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 2023-2024, the first-year stipend is $72,564; second-year stipend is $75,120. Tuition is approximately $26,628 ($49,185 for out-of-state) for 2022-2023. 

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 Tenure Track, Chair*

Thomas Tanbonliong, DDS- Professor and Residency Program Director*
Dorothy Nelson, DDS - 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, Adjunct Associate Professor* (part-time)
Dan Cook, DDS, Clinical Professor* (retired)
Anna Forsyth, DDS, MSD, Clinical Assistant Professor* 
Mariella Garcia, DDS, Clinical Assistant 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*
Ara Greer, DDS, PhD, Affiliate Assistant Professor, SCH*
Joseph Kelly, DDS, MPH, Affiliate Assistant Professor, SCH*
Anne Reeves, DDS, MS, Affiliated Assistant Professor, SCH* 
Barbara Sheller, DDS, MS, Affiliate Professor, SCH* 
Kari Sims, DDS, MS, MPH, Affiliate Assistant Professor, SCH*
Elizabeth Velan, DMD, MSD, Clinical Assistant Professor, SCH*

*Board-Certified

School Profile

 

Program Type: Combined
Program Director: Full-Time
Board Certified
Program Faculty: 3 Full-Time
2 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: $26,628 First Year (2022-2023)
$26,628 Second Year (2022-2023)
Tuition Out-Of-State: $49,185 First Year (2022-2023)
$49,185 Second Year (2022-2023)
Salary/Stipend: $72,564 R1 (2023-2024)
$75,120 R2 (2023-2024)
Application: $50 application fee September 17, 2021
  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