Graduate Program Overview
Program Faculty: Hu, Briskie, Boynton, Ignelzi, Majewski, Lawrence, Hendershot, Ramaswami, Tootla, Arruda and Staff.Graduate courses leading to the Master of Science degree are designed for dentists who qualify and wish to prepare for specialized private practice, for teaching and research, or for service with a department of hospital dentistry. The length of the program is 30 months. Each group is accepted for the first term of the academic year starting in July.
Facilities for the first year of study are located in Ann Arbor at the School of Dentistry and at the University of Michigan Hospital. Candidates spend the second year at Mott Children’s Health Center and at Hurley Medical Center in Flint, Michigan, and return weekly to Ann Arbor to follow orthodontic patients. The final six months of the program are devoted to advanced patient care activities, clinical teaching assignments, and presentation of a research thesis. The advanced education program in pediatric dentistry is constructed to reflect the role of the pediatric dentist in a contemporary environment.
The goals of the program are to provide the intellectual skills in applying the scientific method to solve problems in a rational and scientific manner. The student will use computer-aided bibliographic search strategies to identify pertinent literature and then locate information to assist in patient diagnosis and treatment. A second major goal is to provide training in orthodontics in order to apply appropriate appliances to manage selected dental malocclusions. Third, the student will be directly involved in two hospital based, pediatric patient care systems at the University and at Flint. Finally, the student will be assisted in defining an area of intellectual activity where new knowledge is needed. A research project will be devised and the student will carry through an area of original research in preparation of a thesis.
The major objectives of the program are to:
- Develop the ability to direct the child’s behavior during dental treatment and the child-parent relationship as they relate to oral health.
- Obtain mastery of the operative, orthodontic, and other procedures for the primary, mixed and immature permanent dentition.
- Secure clinical experience in hospital protocol and the dental treatment of impaired children who require special care.
- Learn to practice scientifically-based therapy for pulpally involved teeth.
- Manage any condition affecting teeth that have been traumatized.
- Secure the background for diagnosing and treating dental problems of growth, development, and health which require special skills and training for proper treatment.
- Master sufficient critically appraised information to devise an adequate program of oral health and institute all proven preventive measures.
- Gain knowledge and experience in the physical appraisal of developing child related to normal growth, chronic illness, and debilitating conditions.
- Develop knowledge of investigative procedures and the evaluation of scientific reporting of original data.
- Be able to use pharmacological agents for managing the health, safety, and behavior of normal and handicapped children and adolescents for whom special care is required during dental treatment.
- Guide and work efficiently with auxiliaries during dental treatment of child and adolescents.
- Supervise and teach undergraduate students in clinical pediatric dentistry, present case histories, lead seminars and attend teaching rounds at any of the educational facilities or hospitals.
- Develop leadership skills to interact with peers and community based health care programs as an advocate for children’s oral health.
Special needs of the individual students may be considered, with course selection made after consulting with the program director. To complete the program of study, original investigation of some problem pertinent to the practice of pediatric dentistry must be reported in a thesis. After successfully completing the program, the student should be qualified academically and technically for the eligibility examination conducted by the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry. Below is a typical graduate program in pediatric dentistry.
Curriculum
Orientation (Summer)
Ann Arbor Campus
Initiation of the advanced training program begins about July 1. Program goals and objectives are presented and discussed. Some advanced courses are initiated prior to the first semester which begins late August.
