University of California, Los Angeles

The UCLA Pediatric Dentistry Residency Program is a postgraduate certificate program designed to produce strong academically-based pediatric dentists who may choose to pursue a career in teaching, private practice, or both, and who are knowledgeable about the disparities in the delivery of dental care, issues around access to dental care, and who advocate for possible solutions.

The didactic curriculum includes rounds, seminars, and conferences to assure residents achieve a thorough understanding of the biomedical and clinical sciences.  Topics include research methodology, biostatistics, clinical epidemiology, histology, embryology, genetics, growth and development, oral pathology, behavior guidance, preventive dentistry, sedation and anesthesia, pediatric medicine, and practice management.  This program provides extensive interdisciplinary experience in preventive oral health and community health with an emphasis on establishing and integrating oral health care programs in conjunction with pediatric health care programs.  Instruction is provided through the academic facilities and faculty at the UCLA School of Dentistry and the UCLA Health System.

Residents receive clinical training in all areas of Pediatric Dentistry including hospital care, management of child behavior, craniofacial growth, and the provision of care utilizing various sedation and anesthesia modalities. Clinical experiences are provided primarily at the Children's Dental Center in the UCLA School of Dentistry.  Along with competency in the traditional areas of the specialty, the program offers strong didactic and clinical orthodontic components to increase the resident’s skills in this area.

Pediatric Dentistry residents rotate through various clinical areas within the UCLA Health System that includes the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, the UCLA Medical Center, Santa Monica, and the Mattel Children's Hospital UCLA to gain expertise in pediatric medicine, general anesthesia, and the management of children with special needs such as those with chronic diseases and developmental disabilities.

Residents gain laboratory teaching experience in the first and second years, and in their second year of the program participate in clinical teaching at affiliated off-site community clinics.  

Pediatric Dentistry residents participate with community groups to support the oral health issues of children and advocate at the local, state, and national levels for public health policy legislation particularly for underserved populations.

A research project involving the collection and analysis of data resulting in a comprehensive report of publishable quality is required to complete the program. Individuals who successfully complete this training will meet the advanced education requirements set forth by the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry and will be eligible to qualify for the Board examination and certification.