Department of Pediatric Dentistry
Loma Linda University School of Dentistry
11092 Anderson St., PH 3301
Loma Linda, California 92350
Phone: (909) 558-4690
Fax: 909-558-0322
Email: jwchen@llu.edu
Web: http://www.llu.edu/llu/dentistry/pediatrics/graduateprogram.html
Program Length and Number of Positions
This is a 24-month program beginning July 1st. Four new positions will be offered each year.
Program Type
University-based postgraduate program leading to a Professional Certificate with an optional Master’s Degree (MS) or Master’s of Science in Dentistry (MSD).
Application
Completion of a Postdoctoral Application Support Service (PASS), Registration in the Postdoctoral Dental Matching Program, and a Loma Linda Supplemental Application.
Description
The Advanced Specialty Education Program in Pediatric Dentistry is designed to prepare residents for a practice limited to the care of children and adolescents. Completion of the curriculum leads to the award of a certificate in pediatric dentistry.
Clinical pediatric dentistry is emphasized; however, this clinical experience is balanced with a didactic curriculum of multidisciplinary courses and seminars. There is also a research component to the program designed to expose residents to problem solving using the scientific method. The program requires a minimum of 24 months in residence and begins on July 1st each year to fulfill the requirements of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry.
Curriculum
The program is designed to build upon the knowledge gained in dental school. Evidence-based principles and techniques for the prevention of oral disease are incorporated to tailor individual treatment plans to meet each patient’s realistic needs. Residents receive instruction and training on pediatric dentistry at the in depth level, both didactically and clinically. They are trained in providing both primary and comprehensive preventive and therapeutic oral health care for infants and children through adolescence, including those with special health care needs. The program encourages the development of a critical and inquiring attitude that is necessary for the advancement of practice, research, and teaching in pediatric dentistry. Courses are taught in seminar format throughout their program, and all curricula is formulated in accordance with current American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry Guidelines.
Program Stipend and Tuition
First- and second-year stipends are $2,700. Tuition for two years is 74,032. Please see LLUSD website for more information.
Facilities
The following are a list of the facilities/equipment that are readily accessible to the pediatric dentistry residents during the training: Intraoral radiographic facilities, extraoral radiographic facilities, dental laboratory facilities, operatories, staff offices, study areas, conference rooms, dental recovery areas, sterilization capabilities (autoclave), emergency drugs, emergency equipment (oxygen under pressure, suction, resuscitative equipment, distance education resources).
Admission Requirements
The following information and documentation are required for all applications to the Pediatric Dentistry Program:
- Transcript(s) - from all post-secondary institutions from which the applicant received credit whether or not the work pertains to their LLU degree.
Applicants who have transcripts from non-US dental schools must submit a translated course-by-course transcript report from one of the following agencies: World Education Services (WES), American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO), Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc (ECE), American Education Research Corporation (AERC). - Official Degree Certificate (for all international applicants) - Any foreign transcript (or mark sheet) that does not list on it the graduation information, including the actual degree earned, must be supported by an official degree certificate or school-verified copy of the degree certificate mailed directly from the issuing institution to Admissions Processing, Loma Linda University.
- Dental License (for all international applicants) - All applicants for the Pediatric Dentistry Program who have received their dental school training outside of the United States or Canada must have a current dental license from their country and submit a notarized copy with their application.
- GPA and Class Rank - A cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher. GPA and class rank can be submitted through the Institutional Evaluation on PASS.
- Graduate Record Examination (GRE) - Satisfactory completion of the GRE is required for all applicants who have completed their dental school training outside the United States or Canada.
- National Board Dental Examination (NBDE) - Successful completion of the National Board Dental Examination Part I and Part II (when available) is required for all U.S.-trained applicants.
- English Proficiency Exam - Regardless of nationality or citizenship, an applicant whose native language is not English or whose secondary education has been given outside the U.S. is required to pass one of the following English proficiency tests: TOEFL, IELTS, or MELAB.
- Letters of recommendation - Three letters of recommendation from individuals who have known and worked closely with the candidate are required in support of an application. Letters of recommendation are valid for no more than two consecutive years for the same program. Letters of recommendation also must be program specific (ie, support an applicant for the actual program to which he/she is applying).
Program Strengths
The program's strengths are based on planning, evaluation, and improvements to the program, as well as the residents' effectiveness in passing the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry's Qualifying Exam and becoming certified. The program director continuously evaluates student outcomes (procedures, productivity, grades), staff surveys, and program outcomes (adequacy of clinical time, faculty feedback, student feedback, etc). Any adjustments are made according to the reports, so that the program is always improving. As of 2011, the number of graduates that have passed the qualifying exam and been certified has been above 95%.
Program Faculty
Jung-Wei Chen*
Bonnie Nelson*
Wesley Okumura*
Samah Omar*
*Board certified
School Profile
| Program Type: | Combined Hospital-based University-based Degree Certificate |
| Program Director: | Full-Time Board Certified |
| Program Faculty: | 32 Full-Time 12 Part-Time 10 Board Certified |
| Program Length: | 24 Total Months July 1 Start Date |
| Program Accreditation: | Approved |
| State Licensure: | Restricted License Available |
| Number of Entering Positions: | 4 |
| Tuition In-State: | 74,032 First Year 74,032 Second Year |
| Tuition Out-Of-State: | 74,032 First Year 74,032 Second Year |
| Salary/Stipend: | 2,700 First Year 2,700 Second Year |
| Application: | 60 Fee October 1st – Deadline Deadline |
| Participant in National Matching Service: |
Yes |
| Participant in PASS: | Yes |
| Only US citizens from ADA accredited dental schools considered: |
No |
| 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: | 1:20 |
| 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 Data Collection Project Case Report |
| Teaching Experience: | 1/week Clinic Half-Days 1/week Lecture/Presentations |
| Facilities: | 5 Chair/Operatories 3 Clinic Receptionist 8 Dental Assistants 0 Dental Hygienists |