| Course | Number | Hours/Week | Credit Hours | |
| Ortho | 770 | Principles of Occlusal Development | 2 | 1 |
| Ortho | 763 | Orthodontic Clinic (Pediatric Dentistry) | 8 | 3 |
| Ortho | 772 | Introduction to Cephalometrics | 4 | 1 |
| Ortho | 775 | Introduction to Ortho Diagnosis | 1 | 1 |
| Ped Dent | 591 | Clinical Pediatric Dentistry | 10 | 3 |
| Ped Dent | 592 | Seminars in Pediatric Dentistry | 3 | 3 |
| Dent Ed | 603 | Craniofacial Development & Growth | 2 | 1 |
| Dent Ed | 610 | Scientific Communications | 2 | 1 |
| Total | 32 | 14 |
| Course | Number | Hours/Week | Credit Hours | |
| Ortho | 763 | Orthodontic Clinic (Pediatric Dentistry) | 8 | 3 |
| Ortho | 775 | Ped – Ortho Seminar | 2 | 1 |
| Ortho | 778 | Management Craniofacial Anomalies | 2 | 1 |
| Ped Dent | 591 | Clinical Pediatric Dentistry | 10 | 3 |
| Ped Dent | 593 | Current Literature in Pediatric Dentistry | 2 | 2 |
| Ped Dent | 595 | Seminar in Problems of Children’s Health | 2 | 2 |
| Ped Dent | 596 | Congenital and Acquired Defects of the Craniofacial Complex | 2 | 2 |
| Ped Dent | 599 | Pediatric Dentistry Anesthesia Rotation | (1 month) | 2 |
| Dent Ed | 612 | Molecular Biology in Clinical Dentistry | 2 | 1 |
| Total | 30+ | 17 |
First Year (Spring/Summer Half-Terms)
Ann Arbor Campus and Flint Campus
The student is to continue patient care at the school or university hospital and interceptive procedures for children experiencing minor occlusal problems. The pediatric anesthesiology rotation lasting one month is usually assigned during one of these half terms. Rotations to the Mott Children’s Health Center Clinic and Hurley Medical Center begin for new second year trainees on July 1.
| Course | Number | Hours/Week | Credit Hours | |
| Ortho | 763 | Orthodontic Clinic (Pediatric Dentistry) | 8 | 1 |
| Ped Dent | 591 | Clinical Pediatric Dentistry | 10 | 1 |
| Ped Dent | 593 | Current Literature in Pediatric Dentistry | 2 | 2 |
| Ped Dent | 594 | Investigations Leading to Thesis | 8 | 1 |
| Total | 28 | 5 |
| Course | Number | Hours/Week | Credit Hours | |
| Ped Dent | 591 | Clinical Pediatric Dentistry | 10 | 1 |
| Ped Dent | 593 | Current Literature in Pediatric Dentistry | 2 | 2 |
| Ped Dent | 594 | Investigation Leading to Thesis | 8 | 1 |
| Total | 20 | 4 |
Second Year (Spring Half-Term)
Flint Campus
Continue patient care activity at Flint campus. Residents are on detached study during the entire second year of their training.
Third Year (Summer Half-Term)
Ann Arbor Campus and Flint Campus
Rotation back to the Ann Arbor Campus begins on July 1. The student is actively engaged in patient care and teaching/mentoring. Scheduling of the final six months of the program is customized to the student’s needs and consists of various advanced academic and pediatric dental clinical requirements, including teaching assignments in the undergraduate clinics and completing a research project.
Third Year (Fall Term)
Ann Arbor Campus and Flint Campus
| Course | Number | Hours/Week | Credit Hours | |
| Ped Dent | 591 | Clinical Pediatric Dentistry | 10 | 3 |
| Ped Dent | 593A | Review of AAPD G/P | 1 | 1 |
| Ped Dent | 594 | Investigation Leading to Thesis | 8 | 2 |
| Total | 19 | 6 |
Courses
| 591 | Clinical Pediatric Dentistry | Hu, Faculty |
| Diagnosis, planning of treatment, and modified operative procedures for children are practiced. To provide safe dental procedures for the child patient, various methods of behavior control including sedation will be used. The following procedures are taught: the control of caries, observation and treatment of problems in occlusion, specialized treatment for dental anomalies, the management of vital exposed pulps, and the treatment of fractured teeth. The complexity and difficulty of the technical procedures are adjusted to the student's progress during four terms. | ||
| 592 | Seminars in Pediatric Dentistry | Tootla, Faculty |
| A historical key literature child review of the perspectives of dental management as it relates to today will be performed in seminar. Lectures by specialists, reviews of scientific literature, and written reports are used to provide the student with accurate information. Students are assigned articles from current pediatric dentistry and related literature and summarize the articles before the group at each session | ||
| 593 | Current Literature in Pediatric Dentistry | Tootla, Boynton |
| A historical key literature review of pulpal therapy and restorative materials for children will be performed by the students. The most recent developments in dental research as they relate to technical procedures in the mouth and the manipulation of dental materials are presented. Students are assigned articles from current pediatric dentistry and related literature and summarize the articles before the group at each session. | ||
| 593A | Review of American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry guidelines and policies | Hu |
| Review and discussion of guidelines, policies, and definitions published by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry are conducted. The purpose of this course is to develop a contemporary understanding of standard of care in pediatric dentistry in our residents. | ||
