Advanced Education Programs in Pediatric Dentistry 
Department of Pediatric Dentistry (M/C 850)
College of Dentistry
University of Illinois at Chicago
801 S. Paulina St.
Chicago, Illinois 60612-7211
Phone: (312) 996-7531
Fax: (312) 996-1638
Email: jwantrob@uic.edu
Web: https://dentistry.uic.edu/programs/advanced-specialty-programs/pediatric-dentistry-graduate-residency-program

Program Length and Number of Positions

The Department of Pediatric Dentistry will accept up to 9 residents into the 2018-2019 entering class. All positions will be awarded through the Dental Match Service.

The program is a 2-year Certificate Program with an optional Master of Science (MS) in Oral Sciences.

Program Type

University-based, hospital-affiliated program

Application

The application deadline is September 1st of the year preceding matriculation. Correspondence regarding application and admission procedures should be addressed to Jean O’Finn, Jwantrob@uic.edu at the following address: 

Jean O’Finn
University of Illinois at Chicago
College of Dentistry 
Department of Pediatric Dentistry, M/C 850
801 South Paulina Street, Room 256
Chicago, IL 60612

Specific questions should be addressed to:
Dr. David Avenetti, Avenetti@uic.edu; Postgraduate Program Director and Head, Department of Pediatric Dentistry, University of Illinois at Chicago, 801 S. Paulina St., Chicago, IL 60612-7211; (312) 996-7531. 

Description

The program is university-based/hospital-affiliated and fulfills the requirements for advanced education in pediatric dentistry as approved by the American Dental Association Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA). Upon completion, graduates are eligible to pursue board certification through the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry (ABPD). Graduates have a track record of success with both the written and oral ABPD examinations.

The program provides a rich and diversified educational experience that emphasizes comprehensive oral health care for healthy and medically complex infants, children and adolescents. Its newly-renovated, state-of-the-art graduate clinic with 20 operatories (8 of which are private rooms), attends to a large and diverse population of the city of Chicago and the state of Illinois. Each operatory is equipped with nitrous oxide, digital radiography, a video monitor and a computer. There is an optimal ratio of dental assistants to residents. Residents graduate with significant experience providing care using different modalities of behavior management, including nitrous oxide, moderate sedation (oral and intranasal modalities) and general anesthesia.

Curriculum

Clinical experiences primarily occur in the pediatric dentistry graduate clinic at the UIC College of Dentistry. Our facilities offer collaboration and consultation with professionals from other departments within the College of Dentistry and other health sciences. Dental care under general anesthesia, after-hours emergency dental care, and rotations in pediatric and subspeciality medical clinics (Cardiology, Hematology/Oncology, General Pediatrics, Anesthesiology, Emergency Medicine, Craniofacial clinic, etc.) take place at the University of Illinois Hospital which is conveniently located adjacent to the College of Dentistry. Plans are underway to integrate in-office general anesthesia to supplement the operating room experience at UI Hospital. The residents also rotate in the Department of Oral Surgery at the College to observe and/or treat complex pediatric and adult oral surgery cases done under intravenous sedation. Our busy undergraduate pediatric dental clinic provides an excellent venue for both clinical and lab teaching of dental students. Residents receive clinical and didactic orthodontic experiences in the Mixed Dentition Clinic, which is a collaboration with the Department of Orthodontics.

Learning modalities include didactic courses, seminars, continuing education courses, and clinical experiences. The curriculum includes, among others: behavior management, child development and psychology, pulp therapy, orthodontics/growth & development, oral care for special health care needs patients/hospital dentistry, dental traumatology, biostatistics, epidemiology and research methods, dental radiology, pediatric oral pathology, dental materials, cariology/miscrobiology, infant oral health and prevention, advocacy, practice management, inherited and acquired dental anomalies, and principles of sedation and general anesthesia. The program offers a specially-designed seminar on leadership development for residents. Additional topics are covered in rounds and in a seminar format.

The program is designed to fully prepare the resident for clinical practice, as well as to provide educational opportunities for those who desire to pursue a teaching, public health or research career in pediatric dentistry.

Program Stipend and Tuition

The program awards graduates with a Certificate in the Specialty of Pediatric Dentistry. Graduate Medical Education (GME) residents receive a competitive stipend for the duration of the certificate program. For 2017-2018, the first-year stipend is $53,736, and the second-year stipend is $55,632, plus health coverage and fringe benefits. Each July, it is expected there will be a small increase to the stipend. There are no tuition fees for enrollment in the Certificate program. Note that eligibility for a GME stipend is determined by GME policies and not by the residency program.

