Advanced Education Program in Pediatric Dentistry 
Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry
University of Southern California
University Park MC 0641
Los Angeles, California 90089-0641
Phone: (213) 740-2851
Fax: (213) 740-8109
Email: uscsdadm@usc.edu

Program Length and Number of Positions

This is a 24-month certificate program or 36-month combined certificate/master's program beginning the last week of June. Ten new positions are available each year. Special consideration will be given to students who elect to enter the three-year combined certificate/master's program.

Program Type

Combined university- and hospital-based certificate program with option for Master of Science or Doctor of Philosophy in Craniofacial Biology.

Application

The application deadline is October 1 of the year preceding matriculation. Correspondence regarding application and admission should be addressed to: 

Corey Berry, Advanced Programs Coordinator, Office of Admissions and Student Affairs, USC School of Dentistry, Los Angeles, CA, 90089-0641.

Description

The 24-month certificate program provides a course of study designed to provide students with extensive didactic and clinical training necessary for the specialty. This combined university- and hospital-based program provides extensive educational and clinical opportunities. The program is accredited by the ADA Commission on Dental Accreditation. 

An M.S. or Ph.D. in Craniofacial Biology can also be combined with certification in pediatric dentistry. The purpose of this program is to prepare pediatric dentists who can assume leadership positions in dental education, provide service to the community, conduct dental-related research and coordinate oral health care for patients with special health care needs. The structured curriculum offers a strong didactic component in basic biological and clinical sciences, as well as intensive training in clinical dental care for infants, children, adolescents and individuals who have a developmental disability or a medically compromising condition. Submission of a thesis is a requirement for completion of the combined program. The master’s portion of the program can be tailored to include classes in education for those candidates desiring a greater emphasis in teaching. An individual who elects to apply to this combined program would submit applications to the School of Dentistry and the Graduate School.

Curriculum

In both programs, first-year studies emphasize advanced theory and clinical treatment of the "healthy" child. Students will develop a sound basis in genetics, growth and development, behavior guidance, physical evaluation, research methodology, statistics, mild and moderate sedation, interceptive orthodontics and prevention. Second-year studies offer a wide range of patient care opportunities, including dental care of children with physical, mental and/or emotional disabilities and medical conditions. The students' time is spent at one of the three affiliate children's hospitals where they are exposed to operating room procedures, general anesthesia techniques, conscious sedation, pediatric medicine and emergency medicine. 

Interceptive orthodontics is an important part of the program and emphasis is placed on biomechanics, examination, diagnosis, cephalometrics, consultation and treatment at the preventive and interceptive level.

Program Stipend and Tuition

First-year stipend is $3,600. Second-year stipend is $55,000. First-year tuition is approximately $94,358. No tuition is charged the second year.

Facilities

• Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC
• Long Beach Memorial Medical Center (LBMMC) 
• Childrens Hospital of Los Angeles (CHLA) 
• Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center (RLANRC) 
• Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities at Children's Hospital of Los Angeles
• Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC)
• Healthy Smiles for Children in Garden Grove
• The Pediatric Dental Clinic at the Violence Intervention Program

Admission Requirements

Applicants must fulfill the following requirements to be considered for admission:

• Dental and pre-professional education transcripts
• Three letters of recommendation, one from a pediatric dentistry faculty member 
• Biographical statement 
• Official copy of National Board Dental Examination results Part I and II (prior to matricluation)
• 2x2 photo and application fee ($85 domestic/$145 foreign) 
• For the 36-month craniofacial biology program, official copy of Graduate Record Examination scores 
• For international dentists, a copy of the TOEFL and a statement of financial support must be submitted 
• $1,000 tuition deposit upon notification of acceptance

Program Strengths

• Significant hospital component with excellent medical staff support in the operating room, inpatient units and multidisciplinary teams 
• Didactic program balanced with 50 percent time commitment to the hospital environment 
• Extensive and divergent patient pool 
• Extensive experience in nonpharmacologic and pharmacologic behavior guidance modalities including mild and moderate sedation and general anesthesia 
• 20 percent clock hour commitment to orthodontic instruction on a weekly basis