| 594 | Investigation Leading to Thesis | Hu, Faculty |
| A problem in original research is assigned in which literature is reviewed, material collected, experiments are conducted, or data checked, and conferences arranged with the heads of the departments concerned in the investigation of the problem. | ||
| 595 | Seminar in Problems of Children’s Health, Growth, Development, and Behavior | Hu, Boynton |
| These seminars are a forum for an in-depth discussion of the factors that define and influence the treatment of the pediatric patient who is medically compromised, chronically ill, and/or physically or mentally challenged. Topics discussed include the role of the dental professional in a multidisciplinary professional team, protocols for referring patients, requesting and responding to consultations, understanding the family of the special patient, and discussion of common and rare pediatric conditions, disorders, and diseases that require modification delivering care in the private dental practice and hospital. Among the conditions studied is; mental retardation, autism, epilepsy, childhood cancer, cardiac defects, epidermolysis bullosa, and various craniofacial syndromes. Graduate students become familiar with clinical provisions for the care of these patients through required rotations in the hospital dental clinic and departments including craniofacial anomalies, nephrology, hematology and oncology, bone marrow transplantation, and anesthesiology. Graduate students will also be trained in delivery of care and hospital wards and in the operating room. | ||
| 596 | Congenital and Aquired Defects of the Craniofacial Complex | Ignelzi |
| This literature-based course incorporates a review of the classic literature and contemporary science. This seminar course utilizes a discussion format led by the students. Each seminar is complemented by an extensive collection of clinical slides that demonstrate the defects being discussed. | ||
| 599 | General Anesthesia for Infants and Children | Tootla |
| This one month rotation provides both lecture and practical experience in the principles and application of general anesthesia for the infant, child and adolescent. | ||
| 763 | Orthodontics for the Pediatric Dentist | Arruda |
| Orthodontic clinic is held for the graduate students in the pediatric dentistry program. Students will participate in the diagnosis and treatment of Class I and Class II malocclusions in the pediatric patient. | ||
| 770 | Principles of Occlusal Development | West |
| The establishment, maturation, and maintenance of dental occlusion, emphasis is placed on the relationship of occlusal development and facial growth. The etiology of malocclusion is discussed. | ||
| 772 | Introduction to Cephalometrics (Core Course) | McNamara |
| An introduction to the measurement of the lateral and posteroanterior head film is provided. This laboratory and lecture course introduces the student to various methods of cephalometric analysis. | ||
| 775 | Introduction to Orthodontic Diagnosis | Palmer |
| This introductory course requires the student to gather diagnostic records leading to the diagnosis and treatment planning of the orthodontic patient. | ||
| 778 | Management of Children with Craniofacial Anomalies | Kelly |
| This seminar course considers the needs of children with craniofacial anomalies. The services of the plastic surgeon, oral surgeon, pediatric dentist, orthodontist, prosthodontist, pediatrician, and speech therapist are presented and discussed throughout the course and integrated into a comprehensive plan of treatment. | ||
| 603 | Craniofacial Development and Growth (Core Course) | Johnston, Berkman |
| This course provides the dental specialty student a broad, systemic survey of contemporary thought in the field of craniofacial development and growth. Starting with the molecular biology of the gene, the course then progresses to an examination of craniofacial morphogenesis and teratogenesis. It examines basic concepts of physical growth and region by region, the mechanisms of postnatal craniofacial growth and adaptation and their interaction with common modalities of treatment. The course ends with an overview of a variety of craniofacial anomalies, malformations, and syndromes. | ||
| 610 | Scientific Communications (Core Course) | Holland |
| This course addresses a variety of issues in scientific communications. Topics include development of research proposals, writing styles, literature review, preparation of abstracts and manuscripts, the publication process and oral presentation. Opportunities will be provided for the practice of these various forms of communications. | ||
| 612 | Molecular Biology in Clinical Dentistry (Core Course) | Nor |
| The practice of contemporary clinical dentistry will require an increasing knowledge of molecular biology, since paradigms of modern therapeutics are shifting towards the biological regeneration of tissues and pharmacogenetics. The focus of this course is to translate basic molecular biology into the daily practice of contemporary clinical dentistry. It is a course designed for clinical dentists that is ministered by clinical dentists who are involved in research. | ||