University of Washington / Seattle Children's Hospital
Graduate Program in Pediatric Dentistry
University of Washington Center for Pediatric Dentistry
6222 NE 74th Street
Box 354915
Seattle, Washington 98115
Phone: (206) 543-7906
Fax: (206) 543-7595
Email: Cheryl Shaul, Program Manager, chez@uw.edu
Web: http://dental.washington.edu/pediatric-dentistry/advanced-education-in-pediatric-dentistry/
www.thecenterforpediatricdentistry.com
Program Length and Number of Positions
24 month program. Five new positions are offered each year, in the 2-year MSD track.
Program Type
The University of Washington program is a University-based certificate/degree program in partnership with Seattle Children’s Hospital.
Application
The Program participates in PASS and the Match. The application deadline for PASS is September 17 of year preceding matriculation. Correspondence regarding application and admission procedures should be addressed to:
Cheryl Shaul, Program Manager
University of Washington, Center for Pediatric Dentistry 6222 NE 74th Street
Seattle, WA 98115
chez@uw.edu
Description
The Graduate Program in Pediatric Dentistry fulfills the requirements for advanced education in pediatric dentistry as approved by the ADA Commission on Accreditation. In this program, both a Master of Science degree and a Certificate in the Specialty of Pediatric Dentistry are awarded.
This program is a unique partnership between the Department of Pediatric Dentistry at the University of Washington and the Department of Dentistry at Seattle Children's Hospital (SCH). Through the facilities and programs of each institution, diversified educational experiences are offered that emphasize comprehensive oral health care for pediatric, adolescent and medically, mentally and emotionally complex patients from western Washington and across the state. An interdisciplinary approach permeates the educational, research and service components of this specialty program.
The program is located in the Center for Pediatric Dentistry in a large facility with 14 dental chairs, three operating rooms and two quiet rooms. It serves the combined needs of Seattle Children’s Department of Dentistry and the University of Washington’s Department of Pediatric Dentistry.
Curriculum
Clinical experiences are distributed throughout the curriculum. These experiences occur in a variety of settings: Outpatient clinics at the CPD (including autism, medically complex patients, sedation, resident continuity clinic, and pre-doc clinic) and at SCH (for children with severe healthcare needs); operating rooms at CPD and the main SCH campus; medical rotations at SCH (cardiology, hematology, oncology, craniofacial, Autism Center) and the UW Center on Human Development and Disability; and at Odessa Brown Community Clinic. All residents take after hours and weekend call at SCH Emergency Department.
Required coursework includes: pediatric dentistry seminars and clinic, biostatistics, epidemiology, orthodontic theory, orofacial biology, dental radiology, dental photography, applied psychology, research, scientific methodology, oral histology, dental traumatology, pulp therapy, behavior management, dental and oral care for special health care needs patients, pediatric oral pathology, restorative, cariology, infant oral health, and principles of sedation and general anesthesia.
Education and experience in sedation and anesthesia are provided through courses and clinical rotations. A four-week clinical rotation in general anesthesia is completed onsite at SCH and UW CPD Dental Surgery Center.
The Graduate Program in Pediatric Dentistry at the University of Washington is designed to satisfy the academic requirements necessary to award the Master of Science in Dentistry to its graduates. Research experience begins in the first quarter of the curriculum with a review of potential research topics. Structured research requirements continue throughout the academic period. A research proposal is developed, approved, implemented, completed and a thesis is submitted that leads to the master's degree (MSD).
Program Stipend and Tuition
In 2025-2026, the first-year stipend is $76,032; second-year stipend is $78,660. Graduate students are expected to pay the UW Graduate School tuition for the Master of Science in Dentistry (MSD). Contact the program for more information on tuition and fees.
The program offers a wide range of benefits, including medical and dental insurance programs; tax-deferred investing through the UW retirement options; generous vacation and sick leave policies; and life and long-term disability insurance.
Facilities
- The Center for Pediatric Dentistry, University of Washington/Seattle Children’s Hospital
- School of Dentistry, University of Washington
- Seattle Children's Hospital (SCH)
- The Odessa Brown Children's Clinic
- UW Center on Human Development and Disability
- SCH Autism Center
Admission Requirements
Applicants must fulfill the following requirements to be considered for admission:
- D.D.S., D.M.D. or non-U.S. equivalent
- Must be eligible for Washington State limited dental license by time of matriculation:http://www.doh.wa.gov/LicensesPermitsandCertificates/ProfessionsNewReneworUpdate/Dentist
- Must have passed Part 1 of National Dental Board Exam by time of application
- Dental transcripts submitted to PASS
- Three letters of recommendation submitted to PASS, at least one of which should be from pediatric dental faculty
- A departmental application fee of $50.00 (check or money order) made to UW Department of Pediatric Dentistry with your full name and PASS ID number in the memo and mailed to the Program Manager (address below) with other required information – a copy of current CV, a 2x2 photo and departmental waiver statement (available for download).
