Department of Pediatric Dentistry 
UNC School of Dentistry
CB 7450, 205 Brauer Hall
Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599-7450
Phone: (919) 537-3955
Fax: (919) 537-3950
Email: jessica_lee@unc.edu

Program Length and Number of Positions

This is a 36-month program commencing on July 1 each year. Three new positions are offered each year; four positions are offered occasionally.

Program Type

University-based certificate/degree program with hospital affiliations at UNC Children’s Hospital.

Application

The application deadline is September 15 of the year preceding matriculation. Correspondence regarding application and admission procedures should be addressed to:

Jessica Lee, Department of Pediatric Dentistry, UNC School of Dentistry, CB 7450, 228 Brauer Hall, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599; jessica_lee@unc.edu

Description

The program emphasis is placed on diversified educational experiences aimed at problem solving. The department enjoys harmonious teaching and patient care relationships with other departments/units including anesthesiology, orthodontics, endodontics, oral medicine, radiology, oral and maxillofacial surgery, periodontics and pediatrics. This program offers more in-depth clinical and research experiences than traditional programs and is aimed at the serious clinician, future academician or the budding investigator. Development of health care leadership skills is emphasized with externships and training at the local, state and national levels.

Curriculum

Clinic patients are selected to provide a variety of experiences in the areas of restorative dentistry, orthodontics, dentistry for the handicapped, dental developmental deformities, genetic abnormalities, behavior management and hospital dental care. Clinical activities are carried out in a school-based children's clinic and at several extramural sites. Clinical experience is distributed during all three years.

Education and experience in sedation and anesthesia are received through didactic and clinical training at the School of Dentistry and through a rotation in anesthesia at University of North Carolina Hospitals. Physical diagnosis and pediatric medicine are taught through an association and rotation with the Department of Pediatrics at the UNC School of Medicine.

Each student completes several experiences focused on developing and improving skills in scholarship and research. During the first year each student is encouraged to write and submit for publication a case report and complete courses in research design, statistics and dental education techniques in conjunction with protocol preparation. The second year is devoted largely to an original investigation that was planned and organized during the first year. This provides a background in the scientific method and writing. Numerous projects have received national acclaim and been published in the refereed dental literature. 

The Program in Pediatric Dentistry can be combined with an individual Dentist-Scientist Award or postdoctoral training leading to a Ph.D. The student also is an active member of the department's teaching team during the second and third years. During the third year, the thesis is prepared along with a publishable copy. Upon completion of the program, students meet the advanced education eligibility requirements of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry. 

Program Stipend and Tuition

Stipend level is $28,000 plus a minimum of 3,000 fellowship support a year for all three years. Tuition is approximately $4,972 per semester for in-state residents and $13,638 per semester for out-of-state residents.

Facilities

• School of Dentistry, UNC-Chapel Hill 
• University of North Carolina Hospitals 
• Gateway Educational Center at Greensboro, North Carolina 
• Orange County Health Department 
• North Carolina Department of Human Resources
• Cherokee Indian Hospital 

Admission Requirements

Applicants must apply through PASS and MATCH. All interviews are by special invitation.

Program Strengths

• Excellent didactic background with thorough exposure to critical thinking and research methodology 
• Unique opportunity to receive training and experience in developing leadership skills for a career in academia, health care-related organizations or government agencies 
• Strong clinical program with excellent liaison with the Department of Orthodontics
• Significant dental experience in a university teaching hospital including dental care in the operating room under general anesthesia 
• Significant experience in moderate oral sedation in children
• Exceptional clinical experience in managing trauma and infection and great seminar experiences in those areas in joint seminars with the endodontic faculty/residents 
• An intensive research program that allows an in- depth investigation 

Program Faculty

Jessica Y. Lee Distinguished Professor and Program Director (full time)*
J. Timothy Wright, Distinguished Professor and Chair (full time)* 
William F. Vann, Jr., Distinguished Professor (part time)* 
Phil Caldwell, Adjunct Assistant Professor (part-time)*
John Christensen, Adjunct Associate Professor, Pediatric Dentistry/Orthodontics (part time)*
Kimon Divaris, Research Assistant Professor (full time)*
Diane Dilley, Associate Professor (part time)* 
Eric Everett, Professor and Associate Dean for Research (full time)
Martha Ann Keels, Adjunct Assistant Professor/Assistant Clinical Professor, Duke University (part-time)*
Lorne Koroluk, Associate Professor, Pediatric Dentistry/Orthodontics (full time)*

Linwood Long, Adjunct Associate Professor (part-time)
F. Thomas McIver, Professor (part-time)
Michael Milano, Clinical Associate Professor (full time)*
Theodore Oldenburg, Professor (part-time)* 
Rocio Quinonnez, Associate Professor (full time)* 
Michael W. Roberts, Professor (full time)*


*Board certified 

School Profile

 

Program Type:	Combined Degree Certificate
Program Director:	Full-Time Board Certified
Program Faculty:	8 Full-Time 8 Part-Time 13 Board Certified
Program Length:	36 Total Months July 1 Start Date
Program Accreditation:	Approved
State Licensure:	Restricted License Available
Number of Entering Positions:	3 occasionally 4
Tuition In-State:	13,148 First Year 13,148 Second Year 4,690 Third Year
Tuition Out-Of-State:	29,080 First Year 29,080 Second Year 8,522 Third Year
Salary/Stipend:	28,000 stipend plus 3,000 fellowship First Year 28,000 stipend plus 3,000 fellowship Second Year 28,000 stipend plus 3,000 fellowship Third Year
Application:	PASS Fee September 15 Deadline
Participant in National Matching Service:	Yes
Participant in PASS:	Yes
Only US citizens from ADA  accredited dental schools  considered:	Yes
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:	3:90
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
Research Requirement:	Thesis Data Collection Project
Teaching Experience:	Yes Clinic Half-Days Yes Lecture/Presentations
Facilities:	12 Chair/Operatories 2 Clinic Receptionist 9 Dental Assistants 1 Dental Hygienists