Goals & Objectives

Goals of the Pediatric Dentistry Program

1. To conduct a CDA-accredited advanced education program in pediatric dentistry that adheres to the approved standards.
2. To prepare graduates for a career in the specialty of pediatric dentistry with an emphasis on clinical practice.
3. To prepare graduates for the certification examinations of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry.
4. To produce a pediatric dental specialist competent in the prevention and management of orofacial health problems as defined by the scope of practice.
5. To stimulate the student’s desire for creativity, inquiry, and critical thinking necessary for the advancement of the specialty.

Objectives of the Pediatric Dentistry Program

1. Following completion of the program, the resident must be knowledgeable in understanding the:
   a) biomedical sciences in a scope and depth greater than that achieved during undergraduate education
   b) objective evaluation of scientific information,
   c) important biomedical science concepts and principles which govern clinical procedures associated with pediatric dentistry,
2. Following completion of the program, the resident must be knowledgeable in the principles of:
   a) education and communication
   b) child behavior and the clinical management of behavior problems of children in the dental environment,
   c) craniofacial growth and development including diagnostic procedures to recognize developing malocclusions and to identify those conditions which can be corrected or significantly improved by the early utilization of limited procedures.
   d) normal and abnormal, physical, psychological and social development,
   e) biostatistics,
   f) pediatric medicine and oral pathology,
   g) pharmacology including anesthetics, analgesics, sedatives and antibiotics for children and adolescents,
   h) prevention of oral disease and treatment of dental caries and periodontal disease.
   i) pediatric dental radiology and the procedures of radiation hygiene
   j) speech and language development and communication disorders,
   k) the design, implementation and management of a modern practice of pediatric dentistry,
   l) conducting and evaluating research
3. Following completion of the program, the resident must be competent in clinical skills and judgement required in the following areas:
   a) working cooperatively with consultants and clinicians in other dental specialties and health fields,
   b) patient management using non-pharmacological and pharmacological approaches,
   c) application of preventive practices including prenatal and postnatal counseling,
   d) comprehensive restorative care for children, adolescents and handicapped individuals,
   e) recognition of abnormalities in the developing dentition and treatment of those conditions which can be corrected or significantly improved by the early utilization of limited procedures,
   f) Management of oral-facial traumatic injuries including those associated with child abuse,
   g) comprehensive oral health care of physically, mentally and emotionally compromised individuals,
   h) recognition of oral diseases and craniofacial anomalies in children, adolescents and the handicapped, and participation in care along with a qualified team of interdisciplinary practitioners,
   i) physical assessment of children and adolescents,
   j) in-hospital oral health care for patients,
   k) provision of dental services for patients with the aid of general anesthesia in a hospital operating room setting including instruction in procedures for assisting in the management of anesthetic emergencies,
   l) making, processing and interpreting radiographs.
   m) presentation and evaluation of the treatment,
   n) utilization and management of auxiliary personnel,
   o) management of patients using conscious sedation techniques
   p) supervised teaching experience