Advanced Education Program in Pediatric Dentistry
School of Dental Medicine Office of Graduate Studies
University of Puerto Rico
P O Box 195319San Juan 00919-5319Puerto Rico
Phone: (787) 758-2525 ext 1106
Fax: (787) 522-9042
Website: https://dental.rcm.upr.edu/pediatric-dentistry
Program Length and Number of Positions
This is a 24-month program beginning July 1 of each year. Five new positions are offered each year.
Program Type
University- and hospital-based certificate program with option for Master in Dental Sciences
Application
Applications should be received no later than September 15th for admission to the program beginning on the following July 1st. The candidate will be notified of acceptance or no acceptance no later than December 31st.
There is a $100.00 application fee. Checks or money orders are payable to University of Puerto Rico and should be sent to:
Office of Assistant Dean of Graduate Education
School of Dental Medicine
Medical Sciences Campus
P. O. Box 365067 San Juan, PR 00936-5067
yolanda.heredia@upr.edu
francheska.labrador@upr.edu
stephanie.aponte@upr.edu
Description
The Advanced Education Program in Pediatric Dentistry includes training in advanced pediatric dentistry, instruction on behavior management, treatment of children with special needs, preventive and interceptive treatment of malocclusion, dental practice in the hospital setting, general anesthesia, biostatistics, research pediatrics, physical diagnosis, clinically oriented basic science and dental education. Instruction and training are conducted at the dental clinics of the School of Dental Medicine and Pediatric University Hospital. Off site clinical facilities provide for community base experience such as San Gabriel Institute, Healthpromed Community Clinic and Special Community Protects in Head-Start and Hospital del Niño.
The structure and content of this program follows the guidelines for advanced education programs established by the Council on Dental Education of the ADA and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. Upon completion of the program, the student receives a certificate and meets the eligibility requirements for the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry examination and certification. Student may apply for the master degree upon completion of the certificate program.
Curriculum
Required didactic courses include: advanced oral biology care, advanced pediatric dentistry, problems of special care health needs children, interceptive orthodontics seminar, growth and development, research for residents, cephalometrics, biostatistics, pediatrics, physical diagnosis and oral pathology. Completion of a research project is required for certification. A thesis is required for the master's degree.
Required clinical courses include advanced pediatric dentistry clinic, special pediatric dentistry clinic and interceptive orthodontics. Residents spend one month each in anesthesia and pediatrics. Residents participate in the meetings of the cleft-palate team at the Pediatric University Hospital. Community extramural experiences includes: SanGabriel Institute for Deaf Children, Head Start Community Project, and HealthPromed and COSSMA off-site community clinics.
Program Stipend and Tuition
The yearly stipend for a first year resident is approximately $48,000 and for second year $49,000. The tuition cost for the first year is $6,750 and for the second year $5,520 Additional fees for technology, construction and laboratory fees applied. Students without health insurances should pay a yearly health services fee of $684.
For out-of-state tuition, first year is approximately $19,000 and for second year is $15,500. This information may change according to university revisions. Candidates should inquire for the latest and updated information as this is subject to change.
Residents should be US citizens or US permanent residents in order to receive such stipends.
Facilities
- School of Dental Medicine Pediatric Dentistry Clinic
- Pediatric University Hospital
- Community Clinic
- San Juan Municipal Hospital
- Three Community Clinics
Admission Requirements
- ADA ADAT is required.
- The candidate must possess a DMD or DDS degree, or its equivalent from a recognized school of dentistry.
- Applicants must have a minimum dental general index of 2.50.
- Two application forms completed with two recent Photographs (2” x 2”).
- Three evaluations report from members of the dental school faculty, where the applicant received his degree in dentistry. At least one of these reports must be from a teacher in the specialty area.
- Official transcripts from all institutions of higher educations attended and photocopies of the diplomas and or certificates received.
- Three Professional Evaluation Forms (PEF), through PASS
- Photocopy of license to practice dentistry in the area of residence (only for applicants who have graduated from dental school more than year prior to application date).
- A certificate of comprehensive medical examination made within six months to the application date.
- Conversion of the numerical grade of the official transcript to the letter grade point average (i.e. A-excellent; B-good; C-fair, D and F-failure).
- Interview is required.
- Approval of NBDE Part I and II or INBDE for all candidates.
- Evidence of approval National Boards Part I before application for all candidates. ADA school graduates and foreign candidates must have passed National Board Examination Part II before the beginning of the Program.
- Applicants must be bilingual in the English and Spanish language.
- $100.00 non-refundable application fee.
For more information visit PASS website.
Program Strengths
- The availability, variety and the pool of medically compromised children with dental needs
- The comprehensive treatment of malocclusion through interceptive orthodontics
- Operating room case load and strong hospital component
- Pediatric Hospital Emergency Room Dental Suite
- Infant Oral Care Program
Program Faculty
Emilio Agrait, D.M.D., Professor/Program Director*
Liz Arocho D.M.D., Assistant Professor**
Maria Berrios DMD Assitant Professor*
Melba Esquilin, D.M.D., M.P.H., Assistant Professor*
Mariane Gil DMD Assitant Professor*
Rosana Hanke, D.M.D, M.S.D., Professor*
Damaris Molina, D.M.D., Professor*
Elaine Pagán,D.M.D., Associated Professor*
Mariela Ramos DMD Assitant Professor*
Maryan Rivera DMD Assitant Professor*
Yinayra Victoria D.M.D., Assistant Professor*
Cheryl Paulo D.M.D., Assistant Professor*
*Board-Certified
**Board Certified Oral Maxilofacial Surgeon
School Profile
| Program Type: | Combined Hospital-based University-based Degree Certificate |
| Program Director: | Full-Time Board Certified |
| Program Faculty: | 4 Full-Time 7 Part-Time 11 Board Certified |
| Program Length: | 24 Total Months July 1 Start Date |
| Program Accreditation: | Approved |
| State Licensure Required: | No |
| Number of Entering Positions: | 4 |
| Tuition In-State: | 6,750 First Year 5,520 Second Year |
| Tuition Out-Of-State: | 19,000 First Year 15,500 Second Year |
| Salary/Stipend: | 48,000 First Year 49,000 Second Year |
| Application: | September 15 Deadline |
| Participant in National Matching Service: |
No |
| 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: |
Yes |
| Non-US citizens from foreign dental schools considered: |
Yes |
| Acceptance Applicant Ratio: | 5:30 |
| 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 Community Clinics |
| Didactic Experience: | Seminars Literature Review Courses Case Conferences |
| Research Requirement: | Thesis Data Collection Project Case Report |
| Teaching Experience: | 1 Clinic Half-Days |
| Facilites: | 8 Chairs/Operatories 1 Clinic Receptionist 4 Dental Assistants |