Pediatric Dentistry
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Graduate Program in Pediatric Dentistry
The Graduate Program in Pediatric Dentistry has an established record of combined curricula with other disciplines in public health and the basic sciences. Dual or combined programs can be structured to accommodate a non-dental master’s degree, a postdoctoral fellowship, an individual dental scientist award or a doctoral degree. The most popular degree options are the Master of Science in Dentistry, the Master of Public Health and the PhD. There is no certificate-only option.
Each graduate student completes several experiences focused on developing skills in scholarship and structured academic research.
Curriculum
The clinical education of pediatric dentistry is a critical part of the Graduate Program in Pediatric Dentistry. Clinical experience is obtained in facilities located at the Adams School of Dentistry and UNC Hospitals and the Durham County Health Department.
A major aim of our program is to prepare graduates for roles of leadership in the professional community, the academic arena or in government service. A special emphasis is placed upon the recruitment and career development of individuals prepared to address the oral health issues of children in the coming decades.
Admissions
Applicants must utilize the Postdoctoral Application Support Service (PASS) administered by the American Dental Education Association and the Postdoctoral Dental Matching Program (MATCH).
Additional Information
Application Deadline: September 15
Applicants must utilize the Postdoctoral Application Support Service (PASS) administered by the American Dental Education Association and the Postdoctoral Dental Matching Program (MATCH).
Applicants should not apply to the UNC graduate school until accepted into the program.
All prospective students must hold a DDS, DMD or equivalent degree from a dental school.
Admission criteria are applied equally to all applicants regardless of race, sex, color, national origin or religion. Minority students are encouraged to apply.
In addition to the above items, international applicants must include the following in their PASS application:
- Foreign transcripts evaluation
- TOEFL examination scores
International students are required to take the TOEFL exam with a minimum of 90 on the internet-based test, or the IELTS with a minimum score of 7.5. The exam score must be less than two years old.
International applicants must submit official academic records bearing the signature of the registrar or another academic official and either a raised or ink stamp or seal of the issuing institution. Records must be issued in the original language and be accompanied by certified English translations. International applicants must also submit verification that the degree has been awarded or a copy of the degree award.
Applicants may view the Adams School of Dentistry policies using the links below including, but not limited to, Bloodborne Pathogens and Infectious Disease.
The cost of attending graduate school includes tuition, fees, and health insurance, for which the student is billed directly. Tuition and fees for the master’s programs in the Adams School of Dentistry are available through the University Cashier.
Graduate students must pay tuition and fees during all years of study and training. These charges are subject to change at any meeting of the NC Board of Trustees and a yearly increase of 5-10 percent should be anticipated each year. Estimates for living expenses are available through the Office of Scholarships and Student Aid.
Out-of-state students and international students with permanent resident status (“green card”) are required to establish legal residence in North Carolina and to apply for classification as a state resident for tuition purposes when eligible. Failure to do so will result in the denial of tuition remission and in-state award. Guidelines and application forms for establishing residency are available from the UNC-Chapel Hill Graduate School.
Stipend Support
Stipends are contingent on availability of funds. Regardless of the availability of stipend support, teaching responsibilities are required as a part of the program.
Tuition Remission
Tuition remission, or the reduction by 50% of the out-of-state to the in-state tuition rate, is awarded by the semester as is a 50% in-state award which also reduces tuition cost.
To meet the general eligibility requirements, the student must be enrolled as a full-time student during the semester of the award.
Awards are contingent on availability of funds; having a teaching or research assistantship does not guarantee remission will be awarded. There is no application process for tuition remission. Tuition remission is not offered during the summer.
The Department of Pediatric Dentistry is committed to providing dental care to children living in underserved areas. We also believe that understanding working with these populations is an important part of educational training. Therefore, residents are required to rotate through a variety of extramural sites.
Durham County Department of Public Health
Residents provide dental care for children at the Durham County Health Department under the mentorship of the Department of Pediatric Dentistry faculty. This rotation offers residents the opportunity to work as part of a community dental team. Most patients in this program are healthy children between 5 and 15 years of age.
UNC Hospitals
Graduate students provide care for children at UNC Hospitals in both the UNC Children’s Hospital and UNC Ambulatory Care Center and the UNC Hospital’s Oral Medicine Hospital Dental Clinic. These children often have complex medical histories and are medically complex.
Graduates are expected to participate in research oral presentations during the 1st year of residency, and to present their thesis research in the Adams School of Dentistry’s Research Day during the third year of residency. Preparation of a master’s level project with submission to a peer reviewed journal and an oral defense are required. Students will be encouraged to prepare abstracts and/or table clinics for scientific or educational meetings, as appropriate.
This dual training program is designed to prepare pediatric dental residents for positions that require a breadth of knowledge of the field of public health. All requirements of the degree must be completed within five years from time the student first matriculates in the MPH program.
Applicants first must be accepted as a candidate for the dual program by the Department of Pediatric Dentistry and also must be granted admission to the SPH. Following the results of the MATCH, applicants that have been approved will be asked to apply for SPH admissions.
In addition to the courses in specialty of pediatric dentistry, residents in this program will take 13 courses at the Gillings School of Global Public Health (SPH) and participate in a practicum or field training experience. Each graduate student is expected to complete a research project.
Since this program is a true combined program and SPH courses are integrated into the pediatric dentistry schedule, there are no additional tuition costs. There are additional practicum and professional fees.
Students who are not graduates of an ADA-accredited dental school must complete a simulation exam as part of their NC intern permit process. Such candidates must pass and complete the simulation exam within two months of their formal matriculation in the program. If a candidate does not pass the simulation exam within the two-month interval, they cannot advance in the clinical program and will be subject to dismissal from the program. These students are also required to take and pass Applied Pharmacology in Summer Term II.
Contact
Mailing Address
UNC Adams School of Dentistry
Campus Box #7450
Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7450
