctoral Clinic (by rotation only)
Facilities:	15 Chair/Operatories 4 Clinic Receptionist 9 Dental Assistants 0 Dental Hygienists