Advanced Education Program in Pediatric Dentistry 
School of Dental Medicine Office of Graduate Studies
University of Puerto Rico
P.O. Box 365067
San Juan, Puerto Rico 00936-5067
Phone: 787) 758-2525 ext 1106
Fax: (787) 522-9042

Program Length and Number of Positions

This is a 24-month program beginning July 1 of each year. Five new positions are offered each year.

Program Type

University- and hospital-based certificate program with option for Master in Dental Sciences

Application

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

Pediatric Dentistry Dean of Graduate Dental Education, School of Dental Medicine, Medical Sciences Campus, P.O. Box 365067, San Juan, PR 00936-5067.

Description

The Pediatric Dentistry Program includes instruction on behavior management, treatment of special care health needs children, preventive and interceptive treatment of malocclusion, dental practice in the hospital setting, general anesthesia, biostatistics, research, pediatrics, physical diagnosis, clinically oriented basic science and dental education. Instruction and clinical practice are conducted at the School of Dentistry and the Pediatric University Hospital. The structure and content of this program follows the guidelines for advanced education programs established by the ADA Council on Dental Education and the AAPD. Upon completion of the program, the student receives a certificate and meets the eligibility requirements for the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry examination. Student may apply for the master's degree upon completion of the certificate program.

Curriculum

Required didactic courses include: advanced oral biology care, advanced pediatric dentistry, problems of special care health needs children, interceptive orthodontics seminar, growth and development, research for residents, cephalometrics, biostatistics, pediatrics, physical diagnosis and oral pathology. Completion of a research project is required for certification. A thesis is required for the master's degree.

Required clinical courses include advanced pediatric dentistry clinic, special pediatric dentistry clinic and interceptive orthodontics. Residents spend one month each in anesthesia and pediatrics. Residents participate in the meetings of the cleft-palate team at the Pediatric University Hospital. Community extramural experiences includes: SanGabriel Institute for Deaf Children, Head Start Community Project, and HealthPromed and COSSMA off-site community clinics.

Program Stipend and Tuition

The yearly stipend for a first year resident is approximately $36,000 and for second year $38,000. The tuition cost for the first year is $4,058 and for the second year $3,263 Additional fees for technology, construction and laboratory fees applied. Students without health insurances should pay a yearly health services fee of $684.

For out-of-state tuition, first year is approximately $7,219 and for second year is $7,246. This information may change according to university revisions. Candidates should inquire for the latest and updated information as this is subject to change.

Facilities

• School of Dental Medicine Pediatric Dentistry Clinic 
• Pediatric University Hospital
• Community Clinic
• San Juan Municipal Hospital
• Three Community Clinics

Admission Requirements

Applicants must fulfill the following requirements to be considered for admission:

• Application through the PASS system.
• $50.00 application fee and photograph sent directly to the Program 
• One (1) Personal Potential Index Evaluation (PPI) from the dental school Dean or the Dean for Student Affairs or Academic Affairs with a letter of recommendation stating the National Board's results, the student's GPA and class ranking. One (1) Personal Potential Index Evaluation (PPI) from a faculty in the Pediatric Dentistry Department, Two (2) additional Personal Potential Index Evaluation (PPI) from other faculty members.
• Official transcripts from all institutions of higher education
• Photocopies of diplomas/certificates
• Letter of recommendation from dental society secretary in area of residence (for applicants in private practice)
• Photocopy of license to practice dentistry in area of residence (only for applicants who graduated from dental school over one year prior to application date)
• Certificate of comprehensive medical examination made within six months of application date
• Letter of recommendation from dental school dean certifying number of students in class and applicant's class standing
• Conversion of transcript numerical grades to letter grades (i.e. A-excellent; B-good; C-fair; D- and F-failure)
• Personal interviews
• Must be fluent in English and Spanish.
• National Board Dental Examination results Part I and II (for graduates of ADA-accredited dental school, Part I must be passed before application)
• National Board Dental Examination results Part I before application (for graduates of non ADA-accredited dental school) 
• PALS and CPR course required for matriculation

Program Strengths

• The availability, the variety and the pool of medically compromised children with dental problems
• The availability and extensive use of medical consultants during the treatment of these children 
• The comprehensive treatment of malocclusion through orthodontic therapy 
• Special community projects with additional clinic experience.
• Operating room case load. 
• Didactic program with 50 percent time committed to the hospital environment

Program Faculty

Emilio Agrait, D.M.D., Professor/Program Director*
Liz Arocho DMD, Assistant Professor**
Noel J. Aymat, DMD, Professor*
Melba Esquilin, D.M.D.,MPH, Assistant Professor*
Rosana Hanke, D.M.D, M.S.D., Professor*
Damaris Molina, D.M.D., Professor*
Elaine Pagán,D.M.D., Associated Professor* 
Alexis Pagán, D.M.D, Assistant Professor*
Yinayra Victoria DMD, Assistant Professor*
Cheryl Paulo DMD, Assistant Professor*
Ana L. Hernandez DMD, Assistant Professor
Yaira Santana, DMD, Assistant Professor*
*Board Certified
** Board Certified Oral Maxilofacial Surgeon

School Profile

 

Program Type:	Combined Hospital-based University-based Degree Certificate
Program Director:	Full-Time Board Certified
Program Faculty:	7 Full-Time 5 Part-Time 10 Board Certified
Program Length:	24 Total Months July 1 Start Date
Program Accreditation:	Approved
State Licensure:
Number of Entering Positions:	5
Tuition In-State:	4,058 First Year 3,263 Second Year
Tuition Out-Of-State:	4,876 First Year 4,903 Second Year
Salary/Stipend:	36,000 First Year 38,0000 Second Year Varies Third Year
Application:	September 15 Deadline
Participant in National Matching Service:	No
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:	5:30
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
Didactic Experience:	Seminars Literature Review Courses Case Conferences
Research Requirement:	Thesis Data Collection Project Case Report
Teaching Experience:	1 Clinic Half-Days
Facilities: