The Pediatric Dentistry–Advanced Specialty Program is designed to prepare residents as specialists in this area of dentistry. The curriculum leads to a certificate in pediatric dentistry. While clinical pediatric dentistry is emphasized, this clinical experience is balanced with a didactic curriculum of multidisciplinary courses and seminars. A research component is designed to expose the resident to problem-solving using the scientific method. The program requires a minimum of 24 months in residence beginning July 1, and fulfills the requirements for initiating the process of certification by the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry.
Following enrollment into the program, residents may also apply for acceptance into either the Master of Science (M.S.) or the Master of Science in Dentistry (M.S.D.) degree program. The application should be submitted before the end of the first year and must be endorsed by the program director. Admission into the M.S. or the M.S.D. degree track may extend the length of study. The additional time must be in residence.
By the end of this program, the graduate should be able to:
Program link: https://dentistry.llu.edu/admissions/advanced-dental-education-programs
The Pediatric Dentistry, Advanced Program participates in the Postdoctoral Application Support Service (PASS) of the American Dental Education Association (ADEA), which allows applicants to apply to multiple participating institutions. A PASS application is required.
PASS applicants for the advanced education program in pediatric dentistry must also complete and submit an online application (llu.edu/central/apply) directly to Loma Linda University.
The Pediatric Dentistry, Advanced Program also participates in the Postdoctoral Dental Matching Program (MATCH). This program identifies and "matches" the preferences of applicants and advanced education programs, using a rank order list submitted by the applicant and the program. A Match application is also required.
For admission requirements, please refer to the Program's website: http://www.llu.edu/dentistry/pediatrics/graduateprogram.page?.
Application for admission should be submitted by November 15 of the year prior to the summer of intended enrollment.
Tuition, fees, and other cost-of-attendance items are located on the Find a Program webpage.
| Major | ||
| PEDN 503 | Pediatric Dental Seminar (2) | 16 |
| PEDN 508 | Pediatric Hospital Dentistry Seminar | 2 |
| PEDN 512 | Oral Sedation Seminar | 2 |
| PEDN 521 | Principles of Medicine and Physical Diagnosis | 2 |
| PEDN 524 | Introduction to Orthodontics | 2 |
| PEDN 524L | Introduction to Orthodontics Laboratory | 1 |
| PEDN 604 | Pediatric Dental Literature (2-12) | 12 |
| PEDN 654 | Practice Teaching for Pediatric Dentistry | 5 |
| PEDN 680 | Elective Study for Advanced Education Students of Pediatric Dentistry | 5 |
| PEDN 696 | Scholarly Activity in Pediatric Dentistry | 1 |
| PEDN 697A | Research | 1 |
| PEDN 697B | Research | 1 |
| Interdisciplinary | ||
| GRDN 514 | Introduction to Biomedical Research | 4 |
| GRDN 601 | Practice Management | 2 |
| GRDN 609 | Professional Ethics 2 | 2 |
| GRDN 622A | Biomedical Science | 2 |
| ORDN 526 | Applied Anatomy | 2 |
| ORDN 545 | Growth and Development | 3 |
| ORDN 606 | Craniofacial Genetics | 2 |
| ORDN 608 | Speech, Language, Breathing, and Orofacial Myofunction | 1 |
| ORPA 533 | Radiology Topics for Graduate Dental Programs | 2 |
| REL_ 5__ | Graduate-level Religion | 3 |
| Total Units | 73 | |
| Clinical 1 | ||
| PEDN 725 | Pediatric Dental Clinic (8) | 64 |
Units for clinic practice courses are in addition to the minimum didactic units required for the degree.
Fulfills service learning requirement.
Two (2) years (24 months) — full-time enrollment required
In addition to completing the requirements for the certificate as listed above, students must also complete the following courses and fulfill the general requirements for the degree. Students may take up to one year following the completion of the certificate program to complete the M.S.D. degree.
| PEDN 697C | Research | 1 |
Two (2) years — full-time enrollment required (includes the time needed to complete the certificate program)
In addition to completing the requirements for the certificate as listed above, students must also complete the following courses and fulfill the general requirements for the degree. Students have five (5) years from the start of the certificate program to complete the M.S. degree.
| PEDN 698 | Thesis | 1-3 |
Two (2) years — full-time enrollment required (includes the time needed to complete the certificate program)
Bonnie A. Nelson
Jung-Wei Chen
Jung-Wei Chen
Wesley K. Okumura
Samah I. Omar
Yawen Peng
Laurita Su
PEDN 503. Pediatric Dental Seminar. 2 Units.
Selected clinical topics in pediatric dentistry. Requires repeated registrations to fulfill total units.
PEDN 508. Pediatric Hospital Dentistry Seminar. 2-4 Units.
Hospital protocol and the care of patients in a hospital environment.
PEDN 512. Oral Sedation Seminar. 2 Units.
Pharmacology, medical considerations, clinical applications, and protocols for oral sedation.
PEDN 521. Principles of Medicine and Physical Diagnosis. 2 Units.
Medical and physical diagnosis for the pediatric dental patient.
PEDN 524. Introduction to Orthodontics. 2 Units.
Diagnosis and treatment planning for clinical orthodontics.
PEDN 524L. Introduction to Orthodontics Laboratory. 1,2 Unit.
Fabrication of various orthodontic appliances.
PEDN 604. Pediatric Dental Literature. 2-12 Units.
Pediatric dental literature study, including literature found on the reading list of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry. Repeated registrations required to fulfill the total units.
PEDN 654. Practice Teaching for Pediatric Dentistry. 1-5 Units.
Student gains experience teaching pediatric dentistry in clinical and laboratory settings. Repeated registrations required to fulfill the total units.
PEDN 680. Elective Study for Advanced Education Students of Pediatric Dentistry. 1-10 Units.
Topics selected by students in the advanced education program in pediatric dentistry and by department faculty. Repeated registrations required to fulfill the total units.
PEDN 696. Scholarly Activity in Pediatric Dentistry. 1 Unit.
Selected didactic, clinical, and/or laboratory activity developed by the program director or a designated program faculty member. Primarily designed for residents to fulfill the certificate requirements for scholarly activity/research in pediatric dentistry. Multiple registrations may be needed to complete these activities.
PEDN 697A. Research. 1 Unit.
Student identifies a research project, prepares a protocol, and obtains approval for the protocol. Multiple registrations may be needed to complete these research activities.
PEDN 697B. Research. 1 Unit.
Conducting the actual research project, including the data collection. Multiple registrations may be needed to complete these research activities.
PEDN 697C. Research. 1 Unit.
Resident completes research project, holds a public presentation of research, and submits a publishable paper to their research guidance committee (RGC) for approval. Multiple registrations may be needed to complete the publishable paper.
PEDN 698. Thesis. 1-3 Units.
Required for M.S.-degree track.
PEDN 725. Pediatric Dental Clinic. 8 Units.
Clinical pediatric dental experience in both the outpatient and inpatient settings for patients with a variety of clinical needs and problems. Repeated registrations required to fulfill total units.
PEDN 821. Pediatric Dentistry II. 1 Unit.
Traumatic injuries to the primary and young permanent teeth and oral soft tissues. Developmental and eruption patterns of primary and permanent teeth. Sports dentistry. Pediatric sedation techniques and monitoring. Oral habits of children. Child abuse.
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