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 completion 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.

1. Develop the ability to direct the child’s behavior during dental treatment and the child-parent relationship as they relate to oral health.
2. Obtain mastery of the operative, orthodontic, and other procedures for the primary, mixed and young permanent dentition.
3. Secure clinical experience in hospital protocol and the dental treatment of medically compromised children who require special care.
4. Learn to practice scientifically-based therapy for pulpally involved teeth.
5. Manage any condition affecting teeth that have been traumatized.
6. Secure the background for diagnosing and treating dental problems of growth, development, and health which require special skills and training for proper treatment.
7. Master sufficient critically appraised information to devise an adequate program of oral health and institute all proven preventive measures.
8. Gain knowledge and experience in the physical appraisal of developing child related to normal growth, chronic illness, and debilitating conditions.
9. Develop knowledge of investigative procedures and the evaluation of scientific reporting of original data.
10. 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.
11. Guide and work efficiently with auxiliaries during dental treatment of child and adolescents.
12. Supervise and teach predoctoral students in clinical pediatric dentistry, present case histories, lead seminars and attend teaching rounds at any of the educational facilities or hospitals.
13. 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 by term

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.