Advanced Education Program in Pediatric Dentistry
VCU School of Dentistry
Department of Pediatric Dentistry
1101 E. Leigh Street
Perkinson Building, Suite 3100
Box 980566
Richmond, Virginia 23298-0566
Phone: (804) 828-2362
Fax: (804) 827-0163
Program Contact: Haisten Bonner, Program Coordinator
Email: hbonner@vcu.edu
Web: https://pediatricdentistry.vcu.edu/residency/
Program Length and Number of Positions
This is a 24-month program commencing on July 1 of each year. Six new positions are offered each year.
Program Type
The program is university-based with hospital affiliations. A certificate and a Master of Science in Dentistry is awarded at the conclusion of the program. The certificate and the Master’s degree must be awarded concurrently.
Application
The application deadline is September 15 of the year preceding matriculation. The program participates in the PASS and National Matching Service programs.
Description
The Advanced Education Program in Pediatric Dentistry offers the student a comprehensive 24-month course of study in clinical and didactic pediatric dentistry and is designed to meet the educational requirements for limitation of practice to pediatric dentistry and examination by the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry. Emphasis is placed on all phases of pediatric dentistry and at the end of the program the student will be able to provide comprehensive oral health care for the well child, the medically compromised child and the child with special health care needs. Extensive experience is provided in the areas of sedation, analgesia and the use of general anesthesia to deliver dental treatment. Research experience is gained through completion of an individual research project and a master’s thesis.
Curriculum
Seminars are held that cover topic relevant to pediatric dentistry and includes literature review and case presentations. Formal courses are presented in research design, pediatric advanced life support, and basic sciences. The residents also participate in undergraduate teaching and supervision. Off service rotations occur in general anesthesia, pediatric medicine, pediatric emergency room and craniofacial clinic.
Program Stipend and Tuition
Thanks to a partnership with VCU Health and Children's Hospital of Richmond at VCU, our residents now receive a $40,000/year stipend in addition to tuition assistance!
Program Fringe Benefits
The Department provides travel assistance and accommodations for residents to attend the AAPD Sedation Course in the R1 year. In the R2 year, the department supports travel and accommodations for the Pediatric Oral Health Advocacy Conference (POHAC) in Washington DC as well as the AAPD Annual Conference.
The VCU Board of Visitors establishes tuition and fee rates annually for advanced dental education students. The department provides tuition assistance to offset the cost of tuition. The 2024-25 year resident tuition schedule was as follows:
In state: $32,749
Out of state: $48,424
Resident Stipend: $40,000/year
Department Tuition assistance: $30,000/year
Total resident support: $70,000/ resident year
Facilities
Our brand new Pediatric Dental Clinic is located on the 6th of the Children's Pavilion of the Children's Hospital of Richmond- the only building of its kind in the region to bring pediatric medical, dental and surgical services together under one roof for convenient and well-rounded care. It is a modern 15-chair clinic that includes five suites equipped for moderate sedation, and central nitrous oxide. This is also the only pediatric office in the region with a dental laser for both soft tissue surgery and dental fillings.
Residents are provided with desk and filing space in the resident room located within the clinic. The Main Hospital Operating rooms, and the Children's Hospital of Richmond Children's Pavilion are utilized for outpatient dental treatment.
Admission Requirements
Applicants must meet the following criteria to be considered from admission:
- D.D.S. or D.M.D. from an ADA-accredited dental School
- Successful completion of the INBDE or Part 1 and Part 2 of the National Dental Board by the time of matriculation
- Minimum grade point average of 3.0 on 4.0 scale
- Ranking in the top 50% of the class
- Dental education transcripts
- Participation in PASS and MATCH
- Personal Interview
- Applicants with less than a 3.0 GPA will be considered if they have significant clinical experience
Program Strengths
- Diverse and balanced educational program in pediatric dentistry with dedicated and experienced dental faculty support
- Extensive experience in sedation/general anesthesia
- Operating room experience
- Cooperative relationships with other departments in the hospital and dental school
- Facilitated research experience
- Clinic is managed similar to a private practice
Program Faculty
Carol Caudill DDS- Interim Department Chair and Associate Professor*
Tiffany Williams DDS, MSD- Program Director and Associate Professor*
Elizabeth Bortell DDS- Associate Professor*
Paula Coates DDS, MS- Assistant Professor*
Pallavi Singh DDS- Assistant Professor*
Adjunct Faculty
Robert Kendig, DDS
Martin Oakes, DDS
Erika Sachno, DDS, MSD+
Katie Doswell, DDS, MS+
*Board-Certified, American Board of Pediatric Dentistry
+Board Certified, American Board of Orthodontics
School Profile
| Program Type: | University-based |
| Program Director: | Full-Time Board Certified |
| Program Faculty: | 5 Full-Time 4 Part-Time 5 Board Certified |
| Program Length: | 24 Total Months July 1 Start Date |
| Program Accreditation: | Approved |
| State Licensure: | Required |
| Number of Entering Positions: | 4 |
| Tuition In-State: | $32,749 (2024-25) |
| Tuition Out-Of-State: | $48,424 (2024-25) |
| Salary/Stipend: | 40,000 First Year 40,000 Second Year |
| Application: | 0 Fee September 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: |
No |
| Non-US citizens from foreign dental schools considered: |
No |
| Acceptance Applicant Ratio: | 1:25 |
| Clinic Experience: | Orthodontics Conscious Sedation Hospital Rotations General Anesthesia Emergency Call Operating Room Oral Surgery Infant Oral Health Medically Compromised 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 Data Collection Project |
| Teaching Experience: | One Week Clinic Half-Days 2 Lecture/Presentations |
| Facilities: | 15 Chair/Operatories 3 Clinic Receptionist 5 Dental Assistants 0 Dental Hygienists |