A Master of Science in Oral Sciences degree is optional but strongly suggested. Tuition for the Master's program is waived, up to $5,250 annually for the first 2 years, but it is taxed.

Accepted residents must plan to be in Chicago by mid-June for mandatory GME, College of Dentistry, and Program orientation prior to the program start.

Facilities

• University of Illinois at Chicago College of Dentistry 
• University of Illinois Hospital and Health Science System 
• Community partner clinics
  
  

Admission Requirements

• Review the ADEA/PASS website for full details pertaining to the application requirements. We ask that applicants review the program description and application requirements listed prior to contacting the department. We try to ensure that these resources provide consistent and up-to-date information. The application deadline is September 1, 2017.
• Complete the UIC Supplemental Application, Please e-mail your completed supplemental application and a digital copy of your passport-style 2x2 photograph to Jean O'Finn, Program Coordinator, at Jwantrob@uic.edu by September 1, 2017. Hard-copies of photos and supplemental applications should not be mailed directly to the program. There is no supplemental charge to apply to the program.
• ADAT. We will not require the ADAT for the 2017-2018 cycle. Applicants wishing to take the ADAT may submit score reports for consideration with the application materials, but this is optional.
• Interviews. Interviews will occur on three dates in late-October and early-November.

Program Strengths

Strong didactic (25%) and clinic (60%) experience, as well as research (10%), and teaching (5%) 

• Large diverse patient pool with a public health emphasis
• Significant exposure to healthy patients and children with special health care needs
• Opportunity for interdisciplinary care with other dental and medical specialties
• Extensive exposure to minimal and moderate sedation and general anesthesia
• Excellent, newly renovated facilities, significant hospital activity, and supporting medical/dental staff 
• Diversified and experienced faculty with clinical and research expertise 
• Extensive opportunities to gain teaching skills and experience

Program Faculty

Full-Time Clinical Pediatric Dentistry Faculty
Marcio da Fonseca, D.D.S., M.S., Clinical Associate Professor and Department Head, Director of Oral Health for Special Needs Children* 
David Avenetti, D.D.S., M.S.D., M.P.H, Clinical Assistant Professor and Postgraduate Program Director* 
Sahar Alrayyes, D.D.S., M.S., Clinical Associate Professor, Clinic Director * 
Evelina Kratunova, B.D.S., Clinical Assistant Professor
Ian Marion, D.D.S., M.S., Clinical Assistant Professor
Larry B. Salzmann, D.D.S., Clinical Professor, Predoctoral Program Director

Full-Time Non-Clinical Pediatric Dentistry Faculty
Linda Kaste, D.D.S., M.S., Ph.D., Dental Public Health and Epidemiology Associate Professor
Sheela Raja, Ph.D., Clinical Psychology and Assistant Professor
Chuck LeHew, Ph.D., Research Assistant Professor
Christine Wu, Ph.D., Professor, Director Caries Research

Part-Time Clinical Pediatric Dentistry Faculty
Mary Claire Garcia, D.D.S., M.S., Clinical Assistant Professor
Shahrbanoo Fadavi, D.D.S., M.S., Professor* 
Nicola Hill-Cordell, D.D.S., Clinical Assistant Professor*
Flavia Lamberghini, D.D.S., M.S., M.P.H., Clinical Assistant Professor
Indru Punwani, D.D.S., M.S.D., Professor Emeritus*
Maribel Reyes de Lobos, D.D.S., M.S., Clinical Assistant Professor*

* Diplomate, American Board of Pediatric Dentistry 
** Illinois State Specialty License

School Profile

 

Program Type:	University-based Degree Certificate
Program Director:	Full-Time Board Certified
Program Faculty:	6 Full-Time 6 Part-Time 14 Board Certified
Program Length:	24 Total Months July 1 Start Date
Program Accreditation:	Approved
State Licensure:	Restricted License Available
Number of Entering Positions:	Up to 9
Tuition In-State:	Tuition Waived (for Certificate Program) First Year Tuition Waived (for Certificate Program) Second Year
Tuition Out-Of-State:	Tuition Waived (for Certificate Program) First Year Tuition Waived (for Certificate Program) Second Year
Salary/Stipend:	53,736 First Year 55,632 Second Year
Application:	September 1 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:	1:8
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
Didactic Experience:	Seminars Literature Review Courses Case Conferences Lectures
Research Requirement:	Data Collection Project
Teaching Experience:	1 Clinic Half-Days Yes Lecture/Presentations
Facilities:	20 Chair/Operatories 5 Clinic Receptionist 12 Dental Assistants