Advanced Dental Education Program in Pediatric Dentistry

Drs. Lauren Heisinger and Sean Challenger provide oral healthcare services to a pediatric patient.

About the Program

This is a 24-month program beginning July 1 with five new positions offered each year. The program is a combined Hospital and University-based certificate program. The Stony Brook University Advanced Education Program in Pediatric Dentistry emphasizes resident training in the multidisciplinary comprehensive dental care approach and management of infants, children, and adolescents in addition to dental care for patients with developmental disabilities. Medically compromised patients are managed using an interdisciplinary healthcare team approach.
 

Program Goals

The Advanced Education Program is designed to provide clinical, didactic and hospital experience at the postdoctoral level. The program goals are as follows:

  • provide the resident with an appropriate and comprehensive education so that they become knowledgeable and clinically proficient in the specialty of pediatric dentistry
  • prepare the resident for a career in clinical practice and/or academics and encourage the resident to continue his/her professional growth after completion of the program through formal coursework, self-study, research, attaining board certification and an active role in an academic/teaching program
  • educate the resident to be proficient in developing patient-focused treatment plans in conjunction with interdisciplinary medical and dental care providers

Coursework Requirements

The didactic curriculum complements the residents’ clinical experiences. The core curriculum offers the knowledge and experience required in the medical and dental management of the pediatric and special needs patient. In addition, the curriculum meets the eligibility requirements of the ADA Committee on Dental Accreditation Standards for Advanced Education in Pediatric Dentistry and the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry.

The program is designed to ensure that the residents will become proficient in diagnosis, risk assessment and comprehensive treatment planning. Residents will develop the skills and knowledge to diagnose and treat acute infections and pain of the oral region, and traumatic injuries to the dental and maxillofacial tissues.

Residents will complete necessary didactic and clinical training in anesthesiology and pediatric dentistry to obtain a certificate in New York State for moderate sedation.

Service rotations to Pediatric Medicine, Emergency Medicine and Anesthesiology, which are designed to allow for continuity of patient care, take place at Stony Brook University Hospital and Stony Brook Medicine outpatient clinics.

The Pediatric Dentistry Residency program has a strong community service component. Residents participate in oral health programs, within school-based, Head Start and WIC programs and local family shelters. Residents participate in healthcare provider, allied health staff and caregiver education, and provide oral health services in the underserved areas of Suffolk County. Many of these community services take place in the Stony Brook Dental Mobile Clinic.

Research Opportunities

To explore research opportunities within Stony Brook University School of Dental Medicine, please visit the Office of Research page or contact Dr. Stephen Walker, Interim Director for Research. 

Stipends/Benefits

The salary of the pediatric dentistry residents is competitive with that offered in the tri-state area. No tuition is charged. 

Current information is available upon request. Housing, parking, and meals are readily available.

Meet Our Team

Program Director: Kimberly K. Patterson, DDS, MS
Phone: (631) 632-3181 | Email: kimberly.patterson@stonybrookmedicine.edu

Faculty:
Ross E. Gruber, DDS
Alexandra Makara, DDS
Yehuda Marciano, DDS
Kimberly K. Patterson, DDS, MS
Michael Reale, DDS
Mark Salerno, DDS
Rhona Sherwin, DDS
Dawn Sosnick, DDS
Viet Tran, DMD

 

Application Information

 

Application Requirements

  • Passed Part I, National Dental Board Examination or passed INBDE, or INBDE scores available prior to rank list submission
  • Proficient in the English language
  • Report postdoctoral Dental Match Program Code PED347 to PASS

Admission Requirements

  • Passed Parts I and II, National Dental Board Examination or INBDE
  • Earned a D.M.D./D.D.S. degree from a CODA-accredited U.S. or Canadian dental school
  • Submit an original dental school diploma directly to the program (not to PASS) 

Application

The application deadline is September 15th of the year preceding matriculation. The Stony Brook University Advanced Education Program in Pediatric Dentistry participates in the American Dental Education Association (ADEA) PASS program and the National Matching Service program.

Applicants must be graduates of dental schools in the United States or Canada with a DDS or DMD degree that is acceptable for New York State Licensure and accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the United States or Canada. Questions regarding the Advanced Education Program in Pediatric Dentistry can be directed to:

Dr. Kimberly K. Patterson, Program Director
Stony Brook University School of Dental Medicine
124 Rockland Hall
Stony Brook, NY 11794-8700
fax: (631) 632-8717
email: kimberly.patterson@stonybrookmedicine.edu

Application for Advanced Education Program in Pediatric Dentistry