Postgraduate Program in Pediatric Dentistry - Certificate

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Degree Offered: Certificate
Program Leadership:
Thomas Tanbonliong, DDS, Program Director
Admissions Inquiries:
Brennan Crilly, Assistant Director, Admissions and Outreach

Program Description

UCSF offers a three-year certificate program in Pediatric Dentistry with co-enrollment in a Master of Science (MS) program in Oral and Craniofacial Sciences at UCSF or a Master of Public Health (MPH) program through San Jose State University.

Instruction in all areas of pediatric dentistry is provided through lectures, seminars, and clinical experiences in diverse clinical settings including specialty inpatient and outpatient clinics, hospital operating rooms and affiliated federally qualified health centers. Emphasis is placed on pediatric dentistry's relationship to all other areas of dentistry and medicine, including the medically complex and special health care needs patients. All trainees will complete a core curriculum in biostatistics, biomaterials, developmental biology, oral pathology, pharmacology, medical ethics and research designs and methods. Trainees are also exposed to different dental public health topics that impact providing oral health care to the most vulnerable population. This diverse curriculum develops trainees' ability to apply evidence-based principles to clinical decision-making and critical thinking.

The program's clinical component provides well-balanced experiences in treating healthy children, children with special health care needs, broad exposure to traumatic injuries, children with acute medical conditions, and interceptive orthodontics. Exposure to different pharmacological and non-pharmacological behavior guidance techniques is an integral part of the training. Trainees receive well-rounded and in-depth clinical experiences to prepare them for multiple scenarios, which enhances their ability to respond to and manage clinical situations that they will encounter in practice.

Clinical rotations include medical anesthesia and pediatric medicine. The presence of the divisions of orthodontics and craniofacial anomalies within the department leads to strong ties and education in these areas. Trainees are exposed to interceptive orthodontics from the beginning of the program. They also serve as teaching assistants in the pre-doctoral pediatric dental clinic, which further develops skills in clinical analysis and patient management.

Trainees must complete a research project, under faculty member’s supervision that will result in presentations at state or national conferences.

Admission Requirements

We accept five trainees into the three-year program (MATCH selection process) each year. To be eligible, you must meet the following requirements:

  • Hold a DDS or DMD degree issued by a dental school accredited by the U.S. ADA’s Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) by the start of the program.
  • Applicants must Pass the National Board Dental Examination (NBDE), Part 1 or Integrated National Board Exam (INBDE) by the application deadline if you are currently in dental school. Applicants that have completed dental school must Pass and submit NBDE Parts 1 and 2 or INBDE by application deadline. Matched applicants must Pass and submit NBDE Part 2 results by the start of the program if the NBDE Part 1/2 exam was taken.  
  • A separate application for SJSU MPH program will be required if you elect to pursue the MPH program.

Learn more about Pediatric Dentistry Program admissions: https://dentistry.ucsf.edu/programs/post-grad/pediatric-dentistry/admissions

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the program, learners will be expected to:

  1. Demonstrate in-depth knowledge in the evidenced-based science that drives the practice of pediatric dentistry.
  2. Develop an appropriate comprehensive treatment plan that includes prevention, restorative, endodontic, surgical and orthodontic procedures for the healthy as well as the medically complex and special health care needs pediatric patient.
  3. Be able to manage pediatric dental patients using different behavior guidance modalities, from basic behavior management techniques to advanced behavior management techniques.
  4. Demonstrate knowledge and skill in the evaluation and medical management of pediatric patients who have acute and chronic medical conditions.
  5. Be able to function as an integral member of a medical interdisciplinary team.
  6. Demonstrate knowledge and skill in managing the needs of patients with different craniofacial anomalies.
  7. Demonstrate knowledge and clinical competence in management of traumatic injuries to primary and permanent dentitions.
  8. Demonstrate knowledge and awareness on dental public health issues affecting the pediatric and adolescent population, including those in underserved and disadvantaged communities.
  9. Be eligible to participate in the ABPD certification process.

Additional Information

Program Faculty