NYU Langone Dental Medicine - Phoenix, AZ

Overview: The NYU Langone Dental Medicine Pediatric Dentistry (PEDS) Program is a 24-month hospital- and health-center based education program that provides a strong didactic and clinical foundation in Pediatric Dentistry. Founded in 1994, by Dr. Silvia Perez-Spiess in Brooklyn, NY, the program is fully accredited by the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA). The curriculum emphasizes pediatric medicine and dentistry, behavioral and pharmacologic management of children, oral biology, conscious sedation and general anesthesia for both the well child and those with special health care needs. Residents train with specialists in all disciplines of dentistry including orthodontics, oral surgery, periodontics, endodontics and dental anesthesia and develop expertise in treating patients who are medically compromised.

This innovative program is a hybrid blend of a strong distance learning didactic curriculum and extensive clinical experience. Distance-based didactic learning is achieved through asynchronous web-based education modules and a state-of-the-art video teleconference system that connects residents and faculty across all sites. With ample clinical exposure to pediatric medicine, conscious sedation and general anesthesia, graduates are trained to be an integral part of the medical team and hospital environment. Additional experience in hospital dentistry, craniofacial conditions, interceptive orthodontics, research, ethics and policy advocacy successfully prepares the graduate to pursue a career in private practice, public/community health or academia.

PEDS Curriculum: In Year 1, residents study most of the core curriculum, completing biomedical courses including oral biology, pediatric anesthesia, physical diagnosis, behavioral management, pediatric dentistry series, orthodontics, craniofacial development, and research methods and materials. At most sites, residents may attend monthly craniofacial conferences. Courses, electives, and requirements include core public health subjects. First-year residents also are assigned multiple rotations including pediatric medicine, general anesthesia, emergency medicine, phlebotomy, prenatal care, and on-call services.

In the second year, the curriculum is focused on children with complex medical conditions. Second-year residents are assigned with pediatric specialists to work in areas such as hematology, oncology, endocrinology, neurology, pulmonology, nephrology, cardiology, and immunology. 

Program Strengths: Residents receive a rich, comprehensive and robust education. Second year residents are well prepared to take the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry (ABPD) Qualifying Examination (QE), the first of a two-part ABPD certification process. The majority of NYU Langone Dental Medicine PEDS residents pass the QE and go on to become board-certified diplomates of the ABPD.

Research: Residents must complete a research project and, in Year 2, present their research posters at the annual AAPD meeting. 

NYU Langone Dental Medicine PEDS-PHOENIX: The Kids’ Dental Office of Phoenix is home to the NYU Langone Dental Medicine Pediatric Dentistry Program in Phoenix, AZ. In addition to the Phoenix site, residents perform full-mouth oral rehabilitation under general anesthesia at Phoenix Children’s Hospital, the top Children’s Hospital in Arizona.

Serving primarily low-income and underserved children statewide, The Kids’ Dental Office of Phoenix is located in an underserved neighborhood, one of the city’s most urban. Pediatric patients, from birth to age 18 years, are of diverse race and ethnicity (Hispanic, African-American, White/non-Hispanic, and Asian). Approximately 20% of patients have special health care needs including, but not limited to, autism, asthma, ADD/ADHD, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, and craniofacial anomalies.

With modern clinical facilities and more than 12 operatories, residents will have access to electronic dental records, digital radiography, and a dedicated operating room suite for conscious sedation and/or general anesthesia. Residents typically complete 50+ cases between the OR at Phoenix Children’s Hospital and in-office General Anesthesia, and the CODA-required an upwards of 50+ oral conscious sedations (25 as the operator; 25 as monitor) with our state-of-the-art dental monitors. All residents work with a dental assistant, treat a large number of patients, and acquire a wide variety of clinical skills that prepares graduates to practice competently and confidently in any setting.

PEDS residents are actively involved with the Craniofacial Team at Phoenix Children’s Hospital and gain experience in early presurgical comprehensive intervention for infants with cleft lip/cleft palate. In partnership with community dentists, residents also have the opportunity to learn about laser dentistry. Through after hours on-call rotations in the PCH Emergency Department, residents gain skill in managing many trauma cases. Residents complete almost all rotations at Phoenix Children’s Hospital and gain exposure to pediatric patients receiving care in pretty much anything one can think of. Residents also participate in a number of community outreach opportunities like AZMOM (AZ Mission of Mercy) and St. Vincent De Paul.

In Year 2, residents teach dental students from the Arizona School of Dentistry and Oral Health (ASDOH) and gain exposure to collaborative community activities and policy advocacy efforts with state/national partners.

For questions about the NYU Langone Dental Medicine-Phoenix site, contact Dr. Lisa Bienstock, Associate Program Director. Email: lisa.bienstock@nyulangone.org

Please upload a CV with your ADEA PASS application. 

The ADAT is not a requirement for application. If you take the ADAT we will consider your scores, but it is not a requirement for the Program.

If accepted, you must submit your dental school diploma and NBDE or INDBE scores to the program.