Program Faculty

Richard D. Udin, D.D.S., Advanced Specialty Director, Pediatric Dentistry*
David L. Good, D.D.S., (part-time)*
Thomas P. Tanbonliong D.D.S., Clinic Director & Director of Research, USC* 
Julie A. Jenks, D.D.S., M.S., M.P.H., Director, Community Outreach Director*
Konita Wilks, D.D.S., Dental Director, RLANRC* 
José Polido, D.D.S., M.S., Dental Director, CHLA*
John Kishibay, D.M.D., M.S., Ph.D., Director, Orthodontics (part-time)
John N. Groper, D.D.S., Clinical Associate Professor (part-time), CHLA*
Donna Eteson, D.M.D., Clinical Assistant Professor (part-time)
Annie Huang D.M.D., Clinical Assistant Professor (part-time) USC*
David Kang, D.D.S., Clinical Assistant Professor (part-time) CHLA*
Richard Mungo, D.D.S., Clinical Assistant Professor (part-time) CHOC
Paul Reggiardo, D.D.S. Clinical Assistant Professor (part-time) CHOC
Alexander R. Alcaraz, D.M.D., Clinical Assistant Professor, USC & CHLA*
Amit Shah, D.D.S., Clinical Assistant Professor , Healthy Smiles for Kids (part time)*
Chris Y. Mayeda, D.D.S., Hospital Residency Director, LBMMC* 
David M. Kennedy, D.D.S., M.S., Assistant Professor of Clinical Dentistry, Healthy Smiles for Kids 
Jeanne Nguyen, D.D.S. Clinical Assistant Professor , Healthy Smiles for Kids (part time) 
Nasem Dunlop, D.M.D. OC Co-Residency Director, (part time)*
Amy Ngyuen, D.D.S. Residency Director, RLANRC (part-time)*
Priyal Ohri D.D.S., OC Co-Residency Director, (part time)*
Jill Shang, D.D.S., Clinical Assistant Professor, LBMMC (part-time)*
Leila C. Younger, D.D.S., MS, Clinical Assistant Professor (part time)*
John Guijon, D.D.S. Clinical Assistant Professor, CHOC (part time)
Johnathan Lo, D.D.S. Clinical Assistant Professor, LBMMC (part time)*
Geraldine Ruiz D.D.S. Clinical Assistant Professor, CHOC (part time)*
Sara Khoshbin D.D.S. Clinical Assistant Professor, CHOC (part time)*
Richard Spaulding, D.D.S. Healthy Smiles Clinic Director )part-time)*
Mandi Lynn Wilson, D.D.S. Clinical Assistant Professor, Healthy Smiles for Kids (part time) *

* Board Certified

School Profile

 

Program Type:	Combined Certificate
Program Director:	Full-Time Board Certified
Program Faculty:	6 Full-Time 23 Part-Time 22 Board Certified
Program Length:	24 Total Months 6/17/2019 Start Date
Program Accreditation:	Approved
State Licensure:	Restricted License Available
Number of Entering Positions:	10
Tuition In-State:	94,358 First Year
Tuition Out-Of-State:	94,359 First Year
Salary/Stipend:	3,600 First Year 55,000 Second Year
Application:	85 Fee October 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:	Yes
Non-US citizens from foreign  dental schools considered:	Yes
Acceptance Applicant Ratio:	1:18
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 Outreach Public Health Minimal and Moderate Sedations Special Health Care Needs Behavior Guidance
Didactic Experience:	Seminars Literature Review Courses Case Conferences Lectures
Research Requirement:	Data Collection Project
Teaching Experience:	15 Clinic Half-Days for 1 trimester preclinical lab Lecture/Presentations
Facilities:	15 Chair/Operatories 1 Clinic Receptionist 5 Dental Assistants