- Personal interview, including foreign applicants
- Application to the University of Washington Graduate School (GRE required for foreign dental school graduates and score must be filed with application)
- TOEFL for applicants whose first language is not English (score must be filed with application by October 1 of year preceding matriculation)
Program Strengths
- Breadth of experience and training of faculty
- Involvement of onsite interdisciplinary faculty as mentors
- Opportunity and encouragement to develop skills for a career in academia and other areas of leadership in dentistry
- Availability of a diverse range of clinical patients
- A rigorous research program
- Availability of medical training through Seattle Children's Hospital and the UW School of Medicine
- The presence of well-established and highly respected advanced education programs in six clinical specialties within the School of Dentistry
- Excellent working relationship with the Departments of Endodontics, Orthodontics, Oral Medicine, Oral Surgery, Periodontics, Prosthodontics, Oral Health Sciences, and the Schools of Public Health, Medicine, and Pharmacy
The School of Dentistry was recently rated among the top four dental schools in the nation and the UW is perennially one of the most productive research schools in the country.
Program Faculty
Travis Nelson, DDS, MSD, MPH, Associate Professor and Chair*
Thomas Tanbonliong, DDS- Professor and Residency Program Director*
Jake Holtzmann, DDS, MS - Acting Assistant Professor (part-time)
Burcu Bayirli, DDS, PhD, Affiliate Associate Professor, Orthodontics (part-time)
Joel Berg, DDS, MS, Professor* (retired)
Donald Chi, DDS, PhD, Professor* (part-time)
Dan Cook, DDS, Clinical Professor* (retired)
Anna Forsyth, DDS, MSD, Associate Professor*
Mariella Garcia, DDS, Clinical Associate Professor* (part-time)
Penelope Leggott, BDS, MS, Professor* (retired)
Simon Lin, DDS, MS, Clinical Associate Professor* (part-time)
Ana Lucia Seminario, DDS, MPH, PhD,, Associate Professor*
Rebecca Slayton, DDS, PhD, Professor* (retired)
Karen Yee-Lo, DDS, Affiliate Instructor*
Alberto Enrico, DDS, Affiliate Assistant Professor, SCH-OBCC*
Ara Greer, DDS, PhD, Affiliate Assistant Professor, SCH-OBCC*
Joseph Kelly, DDS, MPH, Affiliate Assistant Professor, SCH*
SallySue Lombards, DDS, MS, Affiliate Assistant Professor, SCH-OBCC*
Donna Quinby, DDS, MS, Affiliate Assistant Professor, SCH*
Anne Reeves, DDS, MS, Affiliate Assistant Professor, SCH*
Barbara Sheller, DDS, MS, Affiliate Professor, SCH* - Chief of Dentistry
Kari Sims, DDS, MS, MPH, Affiliate Assistant Professor, SCH* - Director, Odessa Brown Community Dental Clinic
Harlyn Susarla, DMD, MPH, Affiliate Assistant Professor, SCH*
Elizabeth Velan, DMD, MSD, Clinical Assistant Professor, SCH* - Director of Residency Education
SCH: Seattle Children's Hospital
*Board-Certified
School Profile
| Program Type: | Combined |
| Program Director: | Full-Time Board Certified |
| Program Faculty: | 4 Full-Time 3 Part-Time 16 Board Certified |
| Program Length: | 24 Total Months |
| Program Accreditation: | Approved |
| State Licensure: | Restricted License Available |
| Number of Entering Positions: | 5 |
| Tuition In-State: | Graduate students are expected to pay the UW Graduate School tuition for the Master of Science in Dentistry (MSD). Contact the program for more information on tuition and fees. |
| Tuition Out-Of-State: | Graduate students are expected to pay the UW Graduate School tuition for the Master of Science in Dentistry (MSD). Contact the program for more information on tuition and fees. |
| Salary/Stipend: | $76,032 $78,660 |
| Application: | $50 application fee |
| Yes | |
| Participant in PASS: | Yes |
| Only US citizens from ADA accredited dental schools considered: |
|
| 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: | 1:29 |
| 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: | Thesis |
| Teaching Experience: | 1-2 per week Clinic Half-Days Case presentations each quarter Lecture/Presentations |
| Facilities: | 16 Chair/Operatories 5 Clinic Receptionist 10 Dental Assistants 0 Dental Hygienists |